Life After Death

Source

Introduction

1. "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God.... I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end.... Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God.  Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world" (Alma 34:32-34).

Q Why is it important to understand that death does not change our personality, attitudes, or desires?

2. "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.... And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them" (D&C 42:45-46).

Spirit World

3. "When the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live. In the spirit world, the spirits of the righteous “are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:12). A place called spirit prison is reserved for “those who [have] died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets” (D&C 138:32). The spirits in prison are “taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that [are] necessary for them to know” (D&C 138:33–34). If they accept the principles of the gospel, repent of their sins, and accept ordinances performed in their behalf in temples, they will be welcomed into paradise" (True to the Faith, Death, Physical).

4. "[Hell] is another name for spirit prison" (True to the Faith, Hell).

Q How are conditions in the spirit world similar to conditions in this life?

Q How does the preaching of the gospel to those in Spirit Prison demonstrate God's love and mercy? The power of the atonement of Jesus Christ?

5. "Latter-day prophets have said that the spirits of those who have died are not far from us. President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 18; or Ensign, June 1971, 33). President Brigham Young taught that the postmortal spirit world is on the earth, around us (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 279)" (Gospel Principles, The Spirit World).

Resurrection

6. "Because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, physical death is only temporary: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Everyone will be resurrected, meaning that every person’s spirit will be reunited with his or her body" (True to the Faith, Death, Physical).

7. "[In the resurrection] the soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame" (Alma 40:23).

Q How did you gain a testimony of the resurrection? How has this knowledge blessed you?

The Final Judgment

We will be judged by our words, works, thoughts, and desires of our hearts (see Matthew 12:36-37, Revelation 20:12, Mosiah 4:30, Alma 12:14, Alma 41:3, D&C 137:9)

8. "And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.... Therefore... see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again" (Alma 41:3,14-15).

9. "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.... the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account.... The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. [A] spotless and perfected state will result from a steady succession of covenants, ordinances, and actions, an accumulation of right choices, and from continuing repentance" (Dallin H. Oaks, October 2000 General Conference).

Q How can we prepare now for the final judgment?

10. Jesus taught, " And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled [with the Holy Ghost]; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end" (3 Nephi 27:16,19).

Q What does it mean to endure to the end? Why is this a requirement for salvation?

Kingdoms of Glory

11. "During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment" (Preach My Gospel).

12. "There are three kingdoms of glory: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The glory you inherit will depend on the depth of your conversion, expressed by your obedience to the Lord’s commandments. It will depend on the manner in which you have “received the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:51; see also 76:74, 79, 101)" (True to the Faith, Kingdoms of Glory).

Telestial

13. "Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars" (Preach My Gospel).

14. "These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus... neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant" (D&C 76:82, 101).

Terrestrial

15. "People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon" (Preach My Gospel).

16. "These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness. These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:75-77, 79).

Celestial

17. "Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of Christ.... They will live in God’s presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy. They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun" (Preach My Gospel).

18. "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;  And who overcome by faith.... These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all.... And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever.... They who dwell in his presence... [receive] of his fulness and of his grace" (D&C 76:51-53, 69-70, 92, 94).

19. "Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: 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.... For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts. And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" (D&C 137:7-10).

20. "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase" (D&C 131:1-4).

Conclusion

Q How can a knowledge what happens after death influence us in this life?

Q What does it mean to be "valiant in the testimony of Jesus"?

21. "In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit" (Gospel Principles, The Final Judgment).

22. "A testimony of the plan of salvation can give you hope and purpose as you wrestle with the challenges of life. You can find reassurance in the knowledge that you are a child of God and that you lived in His presence before you were born on the earth. You can find meaning in your present life, knowing that your actions during mortality influence your eternal destiny. With this knowledge, you can base important decisions on eternal truths rather than on the changing circumstances of life. You can continually improve your relationship with family members, rejoicing in the promise that your family can be eternal. You can find joy in your testimony of the Atonement and the Lord’s commandments, ordinances, covenants, and doctrines, knowing that “he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23)" (True to the Faith, Plan of Salvation).

Key talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Atonement%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20%28T%29

Key talks about the Plan of Salvation can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Plan%20of%20Salvation%20%28T%29

Key talks about the Resurrection can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Resurrection%20%28T%29

Key talks about Adversity can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Adversity%20%28T%29

Our Pre-earth Life

Source

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

1. "God is the Father of our spirits. We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth.... God’s whole purpose—His work and His glory—is to enable each of us to enjoy all His blessings" (Preach My Gospel).

2. "Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister. Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fulness of joy" (Gospel Principles, Our Heavenly Family).

Q How does your knowledge that you are a child of God influence your thoughts, words, and actions?

Heavenly Father Presented a Plan for Us to Become Like Him

3. "In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fulness of joy. The scriptures refer to this plan as “the plan of salvation” (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62), “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), “the plan of redemption” (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30), and “the plan of mercy” (Alma 42:15)" (True to the Faith).

"Our Heavenly Father knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left Him for a time. He wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has. To do this, we needed to leave our premortal home to be tested and to gain experience. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like that of our Heavenly Father. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly Father has received. (See D&C 93:30–34.)

"Our Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 209, 511). We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him. We would be resurrected; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does (see D&C 132:19–20)....

"However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way. We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 15–16).

"At this council we also learned that because of our weakness, all of us except little children would sin (see D&C 29:46–47). We learned that a Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. We learned that if we placed our faith in Him, obeying His word and following His example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Father. We would receive a fulness of joy" (Gospel Principles, Our Heavenly Family).

Q How does the plan of salvation help us to become more like our Heavenly Father?

Q Why is adversity and sorrow part of the plan of happiness?

Q How can we grow instead of wither during adversity?

Q How does the atonement of Jesus Christ enable us to successfully follow and live the plan?

4. "Faith through tribulation brings peace and joy.... Each of us must go through certain experiences to become more like our Savior. In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us....  Tests of our faith are priceless opportunities to discover how deeply the Master cares about the welfare of our souls.... however dark conditions may seem in this world today, whatever the storms we are facing personally... joy can be ours now..... The One who had power to calm the elements of earth has power to calm our souls, to give us refuge from the storm" (Robert D. Hales, April 2003 General Conference).

5. "True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours.... When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life" (Richard G. Scott, October 2006 General Conference).

A Savior and Leader Was Needed

6. "Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be our Savior. Many scriptures tell about this (see, for example, 1 Peter 1:19–20; Moses 4:1–2). One scripture tells us that long before Jesus was born, He appeared to a Book of Mormon prophet known as the brother of Jared and said: “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. … In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name” (Ether 3:14)" (Gospel Principles, Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior).

The War in Heaven

7. "[Satan] came before me [the Lord God], saying—Behold, here am I, send me, 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. But, behold, my Beloved Son [Jesus Christ], which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. Wherefore, because that 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; 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" (Moses 4:1-4).

8. "[The devil] rebelled against me [the Lord God], saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels" (D&C29:36-37).

The casting out of Satan and his followers is known as the war in heaven (see Revelation 12:7-11 and D&C 76:25-29).

These scriptures teach that there were 3 reasons Satan was cast out and became the devil:

1. He sought to steal God's power
2. He sought to destroy man's agency (the power/ability to choose and act)
3. He turned a third of the hosts of heaven away from God

Q How does the devil still try to do these things today?

9. "Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Satan and his followers are also on the earth, but as spirits. They have not forgotten who we are, and they are around us daily, tempting us and enticing us to do things that are not pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In our premortal life, we chose to follow Jesus Christ and accept God’s plan. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home" (Gospel Principles, Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior).

The Creation

"Under the direction of the Father, Jesus Christ created the earth as a place for us to live and gain experience. In order to progress and become like God, each of us had to obtain a body and be tested during a time of probation on the earth. While on the earth we are out of God’s physical presence. We do not remember our pre-Earth life. We must walk by faith rather than by sight" (Preach My Gospel).

"And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me" (Moses 6:63).

Q How do God's creations testify of Him? Show His love for us?

Key talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Atonement%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20%28T%29

Key talks about the Plan of Salvation can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Plan%20of%20Salvation%20%28T%29

Key talks about Adversity can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Adversity%20%28T%29

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Source

1. "To fulfill the plan of salvation, Christ paid the penalty for our sins. He alone was able to do that.... He was the literal Son of God in the flesh. He was sinless and completely obedient to His Father.... The Atonement included His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His suffering and death on the cross, and it ended with His Resurrection. Though He suffered beyond comprehension—so much so that He bled from every pore and asked whether it were possible that this burden be lifted from Him—He submitted to the Father’s will in a supreme expression of love for His Father and for us.

"This triumph of Jesus Christ over spiritual death by His suffering and over physical death by His Resurrection is called the Atonement.... As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (Preach My Gospel).

2. "For when we were yet without strength... Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8).

What are the Blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ? How have you been blessed by the Atonement?

Group activity: Read scriptures in your section and answer: Jesus Christ came to ______.

Group 1 3. "[God] shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah... Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.... "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, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.... He shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him" (2 Nephi 2:2, 6-10). 4. "[In the resurrection] the soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame" (Alma 40:23). 5. In the resurrection "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Group 2 6. "For the natural man is an enemy to God... and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (Mosiah 3:19). 7. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye... may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). 8. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.... My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27). 9. Jesus said, "The Father... sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant" (3 Nephi 20:26). 10. "[The] Savior’s grace [is extended] both during and 'after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23)'.... We grow in two ways—removing negative weeds [of sin and bad choices] and cultivating positive flowers [of divine qualities]. The Savior’s grace blesses both parts—if we do our part.... We are not just paying a debt. Our purpose is to become celestial beings" (Bruce C. Hafen, April 2004 General Conference).

Group 3 11. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Ye are... in the Spirit, if... the Spirit of God dwell in you. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God... are... heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution?.... Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For... neither death, nor life, .... Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:1, 9, 14, 17, 35, 37-39). Jesus said, "The Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me" (3 Nephi 28:11).  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance [self control]" (Galatians 5:22-23). 12. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). 13. "Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed" (C. Scott Grow, April 2011 General Conference).

How did Jesus Christ perform the Atonement?

14. "And [Christ] shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me" (Alma 7:11-13).

Why did Jesus Christ perform the Atonement? What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ mean to you?

Group 1 15. "There is a law given, and a punishment affixed... and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice" (Alma 42:22-23). 16. "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us... and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him... and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance" (Alma 12:14-15). 17. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Group 2 18. "And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ" (Mosiah 16:7-8). 19. "Repent... lest... your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men" (D&C 19:15-19). 20. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" (D&C 18:10-13).

How do we access the blessings of the Atonement? How do we show gratitude for the Atonement?

21. "[The resurrection] shall come to all... both the wicked and the righteous" (Alma 11:44).

22. Jesus taught, "And no unclean thing can enter into [God's] kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." (3 Nephi 27:19-20).

23. "Those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets... [are] taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to [access the blessings of the Atonement]" (D&C 138:32-34).

24. "Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer.... I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me. Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children" (Moroni 8:8,10).

25. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).

What does it mean that Christ is mighty to save (see Alma 7:11-16) and that His Atonement is infinite (Alma 34:9-14)?

26. "The Atonement of Jesus Christ is available to each of us. His Atonement is infinite. It applies to everyone, even you. It can clean, reclaim, and sanctify even you. That is what infinite means—total, complete, all, forever. President Boyd K. Packer has taught: “There is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ” (“The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20)" (Shayne M. Bowen, October 2006 General Conference).

"The Savior, the Master Healer, has the power to change our hearts and give us permanent relief from the sorrow caused by our own sin.... The Master Healer can comfort and strengthen us when we experience pain because of the unrighteous actions of others.... The Master Healer can comfort and sustain us as we experience painful “realities of mortality,” such as disaster, mental illness, disease, chronic pain, and death" (Carole M. Stephens, October 2016 General Conference).

27. "I cannot comprehend [Jesus Christ's] power, his majesty, his perfections. But I do understand something of his love, his compassion, his mercy. There is no burden he cannot lift. There is no heart he cannot purify and fill with joy. There is no life he cannot cleanse and restore when one is obedient to his teachings" (Richard G. Scott, October 1988 General Conference).

Please share your testimony of the principles covered in this lesson or share a favorite scripture or quote that wasn't included.

The Law of Chastity

Source

1. "And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?... [He] said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And they which heard it... went out one by one... and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst... He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?  hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord.  And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 9:3-5, 7, 9-12).

We will be talking about the Law of Chastity today. As this is a sensitive subject, let us remember the example of Jesus Christ with the woman taken in adultery to focus on repenting and living the law, without judgmentally throwing stones of condemnation. Please be sensitive in your comments.

The Law of Chastity

2. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and... the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children" (The Family: A Procolmation to the World).

3. "Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage.... The Lord’s standard regarding sexual purity is clear and unchanging. Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage. Do not allow the media, your peers, or others to persuade you that sexual intimacy before marriage is acceptable. It is not. In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious. They defile the sacred power God has given us to create life. The prophet Alma taught that sexual sins are more serious than any other sins except murder or denying the Holy Ghost (see Alma 39:5).

"Never do anything that could lead to sexual transgression. Treat others with respect, not as objects used to satisfy lustful and selfish desires. Before marriage, do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not do anything else that arouses sexual feelings. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body. Pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit so that you can be clean and virtuous. The Spirit of the Lord will withdraw from one who is in sexual transgression" (For the Strength of Youth).

4. "Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery; But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart. Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart; For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell" (3 Nephi 12:27-30).

5. “Thou shalt not … commit adultery, … nor do anything like unto it” (D&C 59:6).

6. Victims of sexual abuse are not guilty of sin and do not need to repent. If you have been a victim of abuse, know that you are innocent and that God loves you. Talk to your parents or another trusted adult, and seek your bishop’s counsel immediately. They can support you spiritually and assist you in getting the protection and help you need. The process of healing may take time. Trust in the Savior. He will heal you and give you peace" (For the Strength of Youth).

Review: Sexual purity in thought, word and action. Chastity includes strict abstinence from sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity and loyalty to one's spouse after marriage.

Q What questions do you have about what it means to keep or break the law of chastity?

Q Why did God give us the Law of Chastity?

Blessings of Keeping the Law of Chastity

Conditional Blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ: Forgiveness, salvation, exaltation, eternal families, hope, overcome weaknesses, godly character/divine attributes, self control, guidance, comfort, joy, peace, strength, healing, etc. To receive the conditional blessings of the atonement, we must live the Gospel of Jesus Christ:            ·         Faith- belief in, trust in, and commitment to obey Christ           ·         Repent- submit will to Christ and change behavior to follow Him; seek forgiveness and a change of heart           ·         Covenants- make/keep promises by priesthood authority to follow the example of Jesus Christ, such as baptism.           ·         Holy Ghost- receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, invite and follow His guidance           ·         Endure to the end- consistently grow our faith, repent, keep our covenants, and receive the Holy Ghost

Q How does keeping the Law of Chastity help us to live the gospel and receive the blessings of the atonement of Jesus Christ?

Q What other blessings can come from keeping the Law of Chastity? To individuals? To Families? To Communities?

Q Why is breaking the Law of Chastity such a serious sin? What are the potential harms? What blessings can we not have unless we repent and live the Law of Chastity?

7. "When you are sexually pure, you prepare yourself to make and keep sacred covenants in the temple. You prepare yourself to build a strong marriage and to bring children into the world as part of an eternal and loving family. You protect yourself from the spiritual and emotional damage that come from sharing sexual intimacy outside of marriage. You also protect yourself from harmful diseases. Remaining sexually pure helps you to be confident and truly happy and improves your ability to make good decisions now and in the future" (For the Strength of Youth).

8. "Sometimes people try to convince themselves that sexual relations outside of marriage are acceptable if the participants love one another. This is not true. Breaking the law of chastity and encouraging someone else to do so is not an expression of love. People who love each other will never endanger one another’s happiness and safety in exchange for temporary personal pleasure. When people care for one another enough to keep the law of chastity, their love, trust, and commitment increase, resulting in greater happiness and unity. In contrast, relationships built on sexual immorality sour quickly. Those who engage in sexual immorality often feel fear, guilt, and shame. Bitterness, jealousy, and hatred soon replace any positive feelings that once existed in their relationship.

"Our Heavenly Father has given us the law of chastity for our protection. Obedience to this law is essential to personal peace and strength of character and to happiness in the home. As you keep yourself sexually pure... you will be sensitive to the Holy Ghost’s guidance, strength, comfort, and protection " (True to the Faith).

 9. “You live in a world of terrible temptations. Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly of evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly" (Gordon B. Hinckley, October 1997 General Conference).

Keeping the Law of Chastity in Day to Day Living

Q How do we keep the Law of Chastity in day to day living?

• Actions
• Thoughtsj
• Words
• Interactions with others
• Etnertainment
• Dress

10. "Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you....  Acknowledge that people bound by the chains of true addictions often need more help than self-help [see http://addictionrecovery.lds.org]. Along with filters on computers and a lock on affections, remember that the only real control in life is self-control. Exercise more control over even the marginal moments that confront you. If a TV show is indecent, turn it off. If a movie is crude, walk out. If an improper relationship is developing, sever it. Many of these influences, at least initially, may not technically be evil, but they can blunt our judgment, dull our spirituality, and lead to something that could be evil. An old proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so watch your step" (Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference).

Q What are early steps that can lead to breaking the Law of Chastity and how can we keep from going down those paths?

11. "Satan sometimes tempts us through our emotions. He knows when we are lonely, confused, or depressed. He chooses this time of weakness to tempt us to break the law of chastity. Our Heavenly Father can give us the strength to pass through these trials unharmed.... Paul taught, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Alma emphasized that we will “not be tempted above that which [we] can bear” as we “humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually” (Alma 13:28)." (Gospel Principles).

12. "Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! (You shouldn’t be serving tea anyway.) Throw the rascals out! Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; picture the faces of those who love you and would be shattered if you let them down. More than one man has been saved from sin or stupidity by remembering the face of his mother, his wife, or his child waiting somewhere for him at home" (Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference).

13. "Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Make sure that includes your own home or apartment, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature you keep there" (Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference).

14. "Most people in trouble end up crying, “What was I thinking?” Well, whatever they were thinking, they weren’t thinking of Christ. Yet, as members of His Church, we pledge every Sunday of our lives to take upon ourselves His name and promise to “always remember him.” So let us work a little harder at remembering Him—especially that He has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows … , [that] he was bruised for our iniquities … ; and with his stripes we are healed.” Surely it would guide our actions in a dramatic way if we remembered that every time we transgress, we hurt not only those we love, but we also hurt Him, who so dearly loves us. But if we do sin, however serious that sin may be, we can be rescued by that same majestic figure, He who bears the only name given under heaven whereby any man or woman can be saved" (Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2010 General Conference).

13. "If you have committed sexual transgression, talk to your bishop now and begin the process of repentance so that you can find peace and have the full companionship of the Spirit" (For the Strength of Youth). 

Principles to Follow that Help Us Keep the Law of Chastity

"No matter how strong temptations seem, the Lord will help you withstand them if you choose to follow Him. The Apostle Paul declared, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The following counsel can help you overcome the frequent and blatant temptations in the world today:

"Decide now to be chaste. You need to make this decision only once. Make the decision now, before the temptation comes, and let your decision be so firm and with such deep commitment that it can never be shaken. Determine now that you will never do anything outside of marriage to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not arouse those emotions in another person’s body or in your own body. Determine now that you will be completely true to your spouse.

"Control your thoughts. No one commits sexual sin in an instant. Immoral acts always begin with impure thoughts. If you allow your thoughts to linger on obscene or immoral things, you have already taken the first step toward immorality. Flee immediately from situations that may lead to sin. Pray for constant strength to resist temptation and control your thoughts. Make this a part of your daily prayers.

"Stay away from pornography. Do not view, read, or listen to anything that depicts or describes the human body or sexual conduct in a way that can arouse sexual feelings. Pornographic materials are addictive and destructive. They can rob you of your self-respect and of a sense of the beauties of life. They can tear you down and lead you to evil thoughts and abusive conduct.

"If you are single and dating, always treat your date with respect. Never treat him or her as an object to be used for lustful desires. Carefully plan positive and constructive activities so that you and your date are not left alone without anything to do. Stay in areas of safety where you can easily control yourself. Do not participate in conversations or activities that arouse sexual feelings. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie with or on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do such things with you.

"If you are married, be faithful to your spouse in your thoughts, words, and actions. The Lord has said:

“Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else. And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out” (D&C 42:22–23). Never flirt in any way. As much as possible, avoid being alone with anyone of the opposite sex. Ask yourself if your spouse would be pleased if he or she knew of your words or actions. Remember the Apostle Paul’s counsel to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). When you stay away from such circumstances, temptation gets no chance to develop" (True to the Faith).

 

Conclusion

"[Registered for silverware when first married and didn’t receive any as a gift, Slowly gathered silverware over years piece by piece. When they finally had enough for service for four:]

“Before [guests] came, we would have a little discussion in the kitchen. Which utensils would we use, the battered and mismatched stainless or the special silverware? In those early days I would often vote for the stainless. It was easier. You could just throw it in the dishwasher after the meal, and it took care of itself. The silver, on the other hand, was a lot of work. My wife had it hidden away under the bed where it could not be found easily by a burglar. She had insisted that I buy a tarnish-free cloth to wrap it in. Each piece was in a separate pocket, and it was no easy task to assemble all the pieces. When the silver was used, it had to be hand washed and dried so that it would not spot, and put back in the pockets so it would not tarnish, and wrapped up and carefully hidden again so it would not get stolen. If any tarnish was discovered, I was sent to buy silver polish, and together we carefully rubbed the stains away.

"[The silverware was carefully cared for over years,]

“For years I thought she was just a little bit eccentric, and then one day I realized that she had known for a long time something that I was just beginning to understand. If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by. Eternal marriage is just like that " (F. Burton Howard, April 2003 General Conference). 

Key talks about the law of chastity can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Chastity%20%28T%29

Key talks about strengthening families can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Strengthen%20Families%20%28T%29

Key talks about strengthening youth can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Strengthen%20Youth%20%28T%29

Key talks about repentance can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Repentance%20%28T%29

Key talks about addiction can be found at

http://ldsgospellessons.blogspot.com/search/label/Addiction%20%28T%29 

Please share your testimony of the principles covered in this lesson or share a favorite scripture or quote that wasn't included.