D&C 33:6

And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and harken unto my voice.

Dictionary: Elect (noun)

1. Carefully selected - chosen

    Chosen for salvation through divine mercy

2. A select or exclusive group of people that have privilege that other people do not have

I find these two definitions interesting because number one is inclusive and can include everyone but number two is exclusive and suggest some are better than others. So what you read in this verse depends completely on how you define the word elect.

As a church we have used that second definition and I'm not sure it even makes sense to do so. Every person who has ever lived upon the Earth is a son or daughter of God - loved and cherished, with the same divine potential.

Yes, some people hear the message of the restored gospel and join the church. Perhaps we could say that these who are chose these are they who are chosen to do the work of family history and Temple work, the gathering of God's family. There is a job for them to do here that is meaningful in God's plan for his family.

But certainly God our Heavenly parents see all their children as elect, chosen, special. None more valuable than another.

They have chosen all for salvation. Our eternal well-being is their work and glory. They sent Jesus for all mankind. We - all of us - are there elect. They have their hearts fixed upon us.

Now it is up to us. We must now choose them. Our hearts must turn to them. We need to let our work and glory be the welfare of our brothers and sisters. And we have been commanded to love all.

So I accept that some are elected and chosen to be part of the restoration. And I also believe that others are elected and chosen into other of God's fields to do the work there. All are needed. We should always be generous of heart and think inclusively. How else can we build Zion?