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.

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.

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.

The scriptures teach us that “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:17). In other words, pure religion is charity. Religion isn’t just a belief in a higher, divine power but also the expression of that belief. Spirituality, according to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, is “spiritual character, quality, or nature” and “religious devotion.” Romans 8:6 says, “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Our spiritual character is a function of how we practice our religion, or our belief in God.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church, I have been taught the value of serving others. Pure religion isn’t a belief, it is action based on belief. In an April 1998 address titled “Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart,” President James E. Faust, then second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ, quoted a story from a newspaper that illustrates this:

A group of religion instructors [were] taking a summer course on the life of the Savior and focusing particularly on the parables. When the final exam time came, … the students arrived at the classroom to find a note that the exam would be given in another building across campus. Moreover, the note said, it must be finished within the two-hour time period that was starting almost at that moment. The students hurried across campus. On the way they passed a little girl crying over a flat tire on her new bike. An old man hobbled painfully toward the library with a cane in one hand, spilling books from a stack he was trying to manage with the other. On a bench by the union building sat a shabbily dressed, bearded man [in obvious distress].

“Rushing into the other classroom, the students were met by the professor, who announced they had all flunked the final exam. The only true test of whether they understood the Savior’s life and teaching, he said, was how they treated people in need. Their weeks of study at the feet of a capable professor had taught them a great deal of what Christ had said and done” (“Viewpoint: Too Hurried to Serve?” [LDS] Church News, 1 Oct. 1988, 16).

President Faust continued:

In their haste to finish the technicalities of the course, … they failed to recognize the application represented by the three scenes that had been deliberately staged. They learned the letter but not the spirit [of the law]. Their neglect of the little girl and the two men showed that the profound message of the course had not entered into their inward parts.”

I can relate to the religion students who were so focused on finishing their test on time that they missed—or figured someone else would help— those in need around them. It probably would not have taken that long to stop and help either the little girl or the men. How often do I get so caught up in what I’m doing that I miss opportunities for little acts of service all around me?

Service makes us spiritual

Several years ago, I was in a store parking lot and a man came up to my car and asked for money, saying he had run out of gas. My first thought was, “Yeah, right.” So I told him no. But immediately the thought came to me that I should help him. I tried to go back and help him, but he was long gone. I have always felt bad about that. I had some cash in my wallet, but I didn’t listen to the prompting from the Holy Spirit to help. I did not practice pure religion, and spiritually I suffered, because I knew I should have helped.

A few weeks ago, I drove to the gas station about 11 at night. As I was filling up, a woman approached me and asked where a certain hotel was. I live in a small town, but there are several hotels, and I wasn’t sure where this particular hotel was. So I looked it up and told her the address. I asked if she wanted a ride because it was cold outside and she wasn’t wearing a coat. She declined. I finished pumping my gas and then left. As I drove down the street, I saw her walking, and she looked cold. I called my husband and asked where the hotel was. He told me, and it was a lot further than I thought. So I turned around and stopped and asked the woman again if she wanted a ride. I told her the hotel was further down the road than I had thought, and I was headed that direction. This time, she accepted the invitation. We chatted during the few-minute drive, and then I dropped her off at the hotel. I don’t know why she was out alone so late at night with no coat, but I felt good knowing that this time, I didn’t ignore the prompting to help. That is the essence of pure religion—helping people when they need it, not when it’s convenient for us.

President Faust said:

“We must at times search our own souls and discover what we really are. Our real character, much as we would wish, cannot be hidden. It shines from within us transparently. Attempts to deceive others only deceive ourselves. We are often like the emperor in the fairy tale who thought he was arrayed in beautiful garments when he was in fact unclothed.”

I love the title of President Faust’s address: Search me, O God, and know my heart. For those who are true followers of Christ, who want to practice pure religion with the right spirit, that is the litmus test. Honest, true seekers of Jesus Christ will want the sweet assurance that God has seen their hearts and knows their intents are sincere.

Heaven Is Part of the Plan of Salvation

Mormons see heaven as part of a great and eternal plan for our own happiness. Heaven is the goal for our lives and choices. Heaven is where we can live with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ again. It is a place where our souls are perfected and where our families dwell with us. Mormons believe it to be an unimaginably beautiful and glorious place.

To understand heaven the way Mormons do, we must understand the Plan of Salvation. God’s plan for our happiness began before we came to earth. In our pre-mortal existence we lived with God as His spirit children, and we fought Satan for our right to make choices on earth. We came to earth to gain a body, live with a family, and make ourselves more like our Savior. Our choices here matter greatly, and even though we make mistakes, the grace of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to repent, change, and start over. Our mortal life is all about choosing, repenting, changing, and choosing again. The more knowledge of gospel truth we have in this life, the greater our responsibility is to act accordingly.

Spirit Paradise and Spirit Prison

Once we die and our spirits separate from our bodies, we go to one of two places (and no, they’re not heaven or a dead-end in hell!): If we had a knowledge of the true gospel and lived to it the best we could, we go to what Mormons call spirit paradise. If we either didn’t know about the truth or did but didn’t live what we know, we go to what Mormons call spirit prison. Spirit prison is not as scary as it sounds. It’s merely a place to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ. Spirit prison is for learning and spirit paradise is for teaching. Spirit prison may be a hard place to be for some, especially for those who have heard and rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. This place has been referred to as hell in Mormon scripture. Once these spirits, however, have suffered for their sins, they will be released and allowed into a tier of heaven. Spirit paradise is a peaceful place, where we can rest from our cares and be assured of the reality of Jesus Christ.  There, we can also enjoy the company of loved ones who have already passed from mortality.

The Resurrection and Judgment

Eventually Jesus Christ will come again to the earth, and He will come in all of His glory. This will be an exciting time for His righteous children. Christ’s Second Coming means that we will all be resurrected, or reunited with our perfected and immortal bodies. After the resurrection, we will be judged by God the Father with Christ as our mediator. This judgment will be a merciful and honest one. After the judgment day we will be accepted into a tier of heaven.

The Three Kingdoms of Heaven

What we can traditionally call heaven is a collection of three different kingdoms, or tiers. The highest kingdom is called the celestial kingdom. This is the place for the righteous, for those who accepted Christ’s atonement and allowed it to change and perfect them. Here we can be with our families forever and all dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ eternally.

The second kingdom is called the terrestrial kingdom. This is the place for those who were good people and made good choices, but who didn’t accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. The third kingdom, the telestial kingdom, is for those who didn’t accept any part of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who deny the witness of the Holy Ghost. Despite these differences within the tiers of heaven, all kingdoms will be more glorious than we can imagine. We should also note that depending on the state of our character, on who we have ultimately become, we will go wherever we are most comfortable. Those who refuse to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ would never feel at ease living in His constant presence, like those in the celestial kingdom would. Remember that God is merciful and He does that only which is best for us.

You Can Prepare Now for Heaven

The beautiful truth of the doctrine of heaven is that where we end up eternally is based on a glorious combination of our choices and Christ’s grace. Jesus Christ will make up for our shortcomings if we allow it. Our destiny is in our hands. Even the highest degree of heaven is possible to attain  through Jesus Christ. To learn more about the heaven and the Plan of Salvation go here and here.  To read the account of a vision of the kingdoms of heaven, go here.

So, what is a father? The dictionary defines the word “father” as “a man in relation to his natural child or children.” The word is derived from the Latin word “pater.” The actual word “pater” is used in English when referring to a person’s legal father. Another derivative of the Latin root “pater” is “paternal.” Therefore, when referring to a person’s “paternal” kindred, the reference is being made to those persons of whom his legal father (pater) is a direct offspring.

Fatherhood – A Wonderful, Eternal Principle

In a June 2002 message to fathers, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest presiding group within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church by the media and others) exhorted.” The Lord’s plan of salvation requires that you pass through trials in this mortal life. Those trials seem to be greatest when you reach fatherhood, but be assured—fatherhood, in a sense, is an apprenticeship to godhood” (Father, Consider Your Ways, Ensign, June 2002, 12.)

Latter-day Saint fathers have been taught from their youth by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ, as well as, through the lessons that they are continuously taught in their priesthood quorums, that they have a solemn sacred duty and responsibility, and an extremely important role to play as the patriarch of their homes. Ezra Taft Benson, the 13^th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ reminded fathers:

The sacred title of ‘father’ is shared with the Almighty. In the Church men are called and released. Did you ever hear of a mortal father being released?

“…Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters” (Great Things Required of Their Fathers, Ensign, May 1981, 36)

In another address to fathers titled To the Fathers in Israel, President Benson further taught,

Fathers, yours is an eternal calling from which you are never released. Callings in the Church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place. But a father’s calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity” (To the Fathers in Israel, Ensign, Nov 1987, 48.)

And so, Latter-day Saint fathers are taught that being a father is not just a moral obligation that lasts until the end of mortality, but rather, they will continue to be fathers throughout eternity.

Mormon Fathers are “Normal” Fathers

The question may arise, “Are Mormon fathers different from “normal” fathers?” The short and long of that answer is that Mormon fathers are normal fathers.

A Mormon father loves his wife and children and does everything within his capability to ensure the well-being of his family. He goes to work every day and earns a paycheck that he uses to provide for his family’s temporal needs. He works in such vocations as construction worker, electrician, plumber, musician, actor, banker, lawyer, school teacher, and grocery store clerk, to name but a few. There are Mormon fathers who work on Wall Street and in prestigious offices in Washington, D.C., and there are those who work in small towns, inner cities, and suburbs. Nothing any different than a “normal” father does on a daily routine basis.

At the end of his day, a Mormon father is tired and sweaty and looks forward to going home to be with his family. His day does not end when he reaches the threshold of his home. Once at home, he assumes his responsibilities as husband and father by perhaps helping his wife to finish preparing dinner, or taking care of the children until dinner is ready. He helps with homework, bath time, makes sure that teeth are brushed, helps get pajamas on, reads bedtime stories, and presides over the family evening prayer.

Mormon Fathers strive to be Righteous Examples

In addition, a Mormon father is the priesthood leader of his home – the patriarch of his family. As such, he is the spiritual leader of the home, and realizes that he has an awesome responsibility, with the help of his companion, to ensure that the feet of his progeny are firmly grounded on gospel principles.

As the priesthood leader of the home, he may also be called upon at various times to administer priesthood blessings to his family. A Mormon father realizes that his is a sacred
responsibility – in which he has been given a charge, a stewardship from Heavenly Father – and that the proper way to execute that charge, to guard and protect that stewardship, is through righteous example. His ultimate goal is not so much to leave his progeny with material things when he departs his earthly life, but rather, a spiritual legacy that they will be able to continue to build upon as they build and strengthen their own testimonies of gospel truths, and strive for exaltation.

Kim Crenshaw Sorensen, a member of the Northridge Eighth Ward, Orem Utah Northridge Stake in a February 1995 article in the Ensign magazine titled A Latter-day Father’s Guidebook compared fathers in the Book of Mormon (which Latter-day Saints testify is Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a volume of scripture comparable to the Holy Bible) to the fathers of today:

We live in a day when many fathers are working at a fevered pace to build material legacies of homes, boats, and bank accounts for their children. Exemplary Book of Mormon fathers, on the other hand, show us the importance of leaving legacies that cannot be cankered by rust.

What more could we hope for than to leave our children the spiritual tools, the self-control, and the faith to become witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ? Lehi and his sons Nephi and Jacob, Jacob and his son Enos, King Benjamin and his three sons, Mosiah and his four sons, Alma and his sons, Helaman and his sons Lehi and Nephi, and Mormon and his son Moroni all came to know the joys of discipleship and discipline.

The sons of righteous Book of Mormon fathers were grateful they had been taught in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Enos 1:1), which led them to Jesus Christ” (A Latter-day Father’s Guidebook, Ensign, Feb 1995, 15.)

A Humble Prayer for All Fathers

The remarks given by Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15^th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brings a fitting close to this treatise in the form of a humble prayer for all fathers. He once said,

God bless you, dear fathers. May He bless you with wisdom and judgment, with understanding, with self-discipline and self-control, with faith and kindness and love. And may He bless the sons and daughters who have come into your homes, that yours may be a fortifying, strengthening, guiding hand as they walk the treacherous path of life. As the years pass—and they will pass ever so quickly—may you know that “peace… which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) as you look upon your sons and daughters, who likewise have known that sacred and wonderful peace. Such is my humble prayer, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen (Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children, Ensign, Nov 2000, 50.)

Additional Resources:

The Fundamental Beliefs of Mormonism

The Importance of Marriage and Family to Mormons

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.”

From this verse, it would appear that we believe in the Trinity. However, Christ is not saying that He is Heavenly Father. Rather, because He is to perform the Atonement, He becomes our Father. This is because to be father is to give new life. Through that Atonement, Christ becomes our Father because it is only through Him that we can have eternal life. We are also spiritually begotten of Him through repentance, which is also called a rebirth.

The second thing that has helped me feel closer to Heavenly Father is from Ether 6:5. This is after the Jaredites have entered their boats and are ready to travel to the promised land. It says, “It came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters.” The question is why did the wind need to be furious? Couldn’t it have been a strong wind, or even a light breeze? The answer to this second question is no, because when the winds of life are furious, that is when we grow the most. If we were never to go through trials, we would never grow to become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When life is all smooth, and we don’t have any problems, how often do we forget our Lord? Note these words from the wonderful hymn “Come Thou Fount,” “Prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” When we are going through trials, we more readily accept Christ as our Savior, and our Redeemer, and not just as another good man who lived on the earth.

In Acts 27 we learn of Paul’s dangerous journey when he headed toward Rome. Verse twenty narrates their desperate situation: “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” There will be times in our lives when there is a huge trial or storm upon us and we might not have any hope of it clearing. Dark clouds will gather all around us, and we might think that it will never get better, but the storms in life usually pass.

As the travelers were on this journey to Rome and were caught in the storm, they could turn to a prophet (Paul) for guidance. As we are in the storms of our lives we need to turn to our present-day prophet, who receives revelation from our Heavenly Father for us. We should always listen and obey the prophet. He can give us guidance and hope in the future when those dark clouds gather round us (and even when the sun is shining)! I haven’t been at a point in my life where I have experienced a complete loss of hope. I am grateful that my trials have consisted only of gray clouds. I don’t necessarily see the sun, but I still receive light. I sincerely hope that when a trial of completely black clouds comes my way, I will have the strength, courage, and testimony to push away the black clouds surrounding me to give way to the sunlight, and the Son!

The scriptures are an amazing way to bring light into our lives and come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. They aren’t just black words on a white page. They are words for us! We need to read the stories and apply them in our lives. We should walk away from studying the scriptures saying, “This is my story!” I need to be more diligent in this kind of study. I will find the words the prophets have written for me. The Word of God is for you and for me, it is our story! Anyone can read the scriptures, but you have to search them and ponder them to make them your story!