This is a review of the slides we used while discussing... The Great Plan of Happiness D&C 76

The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought to occupy our strict attention, and be regarded as one of heaven’s best gifts to mankind (Joseph Smith, HC 2:23).

God’s plan of salvation is the wrong thing to be wrong about! No error could be more enormous or more everlasting in its consequences! (Neal A Maxwell, Ensign, May 1984, p. 22).

D&C 76:The Plan of Salvation Intro. + Conclusion (v. 1-19, )Intro. + Conclusion (v. 1-19, ) Jesus Christ (v. 1, 20-24)Jesus Christ (v. 1, 20-24) The Adversary (v )The Adversary (v ) Vision of our Possibilities (v )Vision of our Possibilities (v )

The Introduction & Conclusion

I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843–44, p ). I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843–44, p ).

Jesus Christ The ONLY Savior (v. 1)The ONLY Savior (v. 1) Received “fulness” therefore “worship” him! (v )Received “fulness” therefore “worship” him! (v ) Testimony of “Christ” and “our heritage” (v )Testimony of “Christ” and “our heritage” (v )

The Adversary & His Servants Rebellion (v. 25, D&C 29:36-45)Rebellion (v. 25, D&C 29:36-45)

“Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position. Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. ‘How everything affects me’ is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self- fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 6).

“Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious and striving to excel one above another; yet some are willing to build up others as well as themselves. So in the other world there are a variety of spirits. Some seek to excel. And this was the case with Lucifer when he fell. He sought to things which were unlawful” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 297).

The Adversary & His Servants Rebellion (v. 25)Rebellion (v. 25) Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43)Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43)

“In the realms of perdition or the kingdom of darkness, where there is no light, Satan and the unembodied spirits of the pre-existence shall dwell together with those of mortality who retrogress to the level of perdition. These have lost the power of regeneration. They have sunk so low as to have lost the inclinations and ability to repent” (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125).

The Adversary & His Servants Rebellion (v. 25)Rebellion (v. 25) Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43)Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43) Maketh war with saints (v. 29)Maketh war with saints (v. 29)

“Serve God according to the best knowledge you have, and lay down and sleep quietly; and when the Devil comes along and says, ‘You are not a very good saint, you might enjoy greater blessings and more of the power of God, and have the visions of your mind opened, if you live up to your privileges,’ tell him to leave; that you have long ago forsaken his ranks and enlisted in the army of Jesus, who is your captain, and that you want no more of the Devil” (Brigham Young, JD 4:270).

“Thousands of temptations assail, and you make a miss here and a slip there, and say that you have not lived up to all the knowledge you have. True; but often it is a marvel to me that you have lived up to so much as you have, considering the power of the enemy upon the earth. Few that have ever lived have fully understood that power. I do not fully comprehend the awful power and influence Satan has upon the earth, but I understand enough to know that it is a marvel that the Latter-day Saints are as good as they are” (Brigham Young, JD 8:285).

The Adversary & His Servants Rebellion (v. 25)Rebellion (v. 25) Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43)Perdition (v. 26, 31-32, 43) Maketh war with saints (v. 29)Maketh war with saints (v. 29) Overcame (v )Overcame (v )

“What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him. After a man has sinned against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him. He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it; and from that time he begins to be an enemy” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358).

“ “The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin” (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123).

“Satan is evil: totally and always. He ever seeks to defeat the gospel plan and “destroy the souls of men” (D&C 10:27)... “Satan is evil: totally and always. He ever seeks to defeat the gospel plan and “destroy the souls of men” (D&C 10:27)... Satan is irrevocably committed to countering and overcoming the influence of the Spirit of Christ upon men” (Marion G. Romney, Ensign, June 1971, p. 36).

Our Possibilities

Jesus Christ was the greatest teacher who ever taught. He made known the greatest truths ever learned. He revealed the meaning of life, the way to success, and the secret of happiness. And all that he taught was focused on eternal life. He preached no telestial program. He was too busy to preach a terrestrial way of life. His whole message seems to have been focused on celestial life. It was his constant theme and he followed it explicitly (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p ).

Celestial Kingdom Resurrection of the ‘just’ (v. 50, 65, 69; see Philippians 3:11-12; Moroni 10:30-33)Resurrection of the ‘just’ (v. 50, 65, 69; see Philippians 3:11-12; Moroni 10:30-33) Overcome by faith (v ; Rev. 12:11)Overcome by faith (v ; Rev. 12:11) Innumerable company (v. 67)Innumerable company (v. 67) Receive a ‘fulness’ of the Father (v. 71; see D&C 93)Receive a ‘fulness’ of the Father (v. 71; see D&C 93)

Terrestrial Kingdom Three Groups... Three Groups... (v ) Group #1(v ) Group #1 (v ) Group #2(v ) Group #2 (v. 79) Group #3(v. 79) Group #3

Terrestrial Kingdom Three Groups... Three Groups... (v ) Group #1(v ) Group #1 (v ) Group #2(v ) Group #2 (v. 79) Group #3(v. 79) Group #3

To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is to vote as he would vote. It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father (Bruce R. McConkie, “Be Valiant in the Fight of Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 33).

Telestial Kingdom Surpasses all understanding (v. 89)Surpasses all understanding (v. 89)

God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performances, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us. No wonder we will not complain at the final judgment, especially since even the Telestial Kingdom's glory surpasses all understanding (D&C 76:89). God delights in blessing us (Neal A. Maxwell, According to the Desires of Our Hearts, Ensign, May 1996, p. 21). God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performances, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us. No wonder we will not complain at the final judgment, especially since even the Telestial Kingdom's glory surpasses all understanding (D&C 76:89). God delights in blessing us (Neal A. Maxwell, According to the Desires of Our Hearts, Ensign, May 1996, p. 21).

One of the greatest [truths] is that to hell there is an exit as well as an entrance. Hell is no place to which a vindictive judge sends prisoners to suffer and to be punished principally for his glory; but it is a place prepared for the teaching, the disciplining of those who failed to learn here upon the earth what they should have learned.... No man will be kept in hell longer than is necessary to bring him to a fitness for something better (James E. Talmage, In Conference Report, April 1930, p. 97).

Telestial Kingdom Surpasses all understanding (v. 89)Surpasses all understanding (v. 89) Received not (v. 82, 101)Received not (v. 82, 101) Bow knee and confess (v. 110)Bow knee and confess (v. 110) MUST go through HELL (v. 84)MUST go through HELL (v. 84)

The End...