Jesus’ response to that was, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”

This meant that in order for the Savior to be completely perfect and fulfill His father’s plan, He had to be baptized. But how could that be when we are baptized to be forgiven of our sins?

Jesus taught that baptism isn’t just a washing away of our sins but an entrance—a gateway that opens a pathway back to the Father.

This can be confusing because there is a common belief that God is both the Father and the Son. But this event tells us that not only was Christ baptized by water, but the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. We call that the Godhead.

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”

We have Jesus, who was just baptized by John the Baptist in His temporal, mortal body; we have the Holy Ghost, which descended in the form of a dove on Jesus’ shoulder; and we have the voice of Heavenly Father. Three separate beings, but all with the same purpose. And that purpose is to help us make it back to them someday.

The act of being baptized by full water is symbolic. It represents our willingness to follow Jesus Christ, strip ourselves of our old selves and come out of the water, clean again. It’s a symbolic death and rebirth. It’s also essential to our salvation, including the Savior’s. Even though He is God, because He chose to come to Earth in a mortal body and suffer for us, part of that deal included baptism.

To reiterate Christ’s words, “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” A common belief among Christians is thanks to Christ, by grace we are saved. Many believe that as long as we accept Christ into our hearts and believe on His name, we will be saved. Mormons believe very similarly. We believe that when we are baptized, we promise to take His name upon us.

We covenant, or make a promise with God, that we will do all that we can to keep the commandments and live as Christlike as we can. That’s what we do when we follow the Savior’s words, “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” This means we help each other in times of need and we give ourselves through service whenever and wherever we can. He meant that justice is a real thing and that we need to fulfill that law. We need to do all that we can do to follow Him, just as He did all that He could to follow the Father. Then, after we do all we can, by grace we are saved.

“Then he suffered him,” can be interpreted to mean that the law will suffer us. As long as we try our best and be baptized, then we are able to repent and be forgiven of our sins all throughout our lives.

Baptism was part of the law that Jesus had to fulfill. It was a symbolic message to us that because He was baptized, so must we be, by full immersion in water. It’s that first step to entering the Kingdom of God.

Does God Exist?

One of the questions you may have had is if God does in fact exist? M. Russell Ballard says,

“In last October’s general conference, I invited listeners to follow Brigham Young’s counsel to stay on the Old Ship Zion, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to hold on with both hands. Since then, I am happy to know that some of my family and others were listening and have asked me this question: “What’s in the Old Ship Zion that we should hang on to?” I reminded them of what President Brigham Young said: “We are on the old ship Zion. … [God] is at the helm and will stay there. … He dictates, guides and directs. If the people will have implicit confidence in their God, never forsake their covenants nor their God, He will guide us right.”

It is comforting to know that “God is at the Helm” and that He will lead us through the difficulties of the world. He sends us tools to help us along in this life. President Henry B. Eyring says,

“We were not sent here completely in the dark. Each of us was given a portion of God’s light, called the “Light of Christ,” to help us distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong. This is why even those who live with little or no knowledge of the Father’s plan can still sense, in their hearts, that certain actions are just and moral while others are not.”

President Henry B. Eyring continues,

“Our sense of right and wrong seems especially keen when we are raising our children. Innate in almost every parent is the desire to teach his or her children moral virtues. This is part of the miracle of Heavenly Father’s plan. He wants His children to come to earth, following the eternal pattern of families that exists in heaven. Families are the basic organizational unit of the eternal realms, and so He intends for them also to be the basic unit on earth. Though earthly families are far from perfect, they give God’s children the best chance to be welcomed to the world with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven—parental love. Families are also the best way to preserve and pass on moral virtues and true principles that are most likely to lead us back to God’s presence.”

I believe that this quote is saying that the best way we can come to know or find God is in our families. As we teach our children and give them the tools to know right and wrong, we come closer to God. This is the plan for all of us and it will help us to return back to God’s presence.

Who is God?

It is hard for us to figure out how to know who God is when we haven’t met Him face to face. However, one way to know who God is, is to look at His Son, Jesus Christ, who exemplified His nature when He was ministering on the earth. Jeffrey R. Holland says,

“God in His ultimate effort to have us know Him, sent to earth His Only Begotten and perfect Son, created in His very likeness and image, to live and serve among mortals in the everyday rigors of life.To come to earth with such a responsibility, to stand in place of Elohim—speaking as He would speak, judging and serving, loving and warning, forbearing and forgiving as He would do—this is a duty of such staggering proportions that you and I cannot comprehend such a thing. But in the loyalty and determination that would be characteristic of a divine child, Jesus could comprehend it and He did it. Then, when the praise and honor began to come, He humbly directed all adulation to the Father. “The Father … doeth the works,” He said in earnest. “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” [John 14:10; John 5:19]. On another occasion, He said: “I speak that which I have seen with my Father” [John 8:38].”

I like to think of a God that loves us so deeply that He provides a way for us to return to Him despite our flaws which lead to human mistakes.

Does God want to help people?

Of course, God wants to help people. We only have to ask for His help because He gives us all our agency so that we can make our own choices. This can be seen in the story of Adam and Eve. Robert D. Hales explains,

“Now we are here on earth, where opportunities to use our agency abound; for here “there is an opposition in all things.” This opposition is essential to the purpose of our lives. As Lehi explained, “Adam and Eve were the first of God’s children to experience these enticements. Having sought the misery of all mankind, Satan, “the father of all lies,” tempted Adam and Eve. Because they chose to partake of the “forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.” Because of that choice, they also “brought forth children; … even the family of all the earth,” and this earthly state “became a state of probation” for them and for their posterity. For “behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things,” Lehi told Jacob. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

He continues,

“Sometimes we forget that our Heavenly Father desires that each of us have this joy. Only by yielding to temptation and sin can we be kept from that joy. And yielding is exactly what Satan wants us to do.”

Why do bad things happen?

Bad things happen because everyone on this earth was given agency by God to act and make their own decisions. Robert D. Hales says,

“Now we are here on earth, where opportunities to use our agency abound; for here “there is an opposition in all things.” This opposition is essential to the purpose of our lives. As Lehi explained, “To bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, … the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.”

This is how we learn and grow. The bad things that we go through are to bring us closer to God so that we make the decision to return to Him. He doesn’t force anybody to believe in Him. It is a trial of faith.

Robert D. Hales continues with,

“We have been given agency, we have been given the blessings of the priesthood, and we have been given the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost for a reason. That reason is our growth and happiness in this world and eternal life in the world to come.”

God exists, how do I find Him?

One of the ways that we can find God is prayer. When I first prayed to Him, to know Him, I was eighteen years old. I had been bullied a lot in high school and I felt alone. I prayed for Him to let me know if He was there and to feel His comfort and love. This was the first time that I felt His love wash through my body. This is how I came to find Him when I was in one of my darkest moments. He will reach out when prayers are said. James E. Faust says,

“Great is the power of prayer. No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place. When God placed man on the earth, prayer became the lifeline between mankind and God.”

This is the way that we come to find and know God. I have come to Him through prayer many times since that first time that I prayed to Him. It is amazing to feel that depth of love through prayer to God.

Our Families Can Be Together Eternally

In life, everyone will experience loss. Depending on your circumstances you may experience losing your parents, children, significant other, or others close to you. But even though dying is a part of life that we all will experience, death is not the end. One day, we will be able to see, touch, talk with, and enjoy the presence of every person we’ve lost.

Pre-Mortal Existence

Before the earth was created our spirits existed in heaven, and we lived in heaven with our Heavenly Father. However, given the spirit state we were in, we could not live up to our eternal potential and be like our Father in heaven. And so God created a plan called the Plan of Salvation. This plan detailed how we could become like God, and receive all the blessings that He has.

However, God knew that earth life would be hard. He knew we would need help. But more importantly, He wanted us to experience the joy of having a family, having an eternal marriage, and having our own children. So he created families.

How Are Eternal Families Possible?

There are three things that needed to occur for families to be forever. These events are the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.  In addition, eternal families must be created through the correct ordinances and covenants.

The Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement

Adam and Eve, by Jay Bryant Ward Via lds.org © intellectual reserve

The Creation is a term referring to the idea that God created all things. He created the earth, and he created man. Through the Creation, marriage was also introduced. Adam and Eve were the first people to be married.

Mark A. Mathews writes in his article from the Ensign, “From the beginning, marriage between a man and a woman was ordained of God and established as the ultimate purpose of our creation.”

Nonetheless, the Garden of Eden was unique in that Adam and Eve could not change, or grow. The state that Adam and Eve existed in did not allow for them to have children. And so all mankind needed the Fall. The Fall refers to Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, which they had been commanded not to eat. There were two consequences that befell Adam and Eve from the Fall: they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, and they entered into a mortal state. This was a good thing though because this new state would allow for children to be born.

The Creation and the Fall created a way for families to come into this world, but without the Atonement, families could not be eternal. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome spiritual and physical death, and be with our families forever. This is a central doctrine of Mormonism. The family is sacred to us.

Sacred Ordinances And Covenants

Now that eternal families are possible, we still have to do our part. Not all families are sealed for eternity. You may be familiar with the phrase, “till death do us part.” Marriages that are performed without the necessary sealing power become void in death. Fortunately, mankind has been given the ability to form eternal marriages. An eternal marriage must be:

• Between two worthy individuals
• Take place in dedicated temples
• Be consecrated by someone blessed with the right to perform eternal marriages

Even if all these things are in place, however, the promised blessings of an eternal marriage are still predicated upon each spouse’s faithfulness to the promises they made to each other and to God. Robert D. Hales has taught:

An eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities.

Children born to parents who have been joined eternally are born in the covenant. This means that they will automatically be included in the eternal sealing their parents created, and therefore, they will be sealed, or connected, to their parents forever.

What If I Don’t Want To Be With My Family Forever?

Unfortunately, not all families have positive dynamics. Divorce, estrangement, and even abuse occur in families in today’s world. In these situations, it’s very natural to feel upset and distressed over the prospect of being stuck with a dysfunctional family forever. Sadly, there hasn’t been much information related to this particular topic. However, we do know that in heaven there will be no pain. Heaven will be a place infused with joy and love. We also know that God will be fair and just. He would not allow anyone to be tormented by another once they have reached their eternal paradise.

Photo by Takmeomeo on pixabay

Joseph F. Smith has taught:

If a man and woman should be joined together who are incompatible to each other it would be a mercy to them to be separated that they might have a chance to find other spirits that will be congenial to them.

I feel that this would apply to any relationship within a family. If a parent abused their child, I don’t believe that God would force the child against their will to endure eternity with their abuser.

In these situations, it’s important to remember that we have been given the gift of agency. We will have the freedom to choose in heaven, and we will not be encumbered by pain and fear.

It’s also important to remember that we don’t have a full knowledge and understanding of the nature of heaven, nor of what our own heavenly disposition and capabilities will be. I imagine that we were probably very close with our family members in heaven before we came to earth. A life-long abusive relationship on earth may seem more like a small, intense fight between friends from an eternal perspective. Again, remember that we will not be in pain in heaven. All wrongs will be made right. Maybe, after justice and mercy have been applied, those who have been gravely mistreated will feel differently. Perhaps they will desire to embrace their eternal friends with forgiveness and love. But I do not believe that anyone will be forced to.

Create A Loving Family

Your family can be the best part of your life. Your family can trump your job, your friends, your favorite sports team, or any other passions you have.  We don’t have a choice in who are parents and siblings are, but we will choose whom to marry.  We will choose how to raise our children.  These are choices we should not take lightly.

Because of the importance of the family to the eternal plan of happiness, Satan makes a major effort to destroy the sanctity of the family, demean the importance of the role of men and women, encourage moral uncleanliness and violations of the sacred law of chastity, and to discourage parents from placing the bearing and rearing of children as one of their highest priorities.

-Robert D. Hales

The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a statement from the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles of the Church.  In this statement, it says:

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Love your family.  Make every effort possible to get along with your family. Be willing to forgive, and let go of things family members have done to hurt you, and have an open mind towards family members that have different opinions and beliefs. Definitely, don’t marry someone you can’t imagine spending the rest of your life with. You have the power to create a loving family.

The Bible and the Book of Mormon Testify of Christ (The Bible and Book of Mormon: Two Witnesses) by Greg K. Olsen via lds.org © intellectual reserve

What Is The Book Of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is a religious book studied by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the Church believe that the Book of Mormon is quite literally “another testament of Jesus Christ” (in addition to the Bible).

The Book of Mormon acts as a companion book to the Bible, and it supports the doctrines, and testimony of Christ found in the Bible.

Who Is The Book Of Mormon About?

The Book of Mormon is unique from the Bible because through the Book of Mormon, we learn about the ancient people and ancient prophets from the Americas. You may recall that the Bible detailed the history of the people from the ancient eastern hemisphere.

Who Is Mormon?

Mormon was a Nephite prophet and military general who lived about A.D. 311-385. Mormon was the person who was tasked with compiling, keeping, and abridging the words of the ancient prophets of the Americas.

Moroni Hides the Plates in the Hill Cumorah by Tom Lovell via lds.org © intellectual reserve

How Did We Get The Book Of Mormon?

Ancient Prophets chose, through the Spirit, what they wanted to document. They wrote about the history of their people, and the miraculous, spiritual experiences they had. Mormon abridged these records.

After Mormon passed away, his son, Moroni, also abridged some of these records and then sealed them. Through the Lord’s instruction, Moroni hid the records.

In the year A.D. 1823, Moroni visited Joseph Smith as a resurrected being. Moroni gave Joesph Smith instructions on how to find the records.

Joesph Smith translated the records, through the power of God, from a modified, reformed Egyptian, into English.

Why You Should Read The Book Of Mormon

Guide For Life

First and foremost, the Book of Mormon is a flawless guide for us. It is the perfect teacher for how to navigate our way through this life. The stories may be about people from a time so long ago, that their world seems more alien than not; however, the gospel principles and doctrine are the same that will lead us to salvation today.

In the first section of the Book of Mormon, called 1 Nephi, there are a few chapters spent describing a vision that Lehi, and later Nephi, had. This vision (of the Tree of Life) is very symbolic and is about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the wickedness of the world. In my own personal study of these chapters I learned several things I can apply to my own life, during these modern times:

• Even the most righteous of people need someone to be a good example (1 Nephi 8:14-16).
• There are people who truly desire to be righteous and follow God, but are drawn away and distracted by the wickedness of the world (1 Nephi 8:21-23)
• People who are in the great and spacious building (which is symbolic of the pride of the world) did not have a laid out path there. They had to meticulously seek the great and spacious building out. They had to turn their back on Jesus Christ feel their way there in the dark (1 Nephi 8:31).

Jesus the Christ by Del Parson via lds.org © intellectual reserve

Another Witness Of Jesus Christ

The Book of Mormon is another witness to us of Jesus Christ. On the Church’s website, we are taught, “the scriptures show us a pattern of using multiple witnesses to establish truth in Christ’s Church. The Book of Mormon adds a second witness to the Bible as a testimony of Christ.”

The Book of Mormon also clarifies on doctrines that were not addressed fully (or at all) in the Bible.

Come Closer To God

There is a very popular quote from Joseph Smith about the Book of Mormon, which states, “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book.”

If we want to communicate with God, we pray to him. If we want God to communicate with us, we read the scriptures. When we read the scriptures, the Holy Spirit sends impressions to us. By reading the scriptures, we can be changed for the better, and reach our eternal potential.

Invitation To Learn The Truth

Before Moroni sealed up the plates and hid them, he added a few more chapters. The Book of Moroni is only about 13 pages long and talks about several things including details about the administering of the sacrament, and some last words from Mormon.

One chapter in particular, however, includes instruction on how to know for yourself the truth of the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Moroni, chapter 10, verses 3-5:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Learn More:

A Brief Explanation of the Book of Mormon

Details of How the Book of Mormon was Translated

Moroni’s Promise by Elder Gene R. Cook (Ensign April 1994)

The Plan of Salvation starts during the time before the earth was created.  This time is generally called our pre-earth life, or pre-mortal life.  During this time, we lived in heaven with God.  The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that we are God’s children.  As His children, God wanted us to be like Him.  In our pre-earth life, we didn’t have bodies. One of the Church’s handbooks, Preach My Gospel, explains:

We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth. We were not, however, like our Heavenly Father, nor could we ever become like Him and enjoy all the blessings that He enjoys without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body.

Because of His desire for us to be like Him, God created a plan: The Plan of Salvation. God created this plan because He wants us to have eternal life with Him.

What is the Plan of Salvation?

Created by Adjwilley

The Pre-mortal Existence

Before coming to live on earth, we were with God, in our pre-mortal existence. It was during this time that the Plan of Salvation was created, and presented to us. The goal from the beginning was to progress to be like Our Father, who is a glorified, perfect, resurrected man of flesh and bone. God knew we wouldn’t be able to become like Him without His help. His plan included a Savior to meet the demands of justice when we fail, and enable mercy to make just people perfect. Most of God’s children loved the plan, and the idea to come to earth to gain knowledge, form relationships, and develop faith.

However, Satan, or Lucifer, did not agree with God’s plan.  He presented his own plan in which he promised to save every soul through the destruction of man’s agency.  Not only would Lucifer have not been able to achieve this boastful claim, but this plan would defeat the purpose of coming to earth to learn and gain experience.

God chose Jesus Christ to be the Savior and Redeemer of His plan.  It was always meant to be that way, as Jesus was the chosen Savior from the start.  As you can probably imagine though, Lucifer was pretty upset.  Lucifer rebelled against God, and 1/3 of the souls in heaven chose to follow him in his rebellion (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36).  We know, just by the fact that we are here on earth, that we chose to follow God’s plan, because those souls who followed Lucifer will never come to earth and receive a body.

The Veil of Forgetfulness, and Birth

Jesus Christ comforting a man.

When it is our individual time to come to earth, we are born. At some point between our pre-mortal existence and the beginning of our earthly life, we went through the Veil of Forgetfulness. For the Plan of Salvation to be effective, we cannot remember our lives before earth. Bruce C. Hafen has an article titled, The Value of the Veil, in the Ensign (an LDS Church magazine) from June 1977. In this article, he states, “Not only does the veil keep us from remembering our past … but also it keeps us from seeing many things that are going on at the present – for God, his angels, and their activities are hidden from our sight.”

The veil assists us in forgetting our time before earth and prevents us from witnessing miraculous things here on earth. This is actually for our benefit, as backward as that may sound. What would be the point in coming to earth, and having faith in God, if we knew for a surety that God was real? How could we truly be tested on our ability to love God, and follow his commandments if we could look outside our window and see literal angels doing God’s work? There would be no challenge. We wouldn’t learn or grow.

Hafen continues later on in his address:

Salvation is a process, as well as a goal. Salvation involves growth, development, and change. That process implies that in mortality we must learn capacities and skills, not merely pick up information. There is something about forcing people to be righteous that interferes with, even prohibits, the process that righteousness in a free environment is designed to enable. Righteous living causes something to happen to people.

We needed to acquire skills, and have experiences that we could only obtain through living on earth, without the sure knowledge of God.

Earth Life

The next part of the Plan of Salvation is for us to come to earth, gain a body, and live our lives in a righteous manner.

Everyone is unique. Everyone is in a different place on the path to righteousness. If we were all the same, we would all live the same number of years, days, hours, and minutes. We would all experience the same things. However, life isn’t like that. Some people live to be over a hundred years old, while others die mere seconds after being born. In regards to this, President Joseph Fielding Smith has taught:

The Lord will grant unto these children [who pass away before the age of accountability] the privilege of all the sealing blessings which pertain to the exaltation. We were all mature spirits before we were born, and the bodies of little children will grow after the resurrection to the full stature of the spirit, and all the blessings will be theirs through their obedience, the same as if they had lived to maturity and received them on the earth.

via helloquence on unsplash.com

As for those who do live long enough to experience life, some seem to experience a life full of devastation, yet others seem to breeze through without breaking a sweat. However, we know from the scriptures that we will never be expected to bear any trial that is too much for us to endure if we call upon God for help (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Another of the Church’s magazines, the New Era, teaches us:

We can be sure that even when life is not an equal test, it is still a fair test, if only because the one who grades the test is absolutely fair. Our Heavenly Father knows both us and our trials perfectly. He will weigh all this and judge us righteously.

Our time on earth is not meant to be easy.  This is our time to learn difficult lessons and experience things we wouldn’t have been able to in the pre-mortal life.  But as long as we do all we can to follow God’s commandments, and repent as necessary, we can be assured we will attain glory in our post-earth life.

Death, and the Spirit World

There is a saying my brother once told me, “The only thing we have to do in life is die.” As morbid as that sounds, there is some truth to it. Death is a part of life that we will all eventually experience.

When we die, our body and spirit are separated. Our body stays on earth, while our spirit continues on to the spirit world. Depending on the choices we make on earth, the spirit world will be either a spirit paradise or a spirit prison to us. The Church’s website clarifies what spirit paradise will be like, and who can go there:

Paradise is that part of the spirit world in which the righteous spirits who have departed from this life await the resurrection of the body. It is a condition of happiness and peace… [Spirit paradise is] reserved for those who have been baptized and who have remained faithful.

The Church’s website also defines what spirit prison will be like:

Spirit prison [is] a temporary place in the postmortal world for those who died without a knowledge of the truth or those who were disobedient in mortality… Spirits will be taught the gospel and have the opportunity to repent and accept ordinances of salvation that are performed for them in temples. Those who accept the gospel may dwell in paradise until the Resurrection.

Members of the Church don’t have clear definitions of the exact nature of spirit paradise and spirit prison.  However, we have been taught that we will maintain the same opinions, mindset, and even addictions, in the spirit world that we have on earth at the time of our death.  Because of this, the spirit world can feel very punishing and prison-like to those who were not righteous on earth.  The spirit world will be a paradise or prison of our own making.

The Resurrection

To be resurrected is to have your body and spirit reunite, after death, in an immortal state. In this immortal state, your body will be perfect; it will be free from pain, disease, and death.

Resurrection does not happen for everyone at the same time. In fact, there are some people who are already resurrected. Parley P. Pratt talks about the three general resurrections in his book, Key to the Science of Theology. From Pratt, we are taught that of these three resurrections, one has already taken place.

The Second Coming by Harry Anderson

The first general resurrection included Jesus Christ, who was the first person to be resurrected. Also included in this resurrection, as taught by Pratt, were those “from Adam down to John the Baptist” who were faithful and died before Christ’s resurrection.

The second general resurrection (often referred to as the first resurrection which unfortunately can be very confusing) is currently in action, and will continue on when Jesus Christ comes to earth for the Second Coming. This is taught to us by James E. Talmage, in his book, Articles of Faith.

As for the Second Coming, we know through the scriptures that no one, save God only, knows when it will happen (Matthew 24:36, Doctrine and Covenants 49: 7).

The second general resurrection will include “all those who have received the Gospel since the former resurrection.”

Over a thousand years later, the third general resurrection will, finally, take place. Those who were not a part of the previous resurrections will be included.

The First Resurrection (The Resurrection of the Just)

So now we understand that there are three general resurrections. However, within the two resurrections that will take place in the future, there is still a specific order for those being resurrected. Bruce R. McConkie taught in his book, Mormon Doctrine, “Those being resurrected with celestial bodies, whose destiny is to inherit a celestial kingdom, will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection.”

The afternoon of the first resurrection will be for those were taught the gospel in spirit prison, and accepted it (Doctrine and Covenants 88:99). McConkie has also taught us that this part of the first resurrection will actually take place after the millennium has started.

The Millennium

After Christ’s Second Coming, the earth will enter the millennium, which will last 1,000 years. The millennium will be a time of peace, when Satan is bound (Doctrine and Covenants 45:55). During this time, members of the Church will teach the gospel, as well as do temple work. The Church’s website teaches us that members will be “guided by revelation, [and] they will prepare records of their ancestors all the way back to Adam and Eve.”

After the 1,000 years end, Satan will be unbound for a short time (Revelation 20:1-3).

The Second Resurrection (The Resurrection of the Unjust)

McConkie has taught us that the first part of this resurrection will be set aside for “the ones who have earned telestial bodies, who were wicked and carnal in mortality, and who have suffered the wrath of God in hell.”

The last part of the second resurrection is for those who were very wicked during their lifetime. The book of Alma in the Book of Mormon describes this experience (Alma 12:17-18):

Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan… They shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.

This part of the second resurrection will take place at the end of time on earth (Doctrine and Covenants 88:100-101).

Final Judgment

Eventually, the day will come when we will stand before God, through Jesus Christ, and be judged for our sins. Everything you have ever thought, said, or done will be evaluated.

Jesus taking someone’s hand.

That is, everything that you have not authentically repented for. As horrifying, embarrassing, and even dreadful as that sounds, Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught us in his address, O How Great the Plan of Our God!:

That Day of Judgment will be a day of mercy and love—a day when broken hearts are healed, when tears of grief are replaced with tears of gratitude, when all will be made right.

Depending on how we are judged, we will obtain a certain degree of glory to live in for the rest of our eternal life.

Celestial Kingdom

The celestial kingdom is reserved for the most righteous. It is often related to being as glorious as the brightness of the sun. It is here where the righteous will live eternally with God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Church’s website teaches us that, “to inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins.”   These are the basic requirements for entering the celestial kingdom. Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-70 goes into more detail about who will be permitted into the celestial kingdom.

Some people will live life without the knowledge of the gospel. However Doctrine and Covenants 137:7-9 teaches us, “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” As long as someone is of open heart and mind, and would have accepted Jesus Christ and his gospel, they will be saved.

Joseph Smith has taught us that there are three degrees of the celestial kingdom. To enter the highest degree, you must be married through the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. Everyone will have the opportunity to be married, either in this life or the next. Yes, it is true that people don’t get married in heaven, since marriage is an earthly ordinance. However, marriages will be performed by proxy in temples on the earth, so that those who are worthy of celestial glory and desire marriage can have it.

Terrestrial Kingdom

The terrestrial kingdom is the second highest degree of glory. Doctrine and Covenants chapter 76:77-78 has taught us that, “These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father. Wherefore, they… differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.”

Those who enter this kingdom will include people who were moral, and respectable in life, but were led astray. It will also include those who did not accept the gospel in this life, but did accept it in the spirit world.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:71-80 goes into more detail about who will be permitted into the terrestrial kingdom. The Terrestrial Kingdom is a kingdom of great glory.

Telestial Kingdom

The telestial kingdom is the degree of glory for those who did not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in this world or the next. This kingdom is reserved for those who are resurrected in the last resurrection.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:81-90, 98-106, 109-112 goes into more detail about who will be accepted into the telestial kingdom. Although people who inherit this kingdom may have denied Christ on earth and in the spirit world, and have had to suffer for their owns sins temporarily, this kingdom’s glory is “beyond all description.” Thus, Mormon doctrine is the most inclusive of any existing Christian faith. Even those who reject Christ can inherit a kingdom of glory in heaven, as long as they don’t qualify for Outer Darkness, described below.

Outer Darkness

Outer Darkness, also referred to as Perdition or Hell, will be for those who commit a crime in which there is no forgiveness. Joseph Smith has taught us that this is a place for those who:

Receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him… He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it.

It is written in Doctrine and Covenants 76:32 that, “it had been better for them never to have been born.”

Doctrine and Covenants 76: 30-49 goes into more detail about who will be taken down to Outer Darkness.

People who go to Outer Darkness are called Sons of Perdition. Satan and his follower from pre-mortal life will be consigned there.

Why the Plan of Salvation is Possible

Jesus Christ holding a lamb. Symbolically, Christ is the Shepherd, and we are his sheep.

The Plan of Salvation is a beautiful, glorious plan. However, none of it would be possible without our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It is through Him, and of Him that we can be saved.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, atoned for our sins, and made it possible for us to return back to our Father in heaven.

Before we came to earth, we knew it was going to be hard. We understood that we would sin and that some of us would turn away from God. Yet, even with that knowledge, we accepted the plan and chose to come here. We wanted, desperately, to demonstrate our love and devotion. As Uchtdorf put it, “That is why we are here on this beautiful planet earth—because God offered us the opportunity, and we chose to accept it.”

Don’t settle for something less than your potential because it’s easier, or more exciting, or popular. Take the time to really think about what you want, and what’s at stake. I am literally talking about your eternal life here. If you don’t believe in the Plan of Salvation, study it. Ponder it with an open mind. If you’re the praying type, pray about it. If you aren’t the praying type, pray about it anyway. This plan is real. This plan is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and through Him, we can live with our Father in heaven again.

Articles of Faith About The GodHead and the Basic Doctrine of Christ

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

The first article of faith states a couple of things:

First, as Perry in his General Conference address from April 1998,  stated, “The first article anchors our belief in God, our Eternal Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”

The second thing the first article of faith teaches us is also clarified by Perry:

Three personages comprise this great presiding council of the universe and have revealed themselves [to Joseph Smith] as three separate beings, physically distinct from each other.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

Leaving the Garden of Eden by Joseph Brickey via lds.org © intellectual reserve

The second article of faith is referring to the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Because of the Atonement, Jesus Christ has cleared the way and paid the price for this disobedience. This is why members of the Church do not baptize infants, as members believe that children are born innocent and pure.

Many members and non-members alike have incorrectly devolved the second article of faith to mean that mankind is not to be punished for the sins of others in general. But that’s not what the second article of faith is talking about. The second article of faith is talking about, and only about, the concept of original sin.

Because of this misconception, however, when the Church made changes to their handbook of Church policy in regards to the children of homosexual parents in 2015, many were upset. They mistakenly believed that the Church leaders violated the second article of faith. However, the second article of faith is strictly referring to the concept of original sin and has nothing to do with those changes to the handbook.

I don’t want to get too much into this discussion, as it’s somewhat off topic, but if you’re interested, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, did an interview to help people understand why the changes were made.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

The third article of faith is a clear statement of our belief in the Atonement of Christ. However, to be saved and blessed with eternal life, we must be obedient and follow God’s commandments. We must accept Jesus Christ as our Savoir and Redeemer.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

via lds.org © intellectual reserve

The fourth article of faith talks about, as stated, the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel.  Basically, some of the basic truths members of the Church believe in, and the steps members take to make one of their first promises to God, which is through baptism.

To join the Church, you will need to be baptized by immersion.  The earliest a person can be baptized is eight years old.  After being baptized, the person baptized will be given a blessing (a prayer) to always have the Holy Ghost with them.  This confirmation blessing is performed by a member of the Church who has the priesthood.  The term, the ‘Laying on of hands‘ physically refers to the priesthood member placing their hands on the head of the person receiving the blessing (as they are giving the blessing), like in the picture.

Articles of Faith About the Organization of the Church and the Priesthood

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Local leaders of the Church will pray for guidance as they choose callings for the members they are leaders over. As leaders choose callings for members, they will pay close attention to their feelings, and listen for spiritual inspiration.

In the Church, to formally teach the gospel to others, members must be set apart with a blessing.  This includes everyone who has a teaching position within the Church, whether they’re teaching little children, adults, or being sent on missions to teach non-members.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

The sixth article of faith is referring to Jesus Christ’s ancient Church and the organizational foundation that existed within it. Joseph Smith, under the guidance of Jesus Christ through revelation, restored that primitive church (being The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in 1830.

Articles of Faith About Our Eternal Resources in this Mortal Journey

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation,
   

   via pixabay.com

   visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

The seventh article of faith is referring to what members of the Church call spiritual gifts. These gifts are from God and are given through the Holy Ghost. A volume of scripture that members believe in, called the Doctrine and Covenants, details these gifts in chapter 46, verses 9 through 33 (D&C 46:9-33)

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are both testaments of Christ. There is some criticism of this article of faith that is directed towards the statement about the Bible, “as far as it is translated correctly.” Some feel that this is a copout. However, in 1992, the first presidency of the Church made a statement about which edition of the Bible the Church uses and why:

The Bible, as it has been transmitted over the centuries, has suffered the loss of many plain and precious parts… Unfortunately, no original manuscripts of any portion of the Bible are available for comparison to determine the most accurate version. However, the Lord has revealed clearly the doctrines of the gospel in these latter-days. The most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations… In doctrinal matters latter-day revelation supports the King James Version in preference to other English translations. All of the Presidents of the Church, beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith, have supported the King James Version by encouraging its continued use in the Church.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

The ninth article of faith states that members of the Church believe that the heavens are still open. God still sends revelation to man, and He will continue to do so.

Articles of Faith About Missionary Work

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

via lds.org © intellectual reserve

Elder L. Tom Perry explains this article of faith in his General Conference address from April 1998:

[We believe] “in the literal gathering of Israel,” that Zion will be built again and Christ will return and “reign personally upon the earth.” It was in June of 1830 that Samuel Smith, the brother of the Prophet, embarked on the first missionary journey to proclaim the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Thus began the gathering of Zion.

The gathering of Israel is done through missionary work. When people accept the gospel taught by members of the Church of Jesus Christ, they are “gathered” into the Church.

It has been revealed, in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 84:1-5) (D&C 57:1-3), that the New Jerusalem will be built in Missouri.

Jerusalem, in Israel, will become a holy city, and the two Jerusalems will be centers of government during the millennium.

Jesus Christ will return to the earth to rule, and the earth will become a place of great beauty and happiness; it will be paradise.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

The 11^th article of faith is fairly clear. It states that members claim their constitutional right to freedom of religion. They claim it for themselves, and for everyone.

This article of faith also proclaims tolerance towards other religions and beliefs, regardless of what, where, or how they worship (as long as that worship obeys the law of the land, which is addressed in the next article of faith).

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

This article of faith is also quite clear. Members will be subject to various forms of governments, and will obey, honor, and sustain the law.

Article of Faith About Aspirational Attributes

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

via Madi Robson on Unsplash.com

The 13^th article of faith teaches members how they should live their lives. Members should be “honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men.”

The next part talks about the admonition of Paul, which you can find in the Bible, in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 (Philippians 8:4). However, I will state it here for you:

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Members of the Church think, believe, and have hope in all things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Members look for things (whether it’s friends, a career, entertainment, etc.) in their life that have these qualities.