The Plan of Salvation a Scriptural Overview

 

The Plan of Salvation a Scriptural Overview 

 

 

The Pre-Mortal Existence

 

Numbers 16:22, Hebrews 12:9 – God is the Father of our spirits, He is in fact the God of the spirits of all flesh.  This signifies a special relationship that God has specifically with our spirits.  This is because we were with God, as you will soon see, before we even possessed bodies.

 

Acts 17:26-29 - Before we were on this earth God determined the bounds of our habitation and Created our spirits for we are His literal “offspring”.

 

Job 1:6, 38:4-7 – When we were with God before this earth we presented ourselves before him and he told us about his plan. We all sang together and shouted for joy when the Plan was presented.

 

Titus 1:2 – God promised us, before the world began, that we would be able to achieve eternal life with him.

 

 

The War In Heaven

 

Revelation 12:7-13 – When the Plan was presented to us, Lucifer(Satan) rebelled and a war in heaven ensued.  Michael and his angels cast Satan out of heaven.

 

2 Peter 2:4 – There were some angels (or ministering spirits, for we were all angels[Heb. 1:13-14]) that sinned and were cast out with Satan.

 

Isaiah 14:12-15 – Lucifer fell from heaven.  He was a son of the morning, meaning he was one of the first born spirits of God, and yet he rebelled and was cast out.

 

Luke 10:17-18 – Jesus Christ and all of us as His spirit brothers and sisters, were there to witness Lucifer and his angels fall from heaven before the foundations of the earth.

 

 

Jesus Christ Was Chosen

 

1 Peter 1:18-20, John 1:1-5, 14 – Jesus Christ was with God, and all of us, before the earth was created.

 

John 17:4-5 – Jesus Christ existed and had glory before the earth just as we all existed and were in the presence of God’s glory.

 

1 Peter 1:19-20 – Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained before the foundation of the world to be our Saviour.

 

Romans 8:29-30 – Christ was called and predestined to be the Saviour of the world.  We may also have been called and predestined to other duties.

 

 

We Were With God and Chose To Follow His Plan

 

Jeremiah 1:5 – We were with God even before we were in our Mother’s womb.  He knew us well and gave us duties to perform on earth.

 

Ephesians 1:3-5 – God loved us and blessed us before we left him. Many of His children were predestined for specific causes.

 

John 3:13 – All mankind will come down from heaven to receive a body and experience.

 

John 9:2 – When we were without our bodies, we still had the ability to choose.  The Apostles recognized this when they asked Jesus if this man sinned before he was born.

 

Jude 1:6 – Some angels kept not their first estate.  The first estate was the option that we were given to either go down to earth and learn to be like our father in heaven or to follow Lucifer and his angels down to hell.

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – Thankfully we know that we have “committed our first estate” and followed the Lord’s plan to this earth.  We were chosen before the earth was created to inherit salvation by His son.

 

Proverbs 8:27-30 – David recognized that he was with God before the earth was created and he rejoiced always before him.

 

 

But Why Would I Leave God and Why Can’t I Remember This

 

John 6:38-51, 62 – Many people in Jesus’ day found it hard to believe that he came down from heaven and is the son of God.  To them he said “murmur not among yourselves” “What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?”.  Some today find it hard to believe that we lived with God before this life on earth.  Maybe because they cannot remember it or because it would be difficult to leave the presence of God.

 

2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 - The Vail of forgetfulness blinds our minds from what we knew in the pre-mortal life so that we can be fairly tested here on earth. For we walk by faith and not by sight when we are here on this earth and away from the Lord.

 

Mark 5:6-9, Mark 3:11-12 - The devils that were cast out of heaven, knew Jesus as the Son of God because they remembered him from the pre-mortal existence that we were all a part of.  They were not blinded by the “Vail of forget-fullness” as we all were.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7,2 Corinthians 5:6-7 - The bounds that were determined by God, allowed us to leave God for a time so that we could learn.  Although this may have been hard we found comfort in the Knowledge that He would always be with us, that this was His plan, and that we would return to him.

 

Moses 4:1-4 – This more correct translation of the first six chapters of Genesis, shows important dialog from before the earth was created.

Abraham 3:22-28 – In this long lost book of scripture written by Abraham, more important truths are revealed about the pre-mortal existence.

The Garden of Eden and Original Sin

 

 

Clarity from the Book of Mormon

 

2 Nephi 2:17-29, Alma 12:22-34 - Lehi Explains that without the transgression of Adam and Eve, they would have had no children, no death, no joy and no sin.  The tree they partook of was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Without knowledge of good and evil things they would not be able to sin because they would not be able to comprehend good or evil options and we cannot be held accountable for that which we do not understand(Romans 2:12).  They would not be able to have children because that requires the knowledge of how to procreate which would negate their innocence and lack of knowledge for procreative power can be used for both good and evil.  They would not be able to experience joy for without opposing emotions they wouldn’t know the difference.  They would not be able to taste death and return to God in a glorified resurrected state because they would be forever partaking of the tree of life in their innocence.  From the beginning the entire plan of salvation has rested upon our learning from our mistakes, having children to bring more spirits into the world, growing to have a fullness of joy and eventually dying so that we can receive our resurrected bodies and live again with God just as Jesus Christ who is perfect(2 Nephi 9:6-13).  Lehi understood that acknowledging Adam and Eve as good people who followed the plan God presented from the beginning did not negate the fact that they transgressed but that it did change the consequences.  For every law there are consequences that follow, these consequences are what make a law a law(Alma 42).  Adam and Eve were told the consequences of partaking of the tree of knowledge which were sin and death entering into the world(Genesis 2:16-17).  They transgressed despite the consequences so that they could have children, joy, knowledge and because they fell into temptation.  This was part of God’s plan from the beginning for he knows all future events(John 16:30, Psalms 147:5, Isaiah 66:18).  As before shown(1 Peter 1:18-20) He foreordained His Son to be our Saviour before the earth was created.  There was no backup plan, He has always known a Saviour was needed and the actions of all men including Adam.  God’s ways are not our ways but perhaps the reason he chose this particular beginning to this earthly testing ground was, as Lehi said(2 Nephi 2:21), to continually point to our total reliance on Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice for our salvation.

 

Moses 3:17 - This is the alternate translation of Genesis 2:16-17 that was translated by Joseph Smith and may shed some light on these seemingly contradictory commandments.  Ask yourself, if this translation is more accurate what does this mean to me? “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Moses 5:9-11, John 3:16-17, Moses 1:39 – Adam, and all men, are redeemed from the fall by the Saviour Jesus Christ.  Both Adam and Eve understand the purpose of the transgression.  A fall to bring them to Christ, joy and everlasting life.

 

Alma 13:3(Doctrine and Covenants 88:86, 93:31, 134:2)- We have always been given liberty and the right to choose for ourselves.

 

Helaman 14:30-31, 2 Nephi 10:23 - This free agency is given unto all and is something to be glad about.

 

Moroni 8:5-22 – Here in the Book of Mormon, Mormon explains to his son why the baptism of infants is not required.  Ponder on the infinite mercy of Christ compared with the doctrine of Original sin which teaches that an unbaptized infant who passes away will endure the torment of hell.  “Awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism”(Moroni 8:15).
 

 

Clarity from the Holy Bible

Hebrews 11: 24-25 – Moses chose affliction and suffering over sin just as Adam did.

 

Joshua 24:15 - This earth was prepared as a testing ground made for choices between good and evil.

 

Galatians 6:7 – “We reap what we sow” or in other words, we are given the choice to follow the lord or follow the path of destruction.

 

Deuteronomy 11:26-28, Deuteronomy 30:1-2 - This world is a blessing and a curse.  Many tests that we take are unpleasant but when we follow the directions given and make good choices, we are always happy with the results.

Matthew 5:48 – Christ gives a commandment that he knows we cannot keep, just as God gives a commandment that he knows Adam and Eve cannot keep, this is to show our complete dependence on Jesus Christ as a saviour.  

 

 

The Purpose of Our Trials

 

- Do we shelter our children from every trial they may have? We must learn from experience and mistakes just as our children do.

 

- When you think of the big picture, and how long we have here on this earth compared to eternity, all our trials are put into perspective and we begin to see that although life is not fair here on earth, everything is worth it when the reward is eternal life.

 

- If rewards were instantly given to the doer of good, and punishment instantly offered to the wicked, all would do good but not for the sake of doing good.  We are given this probation and testing period to test our faithfulness even when life isn’t immediately fair on this earth.

 

Romans 5:3-5, 8:17, 28, 35, 37-39, 12:12 – We can find glory in them.

 

Mosiah 3:19, 23:10 – We are naturally inclined to seek Independence from God.

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Helaman 12:3, Hosea 5:15, Alma 62:41  - They humble us and bring us closer to God.

 

2 Nephi 2:11-13, Moses 4: 23-25 - They provide us with necessary opposition.

 

Hebrews 11:40 (JST) – Without them we can’t be perfect.

 

Either 12:6, 12:27 – They improve our faith.

 

John 16:33, Alma 7:11-13  - They are all overcome by Christ’s suffering.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 58:3-4, 84:88, 105:19, 121:1-11, 122:7-9, 128:22-23 – They have been experienced by others who found comfort in Christ.

 

Alma 14:11, 60:12-13 – They are for the judgment of the wicked.

 

Helaman 5:12, Matthew 7:24-29 – They build our foundation on Christ.

 

1 Nephi 3:7, 1 Corinthians 10:13 - God will always provide a way to withstand our trials.

 

Other scriptures to study – 1 Nephi 11:17, 20:10, 2 kings 6:15-17, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 8:2, John 14:27, 15:13, Matthew 5:10, 13:21(Mark 4:17), Hebrews 5:8,12:1-2, 1 Peter 1:7, 2:20, 3:14, Isaiah 30:20, Acts 14:22, Alma 36:3(38:5), Psalms 119:67, Mosiah 24:14, James 5:13, Luke 24:46, Philippians 1:29.
 

 

The Spirit World

 

1 Corinthians 6:20 – Both our body and our spirit are God’s creations and are subject to his rules.

 

 

Paradise

 

Luke 23:39-43, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 2:7 - Jesus, while on the cross, turns to a thief and accepts his repentance granting him entrance into Paradise.  Paradise is that part of the spirit world in which the righteous spirits who have departed from this life await the resurrection of the body. It is a condition of happiness and peace. 

 

John 20:17 – Here we find that Paradise is separate from the place where our Father in heaven resides.  The resurrected Christ explains to Mary that he has not been to his father who dwells in heaven.

 

John 11:25 – The dead who believe in Christ shall live again and partake of his sacrifice allowing them rest from spiritual death.

 

John 5:25-29 – Christ knew his mission in the spirit world as well as the physical.  He understood that he would be killed and would preach to those who are dead.

 

Luke 16:19-31 – Christ tells a parable detailing the current state in the spirit world.  He did not say that the gulf would never be bridged by He who

 is master of both our body and spirit(1 Corinthians 6:20, Romans 14:8-9).

 

 

Prison

 

1 Peter 3:18-21, 4:6 - Christ visits those who were disobedient on this earth and teaches them the Gospel.  There is no other way that both mercy and justice can prevail among us all, for none can deny that many have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel in its fullness on this earth.

 

Daniel 12:2-3 – Many that are dead will have the opportunity to choose the Gospel or the path to destruction even as their bodies lay in the dust of the earth.

 

Isaiah 24:22, 42:6-7, 61:1 – Isaiah speaks of those who will be in spirit prison and who will be visited after a time by Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 14:8-9- Christ is the Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

Salvation of the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:29, 34-38 – Just as the saints in Corinth asked why they were performing baptisms for the dead, we must also ask why this work must be performed.  The reason of course is that all men and women must be baptized and understand Christ’s Gospel in order to enter into God’s Kingdom(John 3:5, Acts 4:12) and because many have not had the knowledge of God(1 Corinthians 34) and have not had an opportunity to accept Him, In his perfect mercy he has provided a way for faithful saints upon the earth to be baptized for and behalf of those who have not had that opportunity when they lived on the earth and who wish to make that covenant. For we shall be saviours on mount Zion to those who accept this proxy baptism(Obidiah 1:21) for “they without us cannot be made perfect(Hebrews 11:40).

 

 

The Time of our Judgment

Matthew 16:27, Ecclesiastes 12:7 – Jesus Christ will come in all his glory(Philippians 2:9-11).  When he comes he will Judge and reward us according to our works, this is the great and terrible day of the judgement that will take place at His second coming. Because our spirits return to a heavenly state or a state of hell and leave their bodies, these places combine to make the spiritual realm that is separate and distinct from where our father in heaven dwells (John 20:17) and from the permanent resting places we will eventually be judged and resurrected into (Acts 2:25-27,Revelation 20:4-5) namely the kingdoms of God (1 Corinthians 15:40-42, John 14:2, 2 Corinthians 12:2) or the dwelling place of Satan(Matthew 8:12).

 

 

Prophecy and Linking of the Restored Church to the Bible

John 10:14-16, (3 Nephi 15:21-24), Matthew 15:24, John 20:30, John 21:25 - Jesus explains how he has other people that he must leave them to go and teach.  These other sheep are God’s children in the Ancient Americas.

 

Ezekiel 37:10-24, (1 Nephi 5:14) - A prophesy on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

 

Genesis 49:22-26, Deuteronomy 33:13-17 – The posterity of Joseph is prophesied to travel over a great water.

Genesis 11:1-9, 48:15-19, Isaiah 11:10-12 – The gathering and dispersal of Israel and Joseph’s tribe.

Isaiah 16:8 – The branches(descendants) of Joseph will be stretched out over the sea.

Isaiah 29:4,10-14,(17-24), (JS-H 1:63-65, 2 Nephi 27:6-26) - Another prophesy on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

 

Psalms 85:10-11, Isaiah 45:8 – Truth will spring out of the earth.

 

Acts 14:15-17, Romans 1:20-25, 2 Corinthians 13:1, (2 Nephi 29:3-14) – The book of Mormon is the prophesied second witness to the Bible.

 

 

 

The Apostasy Prophesied, Showing the need for the Restoration
Isaiah 60: 2 - darkness shall cover the earth.
Amos 8: 11 - a famine . . . of hearing the words of the Lord.
Matthew 24: 5, 9 - saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many(Christ knew he would be crucified and the Apostles killed, that’s why he created an everlasting and renewing priesthood organization, Ephesians 2:19-20, 4:11-14).
Matthew 24: 24 - shall arise false Christs, and false prophets.
Acts 20: 29-30 - shall grievous wolves enter in among you.
2 Thessalonians 2: 3 - shall not come, except there come a falling away first.

JS-H 1: 19 - they were all wrong, . . . their hearts are far from me(the fulfillment of the prophesy).

 

 

Acts 3:19-21, Ephesians 1:10, (2 Nephi 3:6-21) – The restoration of the fullness of the gospel is prophesied.

Matthew 17:10-13, Malachi 4:5-6 – Elias and Elisha prophesied to return.

Revelations 14:6-7 – Moroni is prophesied to come bringing the truth.

Mica 4:1-2, 11, Isaiah 2:2-3 – The Church of God is prophesied to be established among the mountains (Utah).

Daniel 2:26-45 – Daniel prophesies of a time(before the millennium) when the kingdom of God will roll forth to fill the earth and will never leave it.  This could not have been fulfilled at Christ’s time because the people apostatized from the gospel soon after he was Crucified.

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