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“When We Obtain Any Blessing from God, It Is by Obedience”
Joseph Smith revealed truths about the Godhead and "the world to come."
From Come, Follow Me:
What do I learn about God? What do I learn about the life after mortality? How does this knowledge affect my life?
(click to enlarge)
This painting is by Annie Henrie Nader and she explains that it “depicts three degrees of glory: The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27) The greatest degree of glory- the glory of the sun- is represented by the top tier with God the Father and His Son. They stretch their arms out in greeting to those who will follow Them and keep Their commandments. The second tier represents the glory of the moon, and the third tier represents the glory of the stars. This painting is a testament to the justice, mercy, and love God shows through His plan of salvation for His children.”
This activity works for families, groups, and wards. Ahead of time, reserve a church meeting house or another place with several available rooms. Prepare the menu and materials for the "carnival." Collect discarded keys or make paper cut-outs. You will need two keys for each participant, except for one or two adults who know ahead of time that they will not get keys.
Step #1: PRE-MORTAL EXISTENCE
Bring a picture of the temple (representing life before we came to earth), or if you live near a temple visit it if possible and do Step #1 outside the temple. Explain what the premortal life was like (see Abraham 3:22-28 and Moses 4:1-6). See The Family: A Proclamation To The World. We felt happy and secure there in the care of our Heavenly Father, and we shouted for joy when we heard the plan. We knew our Savior would help us through mortality and be the means by which we could return to our Father in Heaven. "... in the Grand Council of Heaven He loved us and was wonderfully strong, that we triumphed even there by the power of Christ and our faith in the blood of the Lamb." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, This Do In Remembrance of Me
What specific things can we do in our home to rely on the Savior? What were our hopes in premortal life, and how does the Savior make it possible to reach our dreams? At this point, give each group member three keys and tell them that they are important.
Step #2 BORN INTO MORTALITY
As you gather and go toward the next room (or return from visiting a temple), share stories of what it was like to welcome new babies into your family. Explain that the purpose of mortality was "for spirit sons and daughters to obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life;" (see The Family: A Proclamation To The World). Explain why the "veil was drawn and why we don't remember what the premortal existence was like. Discuss Alma 43:32.
You are all now "born" and the room representing "mortality" could be set up like a big carnival with food, party hats and decorations, tokens to play games that are available, and birthday cake because it is your collective imaginary "birthdays." Earth life is filled with wonderful opportunities! Give out plenty of tokens (tickets) for games and prizes for those who win games. You could also go to a fun venue for this part. During this phase, some of the adults could try to talk others out of the keys by offering to trade three tokens for one key. Some of the kids will figure out that the keys must be very valuable, and they will keep them. Some may trade them for tokens.
Step #3: DEATH
Suddenly it will be time for mortality to end. At the end of life on earth, all the material prizes, food, party hats and decorations, etc. must be left behind. Discuss death and its part in the plan of salvation (See Romans 5:12). Have everyone walk to the next room without anything extra except keys they still have. Discuss what mortality was like. What do the treats, games, prizes, and decorations represent? (worldly pleasure) What do the keys represent? (ordinances and covenants).
Step #4: THE SPIRIT WORLD
Here in the "Spirit World," begin by asking those who have keys if they are prepared for their reward. Make sure that one or two adults did not get keys. This is a prime opportunity to explain that there are those people who do not have the knowledge of the gospel, or who did not have the opportunity to understand it fully. Those with keys represent people who have made covenants and received ordinances. In D&C 138:32-35 we learn that in the spirit world, those who did not have the gospel in mortality will have an opportunity to learn about, understand, and accept the gospel. Invite (or this may happen naturally) those with keys to share the gospel with those who don't have keys. Explain that only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, can the opportunity to receive exaltation be possible for all of us. Talk about missionary and family history work on both sides of the veil (see Families Gathering Families on Both Sides of the Veil).
Step #5: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, RESURRECTION, AND ETERNAL LIFE
We will all be resurrected (see Revelations 20:12, 1 Cor. 15:22, D&C 93:33, and Alma 40:23). So, because keys were shared to those without them, everyone now has them, and everyone receives his or her symbolic reward (treat or gift)!
Sing: Families Can Be Together Forever
View any relevant videos from the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Video Collections. Share what it is like to lose a loved one, and the glory of the resurrection. Visit the grave of a loved one or view online, tell family history stories, rejoice together in the fact that families are eternal. Add any of the activities below.
Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:7, 13–25
Heavenly Father made it possible for families to be eternal.
From Come, Follow Me
One of the most comforting truths restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith is that marriage and family relationships can last forever. Through Joseph Smith, the Lord restored the ordinances and authority needed to make these relationships eternal (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:7, 18–19). Think about the family relationships you have or hope to have in the future as you read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:7, 13–25. How do these verses affect the way you think about these relationships?
Activity suggestions:
President Nelson encouraged us to do the following for six months, but you can continue on through your study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year:
"As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life." (Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail)
Identify promises the Lord has promised in Doctrine and Covenants 129–132. Write or audio-record about their influence in your life.