When someone commits suicide, do they go to another earth?

Jun 9, 2015 | Afterlife

Question
Gramps,
If there are other Gods and other Earths, do people that commit suicide perhaps go t
o another Earth with worse circumstances to work through?
Timothy
Answer
Timothy,
In short, no. Not those who commit suicide, nor any others, will be reborn or re
incarnated at any level to any other world. This can easily be substantiated wit
h a few scriptures. First, Paul teaches us in Hebrews 9:27:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Amulek teaches us in Alma 34:32-33:
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the
day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore,
I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until t
he end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, b
ehold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night o
f darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
Also, he teaches us in Alma 11:45:
Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and
also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mo
rtal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first
death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bo
dies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that
they can no more see corruption.
As we can plainly read, once we die (one time only) we will be resurrected, neve
r to die again. And this life is the time we have been given.
In Abraham 3:25 we learn that we are here to be proven and to see if we will do a
ll things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us].
Putting these scriptures together helps us to understand this basic part of the
plan of salvation. This is the life that is given us, and another one will not b
e.
I do think that it is important that we understand, as well, the justice and mer
cy of our Father on judgment day. We are not to judge others as to their potenti
al for salvation or not, nor can we anticipate who the Lord will and will not ac
cept into His kingdom. We do not know the state of other s minds or their accounta
bility level. So we leave that to God.
We cannot and should not presume that those who commit suicide are doomed or sav
ed. To presume that someone who committed suicide deserves a worse situation is
as unfair as presuming that someone who committed suicide is automatically unacc
ountable. We leave that to God.
Either way, just as all of us, they will stand before Christ on the day of judgm
ent and answer for themselves per their agency. And God will deliver unto them m
ercifully and justly according to His law. (See also Alma chapters 40 and 41.)
Question
Gramps,
While having a religious discussion I was asked about the 3 degrees of Glory. In
my friends eyes, all of our works are as a dirty rag to be burned and all of ou
r sins are equally as horrible before the Lord so you are either a believer or y
ou are not. Having 2 or 3 places to send the sinners to meant that we could just
ify some sins as being not so bad and still getting some glory. So he wanted to

know why there all the extra kingdoms when you are ether on the Lord s side or you
are not. Thanks.
Cindy
Answer
Dear Cindy,
The trouble is you are basically comparing apples and oranges. LDS doctrine dif
fers substantially from other Christian doctrine in some areas. In order to hel
p your friend, you need to explain things outside her box of understanding and h
elp her expand her understanding by expanding her conceptual framework.
Joseph Smith answered the question this way:
The idea that some men s form of the justice, judgment, and mercy of God, is too fo
olish for an intelligent man to think of: for instance, it is common for many of
our orthodox preachers to suppose that if a man is not what they call converted
, if he dies in that state he must remain eternally in hell without any hope. In
finite years in torment must he spend, and never, never, never have an end; and
yet this eternal misery is made frequently to rest upon the merest casualty [cha
nce]. The breaking of a shoe-string, the tearing of a coat of those officiating,
or the peculiar location in which a person lives, may be the means, indirectly,
of his damnation, or the cause of his not being saved.
I will suppose a case which is not extraordinary: Two men, who have been equally
wicked, who have neglected religion, are both of them taken sick at the same tim
e; one of them has the good fortune to be visited by a praying man, and he gets
converted a few minutes before he dies; the other sends for three different pray
ing men, a tailor, a shoemaker, and a tinman; the tinman has a handle to solder
to a pan, the tailor has a button-hole to work on some coat that he needed in a
hurry, and the shoemaker has a patch to put on somebody s boot; they none of them
can go in time, the man dies, and goes to hell: one of these is exalted to Abrah
am s bosom, he sits down in the presence of God and enjoys eternal, uninterrupted
happiness, while the other, equally as good as he, sinks to eternal damnation, i
rretrievable misery and hopeless despair, because a man had a boot to mend, the
button-hole of a coat to work, or a handle to solder on to a saucepan.
The plans of Jehovah are not so unjust, the statements of holy writ so [illusory]
, nor the plan of salvation for the human family so incompatible with common sen
se; at such proceedings God would frown with indignance, angels would hide their
heads in shame, and every virtuous, intelligent man would recoil.
Question
Gramps,
Why are we not encouraged to pray for those in the spirit world? Whenever someo
ne passes away, we are always encouraged to pray for the family, but we are neve
r told to pray for those who have passed on to make the right choices in the spi
rit world. I noticed other religions pray for their dead ones. I know we perfo
rm sacred ordinances for the dead, but why do we not pray for them in their spir
it world endeavors because there are challenges on the other side. I hope that
makes sense.
Kristen
Answer
Dear Kristen,
Not enough has been revealed about the Spirit World for me to give you a concret
e answer. I see nothing wrong with praying for loved ones who have passed to th
e other side. It IS certainly good to pray for others. Elder Bednar touched on
this topic in a talk about prayer:

Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is
good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others, both those whom we love
and those who despitefully use us, is also an important element of meaningful pr
ayer. Just as expressing gratitude more often in our prayers enlarges the condui
t for revelation, so praying for others with all of the energy of our souls incr
eases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord.
We learn a vital lesson from the example of Lehi in the Book of Mormon. Lehi resp
onded in faith to prophetic instruction and warnings concerning the destruction
of Jerusalem. He then prayed unto the Lord with all his heart, in behalf of his p
eople (1 Nephi 1:5; emphasis added). In answer to this fervent prayer, Lehi was b
lessed with a glorious vision of God and His Son and of the impending destructio
n of Jerusalem (see 1 Nephi 1:6 9, 13, 18). Consequently, Lehi rejoiced, and his w
hole heart was filled because of the things which the Lord had shown him (see 1
Nephi 1:15). Please note that the vision came in response to a prayer for others
and not as a result of a request for personal edification or guidance.
The Savior is the perfect example of praying for others with real intent. In His
great Intercessory Prayer uttered on the night before His Crucifixion, Jesus pra
yed for His Apostles and all of the Saints.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me;
for they are thine.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me throu
gh their word;
that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them
9, 20, 26).

(John 17:

During the Savior s ministry on the American continent, He directed the people to
ponder His teachings and to pray for understanding. He healed the sick, and He p
rayed for the people using language that could not be written (see 3 Nephi 17:1 16
). The impact of His prayer was profound: No one can conceive of the joy which fi
lled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father (3 Nephi 17:1
7). Imagine what it might have been like to hear the Savior of the world praying
for us.
Pray Always
I would further add that my best prayers come when I ask the Lord for guidance i
n what to pray for, or whom to pray for. So my counsel is to seek the Lord s guid
ance. If you feel the desire or direction to pray for those in the Spirit World
, I see no reason not to do so.
Gramps,
I understand the Earth will be the Celestial Kingdom. It doesn t seem there will b
e enough space for all those who are in the Celestial Kingdom or are there only
going to be 7 billion who make it? If so then I m wasting my time going to church.
I am not in the top 7 billion.
Gael
Answer
Hello Gael,
I think your question presupposes a number of things that we cannot know for cer
tain now, and that may not turn out to be correct at all. For example you assume
that those who receive a celestial glory will be confined to this earth, or even
spend the majority of their time there (my children still refer to Gran s and my
house as home ; and they are always welcome here; but it s not where they live and th
ey rarely stay under our roof anymore). You are also assuming that the earth is

incapable of supporting seven billion (or any higher number) of immortal beings
.
But, if you ll excuse me for saying so: There s one assumption you re making that wor
ries me more than all the others; and that is the one that underlies your conclu
sion that I am not in the top 7 billion . The important thing to remember, Gael, i
s that you in fact, we don t have to make it into some sort of exclusive subset of the
impossibly righteous; because we have a Savior who most certainly did. And He h
as repeatedly promised that, as He puts it in Doctrine and Covenants 84:36-38:
For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father s kingdom; therefore all that
my Father hath shall be given unto him.
The requirement is that we receive (or try to pattern our lives after) Christ, a
nd his servants full stop. We do not have to do it better than anyone else. Exal
tation is not a competition against anyone except against our own fallen natures
; and as we strive to follow Christ (for, strive we must) we have divine assuran
ce that My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakn
ess. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness
in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men
. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and en
dure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
(2 N
ephi 31:20). I have learned through my own experiences that we can rely on the
Lord s intent, and ability, to keep His promises; even if we aren t quite sure scien
tifically how that will come to pass.
Now, just for fun, let s assume that your assumptions are correct and that every e
xalted individual will spend eternity living on this earth each with his or her ow
n spouse. Let s also assume that traditional notions of housing occupancy apply.
Let s also say for fun that there are no traditional densely-packed cities in heaven:
no tenements, no high-rises; every couple gets a lovely single-family home on
a half-acre lot. Now, scientists estimate that 108 billion humans have lived on
the earth in its existence pair them up and that s 54 billion households; put them
on half-acre lots and you need 27 billion acres to house all of these people.
We know that earth currently has a land surface area of about 57.5 million squar
e miles (whether this will still be the case after the Millennium, of course, is
another unknown). There are 640 acres in a square mile; so by doing a little m
ath it seems it would take 42,187,500 square miles to house all those people. T
hat s definitely a lot of space but you ve still got over 25% of the earth s land sittin
g completely vacant! So any way you slice it, I think there will be plenty of r
oom in the Celestial Kingdom for all who want such an inheritance and, through t
he grace of God and their own diligence and faith, have been prepared to receive
it.
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all thi
ngs, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. D&C 1
04:17
Question
Gramps,
There was a time when my husband was withdrawn from me. And having found small h
ints of infidelity I asked him directly if he had been unfaithful. He denied, of
course, but now, two years later I still feel he cheated and is ignoring it. Wi
ll there be a day during our judgement that I will know if he was unfaithful, or
will his sins be kept from me? Many thanks.
Hopeful
Answer
Dear

Hopeful,

What is your real concern here? Are you looking to the eternal welfare of others
and self, or are you just worried about someone getting their comeuppance?
Also, there is a logical fallacy known as begging the question . What it means is t
hat we make an assumption and use that assumption as evidence to prove the assum
ption true. For instance, you assume that your husband cheated on you. Then this
assumption is proven true, because, when confronted about it, he denied [it], of
course . Such is clearly the act of a guilty man. But then, we could cut this the
other way too. Let s assume that your husband never cheated on you. Our assumptio
n is validated because when confronted about having cheated he denied [it], of co
urse . What else would you expect an innocent to do?
The day will come when your husband will stand before the Savior and his wicked
thoughts, words, and deeds will testify against him to his condemnation (Alma 12
:14). What s more, the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their ini
quities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revea
led (D&C 1:3). Any indiscretion on his part will be publicly broadcast, visible t
o yourself and the world.
But this will not be to satisfy some sort of self-righteous desire to see those
who have wronged us getting what s coming to them. If that is the state that our h
eart is in, we will likely be right there beside them with the weeping and the w
ailing and the gnashing of teeth and all that.
You see, one day you will also stand before the Savior, and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:2). Your secret, wicked though
ts, words, and deeds will be broadcast publicly for all the world to see. What w
ill your husband think of your accusing heart?
Your best bet is to approach your situation with prayer, faith, and love. Forgiv
e all men, including your husband, and leave judgment to God. Worry about the ex
ample you set, the kind of person you are, the messages you share with others, a
nd that all of the above are true representations of Christ, whom we covenant to
stand for at all times and in all places.
Question
Gramps,
At death, spirits are taken home to that God who created them. They are prejudge
d and sent to either paradise or spirit prison. Christ is the ultimate judge but
who determines if a spirit is sent to paradise or spirit prison?
Dave
Answer
Dave,
You pose an interesting question that challenges our understanding of what has b
een revealed about the nature of the spirit world. In our Sunday School classes
and in our missionary discussions, we often teach of the plan of salvation. We t
each that there is a veil through which we pass at death and that the unrepentan
t go to a spirit prison and that the righteous go to paradise.
We recall that Jesus told the unrepentant thief on the cross that He would be in
paradise with him that very day (Luke 23:43). This passage is often cited by se
ctarian Christians to indicate that Jesus forgave the thief without his having u
ndergone the process of repentance and baptism for the remission of his sins. Wh
en we understand the nature of the spirit world in the revelations, this passage
makes a little more sense.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the spirit world is one place. He stated:
Hades, the Greek, or Sheol, the Hebrew, these two significations mean a world of
spirits. Hades, Sheol, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one: it is a world o
f spirits (Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Pro
phet Joseph Smith, 310).
The unrepentant, the righteous, and those who die without knowledge of the gospe
l all go to the place we now call the spirit world. In the Book of Mormon, we re
ad the words of Alma regarding the time between death and the resurrection:

11 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 soo
n as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, wheth
er they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous a
re 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 c
are, and sorrow (Alma 40:11-12).
Note that Alma uses the word state, not place. The wicked and the righteous are in o
ne place, but they are in different states of being. The righteous are in a stat
e of peace, but the wicked are filled with fear and dread of the final judgment.
13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are e
vil for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behol
d, 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 i
nto 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 dev
il (Alma 40:13).
We know that Jesus visited the Spirit world and prepared the conditions for the
preaching of the gospel to the dead (John 5:25, 1 Peter 3:18, 4:6) and that gosp
el ordinances like baptism can be performed for those who died by living proxies
(1 Corinthians 15:29). We also know that when Jesus ministered to the spirits i
n the spirit world, He went to the righteous and organized them into a missionar
y force. He gave them authority and a commission to preach the gospel of repenta
nce to those who died without having received a remission of sins (D&C 138:29-31
).
It appears, from one New Testament passage, in the parable of Lazarus recorded b
y Luke, that prior to the Savior s ministry to the spirit world, that the preachin
g of the gospel to the dead was not possible. This was symbolized by the great gu
lf between the wicked and the righteous mentioned in Luke 16:26). The mission to
the spirit world by the Crucified Lord bridged this gulf. Again, we are reminded
that the spirit world is one place and that the wicked, the righteous, and the
unlearned are all there together.
The lesson manual Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young has two
fantastic lessons, one on the spirit world and another on the judgment, that ar
e well worth reading in entirety. Brigham Young had a great deal of knowledge ab
out the conditions in which the departed spirits reside. Here are some interesti
ng highlights:
The spirits that dwell in these tabernacles on this earth, when they leave them
go directly into this world of spirits. What! A congregated mass of inhabitants
there in spirit, mingling with each other, as they do here? Yes, brethren, they
are there together, and if they associate together, and collect together, in cla
ns and in societies as they do here, it is their privilege. No doubt they yet, m
ore or less, see, hear, converse and have to do with each other, both good and b
ad. If the Elders of Israel in these latter times go and preach to the spirits i
n prison, they associate with them, precisely as our Elders associate with the w
icked in the flesh, when they go to preach to them (DBY, 378).
As on earth, the righteous tend to gather together in groups, congregations, and
communities. Likewise, the wicked also do so, just as they do on earth. This is
necessary because those who have not yet accepted the gospel must hear it and d
ecide for themselves to repent and accept the ordinances. They must have no unfa
ir advantage over their mortal counterparts. The wicked who repent and receive b
aptism are received, just as they are on earth, into the felicity and fellowship
of the saints of God who abide among them. Brigham Young continued:
Suppose, then, that a man is evil in his heart wholly given up to wickedness, and i
n that condition dies, his spirit will enter into the spirit world intent upon e
vil. On the other hand, if we are striving with all the powers and faculties God
has given us to improve upon our talents, to prepare ourselves to dwell in eter
nal life, and the grave receives our bodies while we are thus engaged, with what
disposition will our spirits enter their next state? They will be still strivin

g to do the things of God, only in a much greater degree learning, increasing, gro
wing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth (DBY, 379).
Our nature upon entering the spirit world does not change. A wicked person will
continue to strive to do evil in an even greater degree, even as the righteous s
trives to do God s will to a greater degree. The righteous who tended to resist Sa
tan s temptations while in the body are freed from the Adversary s influence in the
spirit world. This is why it is paradise to them. They are in a state of peace.
To those who died in their sins, it is a different story. They are still subject
to temptation and Satan continues to have influence over them in the spirit wor
ld. Brother Brigham taught:
If we are faithful to our religion, when we go into the spirit world, the fallen
spirits Lucifer and the third part of the heavenly hosts that came with him, and t
he spirits of wicked men who have dwelt upon this earth, the whole of them combi
ned will have no influence over our spirits. Is not that an advantage? Yes. All
the rest of the children of men are more or less subject to them, and they are s
ubject to them as they were while here in the flesh (DBY, 379).
When it comes to judgment, it is we who condemn ourselves. President Young state
d:
All who believe, have honest hearts, and bring forth fruits of righteousness, are
the elect of God and heirs to all things. All who refuse to obey the holy comma
ndments of the Lord and the ordinances of his house will be judged out of their
own mouths, will condemn themselves as they do now, will be accounted unworthy a
nd will have no part or lot with the righteous (DBY, 383 84).
The principles of eternal life that are set before us are calculated to exalt us
to power and preserve us from decay. If we choose to take the opposite course an
d to imbibe and practice the principles that tend to death, the fault is with ou
rselves. If we fail to obtain the salvation we are seeking for, we shall acknowl
edge that we have secured to ourselves every reward that is due to us by our act
s, and that we have acted in accordance with the independent agency given us, an
d we will be judged out of our own mouths, whether we are justified or condemned
(DNW, 17 Aug. 1859, 1).
In part, we will feel at peace among the righteous in eternal glory or we will f
eel so ashamed and filthy that we will be unable to endure their presence. An un
repentant soul finds the glorious light unbearable. Brigham Young described it i
n these terms:
Were the wicked, in their sins, under the necessity of walking into the presence
of the Father and Son, hand-in-hand with those who believe that all will be save
d that Jesus will leave none, their condition would be more excruciating and unend
urable than to dwell in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The fatalis
t s doctrine consigns to hell the infant not a span long, while the adulterer, who
remonger, thief, liar, false swearer, murderer, and every other abominable chara
cter, if they but repent on the gallows or their death-beds, are, by the same do
ctrine, forced into the presence of the Father and the Son, which, could they en
ter there, would be a hell to them (DBY, 385).
In essence, we will rise or sink to the level where we are comfortable. I recall
a story told about a young man who followed the ways of the world, whose parent
s sent him to a week-long religious convocation (like an Especially For Youth co
nference). After a couple of days, he called his parents saying, Get me out of he
re! He could not abide being in the presence of righteous people. He was more at
ease among people of low standards. Perhaps that is the case in the kingdoms of
glory as well.
In some measure, a partial judgment occurs at death when we are taken home to th
e God who gave us life. We either rejoice in His presence because we have repent
ed of our sins and are confident in God s grace, or we seek to escape from it beca
use of our unworthiness. In the spirit world, we will gravitate to either commun
ities of light and peace or darkness and uncertainty. The righteous await the re
surrection with joyful assurance and the wicked dread the moment where they must
again re-enter the Savior s glorious presence in their sins. It is the joyful ant
icipation or awful dread that makes spirit prison either a paradise or a hellish

state of existence.
Question
Gramps,
Unfortunately I am in a situation I never wanted. I was sealed in the temple but
am now divorced. I have 2 young children. What is the church stance on having th
e sealing revoked? I have heard it can only be done if you want to remarry? Wil
l it void my sealing to my children? My ex husband did not respect me and did ma
ny things wrong in our marriage, if the sealing cannot be revoked will I really
be stuck with him forever?
BillyBob
Answer
Dear BillyBob,
Have faith that the Lord knows what He is doing and that He will take care of ev
erything we cannot.
In order for your fear to come true, something very important has to happen. Yo
u both have to make it to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. Anything
less then that and it simply is not going to be an issue.
Think of the level of repentance and change that would have to happen in both yo
ur hearts for both of you to get there. Hopefully you are working toward that wi
th all diligence no matter what your ex or anyone else does.
As you continue to work on your own progress you will find that the Lord will op
en up doors you never imagined. And should you progress all the way to the Cele
stial Kingdom, when that day comes for you to gain Celestial glory, whomever it
is at your side will be perfectly acceptable to you, because he too will have ov
ercome all to be there.
As for your sealing to your kids, that would not be affected by any action the C
hurch might make to revoke the sealing between you and your ex.
Question
Gramps,
My brother is a tattoo artist. He does it for a living. My mom doesn t like it tho
ugh and therefore approaches him constantly about it. My brother s reaction is, Mom
don t worry, when we re resurrected, we re not going to have them anymore. I don t know
where he got that idea, so now I m wondering. Is it true or was he just trying to
make mom feel better? The answer is important and personal to me. You see. I hav
e 4 brothers and their bodies are covered in tattoos and mom is worried. Thank y
ou!!
Rachel
Answer
Dear Rachel,
There s a lot going on in your question, so I m going to parse it to three focus are
as:
1. When we are resurrected, we will no longer have tattoos. Is this statement co
rrect?
2. If correct, then does it matter if we get them willy-nilly?
3. How does the Church s teachings on tattoos affect cultures (like the Pacific Is
lander culture) where tattoos are much more than counter-culture statements? (My
Knights of the Internet (of course I have Internet Knights; how do you think I
fight the trolls?) tell me this question is relevant though not stated).
First, my reading of the scriptures leads me to agree with your brother that in
the resurrection we will not have tattoos. Amulek testified that the spirit and t
he body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall b
e restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time (Alma 11:43). So
while our resurrected bodies will be familiar, they will have a perfect form . Clar
ifying more, Amulek contends that there shall not so much as a hair of their head
s be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now,
or in the body (Alma 11:44). Alma teaches this same doctrine to his son. Every li

mb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall n
ot be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame (A
lma 40:23). I m aware of only one example where a permanent scar is still present
on a resurrected body, and that is the Savior and the marks of the Atonement He
bears.
Second, using the doctrine of the resurrection as justification for tattoos is a
mockery of the body. It smacks of the damnable teaching condemned by Nephi, Eat,
drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God he will justify in committing a littl
e sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a
pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tom
orrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few st
ripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God (2 Nephi 28:8-9). Tech
nically unrepentant sinners are eventually saved in the Telestial Kingdom and en
joy the company of the Holy Ghost. Technically they do suffer for those sins (se
e D&C 19:17-18). Technically such devilish advocates are correct. But experienti
ally, practically, and holistically, Nephi is absolutely right to call these out
as false and vain and foolish doctrines . Nobody goes to church to learn how to be
saved in a lower kingdom. Salvation, in it s ultimate and proper sense, is all ab
out the Celestial Kingdom, living the kind of life our Father lives. It is about
Eternal Lives!
Similarly, the doctrine of the resurrection is a real non-sequitur to the practi
ce of tattoos. The body is the first stewardship we are given in this estate. We
will one day have to give an accounting for it. It is a great disservice to pre
ach to someone contemplating getting a tattoo that they are really temporary bec
ause of the resurrection. Before then they will have to repent of abusing that s
tewardship. I have quoted from prophets in the past on this matter, and I will d
o so again:
What creation is more magnificent than the human body? What a wondrous thing it
is as the crowning work of the Almighty.
Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, said: Know ye not that ye are the temple of
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God
is holy, which temple ye are (1 Cor. 3:16 17).
Did you ever think that your body is holy? You are a child of God. Your body is
His creation. Would you disfigure that creation with portrayals of people, anima
ls, and words painted into your skin?
I promise you that the time will come, if you have tattoos, that you will regret
your actions. They cannot be washed off. They are permanent. Only by an expensi
ve and painful process can they be removed. If you are tattooed, then probably f
or the remainder of your life you will carry it with you. I believe the time wil
l come when it will be an embarrassment to you. Avoid it. We, as your Brethren w
ho love you, plead with you not to become so disrespectful of the body which the
Lord has given you. (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Prophet s Plea and Counsel for Youth,
Liahona April 2001).
Since I ve already upset readers on this topic, let me point out that this is the
standard the Lord s anointed have set for members of the faith. Different guidance
and counsel is given for those who enter the faith or renew their faith already
possessing tattoos. Note also that I am not expressly condemning your brother f
or the being in the tattooing business. As with so many gospel principles, the d
isciple must exercise agency in selecting a career, balancing a number of concer
ns that feed into the decision. Naturally with this agency (as is proper with al
l stewardships) comes the principle of accountability which should be fully weig
hed in the decision process.
Third, I think it s very clear what the Lord s standard is for us when tattoos are c
ounterculture, defiant statements (and also when it s the result of a poorly-thoug
ht-out escapade). But what of other cultures where tattoos have other meaning an
d significance. I once spoke with a Samoan Talking Chief and asked him about his
tattoos. He laughingly told me they kept him covered in case his ie lavalava ev
er fell off so he d still be modest. There is great value in incorporating the gos
pel culture into worldwide cultures. Oftentimes, it magnifies the good that is a

lready there. For instance, Island culture greatly values family, and that is on
ly increased when the gospel culture is added to it. Sometimes (as in the Americ
an south), a part of the culture needs to be abandoned (like iced tea and sweet
tea) in favor of gospel living. Elder Oaks says of this challenging choice:
The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change. Repent is its most frequent mes
sage, and repenting means giving up all of our practices personal, family, ethnic,
and national that are contrary to the commandments of God. The purpose of the gos
pel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires
change.
The traditions or culture or way of life of a people inevitably include some pra
ctices that must be changed by those who wish to qualify for God s choicest blessi
ngs.
[T]he present-day servants of the Lord do not attempt to make Filipinos or Asian
s or Africans into Americans. The Savior invites all to come unto Him (see 2 Ne.
26:33; D&C 43:20), and His servants seek to persuade all including Americans to bec
ome Latter-day Saints. We say to all, give up your traditions and cultural pract
ices that are contrary to the commandments of God and the culture of His gospel,
and join with His people in building the kingdom of God (Dallin H. Oaks, Repenta
nce and Change, October 2003 General Conference).
I m not qualified to speak to the conflict between the general prohibition on gett
ing tattooed versus the specific cultural meanings for a Pacific Islander. That s
one of the reasons why the Lord, in His wisdom, has granted us local leaders who
are familiar with both cultures and endowed with the Spirit to guide us in such
matters. I encourage you, your mother, and your brother to visit with your loca
l bishop and talk tattoos. I find local leaders useful in matters of counsel.
Question
Gramps,
D&C 88:22 says For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom can
not abide a celestial glory. I understand temple marriage to be an important key
to this. But what of those who, though willing to live it, have a spouse who nev
er joins the church, or who never meet someone worthy? It seems unfair that they
, due to things beyond their control, should be barred/ banned from celestial gl
ory.
Diane
Answer
Dear Diane,
You are not alone in wondering this. It was the subject of excited discussion fo
llowing my remarks on this life being the time to sort such things out. This exa
ct scenario is one that I had in mind when I addressed 3 timelines to sort out r
esurrection confusion. Please take some time to review that answer, as it sets t
he foundation for this one. For this, we ll revisit Sunbeam (a contemporary of our
time) who, through no fault of her own, was never sealed to a spouse while she
was alive. For the sake of our hypothetical, she lived a celestial law (as you n
ote, lots of our sisters do this either they were never proposed to (in our soci
ety it is still the man s responsibility to do so), or they joined the Church afte
r they were already married, and their husbands never joined, or some such thing
).
If dearly departed Sunbeam was married but not in the temple, then her descendan
ts can do that vicarious work for her while she s still in the spirit world awaiti
ng the resurrection. If she was never married, then her work still needs to be d
one for her by mortals. But the those on the earth will not know who she needs t
o be sealed to, so they will not do any temple work for her (the Lord s house is o
ne of order after all). Then Christ comes and calls forth the celestial saints t
o rise from the graves to meet Him. Here is the mass resurrection at the start o
f the Millennium, so now we have a conflict: Sunbeam is celestial quality and sh
ould be resurrected at this time; but Sunbeam needs to be sealed to a husband to

enjoy her eternal increase she ll inherit in the celestial glory; and Sunbeam can
not be sealed as a resurrected being, for in the resurrection there will be no ma
rrying nor giving in marriage; for all questions of marital status must be settl
ed before that time, under the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which holds the
power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity. (Jesus the Christ ch 31).
We first begin to resolve this by remembering that the first resurrection is a g
lory, not a time. So regardless of whether Sunbeam rises at Christ s coming or the
end of the earth it matters not. She receives a celestial body in the celestial
glory in the morning of the first resurrection. President Joseph Fielding Smith
further resolves this by reminding us to keep clearly in our minds that we do no
t enter into exaltation until after the resurrection. We do not enter into exalt
ation in the spirit world . [D]uring the Millennium
and that is the great purpose
of the Millennium we will go into the temples (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, pa
ge 167). So Sunbeam is not resurrected with the masses when Christ comes, becaus
e she is still in the spirit world awaiting her temple work.
President Smith further resolves this by combining the Lord s justice and mercy wi
th the work of the Millennium. We never make matches for the dead in the temples.
The Lord will bless all those who are worthy of the blessings, and they will lo
se nothing. The work of the Millennium will be largely work for the dead who did
not have an opportunity when living to obtain the blessings, but who would have
accepted the blessings if they had lived. Justice demands this. We need not wor
ry, therefore, because young men or young women die without being married. All w
ho are worthy will be blessed just the same as if they had lived and obtained th
e blessings (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, page 177).
So Sunbeam and other sisters like her will have the opportunity during the Mille
nnium (while in the spirit world) to accept the sealing ordinance and the covena
nt of marriage. The power of this work for the dead is conveyed by President Jos
eph F. Smith, who saw the righteous dead organizing to teach vicarious ordinance
s to those who lacked them. Remember it was prompted by pondering on this verse
in 1 Peter: For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead
, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to
God in the spirit (4:6). With this organization in the spirit world, those who n
eeded additional faith or works were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vi
carious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the lay
ing on of hands, And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for
them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according
to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit (D&C 138:33-34). Whe
n Sunbeam vicariously receives the sealing ordinance, it will be counted to her
as though she had received it in the flesh the same as her married peers who als
o lived the celestial law.
Question
Gramps,
The subject basically says it all. It doesn t make sense to me that Heavenly Fathe
r would treat his daughters and sons differently from one another. Why is it tha
t he would allow men to marry many women and not the other way around? Or put t
hem in a position of subservience to men?
Greg
Answer
Greg,
Let s assume for the sake of your question that it is absolutely factual that men
will have multiple wives in the Celestial kingdom. I presume this is the case, b
ut I want to point out that there are many who do not believe this to be a foreg
one, doctrinal fact. And there are logical ways to explain plural marriage away
as an eternal order. But, like I said let s take it as factual.
What is the purpose of plural marriage? That s what it really comes down to. Right
?
The only answer we have is found in the Book of Mormon. We read in Jacob 2:30:
For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my

people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

That s pretty much all that s given. We can certainly assume that part of the reason
plural marriage was given to the early Saints was also to try them. But it s not
reasonable to assume that in every instance when plural marriage was practiced,
that it was a trial. The examples we have in the Bible, in most cases, are cultu
ral norms, and are accepted as such. The instantiation of plural marriage in the
early Church was, decidedly, not the cultural norm. That makes all the differen
ce in the world as to whether it is viewed as a trial.
Moreover, if applied to the Celestial Kingdom (remembering that we have already
established an assumption for the sake of discussion that plural marriage will b
e part of existence there), then it would be entirely unreasonable to assume tri
al as a de facto component of it.
Any way you cut it, subservience is mentioned nowhere. I think it fairly safe to
say that the concept of subservience when all therein are exalted to inherit thr
ones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths who
pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and g
lory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a
fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be go
ds, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everla
sting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things a
re subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and
the angels are subject unto them. (D&C 132:19-20) doesn t sound much like any level
of subservience whatsoever.
So, once more, we re back to the raising up of seed.
So answer me this: How would a wife having multiple husbands, either here in mor
tality or in the Celestial realm, result in the increased raising up of seed?
Ponder that, and I think you ll have your answer.
Question
Hi Gramps,
I understand the three levels of Heaven. If non-Mormons cannot enter the celesti
al kingdom, does that mean that it was empty of spirits before The Book of Mormo
n had been translated and the LDS church started? It hard to believe an eternal
Heaven before us being vacant until then.
Dennis
Answer
Dennis,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be a restoration of th
e New Testament Church founded by Christ and guided by the Apostles. In additio
n to that, we claim that the Gospel of Christ was preached beginning with Adam.
We know Moses tried to get the Israelites to live the Gospel of Christ, but due
to their hardheartedness, rejected it and ended up with the Law of Moses, which
was designed to soften their hearts, so they would accept and live the Gospel.
We also believe that those who would have accepted the Gospel of Christ, but did
n t get the chance, also go there. This is explained in the Doctrine and Covenant
s 137:5-10
5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin,
that has long since slept;
6 And marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, s
eeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather
Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.
7 Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a k
nowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted t
o tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God;
8 Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have r
eceived it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

9 For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the
desire of their hearts.
10 And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years o
f accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.
The idea that only Mormons will go to the Celestial Kingdom is clearly not corre
ct. That being said, the Mormons currently claim to be the ones God has given t
he authority to perform the necessary ordinances of the Gospel. Therefore those
desiring to gain the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom will need to meet
the exceptions outlined in the above scripture or join The Church of Jesus Chris
t of Latter-day Saints and live their faith to the fullest extent they can.
Gramps
Question
Gramps,
I do not understand why those who die before 8 receive a free ticket into the hi
ghest degree of celestial glory. The only reason I can fathom (and I think I wa
s told this) is it s because they are souls who are too good and too pure for this
dark telestial world. Still, it seems rather unfair that they get to skip this
period of testing and basically get free eventual godhood. But, if that is the
only reason, I accept it. I know I ll understand later.
S
Answer
S,
Wherein do you presume that it is a free ticket ? Does that actually make sense? Wo
uld a God who is perfectly just in all things be unfair?
It also strikes me that referring to a child who suffers and dies from cancer is
a little well unfair.
Should we suppose it is a good thing for children to suffer and die young? Life
is precious. It is a gift from God. It is tragic when children die young. It is
tragic when anyone dies. We take comfort in the fact that we will live on, and c
omfort in the Atonement that will bring resurrection to all and mercy to all who
repent. We take comfort in the fact that the Atonement allows that little child
ren will live again as well and will be heirs of God s kingdom. Picking at this id
ea from an is it fair perspective seems backwards to me. Should we not glory in Go
d s mercy rather than question His justice?
What you have suggested concerning, too good and too pure is certainly part of the
equation, as taught by Joseph Smith:
In my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question,
why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially th
ose that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. The strongest reasons
that present themselves to my mind are these: This world is a very wicked world;
and it is a proverb that the world grows weaker and wiser; if that is the case, t
he world grows more wicked and corrupt . The Lord takes many away, even in infancy
, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this presen
t world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly
considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered
from evil, and we shall soon have them again. (Joseph Smith, History of The Chur
ch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:553)
There are other factors to take into consideration however. Bruce R. McConkie ta
ught:
We may rest assured that all things are controlled and governed by Him whose spir
it children we are. He knows the end from the beginning, and he provides for eac
h of us the testings and trials which he knows we need. President Joseph Fieldin
g Smith once told me that we must assume that the Lord knows and arranges before
hand who shall be taken in infancy and who shall remain on earth to undergo what
ever tests are needed in their cases. This accords with Joseph Smith s statement: T
he Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man,
and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely,
to live on earth. (Teachings, pp. 196 97.) It is implicit in the whole scheme of t

hings that those of us who have arrived at the years of accountability need the
tests and trials to which we are subject and that our problem is to overcome the
world and attain that spotless and pure state which little children already pos
sess.
He also said:
Will children ever be tested?
Absolutely not! Any idea that they will be tested in paradise or during the mill
ennium or after the millennium is pure fantasy. Why would a resurrected being, w
ho has already come forth from the grave with a celestial body and whose salvati
on is guaranteed, be tested? Would the Lord test someone who cannot fail the tes
t and whose exaltation is guaranteed? For that matter, all those billions of peo
ple who will be born during the millennium, when Satan is bound, shall grow up wi
thout sin unto salvation (D&C 45:58) and therefore will not be tested. Satan canno
t tempt little children in this life, nor in the spirit world, nor after their r
esurrection. Little children who die before reaching the years of accountability
will not be tempted. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:56 57.) Such is the emphatic langu
age of President Joseph Fielding Smith.
We also learn from Joseph Fielding Smith:
During the ages in which we dwelt in the pre-mortal state we not only developed o
ur various characteristics and showed our worthiness and ability, or the lack of
it, but we were also where such progress could be observed. It is reasonable to
believe that there was a Church organization there. The heavenly beings were li
ving in a perfectly arranged society. Every person knew his place. Priesthood, w
ithout any question, had been conferred and the leaders were chosen to officiate
. Ordinances pertaining to that pre-existence were required and the love of God
prevailed. Under such conditions it was natural for our Father to discern and ch
oose those who were most worthy and evaluate the talents of each individual. He
knew not only what each of us could do, but what each of us would do when put to
the test and when responsibility was given us. Then, when the time came for our
habitation on mortal earth, all things were prepared and the servants of the Lo
rd chosen and ordained to their respective missions (Joseph Fielding Smith, The W
ay to Perfection, 50 51).
In the Joseph Fielding Smith Teachings of the Presidents of the Church manual in
the lesson on baptism we also read:
In the 29th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says this (verses 46 47
):
But, behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundatio
n of the world through mine Only Begotten;
Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little chi
ldren, until they begin to become accountable before me.
Now that sounds good. Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the wor
ld. What does He mean by that? It means that before the foundation of this earth
was laid, this plan of redemption, the plan of salvation which we are supposed t
o follow in this mortal life, was all prepared, and God, knowing the end from th
e beginning, made provisions for the redemption of little children through the A
tonement of Jesus Christ.
And from David O. McKay:
From this revelation [Abraham 3:23], we may infer two things: first, that there w
ere among those spirits [in premortal life] different degrees of intelligence, v
arying grades of achievement, retarded and advanced spiritual attainment;
Now if none of these spirits were permitted to enter mortality until they all were
good and great and had become leaders, then the diversity of conditions among t
he children of men as we see them today would certainly seem to indicate discrim
ination and injustice.
Our place in this world would then be determined by our own advancement or condit
ion in the pre-mortal state, just as our place in our future existence will be d
etermined by what we do here in mortality.
When, therefore, the Creator said to Abraham, and to others of his attainment, You
I will make my rulers, there could exist no feeling of envy or jealousy among th
e million other spirits, for those who were good and great were but receiving thei

r just reward (David O. McKay, Home Memories of President David O. McKay, 228 30).
What can we understand from these teachings? How do our pre-mortal choices play
into our lives here? We do not know all the answers, of course, but we can certa
inly trust that the Lord, above all, is just. We often equate justice with harsh
ness and condemnation. But that is only part of justice. Justice is also fairnes
s. The Lord s perfect justice means that the Lord is perfectly fair.
Moreover, I think it is probably less useful to worry about these things. We can
take comfort in the fact that our children who have died before the age of acco
untability will be saved, deprived of nothing that would have been theirs otherw
ise. We can take comfort in the Lord s justice, and we can take comfort in the Lor
d s mercy. We don t always understand how the Lord is just. But we know that He is.
Question
Will single sisters be able to marry in the Celestial Kingdom?
Gary
Answer
Gary,
Single sisters will be given the opportunity for marriage. But they will not mar
ry in the Celestial Kingdom. In order to obtain the highest degree of the Celest
ial Kingdom, marriage must be in place first. And that marriage must happen in t
his life. Jesus taught us in Matt 22:30 (see also Mark 12:25)
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as
the angels of God in heaven
This is expanded a bit in Luke 20:34-35
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are giv
en in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, a
nd the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
From these teachings we know that marriage is a work that must be accomplished i
n this life. Marriage will not be performed on resurrected beings.
However, we also know from latter-day teachings that those who are worthy and wi
lling, but do not have the chance for marriage, will not be deprived of exaltati
on. So how does this work? Well, through work for the dead. Joseph Smith taught p
eople could now act for their friends who had departed this life, and that the p
lan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the require
ments of the law of God. We don t know all the details of how this will work. What
we do know is that the millennium will be a time for accomplishing the mammoth u
ndertaking of completing the work for the dead. Joseph Smith also taught that im
mortal beings will frequently visit the earth. These resurrected beings will hel
p with the government and other work. A large part of this will be working out t
he details of the work for the dead.
The Gospel Principles manual clarifies this idea further:
There will be two great works for members of the Church during the Millennium: te
mple work and missionary work. Temple work involves the ordinances that are nece
ssary for exaltation. These include baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift
of the Holy Ghost, and the temple ordinances the endowment, temple marriage, and
the sealing together of family units. Many people have died without receiving th
ese ordinances. People on the earth must perform these ordinances for them. This
work is now being done in the temples of the Lord. There is too much work to fi
nish before the Millennium begins, so it will be completed during that time. Res
urrected beings will help us correct the mistakes we have made in doing research
concerning our dead ancestors. They will also help us find the information we n
eed to complete our records. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation,
comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954 56], 2:167, 251 52.)
Finally, James E Talmage drives the point home in his book Jesus the Christ,
In the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage; for all que
stions of marital status must be settled before that time, under the authority o
f the Holy Priesthood, which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time a
nd eternity. (Jesus the Christ ch 31).

Question
Gramps,
In the book of Alma, Amulek says that this life is the time for men to prepare to
meet God . I always thought that we lived with God in the pre-mortal life. If s
o, haven t we met him already? Why did he send us away just so we could prepare t
o meet him again?
Ryan
Answer
Ryan,
In the Book of Moses, Ryan, the Lord declared, For behold, this is my work and gl
ory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1: 39). In o
rder to comprehend the answer to your question, why we prepare now to meet God,
is discovered by understanding the three pillars of eternity as provided by Bruce
R. McConkie,
There three pillars of eternity, the three events, preeminent and transcendent ab
ove all others, are the creation, the fall, and the atonement. These three are
the foundations upon which all things rest.
What is the purpose of our creation and the earth s creation
the first pillar? As
you have already stated, we know that we lived with our Father in Heaven before
we received our tabernacle of flesh and blood. Our Father in Heaven already wa
s tabernacled with a glorified immortal body of flesh and bone.
In our pre-mortal
life we were taught the principles of Deity by precept and example as we lived
with our Father in Heaven. As we lived with our Father in Heaven, a plan was pr
esented by which Heavenly Father would bring to pass our immortality and eternal
life. This plan involved two spirits, Adam and Eve, to live in a garden, parta
ke of forbidden fruit, and thus being cast out of the garden of Eden the Fall
th
e second pillar.
In the book of Alma, two verses before your question, we read, according to the w
ord of God; and thus we see, that by his (Adam s) fall, all mankind became a lost
and fallen people (Alma 12: 22). In other words, physical and spiritual death we
re introduced into the world by means of the fall. Physical death simply means
that death was brought into our world, and by the means of death, our spirits an
d our bodies would become separated to rise no more, forever cast out of God s pre
sence. Our separation from God is our spiritual death. As such, this time becam
e a time to prepare to meet God, how? Due to the third pillar of eternity the
Atonement.
As Bruce C. Hafen declared, Yet because of the Atonement, they could learn from t
heir experience without being condemned by it. Christ s sacrifice didn t erase their
choices and return them to an Eden of innocence. That would be a story with no
plot and no character growth. His plan is developmental line upon line, step by st
ep, grace for grace.
This life provides opportunity for us to progress, developmental, toward two nat
ures: Godlike or the natural man. Our bodies experience appetites and passions
from opposites
good and evil. The more we use our agency to put off the natural
man and become a Saint by yielding to the enticings of the spirit we prepare ou
rselves to meet God, because when we see Him we will be like Him; however, other
brothers and sisters will not be prepared (they will be unprepared) because the
y used their agency to accept the will of the flesh.
In the Book of Mormon, during the wars with the Lamanites, we read, Now, they wer
e sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in t
he shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all they were sorry to be the means of
sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unpr
epared to meet their God.
In light of these paragraphs, we recognize two types of people, those who will b
e prepared for the final judgment, and those who will not. Those who will be pr
epared are those who steadfastly perfected themselves in Christ, while those who
are unprepared (due to wasting away their days of probation) will not be prepar

ed for the final judgment. This time is our time to prepare for exaltation. If
we waste away our time, then we will be unprepared to meet God.
Gramps
Question
Gramps,
My husband and I were sealed in the temple 20 years ago and have 5 children. We
have been active in the church this whole time. We have been experiencing marita
l issues for the past several years during which he has broken those covenants m
ade in the temple and has now chosen to leave the church completely. Although I
am not without fault, I have kept my covenants and I am interested in remaining
active. My question is about what doctrine states concerning my salvation and ki
ngdom placement if I choose to remain married to a man who will not be allowed i
n the celestial kingdom if he does not repent of his sins in this life. Thank yo
u for your time.
Amanda
Answer
Amanda,
May the Lord continue to bless you in your decision to remain active, and may he
bless you with comfort in such a difficult circumstance you now experience. As
I read your post, I am first reminded of our Article of Faith #2 & 3 which provi
de insight to your question,
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam s trans
gression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by o
bedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
The second Article of Faith allows us to understand that when we stand before th
e Lord we are only judged according to the choices we have made in this life, an
d are not judged for the decisions of others. The third Article of Faith strengt
hens the second Article of Faith by highlighting that a person is individually s
aved through personal obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. In oth
er words, if a spouse continues to remain faithful to his/her covenants, althoug
h their spouse does not, they will in nowise lose their reward in heaven
as long
as they have remained faithful to the laws, covenants, and ordinances they have
received. Elder Dallin H.Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve provided this counsel
:
We know that many worthy and wonderful Latter-day Saints currently lack the ideal
opportunities and essential requirements for their progress. Singleness, childl
essness, death, and divorce frustrate ideals and postpone the fulfillment of pro
mised blessings. In addition, some women who desire to be full-time mothers and
homemakers have been literally compelled to enter the full-time workforce. But t
hese frustrations are only temporary. The Lord has promised that in the eterniti
es no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments,
are true to their covenants, and desire what is right.
Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right in the Mil
lennium, which is the time for fulfilling all that is incomplete in the great pl
an of happiness for all of our Father s worthy children. We know that will be true
of temple ordinances. I believe it will also be true of family relationships an
d experiences (Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 75).
Through my research into your question I was able to discover this article of by
member who is in a similar situation as you, When He Stopped Believing, and I thi
nk you might find some comfort in her words.
To conclude my thoughts, please take the opportunity to read Doctrine and Covena
nts 132: 43-44
43 And if her husband be with another woman, and he was under a a vow, he hath b
roken his vow and hath committed adultery.
44 And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent and hath not broken h
er vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then sh
all you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, to take her and give her

unto him that hath not committed adultery

Question
Gramps,
If my parents are sealed to each other and they keep their covenants they made i
n the temple and remain faithful throughout their lives, can us, as children, st
ill inherit one of the 3 kingdoms of the Celestial kingdom? Even if we break awa
y from the church and don t keep the covenants? (doesn t mean I will, just curious)
Thanks heaps!
Garrett
Answer
Dear Garrett,
I would encourage you to read Elder David Bednar s article in the March 2014 Ensig
n entitled Faithful Parents and Wayward Children: Sustaining Hope While Overcomin
g Misunderstanding . In that article, Elder Bednar writes:
[F]aithful parents can invite the power of heaven to influence their children. N
evertheless, those children remain agents unto themselves, and the choice to rep
ent or not ultimately is theirs.
The fact that a child s parents have made, and are keeping, temple covenants, does
not excuse the child from the need for repentance and an individual acceptance
of the Atonement of Christ. Indeed, a child s conscious decision to sin now and re
ly on their parents temple covenants later, will probably make the repentance pro
cess even more painful and difficult.
Gramps,
What are your thoughts about what allows a person to go from spirit prison to pa
radise? Does it require an ordinance like baptism or is it based only on the p
erson s accepting the atonement?
Dick
Answer
Dick,
The scriptures tell us that it is faith in Christ (and His atonement) that frees
us from the shackles of sin and despair in mortality. I see no reason for it to
be any different in the spirit world.
Baptism is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God in both places but I think that
Spirit Paradise, while nice, isn t the Kingdom of God. I think it the place were
the righteous have gathered as they wait and work.
Alma s experience when he converts also appears to run along these lines: (Alma 36
:18-20)
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jes
us, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am
encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea,
I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was fil
led with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
Now is is likely that Alma had already been baptized before this happened. If no
t, then it seems logical that he would have quickly sought it out. I see no reas
on for the same to not be happening in the spirit world. When a spirit uses fait
h to break the chains of sin and if an authoritative baptism awaits them, they w
ould quickly accept it and move forward. If one does not, then getting one would
become their focus. They would be forced to wait patiently on the Lord until i
t happens.
Question
My children were sealed in the temple to us and most of them have strayed from t
he gospel and are not living its teachings. One of them is gay and living a gay
lifestyle. What will happen to them when they go to the other side?

J
Answer
J,
As a result of our agency, children who have been born within the covenant somet
imes make the decision to stray away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. These deci
sions create concern for any father or mother who desires the salvation for thei
r children. In response to your question here are some thoughts as given by our
prophets and apostles for you to contemplate.
Brigham Young once declared, Let the father and mother, who are members of this C
hurch and kingdom, take a righteous course, and strive with all their might neve
r to do a wrong, but to do good all their lives; if they have one child or one h
undred children, if they conduct themselves towards them as they should, binding
them to the Lord by their faith and prayers, I care not where those children go
, they are bound up to their parents by an everlasting tie, and no power on eart
h or hell can separate them from their parents in eternity; they will return aga
in to the fountain from whence they sprang. (in Journal of Discourses, 11:215)
President Joseph Fielding Smith also declared, Children born under the covenant,
who drift away, are still the children of their parents; and the parents have a
claim upon them; and if the children have not sinned away all their rights, the
parents may be able to bring them through repentance, into the celestial kingdom
, but not to receive the exaltation. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:91)
President James E. Faust declared, There are very few whose rebellion and evil de
eds are so great that they have sinned away the power to repent. That judgment mus
t also be left up to the Lord. He tells us, I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will
forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
(Conference Report, April
2003, p. 68)
Orson F. Whitney declared this statment along with quoting our beloved prophet J
oseph Smith, You parents of the wilful and the wayward! Don t give them up. Don t cas
t them off. They are not utterly lost. The Shepherd will find his sheep. They we
re his before they were yours-long before he entrusted them to your care; and yo
u cannot begin to love them as he loves them. They have but strayed in ignorance
from the Path of Right, and God is merciful to ignorance. Only the fulness of k
nowledge brings the fulness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more m
erciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the
Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds ca
n comprehend.
The Prophet Joseph Smith declared-and he never taught more comforting doctrine-th
at the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them
for valiant sevice int he Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but l
ikewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the She
pherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine P
rovidence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in t
his life or in the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their d
ebt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tred a thorny path; but
if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving
father s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray
for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hop
e on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God (in Conference Report, Apr. 192
9, 110)
Boyd K. Packer also made this statement, We emphasize that the greatest work you
will do will be within the walls of your home (see Harold B. Lee, in Conference
Report, April 1973, p.130), and that no other success can compensate for failure
in the home (see David O. Mckay, in Conference Report, April 1935, p.116).
The measure of our success as parents, however, will not rest solely on how our c
hildren turn out. That judgement would be just only if we could raise our famili
es in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible.
It is not uncommon for responsible parents to lose one of their children, for a t
ime, to influences over which they have no control. They agonize over rebellious
sons and daughters. They are puzzled over why they are so helpless when they ha

ve tried so hard to do what they should. It is my conviction that those wicked i

nfluences one day will be overruled
We cannot overemphasize the value of temple marriage, the binding ties of the sea
ling ordinance, and the standards of worthiness required of them. When parents k
eep the covenants they have made at the altar of the temple, their children will
be forever bound to them.
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 94-95)
As you have time to ponder these declarations may the Lord bless you with comfor
t knowing that he (the Lord) is perfect. His judgements will be perfectly just a
nd merciful according to our decisions here upon earth.
Question
Gramps,
In the History of the Church, Volume 5, pp 424-425, it is recorded that Joseph S
mith said the word paradise in Luke 23:43 is a mistranslation. He, however, did no
t change/correct this in the Inspired Version. He also says, Hades, shaole, parad
ise, spirits in prison are all one: it is a world of spirits. The righteous and
the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection.
My question is two-fold: (1) Am I understanding this correctly
there is only a s
pirit-world and not a paradise and a spirit prison as we are taught? (2) If the
word paradise is a mistranslation, why did the Prophet not correct it in the Inspi
red Version?
Dennis
Answer
Dear Dennis,
Joseph F. Smith s vision of the redemption of the dead answers your first question
. President Smith sees the dead gathered for the arrival of the newly dead Savio
r. There is a clear division here, with the righteous dead gathered as a sort of
spirit world Zion. They are then further organized to carry the gospel to those
in the spirit world who are not yet gathered in. Although there is a clear divi
sion here (not unlike the division we experience in this life between believers
and the world
which will increase until the resurrected Savior returns), there i
s much in common. All are dwelling in the same realm, otherwise proselyting woul
d prove impossible. All are in some sort of prison, with the righteous anxiously
awaiting the reunion with their bodies while the wicked wait in the anxiety of
sin. So I m not seeing any issue with the prophet s statement and the way we underst
and the spirit world.
My understanding of the Inspired Version (Joseph Smith Translation) of the Bible
is that it was much like the other revelations of the prophet. Just because it
was ready to publish did not mean it was complete in a final and exhaustive sens
e. We have a number of sections in our Doctrine and Covenants where the prophet
was inspired to add clarifying sections as more was revealed. I view the inspire
d translation the same. Joseph had made an initial pass over the scriptures and
so it was ready for publishing, but as he received further light and knowledge h
e was prepared to ponder and inquire over different passages.
Hi Gramps,
You have me somewhat confused. Today when I began reading questions from others
to you there was one entitled Earthbound Spirits where you answered the question t
hat all spirits go to either paradise or spirit prison immediately upon death. T
hen in the same category, Afterlife, there is another question that someone ask
you about Spirits in the Spirit world where you stated that the only spirits can
return immediately to Heavenly Father are the children who died under the age o
f accountability or under the age of 8. So, which question is correct? I would
like to know, if all spirits go directly to Heavenly Father immediately after de
ath like Alma stated in the Book of Mormon or only the spirits of children who d
ied under the age of 8. Thank you,
Jackie

Answer
Jackie,
I understand how you may be confused regarding the words we read within the Book
of Mormon, and the answers I have provided to Jj. In answer to your question, wh
ich question is correct, I would respond
both are correct. Let me explain
Your question, your confusion (other people may discover the same confusion), st
ems from Alma 40:11 where Alma declares, the spirits of all men, whether they be
good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. The question then we
must ask ourselves is, what is meant by the phrase taken home in relation to this
verse and in connection with other tenets of our faith ? For example, let s review t
he words of Joseph Fielding Smith, Elder Quentin L. Cook, and Alma 40:12.
Joseph Fielding Smith:
Taken home to God [compare Ecclesiastes 12:7] simply means that their mortal exist
ence has come to an end, and they have returned to the world of spirits, where t
hey are assigned to a place according to their works with the just or with the u
njust, there to await the resurrection. Back to God is a phrase which finds an equ
ivalent in many other well known conditions. For instance: a man spends a stated
time in some foreign mission field. When he is released and returns to the Unit
ed States, he may say, It is wonderful to be back home ; yet his home may be somewh
ere in Utah or Idaho or some other part of the West.
Elder Quentin L. Cook:
At death, righteous spirits live in a temporary state called paradise. Alma the Y
ounger teaches us paradise [is] a state of rest, a state of peace, where [the rig
hteous] shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. The unr
ighteous spirits dwell in spirit prison, sometimes referred to as hell.
Alma 40:12-13:
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.
In light of these revelations we (you and I) are able to accept that the spirits
of all men are received into the Spirit World, either paradise or prison. In re
lation to my answer to Jj, my answer was given in two parts: the salvation of li
ttle children and then I answered his other question regarding earthbound spirits
who have not yet crossed over.
Children Who Die
Children who die before the age of accountability, the atonement of Christ automa
tically redeems children who die before they reach the age of accountability, an
d they are brought back into the presence of God. (Gerald N. Lund) Thus, in answe
r to his question about spirits going back to God, the answer was given that onl
y children who have died before the age of accountability are brought back into
the presence of God. Now that this question has been answered we are able to foc
us on the rest of the spirits, ALL of the spirits who died after the age of acco
untability and answer Jj s question regarding earthbound spirits who may not have cr
ossed over.
In answer to this question, additional supportive evidence provided, all of thes
e spirits (passed the age of accountability), do not linger as earthbound spirits
who have not yet crossed over , but all these spirits have been received in either
a state of happiness and peace (paradise), or in a state of awful darkness and m
isery (prison).
I hope I have sufficiently clarified any confusion.
Question
Am I understanding this correctly? If we do not attain the highest degree of gl
ory our spouses will be taken from us and given to another? So if we make the ce
lestial but not the highest degree we are still condemned to an eternity of bein
g alone?
I ask because I have never developed a testimony of many key things (though I st
ill obey them). Things like tithing. I pay and have for years but do not see wh
y God wants my money and have never seen any benefits temporally for this. So I

worry that even though I live by the rules I have doubts about church (not the S
avior and the atonement). The way it sounds I will not make the highest degree
and my wife and kids will be stripped of me. If this is the case what is the po
int of even trying?
Concerned
Answer
Concerned,
Our scriptures indicate that there are three degrees of glory. Within the highes
t degree of glory (Celestial) there are three levels a person, via their choices
, may attain. The highest level within the Celestial Kingdom we have come to und
erstand is exaltation. These are individuals who are just men made perfect through
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. These are they who will live with their s
pouses throughout the eternities; thus, your understanding is correct pertaining
to the highest degree of glory.
As we further read and ponder other words of scripture we more fully recognize t
hat our ability to be exalted is contingent upon our faith in (John 3 16) and ou
r love (John 14:15) for our Savior. Through our faith (Alma 32:21) we begin to a
ccept the Lord s atonement. Through our love (obedience) we keep the commandments
of God. Therefore, as an example, we exercise our faith in paying our tithing be
cause we love our Savior, even if we may not have a testimony of tithing or we m
ay not have received any monetary benefit (at least according to our minds eye)
from paying tithing. The blessing of paying our tithing, or when we keep God s com
mandments, is that we will always have his spirit to be with us (Doctrine and Co
venants 20:77,79).
Our scriptures further indicate that doubt is proof, or bears witness, of God s gi
ft our moral agency (Doctrine and Covenants 101:78). When we experience doubt, o
ur heart and mind, is being enticed by opposites (2 Nephi 2:16). We then are giv
en a choice, to either entertain our doubt or entertain our faith, or as Nephi d
eclared we have the freedom to choose between liberty and eternal life, or to ch
oose captivity and death (2 Nephi 2:27). In light of these scriptures the Lord i
s clear that whether or not we attain an exalted status the choice is clearly ou
rs, and ours alone.
We receive the Holy Ghost
As church members, when we were baptized the gift of the Holy Ghost was confirme
d upon us. We are counseled in scripture to seek earnestly the best gifts which ar
e given for the benefit of those who love [God] and keep his commandments (Doctrin
e and Covenants 46:8-9). One of the gifts given by the spirit is to be able to b
elieve on the words of those who know Jesus is the Christ by the power of the Ho
ly Ghost (Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14) that they also might have eternal life
if they continue faithful. In other words, some people may not have a testimony
themselves but have joined the Church, they also keep the commandments, because
of the testimony and example of others they know. Thus, if a person believes in
others (the prophets), and they keep the commandments of God while honoring thei
r callings, their assignments, and are faithful to their families (particular th
eir wives), is there any reason why a just and merciful God would deny them exal
tation? NO!
Why keep trying? Because there is only one source who wants us to give up and i
t isn t our Savior, which you profess to believe in, who is undeniably saying,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Ma
tthew 10:28-30).
Dear Gramps,
Will Hitler be given a chance to hear the gospel in the spirit world? Will he b
e given a chance to accept proxy baptism and all the other ordinances necessary
for exaltation? What level of salvation could he possibly attain having done wh
at he did in mortality, but not having the full light of the gospel?
Robert

Answer
Robert,
All who have lived on this earth will either in this life or in the Spirit World
be baptized for themselves or by proxy. This would include Hitler although he c
ommitted atrocious crimes toward the human family.
As we read our scriptures regarding the type of glory people will obtain it is m
ost likely Hitler will be received within the Telestial Kingdom, however this is
not a judgement I am worthy or authorized to give.
All of us, despite not having the full light of the gospel, have been given the l
ight of Christ to teach us the difference between good and evil. Hitler will rece
ive judgement according to the knowledge he had and according to the light of Chr
ist he accepted and the good he denied.
Question
Gramps,
I was reading 3rd Nephi Chapter 28 during morning scripture study and noticed th
e disciples were separated into two groups based on the request from Christ. In
verse 4 the nine disciples are promised Christ s kingdom and in verse 10 the three
disciples are promised the Kingdom of the Father. The latter sounds like Celest
ial glory as we know it while the former does not. Why would the nine not also i
nherit the Kingdom of the Father?
Patrick
Answer
Patrick,
I think this is an excellent question to ponder. How hard is it to attain exalta
tion, in other words, to receive a fullness of the Father? In answer to your que
stion, it would be best to understand the answer through recognizing other scrip
tures we have received which allow us to discover the answer to your question.
The first, John 17:3, explains that in order to receive eternal life (exaltation)
we must have faith in, and knowledge of, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We re
cognize from the verse you share that the 12 disciples all had faith in Jesus Ch
rist and in Heavenly Father.
The second verses of scripture, Doctrine & Covenants 84:33-40, explains that if
we receive the Lord s servants, we receive Jesus Christ, and by receiving Jesus Ch
rist we also receive the fullness of the Father (exaltation).
The third verse of scripture, Article of Faith #3, explains that by obedience to
the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ we are saved (exaltation)
.
The final verse of scripture is found in our Pearl of Great Price within the Boo
k of Abraham 1:2, explaining how Abraham became a rightful heir, a high priest (
ultimately obtaining exaltation), through the proper application of knowledge an
d choosing and desiring to live the knowledge received no matter the consequence.
Steps to Exaltation
In essence, if we have faith, receive the prophets, gain knowledge and apply thi
s knowledge through choosing the sweet over the bitter, we will obtain exaltatio
n.
In light of the verse you share, the question I would ask you, where is Jesus s kin
gdom ? Our Savior stands at the right hand of God. His kingdom is God the Father s k
ingdom. He told the first that they would be with him in his kingdom, and he (Je
sus) is an exalted being who will live within the Celestial Kingdom.
The others were told that they would be with him in the Kingdom of his Father. O
ur Savior and our Father in Heaven are one. Where the Father dwells the son dwells
with him and where the Son (Jesus) dwells the servants who accepted him will be

with him and the Father in their kingdom.

Question
To become Gods and Goddesses in the post-mortal existence, will we have to suffe
r the same pain Jesus did to suffer for our sins? Perhaps this is just because
I am mortal, but the prospect of that scares me like I m a child again. I know I ve
asked you lots of questions But I like asking questions.
Kyle
Answer
Hello Kyle,
Please continue to ask questions. We all learn and progress in truth and righteo
usness through proper questions, answers, and the proper application of these an
swers.
In answer to your question the scripture that enters into my mind and heart is f
ound in our Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19.
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffe
r if they would repent. (emphasis added)
We are further instructed regarding the individuals who will suffer and it is th
em who have not repented, or individuals who have not accepted the grace of our
Savior.
In light of this verse, the scriptures are pretty clear, that those who have liv
ed a life worthy of exaltation will not suffer for their sins when our Savior al
ready suffered for them.
Question
Gramps,
Recently I read a book called;
A Divine Revelation of Hell by Mary K. Baxter. Wh
ile reading the book I was filled with the spirit. It gave me the impression th
e book was real. In the book it says hell is forever.
My question is; do you believe hell is forever and if not why?
Darren
Answer
Darren,
Thank you for taking the time to ask this question. I will provide you with vers
es of scripture which should answer your question.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:11-12
Eternal punishment is God s punishment.
Endless punishment is God s punishment.
Alma 42:16
Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which als
o was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of
happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.
Jacob 7:18
And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the dev
il. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:44
Wherefore, he saves all except them they shall go away into everlasting punishment,
which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment.
Question
Gramps,
Thank you for your website. It s always an informing and enjoyable read! We have
a sister in our ward who maintains that families are physically separated from e
ach other in the spirit world (currently, not after judgment day) until their te
mple work is completed.She bases this off of a vision/dream she had
not an infre
quent thing for her and I want to find a more authoritative source to confirm or
refute this. Do you know of any? Thanks.
Elizabeth

Answer
Elizabeth,
I was able to do a little research and was able to find a quote which confirms a
n aspect of her dream but not in totality. The first quote is given to us by Pre
sident Jedediah M. Grant who mentioned that some families will not be permitted
to come and dwell together because they did not honor their calling here, read b
elow:
Family relationships are also important. President Jedediah M. Grant, a counselor
to Brigham Young, saw the spirit world and described to Heber C. Kimball the or
ganization that exists there: He said that the people he there saw were organized
in family capacities. He said, When I looked at families, there was a deficiency
in some, for I saw families that would not be permitted to come and dwell toget
her, because they had not honored their calling here (Deseret News, Dec. 10, 1856,
316 17).
I, was not able to find any information confirming that temple work must be comp
leted before they could come together. The quote provided leans toward both type
s of members (those who have received temple ordinances and those who have not)
who did not honor their calling here in this life. In light of this quote both t
ypes would not be permitted to come and dwell with their family also.
As to the reason why a family would be permitted, or when they would be permitte
d, is unknown, at least I was unable to find any quote to confirm this lady. She
may or may not be correct.
hen we are resurrected, what will be our age? If I died old will I be brought ba
ck at that age or younger like in the prime of life? Will physical defects such
as a deformity be done away with? Thank you.
Jim
____________________
Jim,
This is a great question. Let s first discuss what we do know in order to complete
ly answer your question.
The meaning of our soul, And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
In scripture we are also informed, Alma 40:23, The soul shall be restored to the
body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored
to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shal
l be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
In light of these two verses our soul will be resurrected unto its perfect frame
. In other words, any deformity a person may have had will be done away with, ot
herwise they would not have what would constitute a perfect frame like unto God.
As pertaining to the age of our spirits, I recommend the words of Elder Dallin H
. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who declared, Many living witnesses r
esurrection from the deadcan testify to the literal fulfillment of these scriptu
ral assurances of the resurrection. Many, including some in my own extended fami
ly, have seen a departed loved one in vision or personal appearance and have wit
nessed their restoration in proper and perfect frame in the prime of life. Whether
these were manifestations of persons already resurrected or of righteous spirit
s awaiting an assured resurrection, the reality and nature of the resurrection o
f mortals is evident. What a comfort to know that all who have been disadvantage
d in life from birth defects, from mortal injuries, from disease, or from the na
tural deterioration of old age will be resurrected in proper and perfect frame.
In relation to children Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say, Children resurrect
ed as children. Of course, children who die do not grow in the grave. They will
come forth with their bodies as they were laid down, and then they will grow to
the full stature of manhood or womanhood after the resurrection, but all will ha
ve their bodies fully restored (Doctrines of Salvation, Book 2, pg. 293).