Plan Of Salvation

Sunday we had a lesson on the plan of Salvation. Here is a short part of it. If you missed it.

                   The plan of salvation is Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness. When as spirit children we saw his body, we desired to have bodies of our own. Heavenly Father knew that this to happen, a plan would have to be set in motion. He warned us that in order to get back to him, we would have to face all manner of trials, and that we would need to have the power to make our own choices. Because He knew that we would sin, he asked for one of his children to atone for the sins of all the others. Both Jesus Christ and Satan responded. Satan said that he would go, and force all of the children to make righteous decisions, if the glory would be his. Christ said that he would go, and that the glory would be his Father's. Heavenly Father chose Jesus to go to the earth and atone for the sins of all the others. Because of this great Atonement, and the repentance that it offers us, we can now be resurrected and return to live with our Father in Heaven. However, we can only do this if we repent. After we die, our spirits dwell in a state of paradise or a state of prison, depending on our righteousness on earth. Those that did not know of the gospel may be taught in this prison. When our bodies are finally reunited with our spirits, we will all be subjected to judgement, and will go to one of three kingdoms (or outer darkness), dependent on this judgement of our worthiness. The first is the Celestial kingdom and it is like unto the sun. Here we can live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus and can receive the highest degree of glory. The second is the Terrestial kingdom and it is like unto the moon. The third is the Telestial kingdom and it is like unto the stars. Outer darkness is reserved for only the least repentant of Heavenly Father's spirits. The Celestial kingdom is the one place where we can be reunited with our earthly families.

My knowledge of this plan helps me to make righteous decisions on a day-to-day basis. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for the knowledge of my divine identity as a child of God. It has strengthened my faith because I know that following Heavenly Father's plan is the only way I can return to live with Him and with my family on earth.