by Irene Davault

Created on: September 02, 2009   Last Updated: November 05, 2009

When we fully understand the great plan of happiness that was taught to us in our pre-mortal life....." In hope of eternal life , which God , that cannot lie , promised before the world began..."(Bible/NT/Titus 1:2), we then begin to see and understand why we came to this earth to get our bodies, to perfect ourselves, and the need for our Savior, Jesus Christ. "But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, and full of love and all long-suffering.

Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest "(Book of Mormon/Alma 13:28-29).

Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden brought two deaths upon him, one a spiritual. Because of his transgression, Adam would no longer be in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Before the fall he was in his presence and talked with him. The second death was temporal, Adam's body went through a change from immortality to mortality. This change would cause the body to age and die.

While Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden they could not complete the first commandment to be fruitful and multiply. So the fall was a necessary step for Adam and Eve to take, in order, to fulfill Father's commandment. This is where, in the great plan of happiness, a Savior is needed to redeem us from the fall.

Jesus Christ was chosen to reclaim us from both the spiritual death and the temporal death. "Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.

And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come" (Book of Mormon/Jacob 4:11-12.).

Our hope for eternal life lies in our belief and faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ and through his Atonement. Eternal life defines the quality of life our Eternal Father lives. He lives in an exalted state, forever and ever. The Lord declared, " This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Book of Mormon/Moses 1:39). All mankind will, through the (mercy) grace of God, be resurrected and live forever and this gift is received through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Eternal life is to live in God's presence in an exalted state and continue as families. Like the gift of immortality, this gift is also made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To inherit eternal life requires our obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

We all are born with the Light of Christ, and have the ability to discern error from truth, right from wrong. May we look for that truth and claim our hope of eternal life.

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