That which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.In the premortal life we were taught. We are also given agency, allowing us to some extent to act upon those teachings ourselves and grow.
D&C 77:2
And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image. Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh.
Ether 3:15-16
All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity. "God created man in His own image." This is just as true of the spirit as it is of the body, which is only the clothing of the spirit, its complement; the two together constituting the soul. The spirit of man is in the form of man, and the spirits of all creatures are in the likeness of their bodies. This was plainly taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith (Doctrine and Covenenants, 77:2).
The First Presidency [Joseph F. Smith, Jorn R. Widner, and Anthon H. Lund], in James R. Clark, comp. Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:203
These spirit beings, the offspring of exalted parents, were men and women, appearing in all respects as mortal person do, excepting only that their spirit bodies were made of a more pur and refined substance than the elements from which mortal bodies are made (Ether 3:16, D&C 131:7-8).
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 589
Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.Since we were taught, and were given agency, many used that agency and knowledge to become great in the premortal life. It is very reassuring to know that we were noble and great before we even came here.
D&C 138:56
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against men, and 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 eh should be cast down.
Moses 4:3
In the pre-existence we dwelt in the presence of God our Father. When the time arrived for us to be advanced in the scale of our existence and pass through this mundance probation, councils were held and the spirit cildren were instructed in matters pertaining to conditions in mortal life, and the reason for such an existence. In the former life we were spirits. In order that we should advance and eventually gain the goal of perfection, it was made known that we would receive tabernacles of flesh and bones and have to pass through mortality where we would be tried and proved to see if we, by trial, would prepare ourselves for exaltation. We were made to realize in the presence of our glorious Father, who had a tangible body of flesh and bones wich shone ike the sun, that we were, as spirits, far inferior in our station to him.
Joseph Field Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:57
It can also be tempting to use this doctrine to justify pride, but that is not God wants us to do with this doctrine, he merely wants to encourage us by building our belief in ourselves. When we start comparing ourselves to others we have stepped past God's inention in teaching us this doctrine. The commandment to love our neighbor comes far before this doctrine.
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 I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits and he saw that they were good; and said unto me; Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there stood stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: 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 3:22-25
Before I formed thee in the bell I knew thee; and before camet forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
During the ages in which we dwelt in the premortal state we not only developed our various characteristics and showed our worthiness and ability, or the lack of it, but we were also where such progress could be observed. It is reasonable to believe that there was a Church organization there. The heavenly beings were living in a perfectly arranged society. Every person knew his place. Priesthood, without any question, had been conferred and the leaders were chosen to officiate. Ordinances pertaining to that pre-existence were required and the love of God prevailed. Under such conditions it was natural for our Father to discern and choose those who were most worthy and evaluate the talents of each individual. He knew not only what each of us could do, but what each of would do when put to the test and when the responsibility was given us. Then, when the time came for our habitation on mortal eath, all things were prepared and the servants of the Lord chosen and ordained to their respective missions.
Joseph Field Smith, The Way to Perfection, 50-51
Abraham 3:22-25
Jeremiah 1:5
During the ages...
No comments:
Post a Comment