Using the analogy of the three-act play, I want to consider now the third act: Life After Life. (If you want to read this post in the proper order, read my posts of 7-26-08, and then 8-21-08. In that way, today’s post will make more sense.)
In Act One we learned that there was a master plan for us; that we would leave our pre-earth home and begin a new life as a mortal being (body and spirit) on earth. Earth life would be a time for learning, growing, developing and understanding.
This experience in mortality allows us to gain knowledge and wisdom in ways that were not possible in our pre-mortal existence. We will pass through trials and tribulations. We will experience joy and grief, pleasure and pain, love and contention; many of the “opposites” that will contribute to our mortal education, and prepare us for what comes next. Before we can achieve immortality, we must pass through mortality.
Death is simply a temporary separation of the body and the spirit. Our spirit continues to live in a spirit realm until the day of resurrection. Resurrection, as initiated by the Savior, Jesus Christ, is a gift to all who lived on earth. After being resurrected, there will come a time of judgment.
The analogy of a three-act play pre-supposes that there is an author who sees the end from the beginning. Indeed, God, the Father, is the author of this grand plan. His Son, Jesus Christ, was commissioned, from the beginning, to play a key part in unlocking death’s door. And, for those who believe in Him, accept His gospel, and obey His commandments, there is the promise of Eternal Life; life in the presence of God.
Although resurrection is a free gift, Eternal Life, by this definition, is a choice. In fact, all of our time on earth is about choices. When we encounter truth and light, how do we respond? Do we choose to be obedient, or turn the other way? Our “Act Two” choices will help determine our “Act Three” rewards. Hence, by grace are we saved, and by works are we granted Life Eternal. (The message of the gospel is beautifully consistent.)
Is there more? Yes. After all, the third act lasts forever! It is without end. And what will we do then? We don’t yet know all the answers, but I suspect that all who so choose will continue their education in the ways of God in a realm filled with love and joy that is beyond our mortal comprehension.
We will certainly not be alone. Since the Author of this plan is also the creator of families, the family unit will continue to exist for those who have embraced the gospel and accepted the Godly ordinances that seal families together.
If you would like to learn more about our Heavenly Father’s “Plan of Happiness,” please click here.
Showing posts with label Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Show all posts
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Act Two Begins; You are On Stage
Most Sunday mornings, at church, I have a chance to meet with a group of 12 & 13 year-old young men. I’m their teacher. Some of our most recent discussions have been about God’s plan for His children; a plan that puts life in perspective and adds a clarifying dimension of meaning and purpose. In short, it just helps us make sense out of things. It helps us see the “big picture.”
To look at life only through the lens of mortality leaves many unanswered questions. It’s like going to the theatre to see a play in three acts, but showing up late and having to leave early. As a result you only get to see the second act. Imagine how many questions you would have as you watched act two: “Why is this happening now? What happened in act one that would help explain this? What am I missing? What’s the relationship between these characters? How will this be resolved in act three?”
To further the analogy, imagine how difficult it would be for an actor to portray a character effectively having only read the second act of the play. He or she would have all kinds of questions about the relationships that exist with the other characters on stage. If I were the actor my questions might be, “Where am I? Who are these people? Why are they saying or doing that? What am I supposed to do next? Is there any connection between what my character is doing now and what happens in the next act?”
We are all like that actor. By now, in our lives, we may feel comfortable with who the other characters are, but, unlike the actor, we don’t have the advantage of knowing what happens on the next page. We don’t even have a script. Would knowledge of what happened in act one be of help? Would knowledge of the author’s plan for act three help us with the choices we must make today?
In my younger years I did a lot of university and community theatre. I can easily relate to this analogy. Maybe that helps explain why, in my “middle” years, I sometimes have dreams (more like nightmares) that I am in a play, about to go on stage, but I can’t remember my lines, and to add to my anxiety and fear, I can’t find my copy of the script! Even waking up, knowing it was just a dream, doesn’t always erase the panic. It lingers. I secretly wonder whether anyone else has dreams like that. (Not so secretly anymore, right?)
Being able to see, or have faith in, the big picture, brings me reassurance and hope. The author of our story, God himself, knows all things from beginning to end. Who we are is not defined merely by what takes place between our date of birth and our date of death. That is just the “second act.” So, what happened before? What happens next? The Author knows, and He has shared with us a glimpse of the answers through prophets and recorded scripture.
Maybe that would be a good topic for my next post.
Until then,
WRB
To look at life only through the lens of mortality leaves many unanswered questions. It’s like going to the theatre to see a play in three acts, but showing up late and having to leave early. As a result you only get to see the second act. Imagine how many questions you would have as you watched act two: “Why is this happening now? What happened in act one that would help explain this? What am I missing? What’s the relationship between these characters? How will this be resolved in act three?”
To further the analogy, imagine how difficult it would be for an actor to portray a character effectively having only read the second act of the play. He or she would have all kinds of questions about the relationships that exist with the other characters on stage. If I were the actor my questions might be, “Where am I? Who are these people? Why are they saying or doing that? What am I supposed to do next? Is there any connection between what my character is doing now and what happens in the next act?”
We are all like that actor. By now, in our lives, we may feel comfortable with who the other characters are, but, unlike the actor, we don’t have the advantage of knowing what happens on the next page. We don’t even have a script. Would knowledge of what happened in act one be of help? Would knowledge of the author’s plan for act three help us with the choices we must make today?
In my younger years I did a lot of university and community theatre. I can easily relate to this analogy. Maybe that helps explain why, in my “middle” years, I sometimes have dreams (more like nightmares) that I am in a play, about to go on stage, but I can’t remember my lines, and to add to my anxiety and fear, I can’t find my copy of the script! Even waking up, knowing it was just a dream, doesn’t always erase the panic. It lingers. I secretly wonder whether anyone else has dreams like that. (Not so secretly anymore, right?)
Being able to see, or have faith in, the big picture, brings me reassurance and hope. The author of our story, God himself, knows all things from beginning to end. Who we are is not defined merely by what takes place between our date of birth and our date of death. That is just the “second act.” So, what happened before? What happens next? The Author knows, and He has shared with us a glimpse of the answers through prophets and recorded scripture.
Maybe that would be a good topic for my next post.
Until then,
WRB
Friday, July 11, 2008
My Brazilian Connections
While I was in college, I took a two-year break to serve as a full-time missionary in Brazil. What a wonderful experience! I love the Brazilian people; their culture, their language, their country.
Well, not long ago I was searching blogs and found one that was created by a Brazilian woman; a Doctor who lives in Sao Paulo. I spent almost a year of my missionary days there. Since her blog included an e-mail address, I wrote a short note in Portuguese. I explained my connection to Brazil and she was kind enough to write back.
We have exchanged several e-mails since then. In one of her e-mails she explained that although she believes in God and Jesus Christ, she feels some resistance toward religion. In my response I wrote, “I think many people feel resistant toward religion. Where does that feeling come from? Maybe it's because some people have twisted religion to become an institution that serves their own needs more than God's.”
Of course there are other reasons why my Brazilian friend might feel this way. What do you think?
If you have ever been curious about what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe, there is a very informative web site you should visit. Here’s the link: www.mormon.org. You’ll find answers to questions like, “What is the purpose of life?” and many others.
Let me know what you think.
Well, not long ago I was searching blogs and found one that was created by a Brazilian woman; a Doctor who lives in Sao Paulo. I spent almost a year of my missionary days there. Since her blog included an e-mail address, I wrote a short note in Portuguese. I explained my connection to Brazil and she was kind enough to write back.
We have exchanged several e-mails since then. In one of her e-mails she explained that although she believes in God and Jesus Christ, she feels some resistance toward religion. In my response I wrote, “I think many people feel resistant toward religion. Where does that feeling come from? Maybe it's because some people have twisted religion to become an institution that serves their own needs more than God's.”
Of course there are other reasons why my Brazilian friend might feel this way. What do you think?
If you have ever been curious about what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe, there is a very informative web site you should visit. Here’s the link: www.mormon.org. You’ll find answers to questions like, “What is the purpose of life?” and many others.
Let me know what you think.
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