Summary:
Lori Vallow allegedly claimed to have been “translated” and therefore not able to sin. This is a misapplication of Church doctrine and not a common belief among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Misapplication of an Actual Belief
Lori Vallow allegedly claimed that she “didn’t have to repent,” implying whatever she did was morally correct and not sinful, because she had been “translated.” This alludes to an actual belief taught in both the Bible and in Latter-day Saint scripture: God gives some individuals immortality for a special mission, so they remain living on earth instead of dying.
What is a Translated Being?
In chapter 21 of the Gospel of John in the Bible, Jesus told disciples about John “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?…Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die.” Also in the Bible, the Epistle to the Hebrews echoes Genesis in reporting “by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him.” A similar account in the Book of Mormon reports three of Jesus’ disciples requested and received the same “translation.” They would “never taste of death, but…live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men…even until all things shall be fulfilled…when [Jesus Christ] shall come in [His] glory with the powers of heaven.”
Translation is Extraordinarily Uncommon
So it is true the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with Christians generally, believe “translation” is possible. But it is also extraordinarily uncommon. Scriptures record only a handful of cases, out of the entirety of human history. None of those cases happened more recently than almost two thousand years ago. None of the modern leaders whom Latter-day Saints revere most–not Joseph Smith, not Brigham Young, not any other prophet–were translated.
Strange, Suspicious and Self-aggrandizing
Lori Vallow’s claim to have been “translated” would sound extremely strange and suspicious to almost any other member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It sounds self-aggrandizing to the point of delusion. Members of the Church do not commonly expect to be translated, or to meet a fellow Church member who has been translated. Church leaders do not teach that members should strive or expect to be translated.
Not even logical on its own terms
Moreover, Vallow’s claim to have been “translated” wasn’t even logical on its own terms. Those whose translation was reported in the scriptures had a special mission to perform beyond their normal lifespan, for which they needed to still be mortal beings. For example, Elijah and Moses needed to be able to give priesthood blessings to Jesus, Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration in John chapter 17. Vallow’s claim doesn’t fit those circumstances.
Summary
Along with Vallow’s alleged claim to have been called to gather the 144,000 and Daybell’s alleged claim to be the Davidic Servant, this claim to have been “translated” was far outside the mainstream of Church belief and teaching.
