ANOTHER LOOK AT HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL PLAN 4

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Revised and Republished Sunday, March 22, 2020

Having written about our days of probation during our pre-mortal estate we will now consider the two remaining estates of our preparatory periods leading up to our final resurrected existence.

THE SHORT PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF OUR ETERNAL EXISTENCE WE SPEND IN MORTALITY:

I am now into the early 500s of the Thoughts I have written, which have abundantly covered the importance I place on the choices we make and how we treat one another during this mortal period of our eternal existence.

I have also explained in the earlier parts of this look at Heavenly Father’s plan how I feel about the illogical and unjust position of thinking that all of our post-mortal existence hinges on what happens to us during mortality.

Therefore, I will just add some thoughts on the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 82:3.

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

There you have it. That little boy who was born in Idaho, taught the gospel by goodly parents, received a degree in Ancient and Modern Scripture and taught the word of the Lord most of his days will find that his mortal preparatory phase makes him a great deal more accountable for his mortal day than that boy who lived his few mind destroying, glue sniffing days living in the sewers of Bogota, Colombia, or that child of Heavenly Father who spends but brief moments in this mortal sphere.

For behold, and also his blood atoneth for those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. (The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ – Mosiah 3: 11)

It seems that Benjamin was well aware that there are adjustments made for whatever the length of our eternal existence we each spend in mortality and the circumstances which attend those days.

It should be comforting for all of us to realize that the perfect justice of our Heavenly Father’s plan makes allowance for all contingencies of his children’s varying experiences during their eternal existence and provides us hope not only for our own past, present and future probationary periods, but also for that of all our brothers and sisters who will spend whatever time they are given and in whatever circumstances they find themselves during this mortal phase of our eternal lives.

It seems that just as in all things our Heavenly Parents are also perfect in the characteristic of inclusiveness.

Since one of the failings of the natural man is the ability to rationalize any idea in their favor, for those who would say why put in any effort during mortality if God provides me with eternity to put upon myself His attributes, characteristics and perfections, I hastily add a reminder that The First Born of all His spirit children, even Jesus the Christ advanced to the state of Godliness, lacking only a physical body to rise as a resurrected Exalted Being. Therefore, unto those who have been given much I remind them of the doctrine found in Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18 -21.

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Just as none of what we chose or accomplished during our pre-mortal state has been counted as dross, likewise, all of our progression during mortality will go with us into our final state of probation.

As a compatriot of mine, Gerald N. Lund once wrote, ‘during the final judgement everything counts’.

THE EVERLASTING PERIOD WE WILL SPEND IN OUR POST-MORTAL PROBATIONARY ESTATE:

Brigham Young, the prophet of God who led the latter-day-saints to their home in the tops of the mountains, once gave a sermon in which he stated that it wouldn't surprise him if it took millions upon millions of years as we count them, after he had passed from mortality, before he would be prepared for his final resurrection.

While I have little doubt that I will in no way be prepared to handle all that my Father wishes to bestow upon me, it gives me great comfort to understand He will still have His arms of grace and mercy outstretched to gather me in during my next estate.

My testimony grows stronger with each passing year that all of us will continue our education and preparation long after we lay our mortal aside. The only questions seem to be what class room we will be in and whether we will at times be instructing or will be receiving instruction.

Joseph F. Smith who was at the time the senior living apostle of the Lord on the earth, had the eyes of his understanding opened and the Spirit of the Lord rest upon him and he was privileged to glimpse the conditions which exist in the Spirit World or that estate where our preparation for our final resurrection continues and will eventually come to an end.

Among the things he saw were:

Heavenly Father’s children arrive in the Spirit World in an immense diversity of stages of progression.

In the Spirit World, the fullness of the gospel will be preached by those who have sufficiently progressed during their two previous phases of existence and who have been commissioned by the Lord.

In the Spirit World, the fulness of the gospel of the redemption will be taught to all of the dead.
In the Spirit World, Agency will continue to affect the progression of Heavenly Father’s children.

During this expanded preparatory period the great work which is done by mortals in the Temples of the Lord will provide the ordinances of salvation for those who did not have the opportunity during their mortal span and the Lord will fulfill his promise to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers.

In the Spirit World, those who repent (prepare to forever live in the presence of God) and embrace the attributes, characteristics and perfections of Godliness will be redeemed and they will commissioned heirs of salvation and be anointed with Eternal Lives. (Doctrine and Covenants 138)

It is of little wonder that Neil Maxwell, after suffering from the effects of battling cancer during the last few years of his life, declared that he was looking forward to the day which would shortly come when he could get off of the bench and back into the action. There is no doubt in my mind he is among those whom the Prophet Joseph F. Smith saw who were appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to the spirits of men.

I am struck with the foolishness of men who are so quick to give up on themselves and their brothers and sisters. If our loving, merciful Father who is full of grace continues eternally in his efforts to bring to pass the immortality and eternal lives of his children, why then would we give up the hope which will keep us trying. Why would we ever give up trying when our Heavenly Father never will?

(To be continued)


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞