The Plan of Salvation

Our life did not begin when we are born neither will it end when we die. There is a beautiful plan for our lives that was created by our loving Heavenly Father. His work and His glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.

We are all the children of God. He is the Father of our spirits. He created us and we lived with Him in what we call the Pre-Mortal or Pre-Earth Life. Here we heard a plan of an earth where we would come, gain a body, and experience mortality. We had the ability to choose, which we call agency, and we used that agency to follow this plan centered on Jesus Christ as our Savior. "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1 Under the direction of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created this beautiful earth for us to come and live on. My favorite creation are flowers.  I love to look at the flowers.  Also the ocean.   One of my favorite things is to go on a really tough hike and get to the top and see a spectacular view of nature!  It is in those moments that I've really gained a testimony of God.  "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" Hebrew 1:1-2

The first of God's spirit children to come to the earth were Adam and Eve. They lived in the garden of Eden, in God's presence, and in a state of innocence. They were given commandments to multiply and replenish the earth and not to partake of the forbidden fruit.  "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:16-17 Satan tempted them and they partook of the fruit; as a result they were cast out of the garden, began the human family, and had now become subject to both sin and death."And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden.  And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created...and they would have had no children...having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin...Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:22-25

Families can be forever through God's plan!

Sister Gillett & I having some joy!

When we came to this life, God had a plan and purpose for us. We aren't here just wandering aimlessly. Our purpose is firstly to have joy, which was the inspiration for my blog. Secondly, we are here in this life to learn and to grow by experience.  "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." Alma 24:32   Another purpose we are to fulfill in this life is to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have faith in Him and His Atonement, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2    Families are also central to God's plan.  He has given each of us the family we have for a reason, to help us learn and grow and learn the gospel.  I love my family with all of my heart.  Sometimes in our life we face heartache, sorrow, and challenges that seem impossible. We face adversity because that is also how we grow and learn. We are also subject to the consequences of our own choices, but also the sometimes/often wrong choices of others.

He knows you and has felt all you have felt.

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:18  Our lives are only able to have these purposes because of Jesus Christ. Without His Atonement we have no way to fulfill Heavenly Father's purpose for this whole plan, which is for us to return to Him after this life, but because of the fall of Adam and Eve we cannot make it. The Savior has "overcome the world." He has overcome the fall of mankind and defeated the chains of death and sin. The conquest of the grave is unconditional to all of God's children; sin is conquered only upon conditions of repentance. We have full access the the power of His sacrifice through living the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must use our agency to choose this.  "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.  He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:8-9

He loves us!

"From an earthly perspective, physical death may seem like an end, but really it is a beginning, a step forward in our Heavenly Father's plan. At death, your spirit will leave your body and go to the spirit world, which is a place of learning and preparation. In the spirit world, your memories of this life will remain with you."  Missionary Pamphlet, The Plan of Salvation.  Death does not change our personality or desires. If we followed Jesus Christ in this life and chose to accept he Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we will be at rest, peace, and free from sorrows. Those who did not, will be in a state of unhappiness. Heavenly Father knew that many of His children would not have a chance in mortality to hear and accept the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ, so in the spirit world they can learn about this plan and about the Savior.

The spirit world is the place we wait for the resurrection and judgement. When we are resurrected our spirits and our bodies are reunited and are perfected. We will then be judged by our Heavenly Father according to our works and the desires of our hearts. Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. Both our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us so much and will do all they can for us to receive the most happiness possible.

The judgement is the opportunity to receive a Kingdom of Glory. The three kingdoms of glory include the Telestial Kingdom for those who do not repent and remain in their wickedness; the Terrestial Kingdom for those who lived honorable and good lives but did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior; and the Celestial Kingdom, the highest kingdom of glory where our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and where we can receive eternal life meaning living forever with them and with our families. This is for those who live and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know this plan is true. I have prayed about it and studied it and received a personal witness from the Holy Spirit that it is the plan of our Father. I know that He loves us. Knowing this plan is true has given my life meaning and purpose. I have a clear vision for my life and I know what I am fighting for. I know who my God is and I love Him. I have a relationship with Him and feel close to Him. Through this knowledge I have acquired peace and happiness.

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