Tag Archives: Plan of Salvation

On Maintaining Perspective, Neal A. Maxwell

This quote speaks to me regarding the Plan of Salvation and the opportunities of this life. It speaks to our opportunity to use our agency to control our own destiny. Neal A. Maxwell, while serving as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:

Correct conduct under stress is more likely when one has correct expectations about life.

To err by having naive expectations concerning the purposes of life is to err everlastingly. Life is neither a pleasure palace through whose narrow portals we pass briefly, laughingly, and heedlessly before extinction, nor is life a cruel predicament in an immense and sad wasteland. It is the middle (but briefest) estate of the three estates in man’s carefully constructed continuum of experience.

One day we will understand fully how complete our commitment was in our first estate in accepting the very conditions of challenge in our second estate about which we sometimes complain in this school of stress. Our collective and personal premortal promises will then be laid clearly before us.

Further, when we are finally judged in terms of our performance in this second estate, we will see that God, indeed, is perfect in his justice and mercy. We will also see that when we fail here it will not have been because we were truly tempted above that which we were able to bear. There was always an escape hatch had we looked for it! We will also see that our lives have been fully and fairly measured. In retrospect, we will even see that our most trying years here will often have been our best years, producing large tree rings on our soul, Gethsemanes of growth! Mortality is moistened by much opportunity if our roots of resolve can but take it in.

Neal A. Maxwell, “Taking Up the Cross” 4 January 1976

Stand Firm and Realize the Promises

In this quote President Lorenzo Snow speaks on how understanding our gospel convenants and being true to them can overcome any disappointment or doubt and help us realize all the Father has,

“Where is there cause to mourn? Where is there cause for the Saints to wear long faces? Where is there cause for weeping or repining? There is none; but it is life or death that is set before us; principalities and powers are ours if we continue faithful; sorrow and banishment if we disregard the gospel.

“What can we wish for more than is comprehended in our religion? If we will stand firm upon the rock and will follow the Spirit that has been placed in our bosoms, we shall act right in the way of our duties, we shall act right to those who are placed over us, we shall act right whether in the light or in the dark.”

Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church
Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny of the Faithful

Not Particular Concerning Them

President Lorenzo Snow taught,

“I had not been in this Church [very long] when it was clearly shown to me what a man could reach through a continued obedience to the Gospel of the Son of God. That knowledge has been as a star continually before me, and has caused me to be particular in trying to do that which was right and acceptable to God. … It seems, after all the education that we had in things pertaining to the celestial worlds, that there are some Latter-day Saints who are so well satisfied with simply knowing that the work is true that when you come to talk to them of our great future they seem surprised, and think it has nothing to do particularly with them.”

Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church
Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny of the Faithful

Home: Heaven on Earth

While home can be a heaven on earth, it can also be a refiner’s fire. Our finest and weakest moments often involve family and how we treat them. A member of our stake presidency remarked that for his family, Family Home Evening was the only boxing match that began with a prayer. Joking aside, however, to fail to understand how important the family is to God’s plan is a critical mistake. David O. McKay taught us that no success can compensate for failure in the home. Harold B. Lee affirmed this teaching, saying that the most important work we will do will be with in the walls of our own home.

A Pattern for All Things

As the Lord set about to restore His gospel and church upon the earth, He told the Prophet Joseph,

“And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—” (D&C 52:14)

When the Lord says he will give us ‘a pattern in all things,’ I believe that’s dualistic. Meaning, while He has given us a universal pattern and example in the life and mortal ministry of the Savior Jesus Christ, I also believe He also gave us multiple patterns and shadows throughout the scriptures, church history and in our worship  that give us a pattern for every thing. Each one of these smaller patterns serves to help us understand and apply the Savior’s life and grace in our own lives.

So, then, given our theme of creating a heaven on earth in our homes. What patterns from the Savior and from the gospel plan might help us establish celestiality under our ceiling? This won’t be an exhaustive exercise, but it certainly warrants becoming one. I will focus on a few ideas as a point of origin.

The Sermon on the Mount

When I consider what passage of scripture might serve as a starting point for understanding the life and example of the Savior, there are few passages that compare to Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Consider some of the principles taught therein and how ready they stand for application to our family life:

  • Mourn with those who mourn
  • Be a peacemaker
  • Hunger and thirst after righteousness
  • Love your enemies
  • Avoid divorce, forgive
  • Virtue in thought, word, deed
  • Avoid anger, forgive, seek reconciliation

I admit that I readily consider these principles in relation with my fellow man, you know, ‘being a light unto the world.’But the older I get, the more I realize how my family truly means the world to me. Oh then, ois there a better place to start than in the walls of my own home? If I responsibility as salt to savor and preserve, shouldn’t my family take top priority as the most natural and most valuable place to start. If my home spoils, what have I?

The Lord’s House

With a list of practical principles provided by the Sermon on the Mount, is there a definitive example of  the ideal home-setting? I believe there is in the House of the Lord. Now, if you are like me, you might look around your home and see all the toys strewn about, or the plates in the sink and wonder how much of the temple can really be applied on an everyday basis, but don’t let discourage you. Consider how the House of the Lord is place where we can fill the spirit, learn, grow, become an eternal family and generally become spiritually prepared so that when we live that house, we will be  protected from Satan’s power and temptations. Are our homes much different in purpose? There’s a great deal we can learn from the temple in establishing our homes.

Bringing the Two Together

Let’s consider these patterns together. For example, we could make a chart where we identify in one column the teachings of the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, and in a second column identify patterns from the temple that exemplify that principle. Then, in a third column we might identify possible applications in our own home. An example:

 Teaching: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

From the Temple: 

  • If we need to talk, we are invited to whisper to preserve the reverence of the House of the Lord
  • The Lord’s House is a house of order and there’s always someone there to help and guide you (minimizes confusion which disrupts peace)
  • Temple activities focus on gospel doctrine and making covenants
  • Temples closed on Mondays
  • No one is forced to do anything in the temple, it is done by our own free will and choice
  • If we have unkind feelings toward anyone participating, we are invited to withdraw
  • We make covenants with God to obey, sacrifice and give our full effort to establishing the kingdom of God.

Possible Applications at Home

  • Establish the expectation (and example) that if we need to discuss something, we do so without raising our voices
  • As a parent, I can provide order by treating my children with integrity.
  • I can have regular personal interviews with my children (be there for my children, to answer questions and minimize confusion)
  • We don’t allow anything to compete with Family Home Evening on Monday night.
  • We respect the agency of our family members, by teaching doctrine, helping children understand consequences and give them the opportunity to act
  • We help our children from an early age understand and prepare to keep Gospel Covenants

Home can be a heaven on earth and I know that our Father in Heaven has all the power in the universe to help us succede as a family. That’s why we have the Plan of Salvation and the restored gospel understanding of it. Most of all, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can find the grace, peace and inspiration we need to make our journey back home.

Restitution: Infants Raised By Mothers After Resurrection

On the subject of infant deaths, Joseph F. Smith shared the following,

“Joseph Smith taught the doctrine that the infant child that was laid away in death would come up in the resurrection as a child; and, pointing to the mother of a lifeless child, he said to her: “You will have the joy, the pleasure, and satisfaction of nurturing this child, after its resurrection, until it reaches the full stature of its spirit.” There is restitution, there is growth, there is development, after the resurrection from death. I love this truth. It speaks volumes of happiness, of joy and gratitude to my soul. Thank the Lord he has revealed these principles to us.”

(Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 455-56)

Role of Sacrifice in Salvation

Joseph Smith taught,

“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, must assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.”

Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith 6:7

Cheerful, Believing Participation

Neal A. Maxwell shared,

“Even as believers, however, when we are a part of encapsulating events, we can scarcely savor all that swirls about us. It is unlikely, for instance, on that night so long ago in Bethlehem, that Joseph and Mary looked at the newly born Christ child’s feet with the realization that those feet would, one day, walk the length and breadth of the Holy Land. And, further, that, later on, spikes would pierce those feet.

As a loving Mary grasped those tiny hands, and, as in the months ahead those tiny hands clasped her, did she know that those hands, when grown, would ordain the original Twelve or, still later, carry the rough-hewn cross?

As she heard her Baby cry, did she hear intimations of Jesus’ later weeping at the death of Lazarus or after blessing the Nephite children? (See John 11:35; 3 Ne. 17:21–22.) Did she foresee that those baby-soft knees would later be hardened by so much prayer, including those glorious but awful hours in Gethsemane? (See Matt. 26:36–56.)

As she bathed that Babe so many times to cleanse His pores, could she have been expected to foresee that one day, years later, drops of blood would come from His every pore? (See Mosiah 3:7.)

There is such a thing as cheerful, believing participation—even without full understanding—when you and I keep certain things in our hearts and are nourished as we ponder them! (See Luke 2:19.)”

The Challenge to Become

Dallin H. Oaks taught,

“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts–what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts–what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions…The Master’s reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors.”

(Dallin H. Oaks, CR, Oct. 2000, p. 41, 44)

Equality in Trials

Boyd K. Packer said,

We may foolishly bring unhappiness and trouble, even suffering upon ourselves. These are not always to be regarded as penalties imposed by a displeased Creator. They are part of the lessons of life, part of the test. Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect.

(Boyd K. Packer, CR, Oct. 1980, p. 29)

On Mortality

Neal A. Maxwell, while serving as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve, taught,

“One day we will understand fully how complete our commitment was in our first estate in accepting the very conditions of challenge in our second estate about which we sometimes complain in this school of stress. Our collective and personal premortal promises will then be laid clearly before us.

Further, when we are finally judged in terms of our performance in this second estate, we will see that God, indeed, is perfect in his justice and mercy. We will also see that when we fail here it will not have been because we were truly tempted above that which we were able to bear. There was always an escape hatch had we looked for it! We will also see that our lives have been fully and fairly measured. In retrospect, we will even see that our most trying years here will often have been our best years, producing large tree rings on our soul, Gethsemanes of growth! Mortality is moistened by much opportunity if our roots of resolve can but take it in.”

From Speeches.byu.edu

Neal A. Maxwell was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 4 January 1976.

The Two Deaths [PREZI]

Today, I’v put together something a little different as an experiment, you’ll have to let me know what you think. Using the presentation platform, Prezi, I give you “The Two Deaths”, an interactive slideshow discussing how Christ’s atonement helps us overcome both physical and spiritual death.

Use the play button below to get started or click more and then “Full Screen” for the full effect. Enjoy!