The Plan of Salvation 101



Jesus Christ Statue at Temple Square



The Plan of Salvation in a nutshell is God's plan for our lives.  It explains where we came from, why we are here, and where are we going.  It's so simple yet amazing.  It allows us to learn and gain the things we need to become like our Father in Heaven.  It gives us hope for the future and direction for what we have to do here in our lives.  And my thought about it all is that it actually makes sense. 

God's Purpose:  Our Father in Heaven's purpose  is "...to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39.  In order to accomplish this, we needed to first gain physical bodies and then experience what it's like to make our own choices and learn from our experiences.

Pre-earth Life:  Before we came to this earth, all of us lived with our Father in Heaven as His spirit children.  He is literally the Father of our Spirits and loves us more than we can comprehend.  So because of His love His purpose for us comes into play.  A plan was made and we chose to accept it.  Jesus Christ is the center of that plan and without Him it wouldn't work.

Earth Life:  Once the plan was accepted Heavenly Father gave His son Jesus Christ to create the earth. Through Jesus Christ the earth was formed.  This provided us with a place where we could gain physical bodies and be tried and tested and gain the experience necessary to obtain eternal life (living forever in God's presence). 

Adam and Eve were the first of God's children to come to earth.  They were placed in the Garden of Eden, still in God's presence and in a state of innocence where they could know no joy because they knew not any opposition.  They were given the ability to choose called agency or free will.  They were given a commandment not to eat of the forbidden fruit or else they would have to leave the Garden and God's presence.  Satan tempted them thinking it would thwart the plan.  They used their agency and chose to partake of the fruit.  As a result they were cast off from God's presence and into the world which we live now.  Because of the Fall Adam and Eve were able to have children and provided us the way where we could gain bodies of our own.

Because of the Fall we are subject to physical and spiritual death.  Physical death comes as a result because our bodies get old and worn out and eventually die.  It's the separation of our spirits from our bodies.  Spiritual death is separation from God's presence due to sin.  We all suffer both of these conditions because our bodies die and we mess up along the way.  Without a mediator or help we are stuck and can't progress any further.

Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior in pre-earth life.  He was the First Born of the Father and the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh.  Because of this He was able to suffer for our sins and shortcomings, died, and was resurrected.  Because of Him everybody will be resurrected, regardless of their righteousness.  He also provided a way for us to overcome spiritual death.  This requires effort on our part though.  In order to qualify for His saving grace, we must follow His teachings and obtain the necessary ordinances for salvation.  This is called The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is our purpose here on the earth now.  "...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yeah, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labours." Alma 34:32.  If we follow His teachings and become more like Him, we will be cleansed from our sins and overcome spiritual death.

After this Life:  There will come a time for each of us when we will experience physical death, separation of our spirits from our bodies.  However Christ has overcome that barrier for each and everyone of us and when the times comes we will all be resurrected.  However before the resurrection occurs, our spirits need a place to reside till that time.  This is called the Spirit world.  There are two divisions of the Spirit world, Spirit Paradise and Spirit Prison (sometimes in the scriptures referred to as hell).  Those who were righteous in this life will live in a state of rest in paradise.  While those who were wicked or never had a chance to hear the gospel will be in a place called prison.  However those in paradise can and do teach those in prison so that everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel and have a fair chance to accept or reject this.  It is only a temporary place the Spirit world and it is not the end.

When the time comes we will all be resurrected, each and everyone one of us who has ever lived on the earth.  Once again, we can thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this.  Once we are resurrected we will all be brought before the judgement seat.  There God will judge us and if we qualified for the Savior's grace He will be our advocate with the Father.  We will be judged according to our works in earth life and by the desires of our hearts.  God is fair and will judge fairly.

Three Kingdoms of Glory:  In God's house there are many mansions, each with it's different degrees of glories.  Our placement in part's of God's house are determined by the judgement.  He will judge us and place us where we most qualify for and are most comfortable with.  The first glory is the Celestial Kingdom, symbolized by the glory of the sun.  It is where God resides and where we experience the blessings of exaltation, progression, and eternal life.  The second glory is the Terrestrial Kingdom, symbolized by the glory of the moon.  It is a place where those who lived honorable lives but didn't accept the gospel will be placed.  And the third is the Telestial Kingdom, symbolized by the glory of the stars.  It is the place where those who were wicked and who did not repent of their sins will go. 

So what does this mean for me?:  Well it means a lot really.  This is God's plan for our lives and we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to become like Him.  Our life here on earth is but a minute in comparison with the vastness of eternity.  Because of this plan we know who we are, God's children.  We know what we must do in this life, and that is to look upon our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is the way, and through Him we can be cleansed from our sins and return back to the presence of our Father in Heaven. 

I know this plan is real.  It's a plan of happiness, a plan of mercy, and plan of love.  With it we can experience the greatest level of joy and happiness that a loving Father in Heaven wants us to have.  Please take some time to consider this and ask God if it is true.  With sincere study and pray, He will let you know what you can do to return and live again with Him.

Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the sheep of his fold;

Dear is the love that he gives them,

Dearer than silver or gold.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are his "other" lost sheep;

Over the mountains he follows,

Over the waters so deep.

Out in the desert they wander,

Hungry and helpless and cold;

Off to the rescue he hastens,

Bringing them back to the fold.

Green are the pastures inviting,

Sweet are the waters and still.

Lord we will answer thee gladly,

"Yes, blessed Master we will!

Make us thy true undershepherds;

Give us a love that is deep.

Send us out into the desert,

Seeking they wandering Sheep."

Out in the desert they wander,

Hungry and helpless and cold;

Off to the rescue we'll hasten,

Bringing them back to the fold.

Hymn #221 - "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd" 

Our brothers and sisters are out there and they need our help.  Our Savior Jesus Christ gave His life to save all of us lost sheep.  We can become more like Him as we strive to develop that same kind of love. Let us try and do all we can to help those who are in need of help.  Those who are lost, hungry, helpless, and cold.  Off to the rescue we will hasten and bring them back to the fold.  How cool will it be to have our Father in Heaven trust us enough as His servants to carry on His work of rescuing His lost sheep.

Why Read the Book of Mormon?

So picture this.  You're at home, sitting down watching TV listening about the latest weather pattern that is about to come in.  You hear the doorbell ring and outside your front door are two young men dressed in white shirts and ties.  They proceed to tell you (as quickly as they can before you shut the door) about some new book of scripture.  It's called The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  They say it's a book about the people in the America's and that Jesus Christ came and visited them.  You're a little bit curious but also skeptical, and you want to see how much these guy's really know.  So you ask a simple question, "Why should I read The Book of Mormon?"

It's a good question, and one that deserves some thought.  I mean, people usually only due things either to gain a reward or avoid a punishment, it's simple psychology.  Fortunately we have the words of modern day prophets to help us out.  President Ezra Taft Benson, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, gave an amazing talk in the October 1986 General Conference titled The Book of Mormon - Keystone of Our Religion.  In it he outlined 3 reasons why members of the Church should strive to study the Book of Mormon throughout their life's.  I think that the same three reasons apply to everyone and I think they are worth some thought.  So here they are -

1. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion:

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that "the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."  Simply stated a keystone holds an arch together, without it the structure crumbles.  If the Book of Mormon was false, then Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet.  If he wasn't a prophet than the things he said and did weren't true, and the whole Church falls and isn't true.  But with the Book of Mormon we are absolute and unshaken in our faith.  This is one reason why you should read the Book of Mormon, because by gaining a witness that the book is true, you come to know that "Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah." (Introduction to the Book of Mormon)

2. The Book of Mormon was written for our day:


Many prophets in the Book of Mormon testified that the words they were writing were for us.  Many of these prophets even saw in vision and in prophesy our day and what we would need to steer us in the right direction towards God.  From the Book of Mormon we learn of the promises and covenants God has made with His children and those in the America's that are still in effect today.  We learn what happens when a civilization centers itself in God and what happens when they choose to disobey God.  We even learn where most of the ancestors of the American Indians came from for crying out loud!  I mean if each of us had a manual for our individual lives, wouldn't we at least glance at it?  The Book of Mormon is just that.  Specific direction and counsel for each and every one of us in this day and age.

3. The Book of Mormon helps us draw nearer to God:

This is something you have to experience more than anything else.  Almost half of the verses contained in the Book of Mormon include Christ in some way or another.  It contains the record of a people who were blessed with the opportunity to feel the prints in His hands and feet and the wound in His side.  It contains His gospel as given to His prophets.  It's overall purpose is to bring everyone closer to God and His Son Jesus Christ.  I can tell anybody enough about how powerful this book is.  You feel the Holy Ghost so strongly through the simple words on it's pages.  This Book is From God!!  The good feelings you get from reading the book are indescribable.  If you want to come closer to God and our Savior, this book will do just that more than anything else.

I want everyone to know that I know the Book of Mormon is true.  For me, my witness didn't come in one night at one particular moment of my life.  For me it came in bits and pieces, like a puzzle.  As I came to read and study its words truth was revealed to me at the rate that was perfect for me.  This continued for years until the thought came to my head "You know it's true, you have always known it is true."  I urge everyone from the bottom of my heart to simply read the book.  It's so simple, pick it up and read it.  Read it to come closer to God, read it for understanding, read it humbly so that the Holy Ghost can tell you if it is true.  I testify the truthfulness of Moroni's promise, God will answer you!!  Just give it a try, see what it can do in your life.

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:3-5

My Christmas Blog Post



Temple Square at Christmas

It's the Christmas season so therfore it is required to make a blog post about Christmas.  So in order to prevent myself from becoming a Scrooge or a Grinch, I shall do such.

Living only 20 miles from down town Salt Lake City and having a dad that works in the office tower across the street from the temple have a couple of benefits.  One of which is the opportunity our family has almost every year to go and see the Christmas lights at temple square.





Temple Squre from Above

As you can see there are many attractions on temple square.  One of which is the visitors center which is circled in red.  It's an amazing building with so many pictures of Christ and various displays of Bible and Book of Mormon prophets.  It even has a very large model map of the city Jerusalem back when Christ was on the earth and where everything is.

After walking around with my family, looking at all the lights and all the buildings, our final stop is usually this same visitor center.  Then after looking at all the various cool displays and models do we reach my most favorite part of the building.

Jesus Christ in Visitor Center

In the main circular room stands an amazing statue of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The walls of this room are of the celestial heavens, of stars and the earth and the glories of the night sky.  He stands there pure and magnificent, with open arms waiting to receive those who will come unto Him.  His hands bear the imprint of the nails which peirced His hands as He willingly gave His life for us on the cross.  Every time I enter that amazing place, tears fill my eyes as I look into His eyes and see the love that He has for me and all of us.

This is what Christmas is about, Jesus Christ.  It's as simple as that, it's about the Savior.  It is our the time of year we have to celebrate His magnificent birth.  Without His coming into the world and His suffering we wouldn't be able to return to our Father in Heaven.  May we remember through all the hectic hussle and bussle of the Christmas season that we reflect on that marvelous event. 

"For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." - Alma 7:7



Nativity Scene at Temple Square Reflection Pool



The Salt Lake Temple

I was born and raised in Utah and have been there all my life. For fourteen years my family lived only twenty miles north of Salt Lake City. My dad works in down town Salt Lake so I have had many opportunities to go down there. Temple Square was and still is one of my favorite spots to go in the city. I have always grown up so close to the Salt Lake temple and it has a special place in my heart. Here's a little bit more information on the Salt Lake Temple.

Salt Lake Temple Time Line:

1847 July 28: Salt Lake Temple site is identified.
1853 February 14: Ground-breaking ceremony is held. April 6: Cornerstones are laid.
1855 July 23: Foundation is completed.
1857 June: First basement floor stones are laid.
1858 May: Foundation is covered to resemble a plowed field.
1860 Foundation is uncovered.
1862 Portions of foundation are replaced.
1867 Salt Lake Temple walls appear above ground for first time.
1873 April 4: First train brings stones from quarry for Salt Lake Temple.
1892 April 6: Capstone is laid.
1893 April 6: Salt Lake Temple is dedicated.


It took 40 years to build this amazing structure! It required a lot of sacrifices from the Saints. Why did they go to such lengths to build it? Becuase the blessings of the temple are real. The temple is built in a way that it resembles a fortress. That's symbolic because the temple is a fortress, a sanctuary from the things of the world. It's the Lord's house and within the Lord's house we can find comfort and peace from the things outside. I love the temple and the blessings they hold. I know this Church is true and the Savior Jesus Christ is real.


Photo's of Salt Lake Temple:

(East Towers)

(Assembly Hall)

(Celestial Room)

Every Window, Every Spire Speaks of the Things of God:http://lds.org/liahona/1993/11/every-window-every-spire-speaks-of-the-things-of-god?lang=eng&query=Salt+Lake+City+Temple

The Comfort of the Gospel

This is why I love modern day prophets. Through them God can say to us what we need to here in this day and age. We live in a time where the demands of life press down upon us more than they ever have before. At times I feel that I'm stretched to the point where I feel like breaking. But we aren't alone in this endeavour. Having faith in the eternal perspective gives me such great hope and comfort in my life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ carries me through these difficult times. It is what gives me the peace and comfort I need to live in this world and be who I am and become who I need to be. Through learning and living this Gospel, we will find the strength to overcome any challenge life may throw at us. I know this to be true.

"Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable. But demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you, through that He will make the difference." - Elder Russell M. Nelson

3 Steps to an Answered Prayer

I love formulas, or step by step equations that can be used to solve every kind of problem. It's how my mind works I guess. So for me it's so cool to see God give us these kinds of equations or formulas to help us in every day life.

I was reading in 1st Nephi of the Book of Mormon and I found this simple yet powerful formula for receiving an answer to your prayer. In 1st Nephi 11 verse 1 we read

"For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot."

Nephi wanted to see the things his father saw in visions. So he asks God in prayer if he can have this desire. And as a result his prayer was answered, through the use of this formula.

Step 1: Have a desire to receive an answer. Nephi had a desire to see the things his father saw. Simple enough but important enough.

Step 2: Believe and have faith God will answer your prayer. As it says in that verse, you need to have faith, God can't answer you if you believe He can't.

Step 3: Ponder, or put forth the effort to study things out. Nephi pondered what his dad said about his visions. He tried to make sense of them in his mind and probably did some study to help him understand.

Desire + Faith + Effort (pondering, study) = Answered Prayer

Nephi applied this principle and received a glorious answer (read 1st Nephi 11 to find out). We can all find answers to our prayers. God is willing to bless us and communicate with us, we just need to talk to Him. If we really have a desire to know something, develop faith in His ability to answer us, and put forth all the effort we can into our answer, God will answer you. I know this to be true. I know God loves each and everyone one of us and we all can receive answers to our prayers.