Not too long ago I was sitting down with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also referred to as the “Mormon Church” or “LDS” Church) and learning about the Plan of Salvation. A little more than a year later I am re-examining that same plan, but this time in a religion class at BYU. One might ask what this plan is that is so important for both members and non-members alike to study and learn about. Basically, the Plan of Salvation answers three very important questions: where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. It is God’s plan that allows us to become like Him and receive a fullness of happiness (which is why the plan is also known as the plan of happiness). It is a plan for our eternal progression.
Ask the missionaries about the Plan of Salvation.
The plan starts way back with the creation of the world and our pre-mortal existence, in which we were spirit bodies living with our Heavenly Father, or God. He created this plan so we may progress and eventually become like Him. In order to do that, however, we had to leave His presence and come to Earth and gain a physical body. Thus comes Adam and Eve, God’s first children here on Earth, who lived in a state of innocence until they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. This event is what is known as the Fall of Adam, and which consequently made our life here possible. Not only did they become mortal (allowing them to experience physical death), but they also separated themselves from God spiritually by sin (known as spiritual death). And to overcome these two deaths, we rely on our Savior Jesus Christ and his infinite atonement. The atonement can simply be explained as Jesus coming here to Earth and dying for our sins, allowing us the opportunity to be forgiven. This is central to God’s plan of salvation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a leader in the LDS Church, said, “We view the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ as the center and core and heart of revealed religion.” And it is. It is because of His atonement that we can overcome both our physical and spiritual death and return to our Father in heaven. It is what He wants for us because He loves us more than we can imagine. Finally, the last part of the plan, and central to the Mormon belief, is our agency—our ability to choose and act for ourselves. The doctrine of Christ is founded on willful obedience rather than forced. Therefore, it is up to us to choose to return to our Heavenly Father again and live in full happiness for eternity.
Before I learned of the Plan of Salvation, I was searching for answers and the meaning of my life. I could not understand or grasp the concept of simply being here on Earth with no sort of direction, nothing to head towards. So what the Plan of Salvation does for me is gives me comfort, because it tells me why I am here and where I am going after this life. It lets me know I have a purpose and am leading a meaningful existence. Although there are times where I do not fully understand my path in life, I know that my Heavenly Father knows better and that He has something great in store for me because of His great plan. I feel incredibly blessed just knowing that my Heavenly Father has given me the chance to become like Him. And striving to be like Him has made me become a better person, and will continually do so for the rest of my life.
By Sarah S.
Additional Resources:
Recent Comments