Pursuit of the Soul

Blog

  • The Plan of Mercy

    The Plan of Mercy

    God’s Plan of Salvation is described as a “merciful plan” (2 Nephi 9:6, Alma 42:15). We also learn that faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost are essential to enter into the Kingdom of God. (Acts 2:38, 3 Nephi 27:19, John 3:5)

    So what happens to those who never hear the gospel in their lifetime? 

    What happens to those who never received baptism? Are those who never exercised faith in Christ unto repentance banished to hell? Such an unfair circumstance would not reflect the “merciful plan” described in scripture. Thankfully, God has mercifully restored precious truths in our day to fill in these gaps of understanding.

    An example of such people who did not receive the gospel of Jesus Christ in their mortal lives are those who perished before the flood in the time of Noah. We read that a prison had been prepared for them. (Moses 7:38) The people in that time probably did not even have a good chance to hear the gospel. After all, there were probably only four people to warn them (Moses 8:27; Shem, Ham, Japheth, and Noah). All people except Noah and his family were swept off the earth by the flood and cast into prison. (1 Pet. 3:20)

    However, later we find that as many of the spirits in prison of the antediluvian world repented, they came forth and stood on the right hand of God. (Moses 7:57)

    After Christ’s crucifixion, “he went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Pet. 3:18-20). Peter also wrote: “for this cause was the gospel preached them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, and live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Pet. 4:6)

    “In the spirit world, people who were not able to receive the gospel on earth, or who chose not to follow the commandments, will experience some limitations (D&C 138:6–37; Alma 40:6–14). However, because God is just and merciful, they will have an opportunity to be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they accept it and repent, they will be redeemed from their sins (see D&C 138:58; see also 138:31–35; 128:22). They will be welcomed into the peace of paradise. They will eventually receive a place in a kingdom of glory based on the choices they made in mortality and in the spirit world.” (Preach My Gospel, ch. 3)

    Today in temples, essential saving ordinances such as baptism and confirmation are performed for ancestors, giving them the opportunity to accept it or not. This is why Paul wrote in his epistle to the Corinthians: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29)

    And so, as taught by Orson Pratt, “agency always accompanies intelligence, and intelligence is not blotted out by death.”

    Let this doctrine not lull us into carnal security; otherwise, the devil will cheat our souls and lead us carefully down to hell. (2 Nephi 28:21) If we have been blessed to receive the gospel in our mortal lives, what an extraordinary responsibility we hold to share that knowledge with all people!

    “There are thousands in this kingdom who are willing to die for their religion, but are not willing to live it.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7 Discourse 21)

  • Understanding by the Power of the Spirit

    Understanding by the Power of the Spirit

    The scriptures speak often of the constraints and difficulties of communicating spiritual truths through man-made language. In the Book of Mormon, we read:

    “And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write.” (3 Nephi 5:18)

    Moroni wrote similarly, sounding somewhat insecure as he concluded his abridgement of the Jaredite record:

    “…when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.” (Ether 12:25)

    Moroni later offered valuable insights when he wrote:

    “And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech. And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record. But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.” (Mormon 9:32-34)

    Knowledge of the Savior and His gospel can be difficult to share fully with others. Despite such difficulties, the Lord knowingly provided a way for the Book of Mormon to come forth, restoring precious knowledge of His gospel in the last days. However, regardless of the fact that we have these writings today, if they are not discerned spiritually they will not reach the heart of man. Surely Paul had thought similarly when he warned:

    “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14)

    In modern day revelation, we have been reminded:

    “Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him” (D&C 76:116).

    We must invite the Spirit into our study of the scriptures for precious gospel truths to reach our hearts and minds. As we do so, we will better come to know the Savior and His gospel. (D&C 8:2-3, 85:6; James 1:5-6; Luke 24:32; Galatians 5:22-23)