Week 18

September 16, 2022

It's funny when people ask how much time we have in the mission, Elder Jenson will say one year and I get to say, "yeah I've been here maybe 4 months." Crazy to think it's already been a little bit. I can confidently say I've got a hold of the ropes now though. I can speak confidently in Spanish to whoever, lead lessons, introduce a new missionary to the area, all good things. If being able to have a normal conversation in Spanish after 4 months isn't a God given miracle, I don't know what is. My P-day is on Friday this week because our district was able to meet the mission goal to baptize as many people as are a part of the district; 8 missionaries, 8 baptisms. So we got to go to the temple. Absolutely amazing.

On Tuesday as well as Thursday we taught our curious friend Juan Francisco about the Plan of Salvation. While at the temple I was also reminded of this topic.

The Plan of Salvation, also known as The Plan of Happiness, is by far the most amazing, unique, and comforting message that The Church of Jesus Christ has to offer. It's a message of love, and as is stated in the title, consists of God's plan for us.

1. Pre-Earth life; God's Purpose and Plan for Us (this is where we come from)

- Abraham 3: 22-25

22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;

23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and 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 me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wasn't chosen before thou wasn't born.

24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

- Before this life we lived with God. God is the literal father of our spirits, and we are his children. He loves us, and wants us to be happy. In this pre-mortal life, we wanted to become just like our Father, who had a perfect body of flesh and blood, and a perfect knowledge of all things, neither of which we had.

2. The Creation

- Abraham 3: 24-28

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

- In order for us to become like our Father, an Earth was made, and all things thereon. A council was held, to see who would be chosen to be our Savior, to help us to return to live with our Father again. Christ offered his plan, and Lucifer his own. God chose Christ's plan. Lucifer became angry and rebelled. He was cast down to the Earth, and 1/3 of the hosts of heaven followed him, never to receive a body, and experience a mortal life.

3. Agency and the Fall of Adam and Eve

- 2 Nephi 2: 22-24

22 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 must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

- The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, were sent to the Garden of Eden on the Earth. They were told to multiply and replenish the Earth, and to not partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Lucifer, now Satan, tempted Adam and Eve and they partook of the fruit, thus transgressing and changing into a fallen state, as imperfect beings now with a knowledge of good and evil. If this had not happened, they never would have multiplied, thus we never would be, and God's plan would not progress. This was an essential part of God's plan.

4. Our Life on Earth (we are here)

- 2 Nephi 2: 25

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

- Because Adam and Eve fell, we came to be, as the physical sons and daughters of them. We are here to receive our bodies, and to gain experience here on Earth. From the beginning we were given our Agency, our ability to choose as we will. If we follow the commandments that God has given us, we can eventually return to live with Him again. If we chose not to follow his commandments, we will not be able to return and live with Him.

5. The Atonement

- 2 Nephi 2: 26-27

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good 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.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. 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.

- Because Adam and Eve transgressed, we are all in a fallen state. We are cut off from the physical presence of God, because we have become unclean, and no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God. Christ was chosen from the beginning to save us from the fall. Because he performed the Atonement, anyone who will call upon the Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, can receive help along their journey to return to the Father.

6. The Spirit World (this is where we go next)

- Alma 40: 11-14

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

- After we die, our bodies and spirits are separated for a time, and we go to the Spirit World where we await our resurrection. All will partake of the fruits of their labor in this life. Those who chose good in this life will be joyful and clear of conscience. They will receive the good fruits of their work. Those who choose evil, will be well aware of their coming reception of the evil fruits of their work. This is what is depicted as Hell in the scriptures. The knowledge that you will never receive the happiness you could have had.

7. The Resurrection, Judgement, and Immortality

- Alma 40: 21-23

21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.

23 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.

- All will be resurrected. When we are resurrected, our bodies and our spirits will be reunited, never to be separated again. Our scars, disabilities, diseases, etc. will be taken away and our bodies will be perfect. We will then be brought before the judgement seat of God, and be judged according to our deeds and desires.

8. Kingdoms of Glory

- 1 Corinthians 15: 39-41

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

- There are 3 kingdoms of Glory after we are judged. We will all be placed where we desire, are worthy, and are comfortable to go. We will all receive a level of happiness. Even of the lowest kingdom, we could not comprehend the immense joy that will be abundant therein.

Celestial Kingdom: This is where God the Father resides. Those who accepted the gospel and strived to keep His commandments will receive His glory, and become even as he is. Gods and Goddesses.

Terrestrial Kingdom: Those who did good in their life, but did not accept His gospel, or keep His commandments; they will reside here.

Telestial Kingdom: Those who chose evil in their live will reside here, away from the presence of God, as they so desired.

This is the message that The Church of Jesus Christ has to share. I bear my witness that I know with unshakable doubt that these things are true. We are children of God, and He loves us, and this is His plan for us. I've dedicated two years of my life to declare this very message to as many as will hear.

"Adam fell that men might be; men are that they might have joy."

I share these things in the name of him through whom we can return to The Father, even Jesus Christ, amen.

If anyone has any questions, I am always just an email away. I also just like to hear about your lives, so email whenever. I can't promise I'll always get back to you, but I promise I can try.

~Elder Owens~