Rising in Christ
Our class lesson for Easter Sunday was from the teachings of President George Albert Smith on the immortality of the soul. One portion of his testimony:
When Jesus was raised from the dead He became the first fruits of the resurrection. The spirit begotten of the Father (the intelligent part of His soul) reinhabited His earthly tabernacle which had been purified, and He became a glorified celestial being, and took His place, on the right hand of the Father, as one of the Godhead. He had power to overcome death because He had complied with all the laws of His Father governing it; and having subdued death he turned the key whereby all mankind may be resurrected, and all may be glorified also by obeying His teachings, which are so simple that all may comply if they will.
He taught that "we are living eternal lives" now--mortality is a part of the story arc of our progression; our eternity does not begin after this life. We are already in the process of it, it began before our birth, and all that we learn and become will continue with us. The testimony of the resurrection is triumphant and powerful, sweeping all fears away. Its promise is offered to us all; in fact resurrection is guaranteed, but to what life is variable, depending on whether we have been faithful.
How many times have we heard or said, "I can't help it, that's just the way I am." We all have weaknesses and pitfalls, prone to stumble in certain repeated ways which may indeed not be the same ways as Joe Blow over there. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is about learning how to "help it" in those matters which keep us away from our Father in Heaven. His arms are stretched out to us, welcoming us to 'come and see' how we can be healed and transformed. It takes time, desire, and work. He has the patience.
Lucile Johnson said in a women's conference, "The Spirit can only make us more truly ourselves." Ourselves as we were when we lived in a place of light, joy, and glory, with our Father. We are here to put all our understanding to the test of actual choices. We should not fear what the Lord will ask of us, but change is scary. How often do we run and hide, metaphorically speaking, from facing up to our need to repent and do better? Do we trust his word? His love?
When Jesus was raised from the dead He became the first fruits of the resurrection. The spirit begotten of the Father (the intelligent part of His soul) reinhabited His earthly tabernacle which had been purified, and He became a glorified celestial being, and took His place, on the right hand of the Father, as one of the Godhead. He had power to overcome death because He had complied with all the laws of His Father governing it; and having subdued death he turned the key whereby all mankind may be resurrected, and all may be glorified also by obeying His teachings, which are so simple that all may comply if they will.
He taught that "we are living eternal lives" now--mortality is a part of the story arc of our progression; our eternity does not begin after this life. We are already in the process of it, it began before our birth, and all that we learn and become will continue with us. The testimony of the resurrection is triumphant and powerful, sweeping all fears away. Its promise is offered to us all; in fact resurrection is guaranteed, but to what life is variable, depending on whether we have been faithful.
How many times have we heard or said, "I can't help it, that's just the way I am." We all have weaknesses and pitfalls, prone to stumble in certain repeated ways which may indeed not be the same ways as Joe Blow over there. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is about learning how to "help it" in those matters which keep us away from our Father in Heaven. His arms are stretched out to us, welcoming us to 'come and see' how we can be healed and transformed. It takes time, desire, and work. He has the patience.
Lucile Johnson said in a women's conference, "The Spirit can only make us more truly ourselves." Ourselves as we were when we lived in a place of light, joy, and glory, with our Father. We are here to put all our understanding to the test of actual choices. We should not fear what the Lord will ask of us, but change is scary. How often do we run and hide, metaphorically speaking, from facing up to our need to repent and do better? Do we trust his word? His love?
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(I John 3:2-3)
His love and grace will only make us more truly ourselves. He is risen, and he reaches his hand to bid us rise with him, in perfecting our natures and in literal glory at the last day.
I really like the concept that mortality is "part of the story arc of our progression." We humans tend to think that eternity will begin AFTER this probationary state. How wrong we are! I like being reminded that we are truly ourselves -- that we can help how we act, and that the Spirit makes us shine. Well done!
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