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Chapter 13a - The Plan of Salvation

The Mortal Test – Why Are We Here?

Before discussing why we are here, we should begin with one of the most important statements Joseph Smith ever revealed.

While working on his inspired translation of the Bible, Joseph Smith taught that God restored additional writings and visions of Moses that had been lost from the biblical record.

Among those revelations is a single verse that summarizes God's purpose for mankind:

Moses 1:39

"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

According to Joseph Smith, this single verse explains why God created the earth...

If God's purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, then mortality itself must have a purpose.

We are not here by accident.

We are not here merely to pass through life and then die.

According to Joseph Smith, earth life is a vital part of God's eternal plan.

A plan designed to teach us...test us...and prepare us for something far greater.

But that raises the questions every person eventually asks:

• Why am I here?

• Why was I born?

• And what is God trying to accomplish through this mortal life?

• Is mortality simply a brief existence between birth and death...or is there a divine purpose behind every trial, every choice, and every experience?

Joseph Smith taught that before we were born, we lived with God as His spirit children.

He taught that this earth life was not an accident.

It was a carefully designed part of God's eternal plan.

A plan intended to prepare His children for immortality... and even eternal life.

In this chapter, we'll examine what Joseph Smith taught about the purpose of mortality and compare those teachings with the Bible.

Part 1

God's Work and Glory

One of the most profound statements Joseph Smith ever revealed is:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

According to Joseph Smith, this single verse explains why God created the earth.

His purpose is not merely to save mankind.

His purpose is to bring about two things:

1. First, immortality.

2. Second, eternal life.

Immortality means living forever.

Eternal life means living forever in the presence of God and receiving all that He has.

Joseph Smith taught that this mortal life is a critical step in achieving both.

But why was mortality necessary?

Why couldn't we simply remain spirits with God?

The answer begins with our bodies.

Part 2

Why We Needed Mortal Bodies

The Bible opens with an important declaration.

Genesis 1:26-27

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."

Joseph Smith taught that God literally created mankind in His image because God Himself possesses a glorified body.

If that is true, then receiving a body becomes a necessary step in becoming like Him.

The Apostle Paul taught that our bodies are sacred.

1 Corinthians 3:16

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

And again:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost... therefore glorify God in your body."

Our bodies are not accidents.

They are gifts from God.

They are temples.

And through Christ's resurrection, they can eventually become immortal.

Paul wrote:

Philippians 3:20-21

"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body."

Notice what Paul is teaching.

Christ possesses a glorious resurrected body.

And someday the faithful may receive one as well.

But just how important is a physical body in God's plan?

Joseph Smith taught that receiving a body of flesh and bone was one of the primary reasons we came to earth.

More than that, he taught that the resurrection of the body is one of the greatest blessings God offers His children.

Many years later, President Joseph F. Smith received a remarkable vision concerning the spirit world.

In that vision, he saw countless righteous men and women who had died and were awaiting the resurrection.

Among them were Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Elijah, and many other faithful servants of God.

What was surprising was how they viewed their condition as disembodied spirits.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:50

"For the dead had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage."

Think about that for a moment.

These righteous souls were in paradise.

Yet they still longed for the resurrection.

They viewed the separation of spirit and body as a form of bondage.

Why?

Because God's plan was never intended to leave His children as spirits forever.

His work is to bring to pass not only eternal life, but immortality as well.

The resurrection reunites spirit and body forever and fulfills one of the central purposes of mortality.

Part 3

Celestial Bodies and Eternal Glory

Many Christians believe everyone receives the same reward after death.

Joseph Smith taught differently.

And surprisingly, Paul appears to teach differently as well.

Listen carefully.

1 Corinthians 15:40-42

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

Paul then compares these glories to the sun, moon, and stars.

Joseph Smith taught that these different glories correspond to different eternal kingdoms.

We examined those kingdoms in detail in our previous chapters on the Post-Mortal Life, where we explored the Resurrection, Judgment, and the Kingdoms of Glory.

For now, it is enough to recognize Paul's remarkable teaching:

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

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Joseph Smith's interpretation, the language Paul uses is remarkable.

Not all glory is the same.

Not all rewards are the same.

And mortality is where those eternal rewards begin to be determined.

Part 4

The Universal Gift of Resurrection

One blessing that comes to every person whether they are:

• Good or bad.

• Righteous or wicked.

• Rich or poor.

All mankind will be resurrected.

Paul taught:

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead."

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Likewise:

Acts 24:15

"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."

This means every person who has ever lived will receive an immortal body.

That is part of God's grace.

That is part of His plan.

That is part of His work and glory.

But immortality is only half of the story.

The other half involves proving ourselves before God.

Part 5

We Are Here To Be Tested

Joseph Smith taught that mortality is a probationary state.

• A time of testing.

• A time of proving.

Interestingly, the Book of Abraham states:

Abraham 3:25

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

Notice the wording.

"We will prove them."

Earth life is not random.

It is a test.

• Every temptation.

• Every hardship.

• Every act of faith.

• Every sacrifice.

All become part of that test.

The question is not whether trials will come.

The question is whether we will remain faithful when they do.

Part 6

The First Principle—Faith

If mortality is a test, then where do we begin?

Jesus gave a simple answer.

Mark 11:22

"Have faith in God."

Faith is the foundation of everything else.

The Apostle Paul defined faith this way:

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Faith is trusting God even when we cannot see Him.

Faith is believing His promises before they are fulfilled.

Faith is choosing obedience before we know the outcome.

This principle appears throughout scripture.

Romans 1:17

"The just shall live by faith."

2 Corinthians 5:7

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

And after His resurrection, Jesus told Thomas:

John 20:29

"Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Faith is not the end of the journey.

It is the beginning.

Faith must lead somewhere.

It must lead to change.

It must lead to repentance.

Part 7

The Second Principle—Repentance

Both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ began their ministries with the same message.

Matthew 3:2

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Mark 1:15

"Repent ye, and believe the gospel."

Repentance is much more than feeling sorry.

It means turning away from sin and turning toward God.

Peter taught:

Acts 3:19

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."

Notice the promise.

Sins can be blotted out…Washed away…and Forgiven.

But repentance is not optional.

Jesus warned:

Luke 13:3

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

The purpose of mortality is not merely to exist.

It is to change.

• To become better.

• To become more Christlike.

• To prepare ourselves for the presence of God.

Conclusion

According to Joseph Smith, mortality is one of the greatest gifts God has given His children.

• Here we receive bodies.

• Here we exercise faith.

• Here we learn repentance.

• Here we are tested.

And here we begin preparing for eternity.

But faith and repentance alone are not the end of the journey.

Jesus Christ taught that additional ordinances are required to enter the Kingdom of God.

Faith can change a person's heart.

Repentance can cleanse a person's soul.

But according to Jesus Christ, something more is required. He taught that additional ordinances are required to enter the Kingdom of God.

In our next chapter, we'll examine the gate that leads to eternal life—and why Joseph Smith taught that baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost are essential parts of God's Plan of Salvation.

Matthew 7:14

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Next Chapter:

The Plan of Salvation – The Gate and the Path

Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and Living the Commandments

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