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 pre-mortal life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pre-mortal life. Show all posts
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Act One: Where Did I Come From?
In my post of July 26, 2008, I wrote, “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.”
At the end of that post I promised to write about Acts One and Three. If you have been eagerly awaiting such a post, your wait is over … at least in part. I want to use this post to write about Act One.
I ended the earlier post by suggesting that, “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.’” When we understand the events of ‘Act One’ we will better understand the purpose that led us to ‘Act Two’ in the first place. In Act One we learned about who we really are, and the purpose of our ‘mortal experience’ (Act Two.) Act One, then, might be called, “Our Pre-mortal Experience.”
Before we were born, we lived as spirit beings in a pre-mortal place. We existed even before the earth was formed. The essence of who we are, our spirit self, is eternal. We understood that we were the spirit sons and daughters of an all-loving God.
During our pre-mortal experience, we learned of a plan that would help us progress and become more like our Father in Heaven. In fact, scripture reveals that God’s purpose is to bring about the immortality and eternal life of His children. We chose to follow Father’s plan. We knew that while on earth we would make mistakes. We also knew that as mortals, we would die. We would need a Savior to free us from the permanency of death, to redeem us from our sins, and to prepare us to return to be with God. We accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Then, at an appointed time, we started our journey on earth. (The curtain falls, and Act One comes to an end.) As we entered mortality the memory of our pre-mortal life faded. It was meant to be that way. With our memory gone, we would be required to walk by faith. This would be part of life’s test. The spirit being we were before coming to earth now lives with our mortal body. Our spirit yearns to remember what it once knew. It is always in search of truth. One of life’s tests is to see if we will be true to the truths we are given; to learn and be obedient to God’s commandments.
It is within this framework that the curtain goes up on Act Two.
If you would like to read more about God’s plan for His children, click here.
Next time: Act Three!
At the end of that post I promised to write about Acts One and Three. If you have been eagerly awaiting such a post, your wait is over … at least in part. I want to use this post to write about Act One.
I ended the earlier post by suggesting that, “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.’” When we understand the events of ‘Act One’ we will better understand the purpose that led us to ‘Act Two’ in the first place. In Act One we learned about who we really are, and the purpose of our ‘mortal experience’ (Act Two.) Act One, then, might be called, “Our Pre-mortal Experience.”
Before we were born, we lived as spirit beings in a pre-mortal place. We existed even before the earth was formed. The essence of who we are, our spirit self, is eternal. We understood that we were the spirit sons and daughters of an all-loving God.
During our pre-mortal experience, we learned of a plan that would help us progress and become more like our Father in Heaven. In fact, scripture reveals that God’s purpose is to bring about the immortality and eternal life of His children. We chose to follow Father’s plan. We knew that while on earth we would make mistakes. We also knew that as mortals, we would die. We would need a Savior to free us from the permanency of death, to redeem us from our sins, and to prepare us to return to be with God. We accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Then, at an appointed time, we started our journey on earth. (The curtain falls, and Act One comes to an end.) As we entered mortality the memory of our pre-mortal life faded. It was meant to be that way. With our memory gone, we would be required to walk by faith. This would be part of life’s test. The spirit being we were before coming to earth now lives with our mortal body. Our spirit yearns to remember what it once knew. It is always in search of truth. One of life’s tests is to see if we will be true to the truths we are given; to learn and be obedient to God’s commandments.
It is within this framework that the curtain goes up on Act Two.
If you would like to read more about God’s plan for His children, click here.
Next time: Act Three!
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