Doctrine & Covenants/Church History
Lesson 19
The Plan of Salvation

Lesson Highlights

• The plan of salvation is "one of heaven's best gifts to mankind."
• Premortal life.
• Mortal life.
• Life after death.

A study of this lesson will help us understand the grand scope of the plan of salvation and to encourage us to live according to our knowledge of the plan.

Scripture references for study:  Review the Class Member Study Guide
    Note: Underlined scripture references have been hyperlinked to the LDS Scriptures at LDS.org and will open in a new window.

Lesson 19 Handout (PDF)

The Plan of Salvation

Joseph Smith:  "All men know that they must die. And it is important that we should understand the reasons and causes of our exposure to the vicissitudes of life and death, and the designs and purposes of God in our coming into the world, our sufferings here, and our departure hence. What is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away, to be here no more? It is but reasonable to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject." (TPJS, 324)

Throughout the ages men have wondered about life and their ultimate destiny. "The study of religion reveals that an important feature of it is a longing for value in life, a belief that life is not accidental and meaningless" (World Religions - From Ancient History to the Present, p10). This longing and desire have caused the creation of a multitude of religions in an attempt to answer this hunger for answers about the questions of life. The true answers can only be revealed by God himself. Any attempt by man to create or design answers only serves to lead men astray and away from truth.

• When young Joseph Smith entered the grove of trees on that spring day in 1820, he was seeking answers to some of these questions. Little did he know as he approached the grove that he would become the conduit for providing answers to the vital questions about meaning in life and mankind's ultimate destiny. How blessed we are to have modern revelation from God that gives us answers to these age old questions.

Joseph Smith:  "The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought to occupy our strict attention, and be regarded as one of heaven’s best gifts to mankind." (TPJS, p68)

• Indeed, the plan of salvation is "one of heaven's best gifts." If our lives were to end at death, if our being is forever snuffed out, then what purpose do we have for living? Several years ago, a friend and I made a trip to California from Utah. As we passed through the San Francisco area we were amazed at the amount of traffic. The freeways were filled to capacity going both directions. That was a novelty for two young men from Utah County in the early 70s. As we drove along with the traffic we looked around and wondered what purpose all these people were pursuing in life. Were they caught in a daily rite of survival, just going to work to earn a living? Or did they have a greater purpose? How grateful we felt to know that we have a purpose in life and that we had received teachings revealed from Heavenly Father providing guidance and meaning.

Let us consider in this lesson the latter-day revelations that have given us a true and more expansive explanation of our purpose in life and our eternal destiny.

Pre-Mortal Life

Who are we? Where did we come from? Did life begin at birth?

• To fully understand the plan of salvation and our eternal destiny, we need to understand who we really are. The restored gospel provides answers to these important questions.

"I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn" (D&C 93:21).

• In this revelation (given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in May 1833 at Kirtland, Ohio) the Lord teaches us that he was present with Heavenly Father in the beginning.
• Earlier in this revelation, the Lord makes reference to John's writing when he says, "And he bore record, saying: I saw his glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was; Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation—The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men. The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him" (D&C 93:7-10).
• It is clear from this revelation that Christ was not only present with the Father, but that he was the Creator of this world and many other worlds. Thus, his existence did not begin when he was born in the flesh, but at some date prior to the creation of the universe.
• The Savior says that he was the Firstborn of the Father (v21). Clearly this does not refer to the Savior's mortal life, for he was the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. If Christ was the Firstborn in some prior eon of time, we learn that:
• There is some sort of birth process in which the pre-mortal Christ came into existence.
• Jesus Christ is the offspring of God, thus being a separate and distinct being, and not a manifestation of the Father in the flesh.
• Since he was the Firstborn, there were others who followed Christ as offspring from the Eternal Father.

"Man was also in the beginning with God" (D&C 93:29).

• When we place this verse in the context of this revelation, it is clear that we, the dwellers of this world, were present with the Father in this pre-mortal existence and that we are the younger siblings of Jesus Christ, the Firstborn.
• This eternal truth was also made clear when the Prophet received that great revelation on the eternal destiny of man, "That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:24).
• We learn in Section 88 that "the spirit and the body are the soul of man" (D&C 88:15). Since we gained physical bodies at birth, we know that this pre-mortal birth was the creation of our spirit. We are the spirit children of Heavenly Father and part of a great family of spirits, of which Jesus Christ is our senior brother.
• This knowledge helps us understand Paul's reference to the Father of our spirits:  "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrew 12:9).

Our creation was not a random act, but an act of love. Our great Eternal Father created us with purpose.

• "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Alma made reference to "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8). Our ultimate destiny, as designed by the Father, is to gain immortality and dwell with our Heavenly Father in eternal happiness.
• Paul wrote to the Romans, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17).
• Eons ago, in the vast reaches of the universe, our Heavenly Father gathered his spirit children together. He, himself, had traversed a long path and had learned and progressed and found the ultimate meaning of eternal existence. So great was his joy, that he desired to bestow that which he had gained upon his children. Having trod a straight and narrow path himself, he gained the great and marvelous position of eternal God and Father of the universe.

    In a great family home evening Father presented to us, his spirit children, a plan in which we could partake in his great inheritance. He presented a plan that was so incredible, that we could become even as he and partake in the fullness of joy that was his. The eternal nature of things is such, that this inheritance required that we follow a certain path. It would not be easy. It would take time, effort, learning, and sacrifice.
    The plan he presented might be likened to a climbing a great mountain. I grew up in Utah Valley, not far from the foothills of Mount Timpanogos. As a child, I looked up at the top of that great mountain and wondered what it would be like to climb to the top. As a teenager I learned. I learned that it was a long trail, requiring six to eight hours of hiking. The trail can be arduous at times, even dangerous. It passes by waterfalls, fields of flowers, alpine lakes and meadows, and along treacherous cliffs. It is a trail that most people in reasonable shape can climb. But it can be hazardous. There have been deaths and serious injuries on the mountain. However, if one stays on the straight and narrow path, ultimately one can reach the summit and behold almost limitless vistas.
    Our Eternal Father has provided a plan that requires us to follow a certain straight and narrow path. If we are careful and faithful and diligent and endure to the end, we can reach the eternal summit and partake in Father's eternal inheritance. It can be a rocky and treacherous path. At times we are tempted to stray or even turn around. Only those who stay on the straight and narrow and endure to the end can achieve the victory.
    There is one great difference between the mountain trail and the eternal path. The eternal path takes us through mortality where we take upon us a physical body that makes us subject to the natural tendencies of the flesh. Said Paul, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Along this eternal trail we all come to a great chasm that we cannot cross on our own. The trail picks up on the other side of the chasm, but the chasm is so deep and so wide that no man or woman can cross it without divine intervention.
    As we gathered in the great pre-mortal Family Home Evening, Father pointed out the hazards of the trail and that during our mortal probation we would encounter this great chasm because of our weakness as mortals. He explained to us that we could not cross this chasm on our own.

A great chasm along the trail to eternity

In this great family meeting or council, options were offered as to how we might bridge this great chasm that stands as an obstacle in obtaining immortality and eternal life.

• As we know, Lucifer, one of our spirit brothers stepped forward and offered a plan.
• "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor" (Moses 4:1).
• "Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man" (Moses 4:3).
• Satan promised to "redeem all mankind" and bring them back to the God. However, it could only be done by taking away our agency, thus denying us the possibility of eternal progression and becoming inheritors of all that the Father possessed. Our eternal progression would be forever blocked.
• Because he rebelled, Lucifer was "cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies" (Moses 4:3-4).
• Many of our spirit brothers and sisters followed Satan when he was cast out of the presence of God. "...and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency" (D&C 29:36).
• "And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (Abraham 3:24-26)
• "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made. For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice." (Alma 34:9-10)
• The Firstborn, Jehovah, offered to give his life as a great and eternal sacrifice to make it possible for us to cross the great chasm. This offering made operational the plan of the Father. With this great sacrifice it now became possible for us to be cleansed of the sins of mortality and progress through the eternities.
• "But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever." (Moses 4:2).
• As this great family council came to a conclusion, we expressed our joy at this great and marvelous plan.
• "...all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).

As preparations were made for mortality, many were given specific missions at different times during the history of the earth.

• Joseph F. Smith, in describing his vision of the dead, made this statement: "I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men." (D&C 138:55-56)
• It may well be that many of us were prepared and foreordained to perform certain tasks during our time on this earth.
• Brigham Young:  "From the spirit and tenor the ancient Scriptures and revelations which we have received, it is plainly set forth that there are men preappointed to perform certain works in their lifetime, and bring to pass certain ends and purposes in the economy of heaven." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p55)
• Joseph Smith:  "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council. It is the testimony that I want that I am God's servant, and this people His people." (HC, 6:364)

Mortal Life

Mortal life, this life we are now living, gains great meaning when we understand our eternal origins. A great eternal plan was laid out for us and a knowledge that a redeemer would intervene in our behalf help us bridge the great chasm.

The purpose of this life is no different from either our preexistent state or our post earthly state. As previously noted, Alma referred to the "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8). Though we pass through the challenges and vicissitudes of mortality, we are just taking another step in the great plan of our Heavenly Father.

• Joseph Smith:  "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received." (TPJS, p255)
• As noted by the Prophet, happiness is the "object and design" of our existence. Our mortal lives are a part of our eternal existence and thus we are entitled to pursue the path of happiness. The Prophet then goes on to describe the path.
• Virtue
• Uprightness.
• Faithfulness.
• Holiness.
• Keeping all the commandments of God.
• This is the path that leads to happiness. As we strive to do these things, though we may be in the midst of trial, we will have the peace that leads to happiness.
• I would like to refer again to my experiences on Mt. Timpanogos. Though Mt. Timpanogos is far from being the most difficult hike in the world, it is still a challenge and requires preparation. Appropriate clothing and shoes are necessary. Depending on the season, special equipment may be necessary to cross ice fields. One should always pack water and food. Preparation for the hike up the mountain might be likened to our pre-mortal existence. In this pre-existence, we did things that prepared us for mortality and the continued pursuit of eternal life.

    The hike itself might be likened to our mortal probation. I have climbed Timpanogos several times. In most instances, I started the climb early in the morning, prior to daylight. If one is to reach the summit, it is essential to stay on the path. Any deviation from the path delays one in reaching the ultimate goal, the summit (eternal happiness). I recall one time when climbing the mountain with a group of friends very early in the morning. We were not careful and ended up losing the trail and taking a detour that cost us several hours. Additionally, by deviating from the path, we put ourselves through more challenges and difficulties than were necessary.
    The Prophet makes reference to "keeping all the commandments of God". He then continues by saying that we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot know them all unless we are obedient to the ones we know. When we deviated from the mountain trail, we were not obedient to the path. We were led astray and could not continue our climb to the summit until we once again found the path (repentance and obedience). What could have kept us from deviating from the path? A flashlight. It was a dark night without a moon. We needed light. We find light in this life by living worthy of the the Holy Ghost, by communing with the Father in prayer, by studying the scriptures, and by continued obedience. These are the things that keep us on the path to happiness.
    Like life, the mountain path can have its challenges. When we stray from the path, we suffer the consequences. Negative things happen in life over which we have no control.  I have had a variety of experiences on the mountain that were challenging. On one hike, I slipped and hurt my knee. It was severely bruised and made the remainder of the hike painful. Another time, my brother and I were hiking to the 10,000 foot level to spend a few days camping. While crossing a snow field, my brother slipped and slid down the slope. I called and called, but received no response. I removed my pack and carefully climbed down to the bottom of the ice field. I was worried that my brother was severely injured. Fortunately, he was only slightly bruised. Another time, I got caught in a freezing summer storm. That is not fun when hiking in jeans, a T-shirt, and a light sweater.
    Happiness is not reserved for the next life. We can partake of it in this life. The joy of the climb was not reserved for the summit. Over the years, I have enjoyed many wonderful moments during the climb. The waterfalls. The fields of flowers. The sunrise. The beauty of the mountain standing against a blue sky. A morning when the mountain seemed to be floating above the clouds. Catching a second wind. And sharing the experience with family and friends.
    Happiness is the "object and design" of our existence. But true happiness can only be obtained and maintained by following the path as outlined by the Prophet.

On the trail to the summit of Mt. Timpanogos

Mortality is necessary in order to continue our eternal progression. It is necessary for us to obtain a physical body to house our eternal spirit.

• According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "the great principle of happiness consists in having a body" (TPJS, p255). We are restricted in our happiness without a physical body, and can only receive a fulness of happiness or joy after the resurrection when the spirit and the physical body are inseparably connected.

We are blessed with knowledge of our eternal nature, reaching back to our pre-existent state. Because of that knowledge, we know that Satan is working "to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice" (Moses 4:4). Having rebelled against the plan of the Father, Satan is doing all that he can to steer us away from the path. All of us have slipped at one time or another and come to that great chasm in the path that we cannot cross on our own. The great and eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to bridge the chasm if we obey the voice of the Lord by repenting of our sins and striving to be obedient to the principles and ordinances of the gospel.

• Much of our joy in this life comes through the sacred institution of marriage and the creation of a family. To continue on the path of happiness, couples and families must be sealed together through the ordinances of the temple.
• The Proclamation on the Family states that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.… The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

HOW DOES YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PURPOSES OF MORTALITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE? HOW DOES YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THESE PURPOSES INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE?

Life After Death

Alma provides one of the clearest descriptions of what happens to us as we make the transition from mortality to eternal life.

• "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

    "And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
    "And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.
    "Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection." (Alma 40:11-14)
• As Alma states, this is a place of temporary residence where our spirits reside between the time of death and the resurrection. We might call it our third estate. Like the two previous estates, this continues to be a time of preparation. The righteous are able to enjoy a time of happiness, peace, and rest from earthly cares and sorrows. Those who have not heard the gospel in this life will have an opportunity hear the gospel and accept or reject it. The righteous will be involved in this great missionary effort.
• Joseph F. Smith:  "And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them; But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead." (D&C 138:29-30)

When all have had the opportunity to hear and accept or reject the gospel, then the general resurrection will commence.

• "Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

    "The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
    "Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil." (Alma 11:42-44)
• As Alma states, when everything has been "restored to its perfect frame" we will be judged according to our works.
• "For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared" (D&C 76:111).
• Modern revelation has provided us with revelation that clarifies the eternal state of man following the resurrection and judgment. We will discuss that further in next week's lesson.

We are eternal beings. Our existence spans the eternities from the beginning of time to all eternity. In pursuit of the eternal plan of happiness, we pass through various states of existence. The resurrection of Jesus Christ makes it possible to receive a fulness of joy that is only possible through an eternal union of spirit and body. The great and wonderful Atonement bridges the chasm from spiritual death to eternal life with Heavenly Father for those who repent of their sins and obediently follow the gospel path.

• As previously noted in this lesson, I am quite familiar with Mount Timpanogos. After graduating from BYU, my wife and I moved away from Utah Valley to the Pacific Northwest. Over the years I enjoyed hiking experiences in the Cascade Mountains of both Oregon and Washington. Not being as familiar with the Cascades and its trails, I had to rely on others familiar with the trails, maps, and trail markers in order to reach my destination. If I had begun hiking up one of the Cascade trails without one of those three guides, I might have become lost or be unable to find my way.
• We are blessed in our day, as members of the Church to have trail markers, maps, and trail guides to lead us to our ultimate destiny, eternal life.
• The Map:  The Holy Scriptures. As the lesson has clearly pointed out, we have been blessed with additional scripture that provides us with a unique knowledge of the plan of salvation. Throughout the world many religions teach of life after death, but there is much confusion. The Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants reveal a great deal about our eternal destiny and the path that we must follow.
• Trail Markers:  Prophets, Apostles, and other church leaders. They stand as sentinels at critical points along the path. They point us in the right direction. They warn us of paths that lead away from righteousness.
• The Trail Guide:  If we live worthy, we are blessed to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide us as we wend our way up the path to the summit of the mountain, eternal life with God.
• Elder Sylvester Q. Cannon:  "We are eternal beings spiritually. We have received through the blessing of the Lord the opportunity to come here upon the earth in mortality, to live and to accomplish our mission; and after we leave here we will go into the spirit world. The day will come when we will be resurrected and become immortal beings and will have to account for our deeds. We will receive the blessings that we merit according to our deeds here in the flesh and our preparations for immortality." (CR, April 1941)

For more on this topic visit Our Eternal Life, Becoming Like God, and Man Was Also in the Beginning with God, at LDS.org.

Gospel Doctrine Notebook

Record your thoughts on the great plan of salvation. How does this belief give you purpose in life? How can you be more diligent in following the guides that have been given us?

Resources Used In This Lesson

Conference Reports (CR).

Discourses of Brigham Young.

History of the Church (HC).

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS).

World Religions - From Ancient History to the Present edited by Geoffrey Parrinder.

Next Lesson

Lesson 20:  D&C 76; 131; 132:19–24; 137