There is progress on the other side. There are many examples of people who have dreams of relatives who request that there temple work be done so that they can progress on the other side of the veil. Those who have passed away still are able to seek light and knowledge beyond the veil. Progress is eternal.
E SmithNovember 16, 2021
Thanks, Maryann Taylor, for adding that. I was thinking of elder Bednar’s talk all the way through Givens’ article.
MarkNovember 16, 2021
If one does a word search in the scriptures of “earn” or “earned” you will not find them. There is zero reference to “earning” one’s Salvation. Salvation is a gift. But, one has the choice, the agency to accept or reject that Gift. Once accepted thoughts, desires, and actions turn to Christ, who is the Giver of that Gift.
Maryann TaylorNovember 15, 2021
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gives us great enlightenment on this subject in his address: FAITHFUL PARENTS AND WAYWARD CHILDREN. He writes: "The statements of Joseph Smith and Orson F. Whitney are construed by some members of the Church to mean that wayward children unconditionally receive the blessings of salvation because of and through the faithfulness of parents. However, this interpretation is moderated by the fact that the most complete account of the Prophet's sermon was not available to Church historians...In the more complete set of notes recorded by Howard and Martha Coray, Joseph Smith is shown to have qualified his statement to make the promised blessings conditional upon the obedience of the children: 'When a father and mother of a family have [been sealed], their children WHO HAVE NOT TRANSGRESSED are secured by the seal wherewith the parents have been sealed.' "This clarification is more consistent doctrinally...the concept of unconditional salvation for disobedient children would contradict many foundational teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the second article of faith that 'men will be punished for their own sins.' Elder Bednar goes on to affirm the powerful influence of righteous parents in the lives of their children, however, he also states "Mercy will not rob justice, and the sealing power of faithful parents will only claim wayward children upon the condition of their repentance and Christ's atonement. Repentant wayward children will enjoy salvation and all the blessings that go with it, but exaltation is much more. It must be fully earned. The question as to who will be exalted must be left to the Lord in his mercy." A thorough reading of Elder Bednar's article is very illuminating on this subject.
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Carlos RoundyNovember 19, 2021
There is progress on the other side. There are many examples of people who have dreams of relatives who request that there temple work be done so that they can progress on the other side of the veil. Those who have passed away still are able to seek light and knowledge beyond the veil. Progress is eternal.
E SmithNovember 16, 2021
Thanks, Maryann Taylor, for adding that. I was thinking of elder Bednar’s talk all the way through Givens’ article.
MarkNovember 16, 2021
If one does a word search in the scriptures of “earn” or “earned” you will not find them. There is zero reference to “earning” one’s Salvation. Salvation is a gift. But, one has the choice, the agency to accept or reject that Gift. Once accepted thoughts, desires, and actions turn to Christ, who is the Giver of that Gift.
Maryann TaylorNovember 15, 2021
Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gives us great enlightenment on this subject in his address: FAITHFUL PARENTS AND WAYWARD CHILDREN. He writes: "The statements of Joseph Smith and Orson F. Whitney are construed by some members of the Church to mean that wayward children unconditionally receive the blessings of salvation because of and through the faithfulness of parents. However, this interpretation is moderated by the fact that the most complete account of the Prophet's sermon was not available to Church historians...In the more complete set of notes recorded by Howard and Martha Coray, Joseph Smith is shown to have qualified his statement to make the promised blessings conditional upon the obedience of the children: 'When a father and mother of a family have [been sealed], their children WHO HAVE NOT TRANSGRESSED are secured by the seal wherewith the parents have been sealed.' "This clarification is more consistent doctrinally...the concept of unconditional salvation for disobedient children would contradict many foundational teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the second article of faith that 'men will be punished for their own sins.' Elder Bednar goes on to affirm the powerful influence of righteous parents in the lives of their children, however, he also states "Mercy will not rob justice, and the sealing power of faithful parents will only claim wayward children upon the condition of their repentance and Christ's atonement. Repentant wayward children will enjoy salvation and all the blessings that go with it, but exaltation is much more. It must be fully earned. The question as to who will be exalted must be left to the Lord in his mercy." A thorough reading of Elder Bednar's article is very illuminating on this subject.
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