There Is A Plan

 

"God bless you to realize where you came from and the great privileges that are yours. If the veil were rolled back and you could just see one glimpse of God's great eternal plan concerning you and who you are, it would be hard for you not to love him, keep his commandments, and live to be worthy of every blessing that he has had for you since before the foundations of the world were laid."

-Elder LeGrand Richards-

 

I love the plan that Heavenly Father has provided for us to come to Earth, to learn and grow and then someday to return to live with him again. We knew him before we came to Earth. We loved him and learned from him and he loved us. He knew that we would experience hard things during our time on Earth but he also knew that those experiences would help us to grow and learn. I think of it like a parent sending their children off to college. They know that they will experience hard things but they also know that there is no other way for them to learn them but through experience. I am truly so grateful that our Heavenly Father cared enough about us to send us to Earth, away from him for a time, but always in his constant care. Under the direction of Heavenly Father Jesus Christ created the Earth, where Adam and Eve, our first parents were placed in the Garden of Eden. They lived in a state of innocence, walking and talking with God; but Heavenly Father gave them their agency to choose. They could partake of any fruit in the Garden but that of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By doing so they would be cast out and experience death, pain and suffering. Satan tempted them and they partook of the fruit and were thrust out. Only by partaking of the fruit could they have children and progress. I love the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:25, "Adam fell that man might be and men are that they might have joy." Adam and Eve were blessed with children, beginning the human family. I can imagine all of us waiting to come down to earth. Jumping for joy at the opportunity that we had to receive a body and experience life. We will all die. When we do die our bodies and our spirits will be separated. Our sprits will go to the spirit world where those who didn't hear the gospel will have the opportunity to accept it or reject it. Heavenly Father will give everyone the opportunity to hear his gospel. After time our bodies will be resurrected, our bodies and spirits will be reconnected never to be separated again. We will then stand before God to be judged of our works, where we will receive our reward. Heavenly Father wants us to come home to him! He has prepared blessings and opportunities here on Earth for us to grow! The Plan of Salvation has the same fundamental steps but it is so individual for everyone! If only we knew what we have in store for us if we are obedient and follow Gods commandments! Heavenly Father is waiting to bless us! He has provided such an amazing plan for us! He loves us and wants us to return home to him! His commandments on this earth are simple. Be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by that some power, repent, have faith, and endure to the end. He promises us that if we will do this we will receive eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom! I love the Plan of Salvation! I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who provided us with a way to return to live with him!! I know he lives!! There is a plan for each and every one of us!