Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.
Day 33: The Plan of Salvation. Probably something I should have shared around day one... It is essential to understanding the gospel and to understanding ALL your Mormon friends.
It is also called the Plan of Happiness. I remember, very clearly, as a little girl I would get a thrill out of asking myself "Who am I?" "Where am I going?" "What is my purpose?" (I'm sure I heard these questions repeated in church...) and then as I answered them I would get bubbly butterflies inside and I would feel so excited as if it were Christmas about knowing that I am a child of God. I'm going to live with Him again. I am here to become more like Him and my brother Christ. I'm not exaggerating. I remember one time in particular waiting in line outside going through this little thought process in my head and being called back into focus by my laughing teacher asking me "Kelley, what are you so happy about?"
I was so happy about the plan of happiness! Duh!
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that we all once lived together as brothers and sisters in what we call the pre-mortal life. We believe that one day we were gathered together by our Heavenly Father to discuss this great plan. He told us that if we wanted to become like Him (as most young children do...) then we would need to leave home for a while. An Earth would be created and there we would gain bodies, just like our Father. It would not be easy, I'm sure He told us, because we wouldn't be able to remember clearly what it was like to once live in heaven. It would even be hard to remember our own family and our own Parents. We would be tested and challenged and tried and sometimes we would mess up. God knew we would mess up which is why he asked for a volunteer savior who would be willing to sacrifice himself and pay for our sins to help us return home. Christ humbly volunteered (as opposed to Satan who also volunteered but for the sake of length I'll spare you that exciting story for now...) and Earth was created and the first spirits were sent down. After the fall Adam and Eve began the process of bringing more spirits down to Earth and thus the plan was put into action. We come to earth in small helpless bodies, we are given families to care for us, we are tested and tried and tempted, we grow, we learn, and then we die.
After we die we are sent to the spirit world. Here we don't have our bodies but there is plenty of work still going on. We understand that there will still be a lot of evangelizing going on and many will have a final chance to decide what they believe. When the time finally comes for judgement, after we have been reunited with our bodies via resurrection, we will all be separated into three kingdoms according to how we had lived: telestial being the lowest, terrestial being the middle and the Celestial being the highest degree of glory where God Himself lives. In the Celestial kingdom we will continue to grow, learn and progress. I believe there is potential for progression in the other two kingdoms as well, but I'm not certain that's true... so don't quote me.
This is SO IMPORTANT because it gives us all a purpose. It gives you a purpose even if you don't think it is your purpose. To me you all are my brothers and sisters and at one point we ALL chose to come here, that's right we chose. In fact, part of the story that I didn't tell you was that 1/3 of our brothers and sisters were cast out with Satan because they chose NOT to follow this plan. So you are here not only because you chose to be here, but you chose to follow God's plan. And I always say "You chose it once so you must be able to choose it again!" (I don't always say that, but I could start.) It is important because this plan tells me that this life is important and it is only a short moment in my long history. It is important because I know that this is not the end and what I do with my time now matters. It is important because we are all a part of this plan and because we can't remember it I think it is important to try and jog our memories.
I wish we could all be little girls who at the very thought of this great plan we could get butterflies and become giddy with happiness. I think that is what the plan is meant to do. It is meant to bring us happiness, not only here on Earth but it is meant to bring us eternal happiness- a happiness that will never end!
After all "men are that they might have joy."
P.S. I tried to add a helpful picture... but it won't let me add it for some reason. So here is a blog with a picture that I really liked... you can also get a free book mark out of it! Wow!http://courtneyaitken.blogspot.com/2013/01/plan-of-salvation-bookmarks.html
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
It is also called the Plan of Happiness. I remember, very clearly, as a little girl I would get a thrill out of asking myself "Who am I?" "Where am I going?" "What is my purpose?" (I'm sure I heard these questions repeated in church...) and then as I answered them I would get bubbly butterflies inside and I would feel so excited as if it were Christmas about knowing that I am a child of God. I'm going to live with Him again. I am here to become more like Him and my brother Christ. I'm not exaggerating. I remember one time in particular waiting in line outside going through this little thought process in my head and being called back into focus by my laughing teacher asking me "Kelley, what are you so happy about?"
I was so happy about the plan of happiness! Duh!
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that we all once lived together as brothers and sisters in what we call the pre-mortal life. We believe that one day we were gathered together by our Heavenly Father to discuss this great plan. He told us that if we wanted to become like Him (as most young children do...) then we would need to leave home for a while. An Earth would be created and there we would gain bodies, just like our Father. It would not be easy, I'm sure He told us, because we wouldn't be able to remember clearly what it was like to once live in heaven. It would even be hard to remember our own family and our own Parents. We would be tested and challenged and tried and sometimes we would mess up. God knew we would mess up which is why he asked for a volunteer savior who would be willing to sacrifice himself and pay for our sins to help us return home. Christ humbly volunteered (as opposed to Satan who also volunteered but for the sake of length I'll spare you that exciting story for now...) and Earth was created and the first spirits were sent down. After the fall Adam and Eve began the process of bringing more spirits down to Earth and thus the plan was put into action. We come to earth in small helpless bodies, we are given families to care for us, we are tested and tried and tempted, we grow, we learn, and then we die.
After we die we are sent to the spirit world. Here we don't have our bodies but there is plenty of work still going on. We understand that there will still be a lot of evangelizing going on and many will have a final chance to decide what they believe. When the time finally comes for judgement, after we have been reunited with our bodies via resurrection, we will all be separated into three kingdoms according to how we had lived: telestial being the lowest, terrestial being the middle and the Celestial being the highest degree of glory where God Himself lives. In the Celestial kingdom we will continue to grow, learn and progress. I believe there is potential for progression in the other two kingdoms as well, but I'm not certain that's true... so don't quote me.
This is SO IMPORTANT because it gives us all a purpose. It gives you a purpose even if you don't think it is your purpose. To me you all are my brothers and sisters and at one point we ALL chose to come here, that's right we chose. In fact, part of the story that I didn't tell you was that 1/3 of our brothers and sisters were cast out with Satan because they chose NOT to follow this plan. So you are here not only because you chose to be here, but you chose to follow God's plan. And I always say "You chose it once so you must be able to choose it again!" (I don't always say that, but I could start.) It is important because this plan tells me that this life is important and it is only a short moment in my long history. It is important because I know that this is not the end and what I do with my time now matters. It is important because we are all a part of this plan and because we can't remember it I think it is important to try and jog our memories.
I wish we could all be little girls who at the very thought of this great plan we could get butterflies and become giddy with happiness. I think that is what the plan is meant to do. It is meant to bring us happiness, not only here on Earth but it is meant to bring us eternal happiness- a happiness that will never end!
After all "men are that they might have joy."
P.S. I tried to add a helpful picture... but it won't let me add it for some reason. So here is a blog with a picture that I really liked... you can also get a free book mark out of it! Wow!http://courtneyaitken.blogspot.com/2013/01/plan-of-salvation-bookmarks.html
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Ann Barrow Bradley shared a link.
Day 33: "And it came to pass that when they came up to [conference], every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters[...] from the eldest down to the youngest...
And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which [the prophet] should speak unto them." Mosiah 2:5-6
Come listen to a prophet's voice. And to the beautiful music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Music starts at 9:30 MDT.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch?lang=eng&cid=HPTU040114644
And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which [the prophet] should speak unto them." Mosiah 2:5-6
Come listen to a prophet's voice. And to the beautiful music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Music starts at 9:30 MDT.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch?lang=eng&cid=HPTU040114644
Jenny Barrow shared a link.
Day 33: The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is responsible for revealing truth. You must live worthy of His presence if you want to learn revealed truth.
Over the past 33 days I have talked about God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ), there is a third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. I believe they are three distinct beings, with clear roles.
The role of the Holy Spirit is to reveal truth, to testify of Jesus Christ, and to guide and comfort God's children. The Holy Spirit is a God. This means He cannot be places that are offensive to God.
Disobedience to God's law, a rebellious attitude, degrading language, music, or actions, or even a filthy room, can all offend the Spirit. The more we try to emulate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions, the more inviting we are to the Holy Spirit.
Every person on this earth can feel the Holy Spirit when they are acting in ways that invite the Spirit. You can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the promise of the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, after you are baptized into Christ's church.
The gift of the Holy Spirit greatly increases your ability to recognize and understand revelation, as long as you live in a manner that invites the Spirit more and more in your life.
If you want revealed truth in your life, you must seek for the Holy Spirit in your life. Once you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, seek to never offend Him, and He will reveal great truth to you. I know that is true.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
http://www.mormonchannel.org/power-of-the-holy-spirit?v=1365732854001
Over the past 33 days I have talked about God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ), there is a third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. I believe they are three distinct beings, with clear roles.
The role of the Holy Spirit is to reveal truth, to testify of Jesus Christ, and to guide and comfort God's children. The Holy Spirit is a God. This means He cannot be places that are offensive to God.
Disobedience to God's law, a rebellious attitude, degrading language, music, or actions, or even a filthy room, can all offend the Spirit. The more we try to emulate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions, the more inviting we are to the Holy Spirit.
Every person on this earth can feel the Holy Spirit when they are acting in ways that invite the Spirit. You can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the promise of the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, after you are baptized into Christ's church.
The gift of the Holy Spirit greatly increases your ability to recognize and understand revelation, as long as you live in a manner that invites the Spirit more and more in your life.
If you want revealed truth in your life, you must seek for the Holy Spirit in your life. Once you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, seek to never offend Him, and He will reveal great truth to you. I know that is true.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
http://www.mormonchannel.org/power-of-the-holy-spirit?v=1365732854001
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