By Matt Palmer
Joseph Smith lived a difficult life. In his thirty-eight years, he saw more than enough of suffering and trial. At a time when his suffering and trials were particularly acute, Joseph cried out to God, and God responded in what we have now as sections D&C 121 and 122. In section 122, after listing all manner of horrible things that could befall Joseph, the Lord told him, “know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” Then He posed a penetrating question: “The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (D&C122:7-8).
Have your life’s experiences been for your good? In your quest to become like Heavenly Father or Heavenly Mother, have your life experiences made any difference? Are they necessary for you to become like your Heavenly Father or Mother?
The necessity of mortal experience is a point where those who believe in the doctrine of multiple mortal probations (MMP) and those who adhere to the single probation doctrine (SPD) differ. Upon examining the implications of the single probation doctrine viewpoint, it becomes plain that the natural conclusion of SPD is that mortal experience is not necessary for exaltation.[1]
Premortal Development
Jesus Christ is the Savior of all. There is clearly something about Him that distinguished Him from others in premortality. He is the Only Begotten of the Father. King Benjamin testified, “he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning . . . there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” (Mosiah 3:8,17).
His name, Christ or Messiah, means The Anointed One, as He was chosen and set apart in the beginning to fulfill this role. But this calling was not random or unearned. The Father told Moses, “my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.” (Moses 4:2). Christ was worthy of His exalted calling as the Savior and was chosen from the beginning.
Beyond the particular spiritual development of Jesus Christ, the spirits born into this world are not equal in terms of their development and intelligence. “These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am more intelligent than they all.” (Abraham 3:19). We know that others had developed and distinguished themselves as “noble and great ones” in premortality.
Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; and God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These will I make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou was chosen before thou wast born.
(Abraham 3:22-23).
At the planning of this world, we are told that “there stood one among [the spirits] that was like unto God,” who helped plan and create this world. (Abraham 3:24). Might this have been Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?” Whether or not this specific individual is Michael, at the very least, we know that Michael had developed his premortal self into such a state that God would call him by such a name, apparently without a hint of irony or blasphemy.
Before they were born into this world, some spirits were greater than others, at least one spirit was “like unto God,” and Christ was the most intelligent of them all. Proponents of SPD posit that all of this development was done without the benefit of any mortal life. They maintain that one can fully develop to be “like unto God” without ever facing a mortal challenge or temptation.
Infant Salvation and Those Without the Law
We know that children who die prior to reaching an age of accountability are saved by the atonement of Christ. (D&C 29:46-47, 137:10). Beyond children, the Lord has said that:
all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I the lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
(D&C 137:7-9). [2]
A plain reading of these scriptures makes clear that many people will be saved in the celestial kingdom without having the opportunity to exercise any agency in mortality, and many more will be saved in the celestial kingdom without ever having to choose to accept or reject the gospel of Christ, live under the requirements of the law, and endure to the end.
Let’s again review these doctrines in the lens of SPD.
A child who was born, lived for a few minutes, and then died, is saved in the celestial kingdom. Having received his “physical” body, he will never have the need or opportunity to experience mortal life in any other way. His salvation will never have been in jeopardy, as he never lived a day with any accountability for his actions. He was never temped, never tasted the sweet or the bitter, never knew pleasure or pain, maybe knew a little bit of health and a little bit of sickness, and never really acquired any knowledge that can be acquired by living a mortal life. That’s it for him, a day of infancy, an eternity of celestial splendor.
Similarly, a hypothetical woman who lived in a time and place where she never was presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ dies. God, knowing that she would have accepted the gospel if she was given the opportunity, gives her a celestial inheritance. She will never be tested with obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. She will never experience the growth that comes from applying gospel principles in mortality. The Lord does not need to see if she will be obedient to His commandments, and He already knows whether or not she would have been.
Meanwhile, a hypothetical man is born in a Christian nation, grows to adulthood, is exposed to and had the gospel preached to him, never accepts it, having been blinded by the craftiness of men, and dies. However, after dying, this man comes to a knowledge of the error of his ways and embraces the gospel of Jesus Christ. This man is eternally consigned to at best a terrestrial inheritance. (D&C 76:71-79). Or maybe this man received the gospel during his life and was not valiant in that testimony. Same result. (D&C 76:79). He will never enter the celestial kingdom. He will never have an eternal companion. He will never, ever, become a God, like Father. He simply blew the one shot he had at living the gospel of Christ.
Only One Probation Means No Mortal Experience for Many
With these things in consideration, it is very clear that SPD requires its adherents to believe that mortal experience is unnecessary to achieve godhood, and that in fact mortal experience may only be an unnecessary risk. Consider a few points.
Some researchers have estimated that the historical infant mortality rate was 26.9% in the first year of life and 46.2% before the age of 15. Source here. Let that sink in. Easily a quarter of the children born into this world will never have an opportunity to exercise their agency in a telestial space. How many of those people died before reaching the age of accountability, only God knows, but we know it’s more than a quarter.
Under the SPD framework, any argument that mortal trials and mortal experiences are necessary for growth falls flat. Approximately a quarter of the world’s historical population will never have any significant mortal experience, if one probation is all they can have. And they go on to higher realms than those who lived the gospel for a time and fell away from it. To the contrary, if mortal experience beyond obtaining a body were necessary to become like Father and Mother, under SPD framework those who died in infancy would not qualify, not ever.
When viewed in the lens of single probation doctrine, mortality is really just a Rube Goldberg machine for generating mortal, telestial bodies, since nobody really needs to live mortal life to ascend to godhood anyways. They just need to acquire a mortal body for Christ to later glorify. That is their only purpose on Earth. Yet strangely, the scriptures never identify obtaining a body as a purpose of coming to earth.
On the other hand, if mortal experience is beneficial, then so many of God’s children are denied it. I can imagine some would respond that those who died as children were predestined to do so, as they did not need mortal experience due to their advanced natures. But that is only to concede the point, that SPD implies that mortal experience is not necessary for exaltation; all of the development necessary can be done safely outside the danger of a fallen world.
But if it is true that those who died in infancy didn’t need any mortal experience, how do we explain the exceptional difficulties those great and noble ones like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph Smith, in addition to Jesus, experienced throughout their lives? After all, the Lord told Joseph Smith “that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” (D&C122:7). Am I to believe that Joseph Smith and Abraham needed incredible hardships and testing for their eternal development, while over a quarter of those born in this world did not? Lorenzo Snow said, “We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus, our Elder Brother, who, the scriptures tell us, ‘was made perfect through suffering.’” (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, linked below in Chapter 10 of the Doctrines of the Gospel Study Manual). If this experience is necessary for Jesus, why not for the billions of people who died in infancy?
I would contend that when Joseph Smith said that those who died in infancy “were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth,” many have largely misunderstood what that means, and what implications it has for their eternal development. It is quite possible Joseph’s statement simply meant that the timing and conditions were not right for these pure and lovely spirits to be exposed to the darkness of this world in their great innocence, and not that they would never need the opportunity for growth that mortality provides.
Purpose of Life and the Importance of Agency
Recognizing that SPD undermines the idea that the central purpose of mortality is to be a time for us to learn, grow, and be tested—as according to SPD these things are ultimately unnecessary for many if not all of us—it is imperative to examine what the scriptures have to say on the matter. The Lord revealed His purpose in creating this earth in this oft-quoted passage from Abraham: “We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abraham 3:24-25).
In looking for a mainstream LDS position on the purpose of life, I found this chapter from the Doctrines of the Gospel study manual, aptly titled, “The Purpose of Earth Life.” I encourage you to read the whole thing.
I find this chapter to be a well-founded and optimistic exposition on the benefits of mortality for children of God. The chapter supports the following claims with scripture in a way I think is appropriate:
- We are that we might have joy.
- God provided the opportunity for us to obtain a physical body in mortality.
- Mortality is our time of testing.
- The tests of mortality are for our good.
- Mortality provides us with the opportunity to develop the attributes of godliness.
If you read the scriptures they cite, you will notice that there is no real scriptural emphasis to support the claim that the primary purpose of mortal life is simply to obtain a mortal body. There is a solid scriptural case that obtaining a mortal body is a necessary condition for exaltation, but there is no real scriptural support for the claim that obtaining a mortal body is a sufficient condition for exaltation. The claim that a body is all one really needs from mortality is something I think we have inferred from the false belief that one probation is all anyone will ever get.
There is, however, ample scripture in support of the claim that the purpose of mortality is to provide a place where God’s children can have experiences to grow and to be tested. The chapter linked above cites many passages of scripture that speak wonderful truths about the purpose of life, the meaning of our trials, and the fruits of the atonement. And I testify that message is true. God’s children came here to exercise their agency, to repent, to gain experience that was not available elsewhere, and to rely on the merits and grace of Jesus Christ to be cleansed and healed from the wickedness present here. Are these promised blessings for faithfully enduring life’s challenges just to placate our very real suffering in this life? Are these blessings never to be obtained by those who died in infancy?
Opposition is at the core of Father and Mother’s plan for the exaltation of Their children. Lehi taught that
it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things. If not so . . . righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness, nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
(2 Nephi 2:11-12)
Of Adam and Eve, Lehi said, “the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other,” and that if they would not have fallen, “they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew so sin.” (2 Nephi 2:16, 23).
We have reason to be skeptical that God would deny a large portion of His children the opportunity to experience opposition and exercise their agency in mortality. We know from scripture that His children’s agency is precious to Father, and He scrupulously preserves and honors their agency. God tells Moses “That Satan . . . is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, and I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.” After testifying of Christ, God adds, “Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down.” (Moses 4:1, 3).
We don’t know the details of Satan’s plan, but somehow it involved the redemption of all mankind by destroying their agency. We know that this idea was repugnant to God, and many of God’s children, as Satan was cast down from heaven for this reason. Despite knowing this, SPD holds that Satan’s plan is essentially correct for the many, many people that were born, died, and saved without ever being given the opportunity to use their agency in mortality. No agency means no sin, and they are whisked away to heaven, never to sweat a day for all eternity.
Do you think that is right? Will there be a class of Gods and Goddesses never tested in mortality, with no knowledge for themselves of what they ask their children to experience? If all of these are to become Gods and Goddesses, without any further mortal experience, but not equally so, as some have been tested and gained experience where others have not, then we are to live forever under an eternal law of unfairness, as what some might have become under mortal testing will be forever unattainable to them. This certainly seems to be the case:
For verily I saw unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.” (D&C 58:2-4).
God is Merciful
God is both merciful and fair, which is why He will afford every opportunity needful for the eternal happiness of His children, all of them. The claim that a single probation is all anyone will be afforded is inconsistent with the teachings of the scriptures and the prophets about the necessity of mortal life to grow and ascend to Godhood. One must reject one or the other.
Mortality provides us with the necessary opportunity to develop attributes of godliness. Mortality is meaningful, eternally so. Our suffering is meaningful, as is our reaction to suffering. Jesus Christ has done the works He saw the Father do and patiently teaches us to follow after Him. I humbly submit that if these experiences were necessary for Christ, the greatest of them all, then they are necessary and beneficial for all of God’s children. Christ’s gospel is the gospel of repentance, of incremental growth, of line upon line, precept upon precept, of second, third, and fourth chances. God does not change who He is just because we had our one shot at the gospel and blew it. He loves His children too much to look for reasons to damn them to all eternity.
[1] I am deliberately not getting into the weeds about the distinctions between salvation in the celestial kingdom and exaltation here. I am making an assumption that proponents of SPD believe entry into the celestial kingdom is sufficient for eventual Godhood, whatever the details of that process may be.
[2] As for the distinction between those “without a knowledge of this gospel” (D&C 137:7-9) and those “without law,” (D&C 76:72) see Without (the) Law by Paul Y. Hoskisson, BYU Studies Quarterly, Vol. 37, Iss. 3, 1997.
Matt-
Thank you for this essay. My spirit and heart have had a witness of these truths for quite some time. Your brilliant insights here are allowing my mind to penetrate to where my spirit and heart already are, and I am filled with joy.
So much gratitude to Father for the light of truth.
Thanks again for your courage and your essay
That was great! While reading I had the thought/revelation that during the millennium when those who “choose” to come back and be raised (after passing away as infants before that millennial day)… wouldn’t that be another probation?? Another chance to continue in their eternal progress?? Seems legit to me.
Colleen, I had the very same thought. Seems all LDS should believe in MMP, since we have that teaching.
I’m very familiar with the promise to parents who lose infants that they’ll be able to raise them during the millennium, because my infant brother died when I was 2 yo and my parents bring flowers to his grave every year on his Birthday. This understanding made it simple for me to accept the idea of multiple probations. Yes, it is the same thing, another probation. This doctrine is very comforting to me and makes logical sense.
Thank you for this insight. It makes so much sense to me.
Experiencing so much opposition in trying to comment here! Just helps me to further feel joy at the TRUTH that has been expressed in this essay..may everyone who reads it experience PEACE, and their own witness from the Lords Spirit in their hearts and minds of our Fathers kind, loving, and merciful TRUE plan of happiness and exaltation..thank you Matt, for your time and efforts in bringing this forward at this very pivotal time in history…
What a brilliant, as in full of light, essay! Thank you!!! I love these truths so much. Brings a lot of peace and love to my heart and mind. This doctrine of multiple probations helps me love others better and judge less. The fruits are good and sweet and nourishing to my soul.
I love this essay! Thank you for bringing to light the opportunity Heavenly Father gives all his children. I loved your point of using the Savior as an example. If it was important for Him to come to earth and experience mortality, He being perfect, then why should we expect anything less? Are we greater than He, that we should be permitted to skip this step? It is a false tradition and belief that has crept into the church that our number one aim in coming to earth was to receive a body. Mortal life experience is the school in which we learn to become like our Heavenly Father. In 1Peter 2:21 it says that the Savior left us an example and we are to follow in His steps. How can we do that, if we have never had a mortal probation beyond just gaining a body?
Matt,
The thought occurred to me, regarding the children who are too pure and innocent to be in this telestial world, and thus live only a few moments or days…… Perhaps they attained that purity and innocence by how they conducted themselves in prior mortalities and they really have nothing more to prove. However, perhaps they choose to come here for what it will teach their parents about loss and love. One of my children and his wife may be having a baby in three months who will be down syndrome. Blood tests are not back. I truly feel that she has already passed her test, perhaps having had multiple probation’s, and her coming to this family is a huge Blessing, learning, loving and acceptance process for all the rest of us here. God’s plan is PERFECT. with an eternal view, we can handle so much more!
I agree with you Victoria. I have a 30 year old daughter who is severely “handicapped”. She is essentially an infant. I have had many comments given to me by General Authorities, and Patriarchs about her present condition. A few of them brought questions to my mind and to these pages….
1.”she is a teacher”, then my question was: How did she become one?
2. “She will be served for very different reasons she is being served today.” Who is she? How did she get to this point?
3. “She doesn’t need any of the experiences we do, while she is here.” Did she already had them?
4. “She doesn’t need any of the ordinances of the Gospel”. Did she already have them?…since Christ , who was/is perfect, had to have them to be an example to us all.
Thank you, Patricia. Your comments were very comforting.
I feel everytime I read these essays, that my soul receives light and truth. What a gift!!
It saddens me! Everyone would grow leaps and bounds by reading these words. But, we live in a day of hard hearted and stiff necks.
I do believe!! That these words will one day reach billions of Heavenly Father’s children. I feel lucky and even privileged to receive these inspired words now. I would really like to show my appreciation, for your countless hours and sacrifices put into these wonderful essays.
Thankyou!!
My thoughts aswell Kevin. Thank you.
Matthew, Eric, Julie and all that help, mahalo nui for your faith, courage and testimony. I am so blessed.
Thanks Matt for your time and efforts in publishing this insightful essay. I always appreciate the posts on this blog and hold them dear to my heart. As we know, the power of the Holy Ghost reveals the truth of all things, including the doctrine of multiple mortal probations. I see nothing offensive about it whatsoever, yet find it a beautiful and merciful part of His Plan of Exaltation. May the Lord continue to bless you…
Thank you Matt. When I read about this it all seems so familiar, its like a room just light up with a light bulb where before I had only a candle.
Several serious questions arose with this essay. First of all, it is very long-winded with lots of running around, treating it like a debate club. Why is this being pushed so hard, when it is so new for many of us to think about, and has not even been introduced to us as teachings through authoritative church channels, like from the prophet, the first presidency, and the quorum of the twelve of the Church? Why is it being treated like such a debate? What about real growth coming little by little, and this stuff is being pushed forward so heavily? Why isn’t Joseph Smith the Prophet allowed to speak for Joseph Smith the Prophet, instead of something he said being bucked? So many questions and doubts, especially why is this being treated so heavily, so soon, with this debate format. Many questions and doubts remain.
I’m grateful for Matt’s scholarship and for following the prompting he had to write this piece.
We’ve known these truths for years and are speaking about them incrementally. We invite all to come and consider the scriptural support and other thought processes we have had.
We respect the agency of anyone to consider these scriptural points or to dismiss them, and our right to share truth as we understand it. Let people do with it what they will, but as for us and for an increasing number of truth seekers, we rejoice in this doctrine and rejoice in sharing the fruit of it with others (1 Nephi 8:11-15).
As always, we encourage people to take these questions to the Lord.
I could never get my head around the thought that I only had one shot to make it count and if I didn’t get it right in this life, I was destined to never get to the Celestial Kingdom, ever. That whole idea never sat well with me. I always felt like I couldn’t be as obedient and great as so many of the noble and great ones from the past. I couldn’t figure out how they had such an edge over most people. However, now that I know that there are multiple probations, I have hope that I can still try my best here, and if I need to I can have a go at mortality again to attain a higher understanding and obedience. Thanks for all that you and Julie do to bring the truth to light. God bless.
One other thing. It also didn’t sit well with me that all babies/children under the age of eight would go straight to the Celestial Kingdom, but they would never have experienced real life (all its ups and downs) in such a short lifespan.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
D&C 130:19 makes more sense in the context of MMP. An advantage is needed in a test or probation.
Thank you for the efforts with a thoughtful reply. As you may expect, various people have various thought processes. Some of these ideas may come to many of us as newer, and really kind of “far out.” If some of these things are true, I would think that they would be taught during the millennium as well, and that there would be more time for some “slow simmering.” I believe there is great value in many of the teachings . . . , that many of us have been taught since we were young children, in primary, Sunday school, family home evening, seminary, and school, and ideologies that many of us have grown up with. I do believe that real growth comes a little bit at a time. I think it’s good to respect years worth of ‘slow simmering’ and growth many of us have from so many years . . . . Perhaps putting some of this stuff “on a shelf” is the healthiest thing for many of us to do.
Kathy, I think that was well said. Everyone can take the road back to heaven at whatever rate is best for them and their individual plan and covenant path.
I was reading D&C 132 and it really made things clear in my mind about MMP. To become a god you need to enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. How could Jesus Christ be the God of the Old Testament if he had not had received ordinances from other mortal lives?
After reading and pondering your essay on “Multiple vs. Single Probation Doctrine” I sense a lot of truth in your essay. I will need to give this concept a lot more thought. As I think about the concept of multiple mortal probations, I perceive that there is a great blessing in having a mortal body, and to be able to grow by exercising our agency. Perhaps that is why it is so detrimental to Satan not to be allowed to have a physical body. Still this concept raises other questions regarding the eternal marriage covenant. If MMP is a correct doctrine, how do we reconcile being sealed to different spouses in different probations. It seems to lend itself to some confusion if multiple partners are sealed to multiple other parters. I sincerely want to be open to truth even if I have a myriad of unanswered questions. In time, hopefully the Lord will reveal all things to our understanding as we continue to press forward in faith.
Thank you Matt for another brilliant, well-explained essay!
Within the last 2 years, I went with our missionaries to teach a mother about the 3 kingdoms of glory, and that we must be sealed with our family in the Celestial kingdom to have the chance to live them again. She expressed that she didn’t feel right about the idea that if her family were in different kingdoms that she would never see them again. She mentioned that this was why she didn’t feel right about the joining the LDS church the 1st time she learned about it from missionaries. I didn’t know why, but I felt unsettled with the idea that many people of other faiths had similar feelings, even though I’ve never questioned this idea before.
This led me to D&C 76:86-88 that people in lower kingdoms will be ministered to from people in higher kingdoms, which I had learned many years before. Then I thought, “what is the purpose of this, just to officiate in church meetings and tell them what they are missing out on?” This was evidence to me that there is likely a way to progress from any kingdom to a higher one. Later I had some hardships and felt stuck in life with decisions I had made, with no hope of escape without either looking bad in the eyes of the church, or giving up on eternal happiness. Eventually I came across the idea of multiple probations, and this doctrine gave me so much peace that I absolutely know that this is truth!
After learning this I read 2 Nephi 33:12 at the end of his writings and thought, “After everything Nephi saw in vision of our day, and also knowing the wickedness of Laman & Lemuel, how does he even think that it is possible that ‘all’ of us could be saved in God’s or Christ’s kingdom at the great and last day, unless he believed that the wicked, unfaithful, and those that have not been valiant in the testimony of Jesus had another chance in mortality to change!”
While reading this essay tonight I had the thought that if all we needed was a mortal body in this life, we could have learned everything we needed in the spirit world, and then have Father create every single one of us a mortal body like he did for Adam & Eve and avoid the unnecessary trouble of going through trials. It is obvious that this was not the plan, and that we must go through hardships at some point through multiple mortalities to become perfect like our Savior.
I absolutely love this doctrine, and now as I study the scriptires, so many ideas make sense now and previously confusing and conflicting ideas now click into place! This doctrine truly is a major key that unlocks a higher understanding of the scriptures and truth in general. Also, I have read most of The Church of the Firstborn, and there are even more keys that unlock a greater understanding of the scriptures and a greater knowledge that God and Christ’s plans of Salvation & Exaltation are so wonderful and merciful for every single one of us.
Thanks again Matt, Greg, Eric, and all who post on this website. It is so easy to feel alone in these beliefs as a member of the LDS church, and so I love reading these essays and comments that show that we are not alone!
Well written, thank you.
Truth is reason.
This doctrine ring true. My dad shared this doctrine with me about 4 years ago now. I did not agree with him. But about a year and a half later I had come to know that Multiple Mortal Probations is a true doctrine of Christ. It truly is the plan of a Just and Merciful God and all Elohim. Some say that this doctrine eliminates the need for Christ and His atonement, but I disagree. This doctrine only amplifies the need for the Savior and our need to come unto Him and be perfected in His grace. I have read many comments by some that say they would not want to “go through all of this again” or even one guy who said, “If multiple probations or lives were real and I knew it, I’d kill myself now. Why the hell would anyone want to go through this crap again. Don’t get me wrong. I love my wife and family but I want to move on”. The reason why someone would “do it all again” is because of the two great commandments: To love God and your neighbor. Why would Christ condescend, from his exalted throne as the Great God Jehovah, to be born as a helpless child, humble himself, be rejected by His own people, taking upon Himself all sin, pain, afflictions and death, suffering above that which any can even comprehend? The answer is that He loved His Father with a perfect and ascending love. He loved his brothers and sisters, his children, those below Him so much that he was willing to put all He had ever worked for and achieved on the line for us, so that we could rise up with Him. The Lord told me one time in prayer, when I asked how I could avoid being deceived by false and evil doctrine, that “I will give you a key. If love is at the center, at the heart of a doctrine, then it is of me, for God is love and satan hath no love in him”.
The following is a quote from Joseph Smith during his famous King Follet Sermon in the April General Confrence of 1844:
“God has made provision for every spirit in the eternal world, and the spirits of our friends should be searched out & saved, Any man that has a friend in eternity can save him if he has not committed the unpardonable sin, He cannot be damned through all eternity, their is a possibility for his escape in a little time, If a man has knowledge he can be saved, if he has been guilty of great sins he is punished for it, when he consents to obey the gospel whether Alive or dead, he is saved, his own mind damns him I have no fear of hell fire that dont exhist” – Joseph Smith, April 7th, 1844 (spelling and punctuation as recorded by Wilford Woodruff in his journal)
(Words of Joseph Smith, edited and compiled by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, pages 346-347)
( https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-7-april-1844-as-reported-by-wilford-woodruff/6 )
Matt, thank you so much for this essay. I feel the spirit and know that it is true. I was baptized in 1972 and for all these years I feel that the Lord has been leading me along the straight and narrow path. In October 2013 I asked Heavenly Father for more light and knowledge. I wanted to know what was really going on in the world. The Lord answered my prayer. I have since learned so much and my heart is filled with joy as more light fills my soul. President Nelson has said that there is a lot more coming. I am sure that he knows more than he says. We are like lambs being brought along gently. Glory be to Heavenly Father! Praise be to Jesus! All truth brings me joy. God bless you Matt, Eric and Julie.
This would all be fine if earth life was just about you. But it’s not. This article comes off so self-centered, as if one’s own personal eternal glory is the ultimate goal. But we are here also for the benefit of others, and ultimately for the glory of God. A child who is born, lives for a day and passes away serves his or her parents in a selfless way by giving them life experience without having his/her own. And gaining a body requires faith to leave God’s presence, determination to fulfill a noble purpose, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is. Simply having a body allows us spiritual growth because it is in opposition to the weightless spirit from before. So even a tiny baby can gain experience by having a body.
The idea of multiple mortal probations has led to some pretty horrific things, namely the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and possibly others. I bring this up only because it doesn’t take long once you’ve accepted the idea that there is more than one life to do your work (even though this is refuted by scripture) to go down the route that life is insignificant because there’s another shot later.
Overall, people who believe there’s one shot are probably better off being wrong than you are.
Kami,
I would kindly point some things out. One, is that any true doctrine can be twisted or distorted by the Adversary. For example, the law of consecration and communism. The example of the tragic deaths of JJ and Tylee is the result of the distortion of the MMP doctrine, with Satan taking out the central component of it: Love.
Another thing to point out is that while we can be of great service to others, God never puts us somewhere or commands us to do something that will only benefit others. He directs, commands and does things for our own benefit, as well as for those around us. To me, MMP allows for the greatest benefits for all to ascend and grow. God’s goal, purpose, work and glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”(Moses 1:39). If we wish to follow God this should be our goal, purpose, work and glory as well. Your own progression is included in “the immortality and eternal life of man”. If we wish to be of better service to God and our brothers/sisters than we must progress in light, truth, glory and power. As we come to know Christ and give our will to Him we will Love Him more. We are then able to love ourselves more. Then we are able to love others. We cannot love others more than we do ourselves. The Lord said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-40).
The only way that someone who believes in MMP to think that “life is insignificant” is if they take love out of the equation. I believe in a God that is totally just and merciful. He is a God of second chances, and not only that but of 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on chances. If we are willing to come unto Him in all humility than He will forgive and lift us up, no matter how late it may seem to us. I cannot square that belief with this earth being peoples “only shot”. Is not part of our purpose on this earth that we “might have joy”(2NE 2:25) and learn/grow from our experiences? A person who dies when they are a month old would seem like they got the short end of the stick if that was their only mortal life. Yes, children can provide great opportunity for service, and yes I agree that is must take tremendous faith to agree to a short mortal life. I would only say, why can’t that be true as well as them being able to have another life where they can have different experiences to live, learn, grow and love? If people slow down their progression because they have come to believe in MMP, than they do not really understand the doctrine. A true understanding of MMP will not lead people to delay the day of their repentance or not perform righteous labours. A true understanding will lead to accelerated growth and repentance. It will lead us closer to God because it is an eternal truth. This I can bear witness of because the Spirit has borne witness to me of its truthfulness and this understanding has changed my life forever, fo the good.
“This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law”–D&C 132:24
Once again TRUTH has been revealed!!! Thank you, thank you!!! I have no idea how old I really am, or if I’ve lived any other lives as of yet. I know not about other husbands or heart connections but I do believe how I treat my husband now and the covenants that I have made with him and God, matter eternally! What I do with this life will prepare me to either ascend or go back down a step or two so by dang, I better be moving up and not wasting this lifetime!
Dear Kami, You bring up some very valid points and concerns which resonate with me.
It has been my experience that scholarship has a place, as I endeavor to discern truth from error, and yet the most personal and intimate translation of spiritual knowledge, for me, comes when I set aside the precepts of man and focus my spiritual musings, as did The Savior, in sole connection to The Will of The Father. “Father, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
I have often been struck by a phrase in Moses Chapter Four. These words (found in Satan’s proposal as a Son Of The Morning whose Eternally progressed position was obtained by following the Universal laws of agency that govern all The God’s and most certainly our Father/Mother God) are very telling.
Lucifer presents a plan which include the words “and surely I will do it.” It seems to me that there may be echoes of pride in this -solo, independent, MY WILL NOT THINE- proposal. In contrast there is a definite distinction in the two plans presented… which The Savior himself outlines in his own words… in John Chapter Eight.
The second phrase I have pondered in Moses Four is found in verse three where The Father speaks very plainly of His reasoning in making the choices He did in relationship to his son Lucifer. (This is a pattern, which those who are familiar with temple worship will find illustrated repeatedly in sacred ceremonial narratives.) “Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him (Satan) and also that I should give unto him (Satan) mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he (Satan) should be cast down;” (parenthesis mine)
It seems clear to me that Father can not gift His children agency, as it is The Law by which He Himself is goverened (Alma 34). However, I wonder if perhaps what is being referred to here is the gift of the opportunity to exercise this agency in a mortal body? Could this be what Father is referring to in this and other interactions with His -Son of The Morning?
Continuing in Moses Four we read, “4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive, at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.” Attention to the words “became” and “at his will” seem to further indicate to me the presence of the choice Lucifer made to become separate from The Father and The Father’s Will and through lies and deception try to persuade us to do the same.
I know that Pride, of the flavor, “I will do it myself,” is an easy trap for me to fall prey too when I choose to believe that it is my responsibility to help the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve choose knowledge, light, understanding and truth. For me it is here that I find shades of another narrative which portends to be simply – that which has already been done in other worlds. It is in embracing this narrative that I believe I am opening myself up to the deception which is undergirded by the idea of – If it is to be… it is up to me!
When I notice my thoughts wandering in the direction of believing that something I say or do will be that which enlightens you, I am compromising my ability to look to God in every thought with complete confidence and trust that He will reveal His Will unto both you and ME in His Time and Way.
A careful reading of Isaiah Chapters 57&58 reminds me that there is much reason for caution on my part as I seek to follow The Saviors example in doing only that which – I have seen The Father do. The consequences of doing otherwise I consider to be far to great a risk to take.
For as Isaiah reminds me so beautifully in his own words spoken in The Presence Of The Father, ” 5 ¶ Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.”
It is here I wish to retain focus so that when I open my mouth, in The Presence of The Lord, it will be with the sole purpose of recieving a remission of my sins so that I too may proclaim, “Here am I; Send me.”
As I was pondering this morning I was invited to revisit Isaiah Chapter 28. I am grateful for the reminder and the admonition I recieved as I continue to do my best to discern truth and error and make choices in regards to Elder Nelson’s recent council. “As disciples of Jesus Christ, our efforts to hear Him need to be ever more intentional. It takes conscious and consistent effort to fill our daily lives with His words, His teachings, His truths.”
http://www.isaiahexplained.com/28#one_col
Another comment. After reading and studying some of these comments and the above essay, some more ideas have come around. I think it should be OK to have some serious doubts and questions. One of my best friends seems to have some serious and strong groundings with some doubts and questions. As I’ve mentioned before, elsewhere, like with predictions of future events, there is a pattern, as shown on the internet if googled, that many people have made predictions that never happened, or only part of them happened. And there is that saying, something like, – Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom. All the great religious thinkers were doubters. As I mentioned before, various people have various thought processes. I don’t want to be really repetitive here, or really long-winded. I guess I just hope, that there are ways to work through some of these issues, where it really is kind of some hard work considering some subjects, and issues, and ‘newfangled’ ideas. And so many different people having so many different takes on things, at various times. Some of these newer subjects, at least for many of us in this mortal state, are really rather puzzling. I appreciate the comments that Eric offered, after my last two comments above. So then, for me, it kind of goes back to the ‘slow simmering’ and that real growth comes a little bit at a time. We’re here learning and growing, right? For me, I like some ‘slow simmering’, and that’s kind of where I get off.
Dear Kathy M.W.
I also resonate with your comments on this thread. I will never forget how it felt to recieve a clear admonition from Father when my zeal to share personal spiritual revelation and insight became greater than my adherence to these simple words of wisdom, “Those who know, don’t speak. Those who speak don’t know.” Lao Tzu
Shortly after these profound words were brought to my remembrance I was also led to the following Brigham Young quote which solidified Father’s invitation and admonition to ME personally and reminds me of the “simmering” of which you speak.
“Should you receive a vision of revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it as close, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and make it as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for He cannot safely reveal Himself to such persons. It is as much as He can do to get a particle of sense into some of the best and most influential men in the Church, in regard to real confidence in themselves. They cannot keep things within their own bosoms… If a person understands God and godliness, the principles of heaven, the principle of integrity, and the Lord reveals anything to that individual, no matter what, unless He gives permission to disclose it, it is locked up in eternal silence. And when persons have proven to their messengers that their bosoms are like the lock-ups of eternity, then the Lord says, I can reveal anything to them, because they never will disclose it until I tell them to. Take persons of any other character, and they sap the foundation of the confidence they ought to have in themselves and in their God… If we are His friends, we will keep the secrets of the Almighty. We will lock them up, when he reveals them to us, so that no man on earth can have them, and no being from heaven, unless he brings the keys wherewith to get them legally. No person can get the things the Lord has given to men, unless by legal authority; then I have a right to reveal them, but not without. When we can keep our own secrets, when we can keep the secrets of the Almighty strictly, honestly, truly in our own bosoms, the Lord will have confidence in us. Will He before? No. Are we going to become secret keepers in any other way than by applying our lives to the religion we profess to believe? No.” (JD 4:288–289) (JD 4:265–266)
“Here let me give you one lesson that may be profitable to many. If the Lord Almighty should reveal to a High Priest, or to any other than the head, things that are, or that have been and will be, and show to him the destiny of this people twenty-five years from now, or a new doctrine that will in five, ten, or twenty years hence become the doctrine of this Church and kingdom, but which has not yet been revealed to this people, and reveal it to him by the same Spirit, the same messenger, the same voice, and the same power that gave revelations to Joseph when he was living, it would be a blessing to that High Priest, or individual; but he must rarely divulge it to a second person on the face of the earth, until God reveals it through the proper source to become the property of the people at large.” Brigham Young
It is for this reason that I too endeavor, as did Mary of old, to keep all of these things and ponder them in my heart. (Luke 2: 19) 😍
Blessings, May 🥰
Apologies: My remarks above were a reply to Kathy W.R. 🤪
Thank you, May, there are some very good ideas here, and it gives me some good stuff to think about. I personally believe that Julie and Eric and others do have some special gifts that they are sharing, and I think that they have some well developed humility and talents, and so forth. And of course, there are those scriptures about various people having various gifts.
Certainly Kathy! 😊We all have spiritual gifts. The place where I can get tripped up is when I interpret the understanding of my personal mission…as revealed through the Power of The Holy Spirit… in the USE of these gifts, to require anything more or less than that which The Lord instructs his latter day servant Hyrum in Doctrine and Covenants Section 11 (Attention vs.9)
This is a process that begins and ends with me, with only Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, inhabiting the space between.
When I choose this personal, continual sanctification and
-forgivance- process I am humbled by the level of protection, against the power of the deceiver, I am afforded…. protection I most certainly need!
It is especially when I become aware of my propensity to compare the gifts I have been given, to a fellow brother or sister, instead of remaining content with that which has been granted unto me…that I am most acutely aware of this need.
It is in the comparison that pride kicks in, for me, and I become susceptible to the false belief that it will serve me to weigh and balance my spiritual gifts, mission and processes up against -my perception- of yours.
Comparison is not only the thief of joy, for me, but a sure fire way to invite The Lords chastening…which blessedly, if I allow it too, becomes the catalyst for
-remembering- that which matters most!
With this remembrance comes the faith and courage to embrace personal repentance/forgiveness processes, Yet Again, thus regaining hope, healing and safety within The Fathers infinite mercy,
It is here that I find clarity, freedom and peace….and for this I am grateful! 🥰
To May, and others this may resonate with, it sounds like you’ve really grown much. It’s wonderful that God gave us so many varieties of gifts to us . . . . Good luck.😀😉😊
Let this one simmer for a minute. If Christ is the “first born“ of the father, then he is the oldest child. Therefore, his greatness is due to him being the oldest. That’s why he and the “great and noble ones” stand out and are different. They’ve had more time to learn and grow. Which makes their goodness more attainable for all. It’s just a matter of time and trying our best to follow the light. I don’t know where I heard it, but I’ve always liked the saying “he may be the only begotten, but he’s not an only child”. I’m not a scripture wizard, and it may not be scriptural, but I’ve always liked the thought that Jesus Christ wasn’t “perfect” in the sense that he didn’t ever fail, make mistakes, or have to learn and grow step by step like the rest of us. I know we believe that through the atonement he somehow magically understood all of our mistakes and failures, but for some reason that’s just not enough for me. Stone me for sayin’ it, but I like the taste of the idea that he stumbled, sinned, and failed at times at some point in some life, even the one from 0-33AD. I guess it makes a sinner like me not feel so dang bad I can’t make it a single day… btw how cool would it be to read the list of the first 1000 of Gods children! I bet most of them are musicians, artists, dancers, actors, etc. maybe some teachers, doctors, energy healers, therapists, athiests, comedians, and scientists, too. Maybe…
I’ve had some of those thoughts as well, and I have also considered the possibility that the “Firstborn” was a title that was given after being “adopted” as the oldest son into Heavenly Father’s family, similar to how we are adopted as spirit children of Christ in this life (Mosiah 5:7).
I have also considered the possibility that the term “Firstborn” could also be plural in the sense that it may also apply to His Queen that will reign in the Millenium, who would likely be about as old as Christ is, meaning that the Church of the Firstborn could also mean “The Church of the King of Kings and the Queen of Queens”.
Multiple probations is as silly and convoluted as the Adam God theory. The thing I have found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is that it is logical, basic, elemental and expands the mind. This is not logical nor mind expanding. You seem to have forgot that families will be able to raise their children during the millennium, who had died early. You have also negated the need for Temple work for our ancestors and others who have passed, and nullifying the mission of Elijah. There is so much we don’t know on the other side, we are only given the basics and some people are compelled to extrapolate off into strange directions that have no relationship to Gospel principals.
Bruce,
I hope you don’t mind if I share my perspective. I should probably preface this by saying this is absolutely a philosophy of man. That man being me. 🙂
I think I understand where you’re coming from. I’ve seen friends, family, and myself be led to some pretty dark places by the beliefs we choose to hold on to. It can be scary and seem devastating to watch someone follow a belief down a path that leads to poor choices, pain, and suffering.
I don’t know why I feel drawn toward certain perspectives or beliefs and why they sometimes stay with me for long periods of time, but when they do I try to watch how sitting with and holding on to a certain belief influences me.
Sometimes, I find that a certain belief leads me toward a more love-centered and Christ centered attitude and way of life. When it does I let the belief stay, but still stay cautious. If that belief ever starts to turn me away from love and Christ then I let it go to some extent, maybe completely.
I feel like this slower way of observing and judging my own beliefs has been an interesting path for me. It has helped me gain a brighter understanding of myself and those around me. It shows me where my heart is at and it also helps me feel more connected to others at times and have more understanding about why they also choose certain beliefs.
This has been the case with the belief in multiple probations for me. It has softened my heart and opened me up to seeing others more lovingly. I feel like it has brought the hope and understanding I needed to let go of a little bit of my own pride, ego, and blindness. Unfortunately I’ve still a lot more of that to work on. 🙂
It has taken me down a path of caring about others more and seeking to comfort and support them. For me, it still aligns with temple work for our ancestors and the spirit of Elijah.
I totally understand how this belief and others can seem strange, convoluted, and dangerous. There’s always a little piece of me with this belief and others that remains neutral and watches to make sure these types of beliefs bring light and love into my life and don’t lead to sin and pride, an “inner watchman” if you will.
I think it’s brave of you to try and warn a group of what you believe could be dangerous for them, and I believe it’s out of love that you do this. It’s a very “older brother” way of being to watch after others. I will absolutely take your word into consideration in my life and do some more soul searching about how my beliefs are influencing me and where they are leading me.
Thank you for your comment.
Hi Bruce,
I do not feel this essay neglects those points, but simply that it has a different focus. Joseph Smith basically taught that all who gain a body in this life will have the privilege of some sort of resurrection. This includes those who die in infancy. It will not be mandatory for them to take on a new probation, but they will have the privilege of resurrecting as children and being raised in the Millennium. At the same time, this does not mean that should a spirit desire another opportunity to pass through mortality, they will no longer have that option. Brigham Young once expressed his opinion on the matter regarding infant deaths. He said, “I think such a spirit has not [had] a fair chance for I think such a spirit will have a chance of occupying another tabernacle and develop itself.”
Ultimately, the key doctrinal question may be, how much progress or personal growth can occur in a setting where there Is little to no opposition? If someone desires further progress once they arrive at an eternal and immortal state, will they have that opportunity and how will it be attainable?
To me, the answers to these questions are contained in the narrative of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were in an eternal state, where they were free to enjoy a state of paradise forever. Yet their ability to progress was extremely limited, to the point that no further progression may have been possible in their current state. In order to progress, they needed to fall to a lower state, and enter into a new probationary period. This was possible because they had their agency, and because of their fall, suddenly the possibility of exaltation became available to them through a Redeemer. They had to go down if they wanted to go up. Otherwise, they were free to remain in the Garden of Eden to all eternity, so long as they abode by its laws.
To me, this concept is plain and simple, and is highly consistent with the revealed gospel. To me, it is a critical puzzle piece which makes me better able to understand the whole. I find that it enlightens my mind, and that it is good. At the same time, I do not fault anyone who disagrees with it. I simply choose to argue in its behalf, because I personally find truth in it and do not want people to close their minds to it because of those who argue against it. I do not see anywhere where it conflicts with revealed truth. Instead, to me it feels consistent with revealed truth. I do not see how it undermines temple work in any way, either, as temple work is all about the salvation of our bodies and the unification of the human family. I fail to see a conflict there.
Indeed, you say these ideas have no relationship to gospel principles. I feel quite the opposite. In my view, these ideas are intimately intertwined with gospel principles, and those gospel principles are its greatest support.
I had this thought and wanted to share it, and this seemed the best place to do so…. So here it is….
If we attempt to draw a box around eternity, we will find again and again the infinite need to expand our box, as it will never be large enough. So we must instead examine the patterns of eternity, as exemplified in the works and teachings of Christ. If we can discern the patterns of the Lord, we will eventually find that by looking forward we will see the past, and that by looking into the past we will see what lies ahead, for His course is one eternal round.
As the Savior said, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19).
This morning as I was beginning my “Come Follow Me” study for the week, my heart was filled with gratitude as my thoughts traveled back in time many years ago. It was then that I, as Alma, sought the Lord’s council in relation to The Eternal State of The Soul. Oh how marvelous those things which the honest seeker may recieve and how grateful I am to be reminded yet again this morning that when all is said and done, as Alma states, “It mattereth not.” (Alma 40)
For what Father so tenderly and mercifully made known unto me, in His most Glorious unfolding, may be summed up perfectly in these wise words, “29 And now, my son (daughter), I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.” (Alma 42)
For it is this most important and splendid “mystery” that our Lord and Redeemer has already solved perfectly and that is enough for me. 🥰
May,
You believe you were Alma…?
Heavens No!!! I do not believe that I was Alma in a previous incarnation. My goodness…. Thus we see the particular challenges of the very idea of MMP and the resulting confusions that may arise! 🥺
My dear friend Kami…. I apologize for any miscommunication on my part. I am simply referring to MY OWN very much SINGULAR probation that, in my case, began close to 54 years ago now. 😉
I am speaking to experiences I have had with personal revelation, seeking and recieving knowledge concerning the Eternal nature of the soul.
More to the point… Even as I believe and recieve continued knowledge light and truth, when it comes to the eternal nature of the soul or any other -mystery- of the kingdom, I feel to echo the words of Alma quoted here in Alma Chapter 40 (this in reference to the reuniting of body and soul) “3. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection. 4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed. 5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case—that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.”
In my experience in regards to the intricacies (eg. MMP vs. SMP) of the mysteries of The Kingdom, as they have been unfolded to me personally over the space of many years, I am best served by acknowledging, as did Alma – it mattereth not; for God knoweth ALL these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this (God’s omnipotent knowing) is the case—
Or in other words…. The more I know the more I understand and embrace the limitations of my own knowledge!
As I alluded to in a previous comment, what matters most for me is this life….this probation…. this incarnation….this opportunity to work out my salvation with fear and trembling before The Lord of Heaven and Earth.
For if Lucifer, a Son of the Morning, is any indication (and we have it on very good authority that he is… see heading to Moses chapter 4) if Lucifer can fall from grace….then I too have every bit as much potential to misuse my own agency and through my own choices fall prey to false priests who press and deceive.
When I choose to go it alone, here and now, and adopt the prideful posture of it’s MY MISSION and “surely I will do it…if it is to be it is up to me….” it won’t matter how many eternally significant probationary experiences I have realized in the past because THIS LIFE is the time I HAVE to prepare to meet God.
And so I will quote Alma yet again and remind myself, first and formost, of my own fallen, sinful state and the need to bridle my desires and passions, for as Alma laments I too often find myself wishing as does Alma in chapter 29, “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. 3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. 4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction….”
For as Alma knows…. so too do I know, “that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.”
Thanks for asking the question Kami. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify and bear witness of He who is mighty to save. He who has redeemed me. He only one! 🙂
I appreciate the thoughtful deep look at many parts and doctrines of the gospel this essay has gone thru. I do not agree with everything in this essay, but I can appreciate the questions and examples given.
My thought and belief is this: SPD. Atonement covers many things, and choice and development and mortal experiences are all encompassed in the atonement more than we can fathom. Although we may have different experiences with the same physical body, It is that body we raise up with resurrection. Multiple probations causes the resurrection to be broken, nullified, and at the very least difficult and complicated to understand if multiple probations was doctrine, and resurrection was taught with plainness from the Book of Mormon to clarify doctrine. What happens after Resurrection is a mystery and the spirit world is a mystery, and for reasons only God knows, the veil is still pretty thick over those realms and future events for most of us. I encourage anyone contemplating this doctrine of multiple probations to study Pres Oaks last talk about the Plan of happiness, especially the ending where he asks, what’s next?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/51oaks?lang=eng
Dan C, I appreciate your sincerity and passionate conviction. The Lord does want to reveal to us a lot of the mysteries we have assumed to be unavailable or somehow not within our reach. We have been taught not to rely on personal revelation for new doctrine to be revealed and I think it has taught us not to trust our own spirituality. We wait for someone else to reveal stuff to us. But often when they do, we are so unprepared we reject it. The Lord teaches His people. He wants to teach us directly without a confirmation from the pulpit. Or rather, He will teach us, see if we accept it and then present it at the pulpit. Lots of ways to try our faith, isn’t there… Hope we can be ready.
I think we all believe the intelligence born many times in many probations as Jesus Christ to be “the firstborn” our “elder brother” etc. I feel like there is an important message in these specific titles. That is to remind us that eternal age CAN be an indicator of potential if/and when we choose to, through our agency to do “the father’s” (and mother’s) will. More directly, he’s the oldest… and he’s an example of what eternal progression and time does for a soul. They become good, great, even godly eventually. I’m not saying always, but I’m saying most likely. How do I know this is true? By the fruits. I’ve sat with this belief for over a decade. What has it done for me? It has influenced me to look for the best in myself and others and see our true nature as divine children more often. And that has led to me treating others not for who they are in the current moment, but for who I see they can become with enough probations. The more trust, belief, and respect I treat others with, the more they rise to the occasion. Yep, rise. The secret of the story of Jesus of Nazareth isn’t that he was a demigod that is just way cooler and better than all of us puny worthless humans. It’s a story that shows what every human and child of god can become when they are treated from birth as a literal god. When ascended wise men and women seek them out, bring them gifts that teach them of their own personal divinity. Worship at their feet, and treat, love, revere, and believe in them as saviors, messiahs, counselors, kings, queens, sons and daughters of god, EVEN when the fall short. Especially when they fall short. When everyone in their lives tells them they are special and they will save many and even the world if they desire. Jesus’ parents family and community continually blessed him and treated him like a god. So he became one. Each of us and each child in this world is capable “of the same and even greater things”. If we just believe, and if everyone believe in us too. So… he may be “the only begotten” but he’s not an only child. One of the tragedies of any religion is to raise him so high and ourselves so low, that we could never meet. For we are all Gods. We are all divine. We are all one. We are all Jesus. So be Jesus. Rise up. You are special. You beautiful divine beings. Human beans. Eternal beings. Cool beans.