Christ is the Reason

It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit. [C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (New York: Macmillan, 1980), p. 19; emphasis in original]

Pre-Existence

“Premortality is not a relaxing doctrine. For each of us, there are choices to be made, incessant and difficult chores to be done, ironies and adversities to be experienced, time to be well spent, talents and gifts to be well employed. Just because we ere chosen “there and then,” surely does not mean we can be indifferent ‘here and now.’ Whether foreordination for men, or foredesignation for women, those called and prepared must prove ‘chosen, and faithful.’ (see Rev. 17:14; D&C 121:34-36)” Neal A. Maxwell Premortality, a Glorious Reality

Proverbs 8:22-30 With God from the beginning

Eccl. 12:7 “Spirit shall return”

Jeremiah 5:1 “Before I formed thee, I knew thee”

Ephesians 1:4 “Chosen before the foundation of the world”

Hel. 14:17 Man brought back into God’s presence.

D&C 38:1 Before the world was made

D&C 93:29 Man with God in the beginning

D&C 138:53,56 First lessons in the begging

War/Council in Heaven

Job 38: 7 “the Sons of God shouted for joy”

Luke 10:18 Satan fell from heaven

Jude 1:6 “angels kept not their first estate”

Revelations 12:7 war in heaven (Cody)

2 Nephi 2:17 angel fall from heaven

Alma 13:3 prepared before the foundation

D&C 29:36 Satan rebelled

D&C 76:25 angel rebelled

Moses 4:3 Satan rebelled against me

Abraham 3:22 intelligences organized (Jared)

Abraham 4:26 God’s took counsel among themselves (5:2)

Isaiah 14:13 (Francisco)

2 Tim 1:9 “before the world began”

D&C 93:29, 33 “elements are eternal”

“Everything in our life happens as though we entered upon it with a load of obligations contracted in a previous existence…obligations whose sanction is not of this present life, [which] seem to belong to a different world, founded on kindness, scruples, sacrifice, a world entirely different from this one, a world whence we emerge to be born on this earth, before returning thither.” (Marcel Proust, in Gabriel Marcel, Homo Viator, New York: Harper and Row, 1963, p. 8)

Why is this doctrine important? “One dimensional man with only a one-dimensional view of the world will surely focus upon the cares of the world, yielding to the things of the moment.” Neal A. Maxwell Premortality, a Glorious Reality

Veil

Eccl 1:11 “No remembrance of former things”

Isaiah 25:7 “Vail spread over all nations”

1 Corinthians 13:12 “see through glass darkly”

Ether 3:19 Could not be kept within the veil

Ether 12:19 Many could not be kept within the veil

D&C 67:10 “Veil shall be rent”

“We define the veil as the border between mortality and eternity; it is also a film of forgetting which covers the memories of earlier experiences. This forgetfulness will be lifted one day, and on that day we will see forever—rather than ‘through a glass darkly’…Without the veil, we would lose that precious insulation, thus interfering with our mortal probation and maturation. Without the veil, our brief mortal walk in a darkening world would lose its meaning—for one would scarcely carry the flashlight of faith at noonday and in the presence of the Light of the World!” Neal A. Maxwell Patience

Mortality

Gen 1:26 “Let us make man in our own image”

Isaiah 43:7 “I have created him for my glory”

Gen. 2:17 “though shalt surely die”

Job 19:26 “worms destroy this body”

2 Nephi 2: 21 “state of probation”

Alma 34:32 “time to prepare”

Moses 1:39 “Bring to pass immortality of man”

Abraham 3:26 “those who keep 2^nd estate shall have glory”

Fall of Man

Luke 5:8 Peter “I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Romans 3:10 “There is none righteous”

3: 23 “all have sinned”

1 Corinthians 2:14 : Natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.

1 Timothy 1:15 Paul “Chief” among sinners

2 Nephi 2:11 “Opposition in all things”

2 Nephi 4:17-19 Nephi a “wretched man”

2 Nephi 9:27 Awful is the state of those that waste their probation.

Mosiah 3:19 “Natural Man is an enemy to God”

Mosiah 16:3 “all mankind carnal”

Ether 3:2 Jared “unworthy” before the Lord.

D&C 29:41 Adam became spiritually dead

“No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind.” Ezra Taft Benson

“Do not suppose that we shall ever in the flesh be free from temptations to sin. Some suppose that they can in the flesh be sanctified body and spirit and become so pure that they will never again feel the effects of the power of the adversary of truth. Were it possible for a person to attain to this degree of perfection in the flesh, he could not die neither remain in a world where sin predominates…I think we should more or less feel the effects of sin so long as we live, and finally have to pass the ordeals of death.” (Brigham Young, JoD 10:173)

Atonement of Jesus Christ

1 John 5:4-5 Atonement overcomes the death of the Fall.

D&C 38:7-9 Atonement overcomes the death of the Fall.

Moses 6:53 Lord forgives Adam & Eve for transgression

Moroni 8:8 Adam’s transgression is taken away through the atonement

3 Nephi 27: 16, 19-21 “who repenteth” will be held “guiltless”

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Jesus is author and finisher of our faith”

Galatians 5:4 Not justified by own works (only through Christ) See also Galations 2:16 and 2 Nephi 2:5-8

Galatians 3:10-13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.”

I John 4:19 He loved us first

D&C 20:29-30 “justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true.”

Matt. 11:28-30 “For my Yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

2 Nephi 2:6-7 “Redemption comes through the Holy Messiah”

2 Nephi 9:19 Jesus delivers saints from hell.

Jacob 6:5, 10 His arm is extended to us.

Alma 34:15-16 Mercy satisfies justice.

2 Nephi 9:7 It is an infinite atonement (Alma 34:12, 2 Nephi 25:16, Alma 34:10, 14, D&C 10:19-10)

Scriptural Recording of Actual Atonement

Matthew 26-28

Mark 14-16

Luke 22-24

John 18-21

D&C 88:106 “It is finished”

Resurrection and the Atonement

John 10:17-18 Christ has power over death

Matt 27:52 “the graves were opened”

Job 14: 14 “If a man die, shall he live again?”

Job 19:16 “In my flesh I shall see God”

Isaiah 25:8 “Swallow up death in victory”

Luke 24:39 “spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have”

Romans 6:5 “We shall be in the likeness of his resurrection”

Phillip 3:21 “change our vile body…like unto his”

1 Thes 4:16 “the dead in Christ shall rise first”

2 Nephi 9:12 “the spirits and the bodies of men shall be restored”

Mosiah 16:8 “the grave has no victory”

D&C 29:26 “then shall all the dead awake”

Necessity of the Atonement

Luke 17:10 (see also Mosiah 2:21) We’re unprofitable servants

Matt 9:12 They that are sick need a physician.

Alma 22:14 man “could not merit anything of himself”

Moroni 6:4 “relying alone upon the merits of Christ”

D&C 3:20 “rely upon the merits of Christ”

Centrality of the doctrine of grace

2 Nephi 10:24 “only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved”

2 Nephi 25:23 “we know that it is by grace that we are saved”

Ether 12:27 “my grace is sufficient”

Moroni 10:32-33 “by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ”

Alma 33:16 The Lord is angry because we don’t understand His mercies.

1 Nephi 17:41 (Numb. 21:4-9,Alma 33:20) The atonement is too easy for some.

1 King 5 The story of Naaman the leper

1 Samuel 25 Story of Nabal, David, and Abigail

Our Part

Articles of Faith 4

Psalms 51:10-12 “Create in me a clean heart”

2 Nephi 2:7 “He offereth himself…unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”

D&C 20:77 (Sacrament prayer)

D&C 46:9 “him that seeketh to do so”

D&C 64:34 “Lord requireth the willing heart and mind

D&C 10:4 “Don’t run faster than you have strength.”

Romans 6:15 “Shall we sin?...God forbid.”

D&C 50:7-8 “Hypocrites shall be detected”

3 Nephi 27:16 Repenting, baptized members who endure to the end will be “guiltless” (2 Nephi 31:5)

How can we know?

Eph 1:14, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5 The spirit is given as “earnest money” as confirmation of abiding in Jesus.

D&C 20:77 “Always have his spirit to be with you”

D&C 123:17 “utmost assurance to see the salvation of God” (D&C 106:8, Eph 3:12)

Enos 5-6 “I…knew that God could not lie…my guilt was swept away”

Alma 34:16 Encircles saints “in the arms of safety”.

D&C 45:4-5 What will Christ say to His people at the Last Day?

How far does the Atonement reach?

Alma 24:10 Guilt taken away through “merits of his Son.”

D&C 29:46, 137:10 Atonement covers children who die before the age of accountability

D&C 29: 50 Atonement covers mentally challenged.

Alma 7:11-12 Christ knows all sin.

Hebrews 2:17 “he is able to succor them that are tempted.”(see Heb 4:15, D&C 20:22)

D&C 88:6, Eph 4:8-10 Christ comprehends all things.

“We all occupy diversified stations in the world, and the kingdom of God. Those who do right, and seek the glory of the Father in heaven, whether their knowledge be little or much, or whether they can do little or much, if they do the very best they know how, they are perfect…’Be ye as perfect as ye can,’ for that is all we can do, though it is written, ‘Be ye perfect as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.’ To be as perfect as we possibly can, according to our knowledge, is to be just as perfect as out Father in heaven is. He cannot be any more perfect than He knows how, anymore than we. When we are doing as well as we know how in the sphere and station we occupy here, we are justified.” – Brigham Young (JoD 2:129-130)

Latter-Days

Large War Before Second Coming

Revelation 16:15 Nations assemble shortly before the Second Coming at Armageddon. (see Zechariah 12:11)

Second Coming

“Certainly there is no point in speculating concerning the day and hour” –President Hinckley

Acts 1:9-11 Christ will come in “like manner” as he left.

D&C 68:10-11: Heavenly Father will help is understand the signs of the Second Coming

Isaiah 63:1-2/ D&C 133: 46-48: The Savior clothed in Red

Joseph Smith’s most oft quoted signs of the second coming:

a. Sun shall be darkened

b. Moon shall not give her light

c. Stars shall fall from heaven

Other signs

d. Malachi 4:5:5-6: Coming of Elijah (see D&C 110)

e. JSM 31/Jer. 16:16: Missionary Work

f. Article of Faith 10/ Jer. 16:14-15: Gathering of the ten tribes

g. JSM 29: Natural Calamaties (see Ezk. 38: 19-20)

h. JSM 23/D&C 87/D&C 130:12-13: Wars and rumors of wars. (One great war: Ezk 38:16)

i. Daniel 7: Christ to appear at Adam-Ondi-Ahman

j. Revelations 11:1-11 Two prophets slain at Jerusalem

Millennium

Isaiah 2:4: No war

Isaiah 35:2/ Ezekiel 34:23 Lord shall personally reign

Revelations 20:4 1000 years long

2 Nephi 30:18/ D&C 121:28 The Lord to reveal “all things”.

Satan loosed

D&C 88:110-114

Last war

Revelations 20:7-9

D&C 88:111-116

Mortal Death

Spirit Paradise

Luke 23:43 Thieves to me “that day” with Jesus in paradise.

2 Nephi 9:13 “Paradise of God must deliver up the spirits”

Alma 40:12 “state of happiness, which is called happiness”

4 Nephi 14 “all gone to paradise of God”

Spirit Prison

Psalms 142:7 :Bring my soul out of prison

Isaiah 24:22 Prisoners to be visited after many days.

1 Peter 3:19/4:6 Christ visited spirits in prison

Final Judgment

Outer Darkness

Matt 8:12 “cast into outer darkness” (see also Matt 22:13. 25:30, Alma 40:13, D&C 101:91, 133:73)

Telestial

John 14:2

1 Cor 15:41 “as the stars”

Mosiah 15:26 “no part in first resurrection”

D&C 76:81-80 Telestial glory and those who go their described

Terrestrial

1 Cor. 15:40 glory of the terrestrial

D&C 88:23, 38 “cannot abide terrestrial glory”

D&C 76:71-80 Terrestrial glory

Celestial

1 Cor 15:40 Celestial

2 Cor. 12:2 “caught up in the third heaven”

D&C 76:50-70 Celestial Glory

See also D&C 88:22, 93:22, 101:65, 131:1, 132:19

Conclusion

“The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if Children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if it so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:16-17)