First Fruits /Rapture :  1st stage in the Four trumps of the resurrection

Rapture:  Math 24:31, 1 Thes 4:15-18, D&C 45:45, 88:96,
Saints Caught up/ Morning of the first resurrection, First Fruits, angels Trump; Math 24:39-42, Luke 17:29-36,  1 Thes 4:16-17, 1 Cor 15:51-52,  D&C 45:45-46, D&C 88:96. 133:56.

Take note of the placement of this event. Many believe there will be a rapture that will preclude having to go through the refiner's fire (Pre-Tribulation).  Nelson Walters, (Rapture: Case Closed?, page 113) attributes this view to Three scriptures, Rev 3:10, 1 Thes 1:10 and 2 Peter 2:9. Prior to reading His book I found this was based on Luke 21:36, they key phrase being ...escape all these things..  (John Hagee, Four Blood Moons, page 78)  Also according to Hagee the post-Tribulation view comes from 1 Cor 15:51-52 "...at the last Trumpet" putting the rapture after the tribulations (John Hagee, Four Blood Moons, page 89).  There is also a less favored Mid-Tribulation view, at the mid point of the 7 year period,  of which the Pickering’s seems to be one: see their web site. From an LDS view see D&C 45:45.  Most Christians talk about the Church being caught up.  I think they are spot on.  The next question is which Church and when?
 

So who qualifies for this?  Many Christians are counting on this event and look forward to this day.  Who will be included in those who are caught up (raptured) ? My studies to date reflect an understanding that it is they who qualify for the Celestial Kingdom (by qualify I do not limit it to those who have completed all the necessary requirements but also include the good men of the living  who would have done so if given the opportunity as understood  in D&C 137:7-8 )  There is limited LDS material dealing with this topic but in line with Brother McConkies teachings those qualifying for lower kingdoms will not be present at the beginning of the Millenium and thus would not qualify for this event. (Current understanding: The "Church" will be The Church of the Firstborn, the saints who have the mark in their forehead (אֵ֥ת :Aleph Tav (Alpha and Amega): text hidden in the original Hebrew identifies who qualifies for the mark, and in and of itself is a mark)  Revelation 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4... More to follow as it becomes available. Also see section below: Wicked burned ...)

According to Steve Cioccolanti

 (Discover Ministries: Discover.org.au) The last trumpet spoken of is not the trumpets of revelations but the last trump of the feast of trumpets , Yom Teruah or Rosh Hashannah, it falls on the first day of Etanim, (also known traditionally as Tishri) which is the seventh month (I.E. September 14 2015)  on the Jewish lunar Calendar. If He is accurate then we have a fixed date assigned to the rapture.  He also looks for this to happen prior to the tribulation events.
Looking at a statement by Willford Woodruff  (Journal of Discourses  18:192)  "...there must be a place of safety for the people of God while his judgments are abroad in the earth, for the judgments of God will visit the earth.."  looks like the Pre-Tribulation option is off the table.

“......Following this great event, and after the Lord and the righteous who are caught up to meet him have descended upon the earth, there will come to pass another resurrection. This may be considered as a part of the first, although it comes later. In this resurrection will come forth those of the terrestrial order, who were not worthy to be caught up to meet him, but who are worthy to come forth to enjoy the millennial reign” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:295–97).


The event is real but the timing is key. Many of the trials will need to be endured. Like the 10 virgins we must be prepared in order to make it through, then comes the lifting up of the Saints to meet Christ just prior to the burning of the wicked. (I had this just prior to the wicked being burned, but looking at D&C 45:45 this event happens prior to the arm of the Lord falling. so I moved it to the section dealing with the Arm of the Lord.  Then I moved it to the day of wrath section, I have now moved it to this Mid Point section. Looking at D&C 15:6 and McConkies New witness of the articles of faith 573 and J.S. History 2:52 I don't se a pre-tribulation option..)