Degrees of Glory

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” Ensign, May 1995, 84)
In their final judgment, the children of God will be assigned to a kingdom of glory for which their obedience has qualified them. In his letters to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul described these places. He told of a vision in which he was “caught up to the third heaven” and “heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor. 12:2, 4). Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, he described “celestial bodies,” “bodies terrestrial” (1 Cor. 15:40), and “bodies telestial” (JST, 1 Cor. 15:40), each pertaining to a different degree of glory. He likened these different glories to the sun, to the moon, and to different stars (see 1 Cor. 15:41).

The Celestial Kingdom

(“Kingdoms of Glory,” True to the Faith, (2004),92–95)
In January 1836 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that expanded his understanding of the requirements to inherit celestial glory. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the celestial kingdom. He marveled when he saw his older brother Alvin there, even though Alvin had died before receiving the ordinance of baptism. (See D&C 137:1–6.) Then the voice of the Lord came to the Prophet Joseph:
“All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
“Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;
“For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:7–9).
Commenting on this revelation, the Prophet Joseph said, “I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven” (D&C 137:10).
From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. To be exalted in the highest degree and continue eternally in family relationships, we must enter into “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” and be true to that covenant. In other words, temple marriage is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory. (See D&C 131:1–4.) All who are worthy to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will have that opportunity, whether in this life or the next.

(B. Renato Maldonado, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: The Three Degrees of Glory,” Ensign, Apr 2005, 62–65)
The Lord compared celestial glory to that of the sun, “even the glory of God, the highest of all” (D&C 76:70; see also D&C 76:96). Those who will inherit this kingdom must do the following:

• Receive a testimony of Jesus and believe on His name (see D&C 76:51).
• Be baptized by immersion (see D&C 76:51).
• Receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (see D&C 76:52).
• Obey the commandments and be washed and cleansed of all sins (see D&C 76:52).
• Overcome by faith (see D&C 76:53).
• Be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 76:53).
Those who qualify for the celestial kingdom will receive, among other blessings:
• Be of a company of angels, of the general assembly and church of Enoch and of the Firstborn (see D&C 76:54, 67).
• Receive the fulness, glory, and grace of the Father (see D&C 76:55, 56, 94).
• Be priests and kings of the Most High God (see D&C 76:56–59).
• Overcome all things (see D&C 76:60).
• Dwell forever in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).
• Be with Christ at the time of His Second Coming (see D&C 76:63).
• Come forth in the First Resurrection (see D&C 76:64–65).
• Go up unto Mount Zion and unto the heavenly city of God (see D&C 76:66).
• Minister to terrestrial and telestial beings (see D&C 76:87–88).
• Be able to have offspring, or in other words, gain the right to become eternal parents (see D&C 131:4).

(“Chapter 36: Eternal Life,” Gospel Fundamentals, 201)
This is the place where our Father in Heaven and Jesus live. It is a place where people will be happy, and it will be more beautiful than we can imagine. The people who will live in this kingdom will love our Father in Heaven and Jesus and will choose to obey Them. They must have repented of all their sins and must have accepted Jesus as their Savior. They must have been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. They must have a testimony from the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Savior. To live in the highest part of the celestial kingdom is called exaltation* or eternal life. To be able to live in this part of the celestial kingdom, people must have been married in the temple and must have kept the sacred promises they made in the temple. They will receive everything our Father in Heaven has and will become like Him. They will even be able to have spirit children and make new worlds for them to live on, and do all the things our Father in Heaven has done. People who are not married in the temple may live in other parts of the celestial kingdom, but they will not be exalted.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” Ensign, May 1995, 84)
In contrast to traditional Christianity, we join with Paul in affirming the existence of a third or higher heaven. Modern revelation describes it as the celestial kingdom—the abode of those “whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God” (D&C 76:70). Those who qualify for this kingdom of glory “shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever” (D&C 76:62). Those who have met the highest requirements for this kingdom, including faithfulness to covenants made in a temple of God and marriage for eternity, will be exalted to the godlike state referred to as the “fulness” of the Father or eternal life (D&C 76:56, 94; see also D&C 131; D&C 132:19–20). (This destiny of eternal life or God’s life should be familiar to all who have studied the ancient Christian doctrine of and belief in deification or apotheosis.) For us, eternal life is not a mystical union with an incomprehensible spirit-god. Eternal life is family life with a loving Father in Heaven and with our progenitors and our posterity.

The Terrestrial Kingdom

(“Kingdoms of Glory,” True to the Faith, (2004),92–95)

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun” (D&C 76:77–78). Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people “who were blinded by the craftiness of men” (76:75). This group will include members of the Church who were “not valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). It will also include those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but who later received it in the postmortal spirit world (see D&C 76:73–74). To learn more about those who will inherit terrestrial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80, 91, 97.

(B. Renato Maldonado, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: The Three Degrees of Glory,” Ensign, Apr 2005, 62–65) The Lord compared terrestrial glory to that of the moon (see D&C 76:97). It exceeds the telestial in all things (see D&C 76:91). Those who will inherit this kingdom are those who experienced one or more of the following circumstances:

• Died without law (see D&C 76:72).
• Were in spirit prison and received a testimony there but rejected the testimony of Jesus while on the earth (see D&C 76:73–74; see also D&C 138:32).
• Were honorable people who allowed themselves to be blinded by the craftiness of men (see D&C 76:75).
• Were not valiant in their testimonies of Jesus (see D&C 76:79).
Among other blessings and limitations, those who qualify for the terrestrial kingdom will:
• Come forth in the First Resurrection after celestial beings are resurrected. 2
• Receive of God’s glory but not His fulness (see D&C 76:76).
• Enjoy the presence of the Son but not the fulness of the Father (see D&C 76:77).
• Not be able to obtain a crown in the kingdom of God (see D&C 76:79).
• Be ministered to by celestial beings (see D&C 76:87).

(“Chapter 36: Eternal Life,” Gospel Fundamentals, 201)
This kingdom is not as wonderful as the celestial kingdom. Even though Jesus will visit the terrestrial kingdom, those who live there will not live with our Father in Heaven, and they will not have all He has. Those who go to the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people. Some of them will be members of the Church, and others will not. They will be those who did not accept Jesus on earth but later accepted Him in the spirit world. The people who will live there will not be part of an eternal family but will live separately, without families. Our Father in Heaven will give these people the happiness they are prepared to receive.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” Ensign, May 1995, 84)
The [terrestrial degree of glory], “excels in all things the glory of the telestial, even in glory, and in power, and in might, and in dominion” (D&C 76:91). The terrestrial is the abode of those who were the “honorable men of the earth” (D&C 76:75). Its most distinguishing feature is that those who qualify for terrestrial glory “receive of the presence of the Son” (D&C 76:77). Concepts familiar to all Christians might liken this higher kingdom to heaven because it has the presence of the Son.

The Telestial Kingdom

(“Kingdoms of Glory,” True to the Faith, (2004),92–95)

Telestial glory will be reserved for individuals who “received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:82). These individuals will receive their glory after being redeemed from spirit prison, which is sometimes called hell (see D&C 76:84, 106). A detailed explanation of those who will inherit telestial glory is found in Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–90, 98–106, 109–112.

(B. Renato Maldonado, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: The Three Degrees of Glory,” Ensign, Apr 2005, 62–65)
The Lord compared telestial glory to that of the stars (see D&C 76:81). Those who shall inherit this kingdom are those who:

• Rejected the gospel, the testimony of Jesus, the prophets, and the everlasting covenant (see D&C 76:82, 101).
• Were liars, sorcerers, adulterers, and whoremongers (see D&C 76:103).
• Loved “and [made] a lie” (D&C 76:103).
Among other blessings and limitations, those who inherit the telestial kingdom will:
• Suffer the wrath of God on earth (see D&C 76:104) and not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, which will take place after the Millennium (see D&C 76:85). 3
• Be denied the Savior’s fulness (see D&C 76:86).
• Be able to receive the Holy Ghost through the ministration of beings in higher glories (see D&C 76:86–88).
• Never be able to come where God and Christ dwell (see D&C 76:112).

(“Chapter 36: Eternal Life,” Gospel Fundamentals, 201)
This kingdom is not as wonderful as the celestial kingdom or the terrestrial kingdom. Neither our Father in Heaven nor Jesus will visit those who live here. Angels will visit these people, and they will have the influence of the Holy Ghost. The people who live in the telestial kingdom are those who did not accept either the gospel or a testimony of Jesus, either on earth or in the spirit world. They will suffer for their own sins in spirit prison until after the Millennium. Then they will finally be resurrected.
While on this earth, they were liars, thieves, murderers, false prophets, adulterers, and those who ridiculed sacred things. They were the people who accepted the beliefs of the world rather than the teachings of Jesus. Many people will live in this kingdom. Our Father in Heaven will give these people the happiness they are prepared to receive.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Apostasy and Restoration,” Ensign, May 1995, 84)
The lowest degree is the telestial domain of those who “received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets” (D&C 76:101) and who have had to suffer for their wickedness. But even this degree has a glory that “surpasses all understanding” (D&C 76:89). Its occupants receive the Holy Spirit and the administering of angels, for even those who have been wicked will ultimately be “heirs of [this degree of] salvation” (D&C 76:88).


Every person will inherit the kingdom that they have earned, because we would be uncomfortable anywhere else. This is one of the many ways Heavenly Father demonstrates his love for his children. Heavenly Father does not give a higher degree of glory to some of his children because he loves them more, but because he knows that anyone who is not worthy of a higher kingdom would be miserable there. This is a beautiful aspect of the Plan of Salvation. Through this plan, we are each saved and brought home to the place where we can be happiest, and we ultimately get to decide where we go through our actions and life choices. -Annie Hostetter

Resurrection And Eternal Life

Resurrection – Resurrection is something every single one of us is going to go through. We each gained this right from Jesus Christ’s Atonement. This means that we will all be transformed into a state of perfection. We will lose any scars and our bodies will be perfect. Alma talks a lot about this and the Plan of Salvation through his book. The Bible Dictionary says: "The resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided. the resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ's victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this Earth."

Alma 40: 23-26; The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God. But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.

Mormon 9: 12-14; Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.

Alma 11:43-  The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we are now at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

Eternal Life – Eternal Life is something that only the righteous can obtain. We can gain this through a covenant with our Heavenly Father. If we are obedient and do what the Lord has asked, we will gain Eternal Life. This pretty much means “God’s Life.” This means that you will obtain our Father’s kingdom and will be able to do what he can do.

Helaman 5:8- And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers.

2 Nephi 2:27-28- And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

Mosiah 18:9- Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.

In Our Mortal Life

Trials
When we were in heaven after we had been presented both Jesus Christ and Satan’s plan we knew that if we came to earth we would have to face trials and tribulation. We often hear people asking, why does this have to happen to me? Or, but they are a good person, so why are they having to deal with so many trails? In The Book of Mormon in Helaman 12:3 it says, “And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.” We have to deal with these types of things to help us to remember that we do need the lord’s help in all things. In The Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 2:2 Lehi is talking to his son Jacob and he says, “Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.” We are given trials not to hurt us, but for our own benefit. Heavenly Father knows what is going to help us in the long run and wants us all as his children to return back to him. Also, in 2 Nephi 2:11 it says, “For it must need be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.”
“It is necessary men should be tried and purged and purified and made perfect through suffering. And hence we find men in the different ages that have passed through trials and afflictions of every kind, and they had to learn to put their faith in God, and in God alone,” John Taylor, Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, 14 Oct. 1879, 1.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

We were sent here to this earth to receive agency, receive bodies, and to be tested. Jesus Christ has volunteered in our pre-mortal lives to come down to earth and atone for every person who has ever and who would ever sin. The atonement is infinite and eternal. Elder Russell M. Nelson has said,
“In preparatory times of the Old Testament, the practice of atonement was finite—meaning it had an end. It was a symbolic forecast of the definitive Atonement of Jesus the Christ. His Atonement is infinite—without an end. It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. It was infinite in scope—it was to be done once for all. And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him. It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension. Jesus was the only one who could offer such an infinite atonement, since He was born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. Because of that unique birthright, Jesus was an infinite Being,” Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 33
In The Book of Mormon we can learn more about the Atonement. Here are some verses I have found:
2 Nephi 2:8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
2 Nephi 2:6-7
6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
Mosiah 4:6-12
6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—
7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.
8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
Alma 34:8-15
8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.
10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.
11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.
12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.
13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the claw of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.
14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
Helaman 5:9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
I would just like to bear testimony of the power of the atonement. I know that it is only through Jesus Christ and his atonement that we can return back to our Father in Heaven. He loved all of us so much that he was able to bleed from every pore and to be crucified and suffer far greater than anyone can imagine. Don’t ever think that no one understands how you feel because, Jesus Christ alone has suffered through everything we will suffer. He knows exactly how we feel and wants to more than anything be there to help you. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the greatest blessing I have ever been given. I know with all my heart that this church is true and I am so grateful for the blessings it has brought into my life.

Baptism

Baptism by immersion is the first saving ordinance of the gospel. It is the only way for a person to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have eternal salvation. Those who wish to obtain eternal life must follow the example of the Savior and be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This ordinance must be performed by one who holds the priesthood.

4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the agate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
2 Nephi 31:4–13

Baptism is a symbol of the death of a persons sinful life and the rebirth of a spiritual life. Those baptized take upon them the covenant and promise to take upon them the name of Christ, to keep his commandments, and serve Him until the end.

14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
Alma 7:14-16

Those who are baptized receive blessings, such as the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, remission of sins and the privilege of being spiritually reborn.

All little children are redeemed through the mercy of Christ, therefore, do not need to be baptized until they are 8 years old. "They cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me"
D&C 29:46-47

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
3 Nephi 27: 19-22

Anyone who claims that little children need baptism "denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption"
Moroni 8:20

37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.
D&C 20:17


Scripture references: 2 Nephi 31:4–13, Alma 7:14-16, D&C 29:46-47, 3 Nephi 27: 19-22, Moroni 8:20, D&C 20:17

Repentance

Repentance is an essential part to the Plan of Salvation. We must all come to Christ and repent for our sins. The Atonement makes it possible for us to repent and be forgiven.

Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
Alma 34:17

It is important to have faith and to pray to Heavenly Father to ask for counsel and forgiveness. He is ready to help us, but we can only be forgiven on his terms. When repenting, it is essential to have a sincere desire for change and to willingly submit to every requirement for forgiveness.

A good example of repentance and forgiveness in the Book of Mormon, is Mosiah 4:1-3, which says “1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them.

2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.”

As part of the repentance process, we must confess our sins, then abandon them and never commit the same sins again. When we keep that commitment, we will save ourselves from the pain of that sin, so that we may never feel it again.

And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.
3 Ne. 12: 19

But after we repent, that is not all we must do. We must make right our wrongs to those we have hurt and live righteously so that we may have the Spirit to be with us. We must continue to be obedient to the Lord’s commandments and strive to build our testimonies.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18

Scripture References: Alma 34:17, Mosiah 4:1-3, 3 Nephi 12: 19, Isaiah 1:18

Judgment and the Spirit World in the Plan of Salvation

Spirit World: Life After Death
After we die, our spirit continues to live. Our physical body may stay here on earth, but our spirit continues on to the spirit world, where we await resurrection. The spirit world is divided into two sections, paradise or prison. In the Spirit World those in paradise experience happiness and peace, and are free from trouble, sorrow, and pain. They continue to associate in family relationships and engage in worthwhile activities. The others that are in prison are the ones who rejected the gospel on earth and did not live thieir lives according to God’s will.

Scripture References: D&C 138:16, Alma 12:24, John 6:47

Judgment and The Spirit World
Judgment: The Final Days - The final judgment is a part of God's Plan of Salvation, but what is it and how can we prepare for it?
What is it? After we die and are resurrected, we will come before God, the Eternal Father, to be judged. Through Jesus Christ, God will judge every single person who has ever lived on the earth and will determine the worth of each individual. God's final judgment is based upon our acceptance of Christ as our Savior and our obedience to his commandments in our lives. Each of us will receive a degree of eternal glory which will determine where we will exist after this life.
Preparation: Preparation for the final judgement requires us to live our lives according to God’s will and to repent of any sins that have been committed. It also requires us to be baptized and to have diligent faith in Jesus Christ. There is a saying that goes as follows “If You Do Your Best, God Will Do The Rest.” As long as we live our lives to the best as we can and live righteously, then God will make up the difference.

Scripture References:
2 Nephi 9:22, Mosiah 3:34, Alma 33:22

Pre-Earth Life

AGENCY:

Perhaps one of the finest accounts of agency in literature is the message Lehi shares with his son Jacob in 2 Nephi 2.  In this discourse Lehi makes three main points pertaining to this:

1.  Lehi defines agency as "man...act[ing] for himself" (2 Nephi 2:16).  Lehi notes that man can act for himself only if he knows both good and evil (2 Nephi 2:5) and is "enticed by the one or the other" (2 Nephi 2: 16).

2. Lehi points out that gaining agency was a blessing to Adam and Eve only because of the atonement of Christ. "...And because they were redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing god from evil' to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.  

Wherefore, men are free according tot he flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  An

d they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" ( 2 Nephi 2: 26-27).  This is also illustrated in Alma 12:23, "And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible for Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would have been void, making God a liar...".

3.  Lehi affirms the esence of agency is to be able to choose good or evil, so we should  "...look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life...and not choose eternal death...which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom" ( 2 Nephi 2: 28-29)

True To The Faith-says this on agency:

"Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose and to act for yourself.  Agency is essential in the plan of salvation.  Without it, you would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior.  You had the power to choose even before you were born.  In the premortal Council in Heaven, Heavenly Father presented His plan, which included the principle of agency...

You are responsible for th

e decisions you make.  You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God's commandments. ...

You are also responsible for developing the abilities and talents Heavenly Father has given you.  you are accountable to Him for what you do with your abilities and how you use your time".

FOREORDINATION:

Foreordination is the premortal selection of individuals to fulfill pre-designated responsibilities

, being appointed to fulfill specific missions during this mortal life. True To The Faith, a publication of the church, states that "foreordination does not guarantee that individuals will receive certain callings or responsibilities.  Such opportunities come in this life as a result of the righteous exercise  of agency, just as foreordination came as a result of righteousness in the premortal existence".  The calling of the sons and daughters of God to perform particular labors throughout their life on earth can be seen several times throughout the Book of Mormon.  

1.  The Nephite High Priests were "prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their heart

s....and thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high preistood of the holy order of God to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest" (Alma 13:5-6).

2.  In Abraham 3 God reveals the eternal nature of spirits for, "he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born" (vs. 23).

3.  Our Savior Jesus Christ is the most notable example of premortal choosing, he was "beloved [of our Father] and chosen in the beginning" (Moses 4:2).  

4.  Mary was "a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God" (Alma 7:10).  

5.  "This is the manner after which they were ordained--being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren" (Alma 13:3-4).

6.  The Zoramites are a prime example of how this doctrine can be applied in the wrong way.  They prayed, "Holy, holy God...we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren...we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children...and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell" (Alma 31:15-17).   The Book of Mormon then corrects this with teachings of individuals and groups being foreordained, or elected, in premortal life to certain blessings and responsibilities on earth, the fulfillment of which depends upon their faithfulness.  

7.  Jeremiah also illustrates this principle when in the Bible the Lord tells him, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth our of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).

The church website also says, "The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church, not just to the Savior and his prophets.  Before the creation of the earth, faithful women were given certain responsibilities and faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood duties.  As people prove themselves worthy, they will be given opportunities to fulfill the assignments they then received".

In the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith we are told inasmuch as "every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was" (Smith, 365).