While reading my scriptures last night, I came across something I never noticed before in 2 Ne: 2:8:

How great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God,save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit . . .

What do you think it means that Jesus was resurrected “by the power of the Spirit”?

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While discussing 2 Ne 2 in Gospel Doctrine class today, we came across 2 Ne 2:4:

the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

The gospel doctrine instructor asked if salvation really is free. There was an audible, collective “no”. I disagreed with this. After all, did that make Lehi a liar?

I put forth that salvation from death is free. The instructor countered with asking if that was the salvation Lehi meant.

If we look at the footnote, we will see that the salvation mentioned here is what Jude referred to as “collective salvation” (see Jude 1:3). Harold B. Lee referred to this as a general salvation:

“Herein is defined ?��Ǩ�� individual salvation, which comes to each, dependent upon his own conduct and his own life. But we [also] have what we call ‘general’ [salvation], that which comes upon all mankind, whether they are good or bad, rich or poor, when they have lived?��Ǩ���it makes no difference. All have the blessings of the Atonement and the blessings of the resurrection given to them as a free gift because of the Savior?��Ǩ�Ѣs atoning sacrifice. . . .” (?��Ǩ?�Chapter 3: The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World,?��Ǩ�� Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 18)

I argued that we must remember that the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are all kingdoms of glory, albeit of different levels. Those who are resurrected to one of those kingdoms are resurrected to glory, which in my opinion is a type of salvation. In that respect, salvation is free to all. Even Rick.

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While reading through a new addition on the newsroom at LDS.ORG on how Mormons view the world (props to DMI), something stuck out to me.

the choices made in this life determine one?��Ǩ�Ѣs station and activity in the eternities, where God reserves a unique place for all of his children.

A unique place? That makes it seem as if there are more than three places prepared for the eternities. Is this article suggesting that the post-Judgement life isn’t spent in one of three kingdoms? Could it be that the kingdoms aren’t concrete, that their borders are blurred?

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This is a guest post submitted by David T.

A friend, son of a former temple president, once shared something with me his father suggested to him, and I still mull over the implications.

“You know how before we came to this earth, we were all brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father?”

Uh-huh.

“We were brothers and sisters to our parents, our grandparents and our children.”

Right.

“Well, once our missions on earth are over and we go back, do you think that dynamic has changed? That suddenly we’re parents and children to our brothers and sisters?”

Um . . . I don’t know.

“Well, this isn’t official, but doesn’t it make sense that once we go back, remembering everything, we’ll be brothers and sisters like before?”

What about families are forever?

“Let’s put it this way: In this earth life, we need each other to get back as close to Heavenly Father as we can ?��Ǩ��� you can’t get there alone. But when you die, it’s going to be just you and the Lord there when you’re looking at your life.”

Okay.

“I don’t know. Just don’t be surprised if you’re still close to your parents and ancestors and children, but that the family structure you understand here might not be the same there.”

Every once in a while, a curve ball like that whizzes past me and makes me stop and think. Do I believe what he told me? I know him well enough to believe that’s what his father told him, and I believe if his father’s dwelling on it, there might be something to it. Does it affect my testimony? Not detrimentally. Does it change my opinion of the Plan of Salvation? A little, but not in such a way that it alters my behaviour or direction. When my friend first told this to me it was almost as if my perception was re-focused to a stronger clarity. I’m not saying I had a revelation, but I felt “empowered” and that feeling strengthened my testimony.

This is what the gospel does to me. Not often enough for my liking, and not causing me to go off into evangelical callisthenics (see “chicken dance”). But every once in a while, it provides me with a little surprise that edifies me and reaffirms my loyalty.

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