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As humans, we seem to be in a perpetual state of waiting. We’re endlessly waiting for our lives to improve because of what we think tomorrow will bring. We’re waiting for Christ’s 2nd coming on earth, and then hoping against hope for Eternal Life in the next. My question is, do we have to wait?

What? No Waiting?

Enoch and other prophets make it very clear that we DON’T have to wait. We can begin our personal advancement and Eternal Life in THIS realm! Enoch tells us that through Christ we’ll be sanctified, and “…enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come…” (Moses 6:59) This gift, however, is one we have to put ourselves in a position to receive.

Perspective Paradigm Shift

Jarom gives us the “how to” of receiving these great blessings. He advises us to look forward to Christ’s coming (in our case, His 2nd coming) AS IF IT HAD ALREADY HAPPENED.

“ ..to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was” (Jarom 1:11)

In other words, if we can imagine and act upon the belief that Christ is with us NOW, He will commence His 2nd coming with us NOW, and we can be transported into Life with God. As we focus on “always remembering Him” (to receive His spirit), we unlock the door, and admit Christ to OUR world TODAY!

King Benjamin completely concurred:

“…whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.” (Mosiah 3:13)

Allowing this Life Eternal to begin in this sphere is a choice we can make to receive privileges without compare.

What Does Eternal Life Look Like in this Earthly realm?

In some of the most poignant scripture we have, Enoch gives us an incredible glance at what this forward thinking into Forever can offer us:

“…the peaceable things of immortal glory;
the truth of all things;
that which quickeneth all things,
which maketh alive all things;
that which knoweth all things,
and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.” (Moses 6:61)

Enoch then states:

“And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men…”(Moses 6:62).

He’s saying that all these beautiful things were planned from the beginning to be given to us IN THIS LIFE! Because of Christ’s all-encompassing Atonement we can access alive-ness, knowledge and peace NOW!

Continuum of Forever

As we know, tomorrow never comes, because it always turns into today, which no longer qualifies it to be tomorrow. What makes us think that “Eternal Life” will be different? Eternal life means a forever life with God. Does that just suddenly start after we die? Is it suddenly proclaimed: “Ok, now you’re living the Godly life!” NO! Whatever we live; however we live, we’re living it NOW, and now is always evolving, depending on our thoughts and our choices.

Clothed Upon with Glory

All of these marvelous gifts are for the taking, whenever we are ready. We can literally “become quickened in the inner man” (Moses 6:65) Enoch continues:

“…and I was Clothed upon with glory, and I saw the Lord;” (Moses 7 :3-4)

Do we understand what our privileges are? Have you ever been “clothed upon with glory?” Of course you have. When we open to and seek the Holy Ghost, we begin to feel the love of the Lord wrap around us. It makes us feel alive like nothing else!” It quickens our senses. When I feel the spirit strongly, I FEEL ALIVE, don’t you? Becoming alive in Christ is literally the opportunity to experience heaven on earth!

We all know that “men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Ne 2:25) I might also add: Man is that he might feel alive; man is that he might be quickened; man is that he might have knowledge; Man is that he might have peace. All these beautiful gifts come from PARTAKING of Christ as if He were with us. We become extensions of Him – windows of Him, so that His magnificence can flow in and through us.

Lamoni Learned                                                                                                                                                

I love the story of Lamoni. Before he knew the Lord, he had lived an ungodly life, but he learned the importance of Christ in an exquisite and powerful way. Alma explains the genesis of Lamoni’s “Eternal Life” experience.

..”he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul…” (Alma 19:6)

He became quickened, and enlivened with truth and light.

Transforming Our World

Asking for the Lord’s spirit to be with us is crucial. Just imagine right now that Christ is standing next to you? FEEL Him… Are you more peaceful? More relaxed? More joyful? Are you confident that all challenges will work out? When we bring the Lord to where we are now, our world transforms!

Christ’s wants to share His alive-ness with us, because He knows how DELICIOUS it is to us. He wants to give us as much wonder and joy as we can hold.

“If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D & C 42:61)

NOW is better than Later

It’s not my future with Christ that should be important to me.   It’s my life with Christ NOW that is vital, and when I have this relationship with Him today in everything I do, it will continue AFTER this life – to become my Eternal Life. Now is the time for me to act, – and stop waiting!

We can all apply the atonement in our lives by living as though we have a Savior standing next to us; supporting us; and fighting our battles, because, in fact, we do.

You can CONTACT Anne at an********@ho*****.com.