Bealach na Ba pass through Applecross is the most awesome, twisty, hairpin bendy road in the United Kingdom. The single track road’s gradient slopes of nearly 20% enable its quick ascent from sea level to 2,054 feet.  The views are spectacular.

Anthony and I quickly ascended this Scottish Highland mountain pass on our rented motorcycles, and after a short break in the wee village, began the return descent and two hour ride back to our B&B in Portree.

Having found my stride up the mountain, I planned to push my limits on the way down. However, we quickly caught up to a vehicle whose driver seemed deathly afraid of the road. It’s a single track road, meaning only one car will fit on the side of the mountain at a time, so drivers must carefully observe oncoming traffic. One driver must move into an accessible passing place, giving the oncoming driver the right of way to continue on the road, if two drivers meet head on, someone has to back up until a passing place is reached. After the road clears again, the stopped driver proceeds onward.

In front of me, the car’s driver constantly slammed on his brakes in spite of clear roads ahead. We inched down the mountain at 10 mph, and I was frustrated. Anthony, sensing my tension (and knowing me well), rode up beside me to soothe my frustration. We pulled over to look at the views and relax. However, within minutes of being back on the bikes, we caught up to the same car and slowed way down again.

Suddenly, we hit a straightaway and the car jolted forward.  Elated and hopeful, I followed suit.  Then, he slammed on the brakes, from 45mph to 0mph in an instant. I had maintained good distance and saw him stop, but while braking caught the gravel on the mountain side of the road. I knew I was going to crash. I kept slowing in the gravel, but then had no where else to go and abruptly hit the mountain.  The jarred bike and I careened at a 45 degree angle back onto the road and then slid across the asphalt to a stop. My helmet, which I hated wearing, saved my life. Anthony lifted the bike off me, but I couldn’t move right away.  I knew three things: I was alive. Somehow I didn’t go over the edge of the cliff. I was holding up traffic in both directions.

What I Believe

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the Mormon Church).  As a Latter-day Saint, I believe that we are all God’s spirit children who lived and grew in His presence before this earth life, and now have the opportunity to have a physical body and gain experience in this mortal world. The whole point of our existence is to become like our Father, who is a glorious resurrected being of flesh and bones. Because of the Savior Jesus Christ’s miraculous atoning sacrifice, after we die, we will be resurrected (our spirits and bodies unite again) with a perfected body.  Having that perfected body sounded amazing to me as I lay hurting on Scottish mountain pass asphalt.

That incident taught me several lessons about my mortal experience.

Don’t Do Stupid Things To My Body.

The Lord gave specific commandments for our safety and to enhance our journey through life. He knew what would cause emotional and physical pain to our souls and told us how to avoid it. We protect ourselves by wearing spiritual helmets and gear. “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother” (Luke 18:20). “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).

Anger Wreaks Havoc.

Honestly, my intense frustration at the scaredy-cat driver in the car caused me to lose control. While I judged his lack of reason in coming to a complete stop again, I lost my opportunity to stabilize myself and wrecked.  My anger did not affect him at all. He didn’t even stop after I nearly sideswiped him. My emotions affected me and Anthony (and then everyone else who had to wait for the road to be cleared.)

Emotions provide the amusement-park experiences of life – up and down, back and forth, excitement and terror, elation and so dizzy that you …

Mastering my emotions is a constant struggle, but with Christ, all things are possible. In the Book of Mormon,a loving father counseled his son, “[S]ee that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12). The Apostle Paul exhorted, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Everyone On The Road Is On The Same Journey-Even Scaredy-cat Drivers.

If I truly believe that all people are children of God, shouldn’t that change my perspective? Would I rush around adamant that everything has to be done my way and in my time frame? Can I celebrate the divinity in others and rejoice in our unique perspectives and talents? Should I take off my blinders and actually see?

Instead of seeing persons in “my way,” I could consider that we crossed paths for a reason. One of my favorite quotes is: “You lift me and I’ll lift Thee, and We’ll both ascend together.” God’s plan promotes unity of purpose—a Zion, or physical state of oneness with God and each other—rather than individual defensiveness.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

I love living in a time where I can see into outer space and then into tiny atoms, with speedy technology at my finger tips.  The talents and passions of great minds richly enhance life’s experiences. And yet each person I pass on the sidewalk has divine potential to similarly shape the world in his or her own way.

We all need to eat and sleep. We each seek love, security, and purpose. You are me and I am you. Let’s give each other permission to shine.

God’s Timing Enables Me To Enjoy The Ride.

I’ve thought a lot about how I gypped my Applecross experience by wanting, anticipating, and hoping for something else on my journey down the mountain. I focused on the brake lights ahead, which became my skewed reality, and ultimately left me battered and tattered and pretty unfulfilled.

Why didn’t I enjoy the respite Anthony provided, or use our 10mph ride as ample time to breathe in fresh air deeply and enjoy the exquisite vistas from our heavenly perch?  Why am I always in such a hurry to accomplish some crazy to do list?

Why do I compare my weaknesses with others’ strengths or bemoan barrenness when some moms bemoan my freedom? Is the grass really greener going 60 mph down mountainous curves? Why would I want to live someone else’s life?

“Be still and know that I am God” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16).

Only in the stillness of a relationship with Deity does life gain perspective and purpose. We are His children after all. He knows us and wants us to succeed. He provided the perfect path—His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. When I rejoice with gratitude, I feel God’s promise to “go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). When I sin, through Christ’s grace, I can repent. When I sorrow, Jesus succors me. When I need direction or increased faith, hope, and charity, He “[leads me] by the hand and [gives me] answer to [my] prayers” (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10).

Each of us can find Him.  We are His.

Prayer Is Communication

First and foremost, prayer is communication with God in the name of His Son. Under this general definition, we can pray at any time and any place. For us to understand and use the gift of prayer most effectively, we need to understand who we really are. We have the privilege of communication with Heavenly Father, because we are His literal spirit children. Do you like to call up your parents and talk to them? I do. When I talk to my parents, I like to tell them about my day, ask for their advice, and sometimes even seek comfort. Our relationship with God can be the same way. He loves to hear from us and hear what we have to say about our lives. Once we understand that we are indeed children of a loving Heavenly Father, prayer becomes natural and instinctual.

Express Gratitude

After you begin your prayer, you should try to express gratitude. Prayers are a tool we can use to communicate our needs to God, but we should never neglect to say thank you. Do you feel underappreciated when those you serve fail to express gratitude? Our Father in Heaven is no exception. When we express gratitude to Heavenly Father, not only are we showing appreciation for what we have, but we also become more aware of other blessings and more in tune with a spirit of happiness and contentment.

Sometimes I have prayers in which I offer only thanks. These are special prayers, because I’m consciously not asking for things and focus instead on expressing sole gratitude. These prayers help refocus my priorities and rejuvenate my heart.

Asking for Blessings and Help

You can always ask Heavenly Father for blessings. Because He’s an omniscient God, He already knows your needs, but sometimes the blessings we need are contingent upon our asking for them. You can ask for immediate blessings, temporal blessings, and blessings of eternal consequence. You can ask questions about what job to take, what college to attend, whom you should marry, and when to have children. Bring your heavy-laden plate to the Lord and allow Him to take it all. He is always willing to take upon Himself our pains and trials, but we must first tell Him about what we need Him to carry. Confess to Him your weaknesses and insecurities, your concerns and worries. If you’re having a hard time in a friendship, tell the Lord about it, and ask Him for help and wisdom. Nothing is off limits in prayer.

Pray for Forgiveness

When you pray, you should use some of that time to repent and seek forgiveness. We all make mistakes and need to start over. Regardless of the seriousness of your sin, confess it to the Lord and allow Him to change your heart and guide you to the best ways to rectify your mistake. Some sins require guidance from your local ecclesiastical leader (for Mormons that would be a bishop or branch president) to reach full repentance. While sin may make you feel guilty or ashamed, always know that God loves you and issues commandments so that we can be happy. And because Jesus Christ suffered for our sins, we have the opportunity to repent from our mistakes and move forward. So much of the beauty of the grace of Christ is realized through prayer.

Some Prayers Aren’t Formal

In the Book of Mormon (a book of scripture complementary to the Bible) we learn that we must “counsel with the Lord in all [our] doings, and he will direct [us] for good” (Alma 37:37). Some of the things we encounter in the day don’t allow time for kneeling down in formal prayer. We can and should always have a prayerful heart, a heart that is constantly open to communication from God. I remember several nights when my new baby wouldn’t sleep, and in the middle of the crying and the rocking, I would plead to God to strengthen me and show me the way. Those prayers were just as effective as prayers said on my knees.

End Your Prayers in the Name of Jesus Christ

When you conclude your prayer, be sure to do so in the name of the Savior. Doing so not only acknowledges our need for Jesus Christ and His grace, but it also gives His stamp of approval on our words. When we pray we should always be seeking to know God’s will, and by closing our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, we signal that we have done our best to know the will of the Lord.

Prayer Works

I have been praying my whole life, and I know that prayer works. Because of prayer, I have a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know that my Savior lives. God has answered my prayers, and I know that He hears me every single time. If you are unsure about whether God exists or whether He hears you, take a few moments and offer a heartfelt prayer. He will hear you, and He will manifest His love to you. I know this.

I live in a picturesque town in the mountains of Idaho. It’s easy to see the goodness of God in the beauty of nature. It can be more difficult to see His kindness in our lives—especially when the storms of adversities come. The Psalmist wrote, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalms 14:1). It is a foolish man, indeed, who doubts the power of God and refuses His help in a time of need. The knowledge I have of God, His nature and His plan are essential when the storms of life are raging.

The Nature of God is Love

 When the storms of life, rage, it’s easy to ask, “Where is God? How could He let this happen?” God, by His very nature, will never abandon us. Elder Henry B. Eyring, the first counselor in the First Presidency—with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ—answers this question:

That aching for an answer to “How could this happen?” becomes even more painful when those struggling include those we love. And it is especially hard for us to accept when those afflicted seem to us to be blameless. Then the distress can shake faith in the reality of a loving and all-powerful God. …

My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. [1]  

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the second counselor in the First Presidency and an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, explains the depth of Their love:

Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.… Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. …He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. [2]  

When adversity seems to pile up around us—and around those we love—it is comforting to know that God is our Father in Heaven, and He loves us. He will always be there for us. In times of distress, we can turn to Him in prayer. We find answers to those prayers as we study the scriptures and serve others, becoming in tune with His Spirit.

Heavenly Father Has a Plan for Us

The other comforting thought in times of trial is that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. As the Father of our spirits, God did not send us to earth by accident. Heavenly Father created a plan that is large enough in scope for the entire human family and yet personally designed for each individual. Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

From the limited perspective of those who do not have knowledge, understanding, or faith in the Father’s plan—who look at the world only through the lens of mortality with its wars, violence, disease, and evil—this life can seem depressing, chaotic, unfair, and meaningless. Church leaders have compared this perspective with someone walking into the middle of a three-act play. Those without knowledge of the Father’s plan do not understand what happened in the first act, or the premortal existence, and the purposes established there; nor do they understand the clarification and resolution that come in the third act, which is the glorious fulfillment of the Father’s plan. [3]  

In the first act, we lived in a pre-mortal realm as spirit children of our Father. He outlined His plan for us, explaining His part and our part. In the second act, He would send us to earth to gain mortal bodies—with all of the joys and sorrows and everything in between—as a test to see if we would obey His commandments in all things, no matter what. He knew we would commit sin, and no unclean thing can dwell in His presence (1 Nephi 10:21 in the Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ and a companion scripture to the Bible). So He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to set the example for us to follow and to perform the Atonement, whereby we can be forgiven of our sins after we repent. The third act is the resolution of all things. If we have passed the test of mortality and proven ourselves faithful to God in all things, we can live with Him again.

But included in our Heavenly Father’s plan for us were trials and tribulations to test us, purify us and teach us the things that God wants us to learn. Elder Cook said:

There are many kinds of challenges. Some give us necessary experiences. Adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our Father in Heaven’s overall plan. The refiner’s fire is real, and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God. [3]

In the midst of trials and hard times, it is helpful to understand that there is purpose in all things. Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, custom tailored to our personality and needs. That plan includes heartache and suffering as well as joy and gladness.

Several years ago, I hiked to a beautiful spot called Goose Creek Falls with the teenage girls in our ward (or congregation). As I was sitting there, looking at the beautiful scenery, I saw a large tree growing out of the rock at the side of the cliff. Not growing through a couple of boulders, but out of the bedrock. I was amazed at the resilience of the tree, and it brought to my mind some lines from a poem called “Good Timber,” by Douglas Malloch:

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out on the open plain

And always got its share of rain

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing. [4]

The beauty of the tree was not just in its leaves and certainly not in its gnarled trunk, but in its sheer determination to fight through the bedrock of the cliff and grow into a forest king. That is the purpose of trials in our lives. They are refining fires that build our character and solidify our faith in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, if we allow them to do so.

What Mormons know about God is this: He is real, He loves us and He has a plan for us. When we are in the midst of sore trials, and we can see Satan’s hand upon us, we just need to look up. Up to our Father in Heaven. He will always be there, and He will never leave us comfortless. He loves us with a perfect, pure love. His plan for us is perfect and pure. As we have faith in that knowledge, we can withstand the storms of life.

Cub Scouts—A Time for Preparation

In The Church of Jesus Christ, boys enter the Scouting program as Cubs at 8—the age at which they become accountable to God for their actions and are baptized. Cub Scouts is a time of preparation, a time to prepare to enter the Boy Scouts and to receive the priesthood (if they are worthy), both of which will happen when boys turn 12. Cub Scouts memorize the Scout Oath and Scout Law. They also learn why and how to follow the guidelines. In The Church of Jesus Christ, “Primary” is the program for children ages 3 to 11. Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, said:

Primary is a time for preparation — and the time of preparation is as critical as the time of performance. [1]

Thus, preparation for receiving the priesthood begins in Cub Scouts, where the boys are taught a higher code of ethical and moral conduct. Each boy learns the Scout Oath, which is:

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight. [2]

The Scout Law outlines the desired characteristics of participants: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. [2] Each trait is vital for one to honor the oath and covenant he will make when he receives the priesthood of God. But the preparation does not end with teaching values. In a world of ever-increasing permissiveness, Sister Wixom said even Cub Scouts need the frank discussions once reserved for older boys. She said the average age a boy is first exposed to pornography is 9. [1] The Cub Scout program helps to warn both parents and children of the potential dangers. I still remember my surprise when I opened my then-8-year-old son’s Cub Scout book and discovered that we had to discuss sexual predators and Internet pornography. But I realized that safety comes in knowledge; danger lurks in ignorance. From the beginning of the program, boys are taught how to make correct decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. As they advance through the Cub Scout program, they are well-prepared for the greater responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead. The values taught in Scouting reinforce those taught in the home and at Church.

Boy Scouts—Leadership in Action

The Cub Scout program in The Church of Jesus Christ teaches boys the leadership skills necessary to progress not only in Scouts, but also in the priesthood. But the training doesn’t end in Cub Scouts. Boys Scouts is leadership in action—especially for the young men of The Church of Jesus Christ who are holders of the Aaronic—or preparatory—priesthood. From the time young men enter the Boy Scouts, they have six short years to prepare for full-time missionary service and the responsibilities of the higher, or Melchizedek, priesthood. Speaking of Scouting and the Young Men program in the Church, Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), said:

Some of the great blessings of these programs that have been developed are that as the youth of the Church, you will have a clear understanding of who you are, you will be accountable for your actions, you will take responsibility for the conduct of your life, and you will be able to set goals so that you might achieve what you were sent to earth to achieve. Our plea is that you strive to do your very best. [3]

hat is the first line of the Scout oath: Do your best. And as you do your best, the Lord will help you. Elder Hales continued:

During the preparatory period of your lives it is so important that you cultivate spiritual growth, physical growth, education, personal development, career preparation, citizenship, and social skills. These qualities are all part of your priesthood duties and will help in the decisions that lie ahead for the next decades of your life.  [3]

All of these are part of the Scouting program.

Duty to God—The Tie That Binds Mormons and Scouts

The strong ethical and moral values taught in the Boy Scout program are an excellent companion to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ has been loyal to the Scouting program because Scout leaders have stayed true to their ethical and moral roots. Bishop Gary E. Stevenson, the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ, said:

Boy Scouts of today face issues not faced by generations before them:  declining morals, technology, addictive behavior and declining academic performance to name a few. I believe that the key to solving these issues lies in family and duty to God. If boys truly understood what their duty to God entails and lived it, they would grow safely into manhood.

…It is this common belief in duty to God that has forged the iron-strong connection with Boy Scouts of America we (i.e. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have shared over the last 100 years. One hundred years of evidence has shown that this impact-proof, non-rusting core principle works better than whatever has been, historically, the next-best idea. Duty to God is where the power lies. Duty to God is what changes lives. [4]

Teaching young men their Duty to God is the focus of the Boy Scouts of America. And that is the focus of The Church of Jesus Christ. Neither organization has an agenda, concerning youth, other than teaching the next generation how to be the best they can be. Both organizations’ strong commitment to their core values—which have stood for a hundred years—allows them to work together on their common goal.

Mormon men can serve missions at eighteen if they have finished high school. Mormon women can begin service at age nineteen. The men serve for two years and the women for eighteen months.

Mormon Missionaries Volunteer

The missionaries serve as volunteers, which means they are not paid for their service. They pay their own way, although Church members often make donations to assist missionaries who cannot afford to serve. It is not mandatory (and the current Mormon prophet, Thomas S. Monson, joined the military instead of serving a mission as a young adult), but it is considered a responsibility for the young men. It is a part of their priesthood duty. Worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood, which is the power and authority of God to use under His direction on the earth.

Although women are not under the same priesthood responsibility as men to serve a mission, they are welcome to serve and it has long been acknowledged that they are often welcomed into some homes and situations where men are not. When the age of service was recently lowered for them, the numbers of young women serving skyrocketed.

Why are Mormon young adults so willing to take a few years away from school, work, and dating to serve missions? This has long baffled people who are not Latter-day Saints, particularly when they hear of the strict rules Mormon missionaries must follow. For the course of their missions, Mormon missionaries do not date, watch secular television or movies, listen to secular music, or engage in most other typical young adult activities. Six days a week they focus on serving the Lord, and on the seventh, they do chores and engage in appropriate recreation, such as playing basketball.

And yet, the number of young people eager to serve is increasing. Although young Mormon people hear talk of missions from early childhood, there comes a time when they have to make a personal decision about their service. For many it is a difficult time, particularly if they are already well-known for sports or entertainment.

Why Do Mormons Serve Missions?

Most who decide to serve a Mormon mission explain that they realized they had the rest of their lives to date, play sports, perform, and go to school. This was a time they could give back to God for everything He has done for them.

Pop star David Archuleta chose to put his music career on hold for two years to serve a mission in Chile. Before leaving, he said, “I’m doing this to be able to have more of that one-on-one time with my Heavenly Father—with God. I hope that you guys will respect that it’s time for me to work on my relationship with him and the time that I need to give him.” (See Josh Furlong, David Archuleta begins 2-year missionary service, KSL.com.)

For many young people, this will be the last time in their lives when they will have little to think about but their religion. During this time, there is extensive dedicated time to study the scriptures and to learn more about what their faith believes. They have a great deal of time to pray, and during their workdays, they are largely teaching the gospel to other people or providing service. It is a time to escape the natural self-centeredness so many young adults experience as they focus only on themselves and their futures. During their missions, God, not their own wishes, is their focus.

They receive many leadership opportunities and exposure to the world. Most are sent to places very different from their own homes—wealthy young people to the inner-city, city teens to the country, for instance. Many go to foreign countries and see worlds they’d only read about in textbooks. For some, it is the first exposure to real poverty or a chance to look into the lives of others, as the people they teach often share their life experiences with the missionaries. They learn to live around the clock with another person because they are assigned a partner, or companion. These companions change regularly, from every few weeks to few months, and they must teach themselves to adapt to these changing personalities. It is magnificent preparation for marriage.

However, the primary reason most serve is that they love God and want to demonstrate their love for Him by giving Him a few dedicated years of their lives. Missions, then, are an act of love for God and for God’s children.

I was taught the gospel by missionaries when I was a teenager. I know first-hand how critical their service is. At a time when many teenagers are pulling away from their families or making dangerous lifestyle choices, the missionaries were gently teaching me to honor and respect my non-Mormon parents and to make moral choices that would protect me throughout my life. They were changing the world—one person at a time.

Learn more about Mormon missionaries by watching this unscripted television series showing the lives of several Mormon missionaries:

Immortality and Eternal Life

Immortality means to live forever as a resurrected being. Immortality is a beautiful gift that will be given to every single one of Heavenly Father’s children; everyone who lives on earth, or who has lived on earth, will receive immortality. Jesus Christ overcame physical death and was the first person ever resurrected. Through the Atonement, we all will be resurrected and have immortality.

Eternal life, sometimes called “exaltation” in scripture, means to not only be immortal, but to live in God’s presence and have families eternally. The kingdoms of heaven do not share equally in the glory of God.  Exalted people enjoy a fulness of His glory.  The Doctrine and Covenants states that eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Those who gain eternal life will live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever. They will also be with their families—children, spouses—forever. This amazing gift is also possible through Jesus Christ’s Atonement, but also requires us to obey the God’s laws and ordinances while on earth.

Receiving Eternal Life

Nephi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, explains what is required of us in order to receive eternal life. Nephi states that the first step is following the example of Jesus Christ to be baptized and receive “a remission of [our] sins.” Nephi teaches that after baptism, we have entered the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:17-18). However, after entering the path, we must continue to walk down it. We must “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” We must “press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end,” and then, “thus saith the father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).

In addition to being baptized, there are other covenants, or promises, we must make here on earth in order to receive eternal life. We must also make sacred covenants in holy temples, including the covenant of marriage. These covenants are very important; without them, we cannot receive eternal life. Our covenants are also eternal, meaning they can last forever, as can the marriage and family that are bound within the covenant.

Endure to the End

We can’t receive eternal life in an instant. Gaining a testimony isn’t enough; being baptized isn’t enough. As Nephi said, we must “endure to the end.” Qualifying for eternal life is done every day, with the good desires of our hearts, and the small acts of love, service, and obedience we give to our Father in Heaven and to His children. We can’t have a marathon of obedience, followed by an absolute disregard for His commandments, and expect to gain eternal life. We must continually strive to follow the counsel of Nephi to feast on the word of God, or the scriptures, and to love God and all people.

Eternal life is the gift we all are striving for. It’s the reason we are here on earth—to gain a body, be tested, and eventually return to God’s presence, which is eternal life. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called the Mormon Church, we strive each day to qualify for eternal life. We make sacred covenants with God, at baptism and in the holy temple to help us reach our goal of eternal life. We proclaim the gospel to the world in order to bring others to eternal life.  We mostly strive to become more like God and to do His will.  In so doing, we become better and kinder.  At the judgment seat of God, it will be more important who we’ve become and not what we’ve done.

Sometimes it can seem daunting to endure to the end. The word “endure” makes it sound really hard. But that’s the way life is supposed to be—if it weren’t, our faith and testimonies would never grow. We have many tools and guides to help us endure to the end and gain eternal life, including scriptures, prayer, living prophets, and the temple. Heavenly Father loves us all, and wants us to have eternal life.

These young men are representatives of the Mormon Priesthood along with missionaries and church leaders. From their youth, they are taught gospel principles that are necessary for their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. They are given responsibilities and are trained to become effective missionaries, fathers, and church leaders.

So, what is Priesthood and why is it important?

Priesthood is the power and authority of God. It is the power by which He created, governs, directs, and sustains all things. God delegates a portion of this authority to man to enable him to act on His behalf and to accomplish His work on earth.

Joseph Smith taught that Priesthood is an everlasting principle which existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. (See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2011), 101–13.) The Priesthood is also the authority which Jesus Christ held during His mortal ministry. By the power of the priesthood, He multiplied bread and fish, healed the sick, cleansed the leper, raised the dead, and did many other great and marvelous works. By the same authority, He chose and ordained apostles with a promise that whatsoever they should bind on earth should be bound in heaven; and whatsoever they should loose on earth should be loosed in heaven. (See Matthew 16:19).

Priesthood is the channel by which revelations flow. A person who holds the priesthood is entitled to receive revelations for the benefit of himself and others. By the authority of the priesthood and ordinances of the gospel, the power of Godliness is manifest. Where there is no priesthood, there are no continuous revelations and visions. And without these things, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ

There are two orders of Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ, namely the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. Aaronic, also known as the lesser or preparatory Priesthood is usually given to young men ages 12 to 17 years old and newly baptized adult male members of the Church to prepare them to receive the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood. The Aaronic Priesthood was named after Aaron, who was given by the Lord to Moses to serve as his spokesman.

The Aaronic Priesthood is divided into three offices or “quorums”: Deacon, Teacher, and Priest. At the age of 12, male members of the Church are interviewed by the Bishop (rough equivalent of Catholic priests) and if found worthy, they are conferred with the Aaronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of the Deacon. Members of this quorum have the privilege to participate in sacred ordinances such as passing the sacrament emblems (bread and water) to the congregation to prepare them for ordination to higher offices. When they reach the age of 14, they go through the same interview and are ordained to the office of the Teacher where they are responsible for preparing the sacrament. Teachers may also pass the sacrament in the absence of Deacons.

Priests are ordained when they reach the age of 16. Members of the Priest’s Quorum participate in the sacrament by blessing the bread and water. They may also prepare and pass the sacrament in the absence of teachers and deacons. Under the direction of the bishop, priests can perform the ordinance of baptism, confer the Aaronic Priesthood and ordain teachers, deacons, and other priests to their respective offices. (See Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood: Basic Manual for Priesthood Holders, Part B.)

The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys to the revelations of God and is the presiding authority in The Church of Jesus Christ. This higher priesthood was named after Melchizedek, King of Salem, and the great High Priest unto whom Abraham paid tithes and from whom he received his ordination in the priesthood. The scriptures say that Jesus Christ was a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (See Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 6:20; 5:6-10).

At the age of 18, male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are ordained “Elders”, the lowest office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elders can perform all functions of the Aaronic Priesthood offices and participate in higher ordinances such as conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost, endowment, and temple marriage. Priesthood holders who are called to key leadership positions – such as Bishops, who preside over a congregation or ward, and Stake Presidents, who oversee several wards – are ordained “High Priests”, a higher office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Other offices in the Melchizedek priesthood are Patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle.

The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood

We believe that man must be called of God by prophecy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof (Articles of Faith 1:5).

Just like in ancient times, priesthood authority is conferred by the laying on of hands by authorized representatives of the Lord. In addition, Joseph Smith taught that those who receive the priesthood receive it by the “oath and covenant” of the Father, and that if any man shall break this covenant, he shall not receive forgiveness in this world and in the world to come.  On the other hand, those who adhere faithfully to these covenants will inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of God and receive all that the Father hath. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44.)

What is the basis for Latter-Day Saints’ claim on Priesthood?

Priesthood authority in The Church of Jesus Christ can be traced back in an unbroken line to the Savior Himself. When the Lord’s original apostles were killed, priesthood authority was taken from the earth because of gross wickedness among the people. For many centuries, there was no one on earth who had the authority to act in God’s name and receive revelations for mankind. As a result, people lived in spiritual darkness and great confusion.

Because God loved all of His children, He did not leave them to perish in the dark. In May 1829, the Aaronic priesthood was restored and conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by the resurrected John the Baptist. Shortly thereafter, Peter, James, and John also appeared and conferred upon them the Melchizedek priesthood. Today, priesthood authority is being held by hundreds of thousands of faithful Latter-day Saints around the world – a fulfillment of the Lord’s promise that it will never be taken away from the earth again. (See Doctrine and Covenants 13).

Mormon is a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People sometimes inadvertently refer to this faith as the Mormon Church, but Mormons teach that a church belongs to the person for whom it is named, and so they never use the term “Mormon Church.” The long name is a mouthful, but it clarifies whose church it is. When shortening it, they call it The Church of Jesus Christ.

Mormons believe wholeheartedly in the atonement of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon teaches that grace and salvation come only through Jesus Christ and that had He not been willing to atone for our sins and to die on our behalf, we would have had no eternal future.

What Does the Bible Say About Grace and Works?

The Bible speaks of grace, atonement, salvation, and exaltation in many seemingly contradictory terms. To fully understand what the New Testament really says about the subject, we have to look at all the scriptures involved, not just the one or two that reinforce the way we want it to work. So, while the Bible says we are saved by grace and not by works, in other places it says that a person who does not keep the commandments will not get into Heaven.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, KJV of the Bible)

Titus 3:3-7 says we are not justified by works, but James 2:17-26 says that we are. How can both those ideas be true at once?

One way to understand this complication is to look at a few basic facts most Christians would agree on and then to see how they fit into a larger picture. Most Christians, for instance, agree that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and that this is something we could not do for ourselves. Most also agree that a wicked person can’t go to Heaven and that good Christians should act like good Christians, although they may disagree about what type of behavior constitutes good Christianity.

What Do I Have to Do to Be a Christian?

Most Christian religions state that we are saved entirely by grace and nothing else. However, most also require a person to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior in order to be saved—and this, of course, is an act. Most also require baptism, again an act. The question is really, then, not whether acts are required, but how many and what they are.

It is clear from the Bible that how we live our lives matters. Mormons believe that the atonement was performed for everyone, even those who are evil or who reject it, and that it was a free gift. Some portions are unconditional—everyone gets them, whether or not they believe in Christ, or whether or not they want them. For example, we all rise from the dead and live forever, and we all have the ability to repent of our sins. That is the result of grace.

However, other aspects of the atonement, while present and available, have to be activated. For example, the ability to repent is of no value unless we actually do repent. Repenting activates additional aspects of the atonement.

Mormons believe that being saved is a lifetime effort. We don’t believe that once we accept Jesus as our Savior that our responsibility to Him comes to an end and we can go on with our lives with no spiritual responsibilities. Jesus made that clear when He told us that if we love Him we must keep the commandments. Accepting Jesus as our Savior is only the first step, not the last. It is then that we can really begin to fulfill our mission on earth.

While grace at its most basic level allows all of us to live forever, the full measure of the atonement allows us to live in God’s presence forever, and for most of us, that is a greater goal. Not everyone will receive exaltation in God’s kingdom. For that, we have to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and then we have to act like Christians. This does not mean we put on a meaningless show as did the Pharisees, who felt that exact obedience to very detailed laws would save them and nothing else was required. (See Matthew 6:5). Jesus made it clear that this was not enough. He criticized those who fasted and prayed, but who did so only when people were looking and only by making a big show of the process. That would be the definition of being saved by your works and that is not what Mormons are taught to do. Rather, they follow what the Bible and the Book of Mormon says on the subject. Here is what the Book of Mormon teaches on this subject:

For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.

For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.

And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.

Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. (Moroni 7:5-10 in the Book of Mormon.)

In other words, obedience to the commandments isn’t something a Mormon does to “earn points.” The commandments aren’t kept lightly or out of a need to “earn” heaven. Rather, they are kept because we love Jesus Christ and we made a promise to Him that we would keep His commandments and honor His name. It would be extraordinarily disrespectful to say, “Sure, I’ll accept you as my Savior, but I’m not going to change my life for you, no matter how great your sacrifices were. I’m not really interested in making any sacrifices of my own.” Mormons consider the willingness to sacrifice worldly things for Jesus Christ to be a measure of our love for Him and a way of thanking Him for what He has done for us. In addition, we promised to do so and our behavior is a measure of just how much we meant our promises and how much commitment we’ve really made to Him.

When we study the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, we note He spent more time on how to live than on actual doctrine. Clearly, how we live our lives matters or Jesus wouldn’t have spent so much time telling us how to do it. Nor would the Bible in general be so filled with commandments. Actions matter.

When we get to Heaven, we will be ourselves. Everything we’ve chosen to become in our hearts and minds will still be there. In Heaven, in God’s presence, we will be happier than we’ve ever been before. Part of that happiness will come from being with God again. Part of it will come from not being with those who choose not to live by God’s standards. Another part will come from having become the person God wanted us to be. No unclean thing can dwell in God’s kingdom and so we need to work on cleansing ourselves so we are worthy to be in His presence. We can’t get there without Jesus’ atonement, but we do need to get ourselves ready for eternity, just as we prepare for anything else that really matters. You have probably worked very hard to prepare yourself for important events or to make yourself worthy and ready for important goals on earth—isn’t getting back home to God even more important than getting into college or achieving the leading role in a play? Why would we refuse to put time and effort into achieving Heaven?

Mormons aren’t earning their way into Heaven. They are merely putting God first and are demonstrating their happiness at being able to put the world aside as much as possible to focus on things of eternal value.

Additional Resource:

Read more on whether we are saved by grace or works at LDS.org.

Hell Is Part of the Plan of Salvation

The Plan of Salvation is God’s divine plan to enable the happiness of His children. It began in what Mormons call the premortal existence, the time before we were born to earth in our physical bodies. The key components to the Plan of Salvation are first, our own ability to choose right or wrong (called “agency”), and two, the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

Throughout our mortal lives we are expected to make moral choices and to make those choices in line with what we understand of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we don’t know what the gospel of Jesus Christ is, or if we never hear it in this life, our actions here will be judged according to what to know and we will all have the opportunity to learn the gospel at some point, even if it’s in the afterlife.

What Happens after We Die

According to the Plan of Salvation, after we die our spirits will enter either spirit paradise or spirit prison. Spirit paradise will be a place of peace and rest, including rest from temptation. Spirit prison, however, is a place where spirits will be able to feel the full weight of their sins and will be able to be tempted. Spirit prison is a place for those who either haven’t learned or accepted the gospel of Christ. This is also a place of learning. Spirit prison is the place where spirits will be taught the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they will have the choice to accept it or not. If they choose to reject it –because spirits here can still be tempted by Satan—then they will have to suffer for their own sins (because they rejected Jesus Christ, who could have saved them from the full pain of their own sins). Mormons refer to this state as hell.

For those who reject the Savior’s redemptive power, hell will be a very painful place. Once they have paid for their sins, however, they will be free to enter the lowest kingdom of heaven, because they will be clean.  In this definition, hell is surely a painful and agonizing place, but also a temporary one.  Note that hell is often described as “endless torment.”  The Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of modern revelations, explains this:

Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand. Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless  torment.

Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory.   Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.

I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.   For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—

Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.   Endless punishment is God’s punishment (Doctrine and Covenants 19:5 – 12).

We should note that Jesus Christ is still the one who makes their redemption possible, but that through their own choices, the spirits in this state do not choose to change.

Outer Darkness

There is one more component to the Plan of Salvation. After spirit paradise or prison, our spirits will be reunited with our bodies in the resurrection, which will happen after Christ’s Second Coming to the earth. After the resurrection comes judgment day, and after judgment we will enter heaven. (And remember, those who reject Jesus Christ will still be able to enter the lowest tier of heaven after they have paid for their sins. However, their resurrection will be delayed until after the millennial reign of Christ.)

Mormon doctrine teaches of a place called outer darkness. It is the place that is a state of eternal hell. This is the place for those who have had a sure witness and perfect understanding of Jesus Christ and who have chosen to reject it. A sure witness is more than belief or strong faith; it necessitates an actual visit from the Lord, so that the person has sure knowledge that transcends faith.  Those who fall to this fate, by their own choices, are not redeemed by the power of the atonement. In the Doctrine and Covenants  we read that these spirits will have “no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame” (76:34–35). This is a place of everlasting hell, but it is also one most of God’s children will escape. Most of us will end up in some kingdom of heaven.  This is why the prophet Nephi of the Book of Mormon said that “Salvation is free” (2 Nephi 2:4).

God Is Merciful

Remember that God is merciful, that He wants us to be happy and clean. He does everything in His power to save and purify our souls. He blessed us with the ability to make choices, and He has not only given us the tools and knowledge that we need to make good choices, but He also gave us the atonement of Jesus Christ so that we may repent from the bad choices we make.

We need not fear hell if our hearts are intent and humble. Whether we have a testimony of Jesus Christ at this moment or we don’t, we can rest assured that if our intent and seeking is sincere that we will be led to truth. We will not be held accountable for what we do not know, and once we do know truth, we will find strength and empowerment through Jesus Christ to do that which is right. Yes, hell is real, but so is Jesus Christ and His saving power. With the Lord Jesus Christ as our champion, we need not fear death or sin, but can rather rejoice in His freely-offered redemption.

Latter-day Saints Believe Everyone Is Saved

Unlike my friend’s understanding of “being saved,” Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ saves everyone from sin, not just those who say they accept Him. That isn’t to say, however, that everyone is automatically redeemed. The grace of Jesus Christ—one aspect of which Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) commonly call the Atonement—isn’t something that you earn, but rather it’s something that you’re given. And, like a gift, we have the choice to accept it or not.

When Jesus suffered for our sins in Gethsemane and died on the cross at Calvary, He suffered for everyone, not just those who He thought might need it or accept it. His Atonement is a blanket one. Our entering mortality came with the condition that we would be saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died for us so that we might be made clean and perfect, so that we could live with Heavenly Father again. Latter-day Saints believe that everyone is saved because Jesus Christ overcame death and sin; that triumph alone is enough to qualify everyone for redemption. Even those who never accept Jesus Christ’s sacrifice will be saved from a fate in hell.

We Must Choose Jesus Christ

The Atonement of Jesus Christ doesn’t automatically make everyone clean, however. Rather, it makes it possible to become clean. In Psalms we learn about the conditions for dwelling with God: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart” (24:3–4). No one can be perfectly clean through their sole efforts; anyone who lives with God must be made clean through the grace of Jesus Christ.

The key to being saved is our own moral agency. (Moral agency is a term Latter-day Saints use to describe our ability, freedom, and responsibility to choose between right and wrong. Our moral agency is a gift from God and gives us the power to become as He is.) When the Savior completed the Atonement, He established a condition whereby we may be cleansed. He made it possible. But because He won’t force us to keep His commandments and live by His example, He cannot guarantee that we will be saved unless we choose to accept His gift of grace.

In the Book of Mormon (a book of scripture unique to Latter-day Saints and a companion book to the Bible) we learn a key characteristic of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ: “he [Christ] cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins” (Alma 11:37, emphasis added). The key to this scripture is that Christ cannot save us in our sins; He can only save us from them. If He redeemed us in our sins, then we wouldn’t be required to change, and we wouldn’t really be made clean. He saves us from our sins, so that we can repent, change, and be cleansed.

Faith and Works

When my friend and I were discussing this, she got hung up on the battle of faith versus works. In James we read that “faith without works is dead” (2:26). But we also know that we cannot become perfect and clean through our own efforts. So how do faith and works fit together? What James means is that our faith in Jesus Christ is powerless unless we act on it. We must use our faith to propel us into making choices that guide us closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

When it comes to grace and being saved, our works are crucial, not because we “earn” salvation but because we surrender ourselves to God’s will. We cannot say that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior without changing the way we live. So when my friend said that her relative had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, he was clearly indicating that he had faith in the Lord. But unless he changed his life to fit more in line with the teachings of Christ, then his faith didn’t do much.

We Are Saved by Grace

I need to emphasize that Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) do not believe that our works will get us a ticket into heaven. The pathway to salvation isn’t divided up into one part works and two parts grace. The atonement of Jesus Christ is the whole pathway. Our works come into play because they are what gets us onto the road of grace, and our works keep us there. Being saved isn’t a passive act; it is an involved and active way of living. Being saved is a way of life that invites the Savior into your heart, mind, and actions so that He can make you clean. He can’t wash away our sins if we insist on holding on to them.

Latter-day Saints say that everyone can be saved, because that pathway to salvation is available to everyone. No one is exempt from being able to choose to follow the Savior, and because of His sacrifice, all can make it down the road He has prepared for us.