My sister and I have been talking about this subject off and on over the
past year. From the experiences of others whom we have talked to or
read about, it almost sounded as though this was something that was
special and secret calling/ordinance administered in the temple. It was
something you are selected for, quite rare and something you just don't
hear people talk about.
To have your calling and election made sure or to receive your second anointing means that that you have had your exaltation sealed upon you in this life. From what I learned, once you have had your calling and election made sure, if you commit no murder or deny the Holy Ghost, you will come forth in the first resurrection, and
enter into exaltation.
“The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed
up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through
the power of the Holy Priesthood.” (D&C 131:5.)
After further looking into the subject, to my surprise I have found that anyone who has entered into all the temple covenants and desires to have their calling and election made sure can do so. Because it is done so through the priesthood, I'm not sure if that means you must receive it through laying on of hands or just through your own personal witness (which seems to be the latter from what I have read). I have more reading up to do, but I want to share with you some interesting links that I found. Bruce R. McConkie touches on it in more detail in his book Mormon Doctrine:
Those members of the Church who devote themselves wholly to righteousness,
living by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, make
their calling and election sure. That is, they receive the more
sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation
upon them while they are yet in this life. Peter summarized the course
of righteousness which the saints must pursue to make their calling and
election sure and then (referring to his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration
with James and John) said that those three had received this more sure
word of prophecy. (2 Pet. 1.)
Joseph Smith taught: “After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins,
and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost (by
the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue
to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and
living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou
shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that
the man is determined to serve him at all hazards, then the man will find his
calling and election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the
other Comforter.” To receive the other Comforter is to have Christ appear to
him and to see the visions of eternity. (Teachings, pp. 149–151.)
Thus, as the prophet also said, “The more sure word of prophecy means
a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and
the spirit of prophecy through the power of the Holy Priesthood.” (D. &
C. 131:5.) Those so favored of the Lord are sealed up against all manner
of sin and blasphemy except the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and the
shedding of innocent blood. That is, their exaltation is assured; their
calling and election is made sure, because they have obeyed the fulness
of God’s laws and have overcome the world. Though such persons “shall commit
any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever and
all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed
innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and
enter into their exaltation.” (D. & C. 132:26.)
The Lord says to them: “Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection;
. . . and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers,
dominions, all heights and depths.” (D. & C. 132:19.) The prophet,
for one, had this seal placed upon him. That is, he knew “by revelation
and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood,” that
he would attain godhood in the world to come. To him Deity said: “I am
the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world,
and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation,
and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father with Abraham your
father.” (D. & C. 132:49.)
It should be clearly understood that these high blessings are not part of
celestial marriage. “Blessings pronounced upon couples in connection
with celestial marriage are conditioned upon the subsequent faithfulness of
the participating parties.” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, pp. 46–47.)
[Pp. 109–10 in McConkie, Bruce R. 1966. Mormon Doctrine.
2nd ed. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft.]
Here is a great ensign article that goes into more detail:
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1976/07/accepted-of-the-lord-the-doctrine-of-making-your-calling-and-election-sure
Lastly, here is a link I found to a thread that discusses how to receive it for yourself.
http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22462http://www.ldsfreedomforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22462
If you have had your calling and election made sure, I know it is very personal and not something to be discussed on the internet. But what a glorious thing to have an assurance of. How much better will your life be living in this manner and knowing that you are exalted. I would love to hear more insight about this subject if anyone would like to add to what I have written. In the meantime, I'm going to read more about the subject and get back to you with what I find.
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