I don’t know that this third question pertaining to the Plan of I do recall as a youth having a difficult time imagining ‘eternity’. My mind simply refused to wrap around that concept (still doesn’t, to be honest).
So for those of you not yet concerned about what comes after this life, I invite you to come back when you’re more in the mood. I do not say this lightly, but due to the weighty nature of this subject it would be better for you to think about it when in the right frame of mind.
For those of you who find yourselves continually wondering where we go after we die, please pull up a chair and read on.
I want to talk first of what most other Christian churches believe. I can’t say ‘all’ of them because I truly don’t know what every single one believes. Regardless, it’s important to have a basic understanding of where those who may question you are coming from, if for no other reason than to maintain a level of respect for their viewpoint.
Most of the Christian world believes after death you go to one of two places: heaven or hell. That’s it. If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior and as the only way into heaven you will, indeed, reside there for eternity. I wish to say I understand this concept, but must admit it eludes me. Where is the dividing line? How is it fair if one spends their entire lives doing everything possible to live worthily, and is placed side by side with another who sinned their entire lives only to accept Christ shortly before death? And what about those who died as infants, and never had the opportunity? These and many other questions leave me unsettled.
Like I said, I simply don’t understand.
Think for a moment, then, what someone else looking into the LDS Church might wonder. Are they as confused about our beliefs as I feel about theirs? For those of us who have been taught the truths regarding life after death since birth, the ideals may seem simple. It may not appear that way to others.
It is difficult to put into a few simple statements all that has been revealed regarding life after death, but I will try to help shorten the big explanations.
For those that don’t know, after death our spirits will reside in a spirit world, often compared to a waiting room. This Spirit World is split into two hemispheres: Spirit Paradise and Spirit Prison. Those in Paradise are worthy members of the Lord’s church who will act as missionaries to those in Prison, bringing lost souls to the light. Some of those in Spirit Prison will accept this message while others will choose to remain in darkness. While this is going on life continues for those on earth.
When all is done that needs to be done here in this world, and Christ has come again to usher in the Millennium, we will see an even greater pace for temple work to be accomplished. Satan’s influence will have no hold over the children of God and missionary work will swiftly flow throughout the earth.
One interesting thing I learned is not everyone here on earth during the millennium will automatically know Jesus is the Christ, or that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is his church reorganized in this last dispensation. There will still be a need for missionary work during those thousand years of peace. Individuals may not accept his Church as being the only true church. As promised from before the time we were born, we will still have a choice.
Once the thousand years have passed we will see yet another war, referred to as the Battle of Gog and Magog. I don’t know what will happen during this time, but I do know righteousness will prevail. When this war is completed Satan and his followers will at last be eternally bound, unable to influence another person again. It is at this time the children of God will stand at His throne to be judged, and we will go to one of four places:
1. Outer darkness. This will be the permanent residence of the most wicked of mankind (Sons of Perdition), those who have had a testimony of Jesus Christ and his church and lost it all, denying what they knew to be true. They will have lost the light of truth.
2. The Telestial world. This will be the permanent residence of those who chose wickedness: liars, murderers, adulterers, etc. They were given the chance to accept the gospel of Christ, chose not to, but did not deny there is a God.
3. Next is the Terrestrial world. Here will reside those who are good and honorable people who do not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ when given the opportunity in mortal life, but decide to accept it in the spirit world. It will also include LDS members who are not worthy of the highest kingdom.
4. At last we reach the Celestial glory. This belongs to faithful, baptized members of Christ’s church who not only have the gift of the Holy Ghost, but did everything in their power to keep all the commandments of God. We have also been taught that within this glory there are three degrees. For more information visit:
There is so much more involved in the Plan of Salvation, but perhaps knowing these basics can help keep the final goal in sight, and help those who lack this knowledge to find hope and purpose in this life.
I would also invite any of the youth out there, if you have a question, to please write me, or visit www.lds.org or www.mormonwiki.com. Both are excellent sites and can help you gain further knowledge regarding the Plan of Salvation.
