I like your article, and even though I agree, I still struggle with the fact that we work so hard on spreading the restored gospel to the living or researching for our kindred dead in order so they too can be in the Celestial Kingdom. So my question is: why should I work so hard in finding my kindred dead? Just so they will be baptized, etc. but perhaps decide they only want to be with the liars & adulterers? What's the use? Maybe I should stop all this busy work & simply let the Lord take care of my kindred dead 'cause that's what He's going to do anyway! It's a commandment to seek out our kindred dead, perhaps it's only a commandment to see if we'll do what we're told...like Abraham sacrificing Isaac. He really didn't need to sacrifice his boy! Is this what it's all about? Is it totally all about obedience?
Janet May 22, 2013
Brother Goddard and others, No one has mentioned that the Lord prepared other servants when He was between His death and resurrection (and there have been more added to the group in the centuries since) to teach all those on the other side of the veil who did not have the opportunity to completely hear and understand the Plan of Salvation while in this life. That will also be done during the Millenium along with their receiving the necessary saving ordinances for them. The final judgement will not come until after the end of that period, when all men, women and children who ever lived will have been taught all they need to make their own choices as to where and how they want to spend the rest of eternity. Their decisions will be made with their own agency to choose what they want, and thus will be "perfect for them". That is my understanding of a loving and merciful and a just God too.
I too, struggle with health issues and know that I am falling far short of all I "should" be able to accomplish while here, but am not able at this time to do. I know that my Father is still guiding me as long as I keep striving and do not just give up, quit, and live at lower level of achievement. If all we can do is to read and learn from the scriptures, that is still progress. He loves us more than we know.
BenMay 20, 2013
Thanks Bro. Goddard. Looking forward to your next one.
JANIS HUTCHINSONMay 20, 2013
Wally GoddardMay 19, 2013
Ben,
I understand "valiance" somewhat differently from some; I think it means that we keep turning to Christ. I DON'T think it means that we are reliably vigorous and faithful. Sometimes all we can do is NOT give up. That is enough. So you sound very valiant to me.
That said, let me address the elephant. I personally do not believe in progression between kingdoms. I believe each is different in KIND and not just amount of glory. As a metaphor, how long would a person have to go to law school to become a good librarian? They are very different kinds of work. And each of us will have the work the allows us to fill the measure of our creation and have joy therein.
Please note that this does not exclude you from the highest of eternal opportunities. You sound fully valiant to me, Ben.
Blessings,
Wally
Brad May 16, 2013
Bro. Goddard, I love your articles and they most always speak to my heart. I've been wanting to write and thank you and Richard Cracroft for writing many of the words that have touched me the most. Now I find out that Bro. Cracroft passed away in September, so I can't thank him properly. But I can thank you and praise your good efforts. You know in your heart that we are only saved by the merits, mercy, and grace of Christ, and humbly give Him the honor and glory. We need to speak more of His grace in our church. Sometimes we seem afraid of that word and concept, but the Book of Mormon clearly states that we are saved by grace. Now concerning this article: We are doing temple work that will eventually include all men and women, doesn't that imply that most will be saved in the celestial kingdom? What does Moses 1: 39 mean? For behold, this is my work and my glory--- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Is God going to fail in His work? As for the elephant in the room question of being stuck forever in a kingdom, D&C 76:112 states: but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.-- I found this not feeling right to me. As I studied and prayed about it , the thought came to my heart-- " they cannot come, worlds without end--but I can bring them". As it says in Mark 10:27: with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. --That is what feels right to me. I know from sacred personal experience that God loves us with a love that we can't comprehend.
BenMay 16, 2013
Bro. Goddard,
Thank you for your article and especially your follow-up comment above. As someone who has struggled with Dysthymia and occasional major depressive episodes, I hold dismayed feelings about the LDS view of exaltation. Roles of responsibility and leadership in the Church frustrate rather than fulfill me. I know it
Wally GoddardMay 16, 2013
You ask an important question Carol. It is my view that many of God's children do not want exaltation. They simply don't want that just like many of us don't want to be congressmen. I believe that every one of God's children will receive ALL the glory they want; each will be in the place that is perfect for him or her.
Greg May 16, 2013
Another great article from Brother Goddard! Thanks.
Carol, I didn't read anything that said "most" of Gods children will receivethe terrestrial or telestial kingdom. Overall the majority of God's children will be in the Celestial kingdom, when you consider the number of children throughout history died prior to the age of 8, and more children will be born in the Millenium than all other dispensations combined according to latterday Apostles. I believe and understand, the majority of Gods children will be in the Celestial Kingdom. The other Kingdoms are a lesser Heaven as was noted.
JanMay 16, 2013
Wonderful article! The Plan of Salvation is just that---- a wonderful plan to save and redeem! And, is perfectly consistent with God's loving and gracious character....
CarolMay 16, 2013
I love Goddard's articles and was excited to read this one. However, it still begs the question. Is the telestial or terrestrial kingdom "the ultimate" for most of God's children because they didn't have an opportunity to hear and receive the gospel during their earth lives? Do not all God's children have the opportunity for exaltation?
BobbiMay 16, 2013
Thank you. This article reminded me of the reason I joined the church despite the hardship I had to endure. God bless you!
Comments | Return to Story
BarbaraMay 22, 2013
I like your article, and even though I agree, I still struggle with the fact that we work so hard on spreading the restored gospel to the living or researching for our kindred dead in order so they too can be in the Celestial Kingdom. So my question is: why should I work so hard in finding my kindred dead? Just so they will be baptized, etc. but perhaps decide they only want to be with the liars & adulterers? What's the use? Maybe I should stop all this busy work & simply let the Lord take care of my kindred dead 'cause that's what He's going to do anyway! It's a commandment to seek out our kindred dead, perhaps it's only a commandment to see if we'll do what we're told...like Abraham sacrificing Isaac. He really didn't need to sacrifice his boy! Is this what it's all about? Is it totally all about obedience?
Janet May 22, 2013
Brother Goddard and others, No one has mentioned that the Lord prepared other servants when He was between His death and resurrection (and there have been more added to the group in the centuries since) to teach all those on the other side of the veil who did not have the opportunity to completely hear and understand the Plan of Salvation while in this life. That will also be done during the Millenium along with their receiving the necessary saving ordinances for them. The final judgement will not come until after the end of that period, when all men, women and children who ever lived will have been taught all they need to make their own choices as to where and how they want to spend the rest of eternity. Their decisions will be made with their own agency to choose what they want, and thus will be "perfect for them". That is my understanding of a loving and merciful and a just God too. I too, struggle with health issues and know that I am falling far short of all I "should" be able to accomplish while here, but am not able at this time to do. I know that my Father is still guiding me as long as I keep striving and do not just give up, quit, and live at lower level of achievement. If all we can do is to read and learn from the scriptures, that is still progress. He loves us more than we know.
BenMay 20, 2013
Thanks Bro. Goddard. Looking forward to your next one.
JANIS HUTCHINSONMay 20, 2013
Wally GoddardMay 19, 2013
Ben, I understand "valiance" somewhat differently from some; I think it means that we keep turning to Christ. I DON'T think it means that we are reliably vigorous and faithful. Sometimes all we can do is NOT give up. That is enough. So you sound very valiant to me. That said, let me address the elephant. I personally do not believe in progression between kingdoms. I believe each is different in KIND and not just amount of glory. As a metaphor, how long would a person have to go to law school to become a good librarian? They are very different kinds of work. And each of us will have the work the allows us to fill the measure of our creation and have joy therein. Please note that this does not exclude you from the highest of eternal opportunities. You sound fully valiant to me, Ben. Blessings, Wally
Brad May 16, 2013
Bro. Goddard, I love your articles and they most always speak to my heart. I've been wanting to write and thank you and Richard Cracroft for writing many of the words that have touched me the most. Now I find out that Bro. Cracroft passed away in September, so I can't thank him properly. But I can thank you and praise your good efforts. You know in your heart that we are only saved by the merits, mercy, and grace of Christ, and humbly give Him the honor and glory. We need to speak more of His grace in our church. Sometimes we seem afraid of that word and concept, but the Book of Mormon clearly states that we are saved by grace. Now concerning this article: We are doing temple work that will eventually include all men and women, doesn't that imply that most will be saved in the celestial kingdom? What does Moses 1: 39 mean? For behold, this is my work and my glory--- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Is God going to fail in His work? As for the elephant in the room question of being stuck forever in a kingdom, D&C 76:112 states: but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.-- I found this not feeling right to me. As I studied and prayed about it , the thought came to my heart-- " they cannot come, worlds without end--but I can bring them". As it says in Mark 10:27: with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. --That is what feels right to me. I know from sacred personal experience that God loves us with a love that we can't comprehend.
BenMay 16, 2013
Bro. Goddard, Thank you for your article and especially your follow-up comment above. As someone who has struggled with Dysthymia and occasional major depressive episodes, I hold dismayed feelings about the LDS view of exaltation. Roles of responsibility and leadership in the Church frustrate rather than fulfill me. I know it
Wally GoddardMay 16, 2013
You ask an important question Carol. It is my view that many of God's children do not want exaltation. They simply don't want that just like many of us don't want to be congressmen. I believe that every one of God's children will receive ALL the glory they want; each will be in the place that is perfect for him or her.
Greg May 16, 2013
Another great article from Brother Goddard! Thanks. Carol, I didn't read anything that said "most" of Gods children will receivethe terrestrial or telestial kingdom. Overall the majority of God's children will be in the Celestial kingdom, when you consider the number of children throughout history died prior to the age of 8, and more children will be born in the Millenium than all other dispensations combined according to latterday Apostles. I believe and understand, the majority of Gods children will be in the Celestial Kingdom. The other Kingdoms are a lesser Heaven as was noted.
JanMay 16, 2013
Wonderful article! The Plan of Salvation is just that---- a wonderful plan to save and redeem! And, is perfectly consistent with God's loving and gracious character....
CarolMay 16, 2013
I love Goddard's articles and was excited to read this one. However, it still begs the question. Is the telestial or terrestrial kingdom "the ultimate" for most of God's children because they didn't have an opportunity to hear and receive the gospel during their earth lives? Do not all God's children have the opportunity for exaltation?
BobbiMay 16, 2013
Thank you. This article reminded me of the reason I joined the church despite the hardship I had to endure. God bless you!
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