1. THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS By President Boyd K. Packer President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles April 2015

2. The commandment to multiply and replenish the earth has never been rescinded. It is essential to the plan of redemption and is the source of human happiness. Through the righteous exercise of this power, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fulness of joy, even godhood. The power of procreation is not an incidental part of the plan; it is the plan of happiness; it is the key to happiness.

3. HOW IS PROCREATION ESSENTIAL TO THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS

4. Read: D&C 93: 23, 29 Read: D&C 93: 23, 29 Read: Quote 1 (Christofferson) Read: Quote 1 (Christofferson) “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them” (Elder Oaks) “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them” (Elder Oaks)

5. HOW IS PROCREATION ESSENTIAL TO THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS 1.We lived as spirit Sons and Daughters of a heavenly father and Mother; and we wanted to be like him

6. HOW IS PROCREATION ESSENTIAL TO THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS Read: D&C 93: 33-34 Read: D&C 93: 33-34 Read: Quote 2 (Christofferson) Read: Quote 2 (Christofferson) IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

7. HOW IS PROCREATION ESSENTIAL TO THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS Read: D&C 93: 33-34 Read: D&C 93: 33-34 Read: Quote 2 (Christofferson) Read: Quote 2 (Christofferson) IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

8. WHY IS A BODY NECESSARY TO THE PLAN? Quote 3: The addition of the physical element is essential to the fullness of being and glory that God himself enjoys … Could we be trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers, including power to create life? Would we individually overcome evil? Those who did would “have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever”—a very significant aspect of that glory being a resurrected, immortal, and glorified physical body. (Christoferrson) Quote 3: The addition of the physical element is essential to the fullness of being and glory that God himself enjoys … Could we be trusted both in time and eternity with godly powers, including power to create life? Would we individually overcome evil? Those who did would “have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever”—a very significant aspect of that glory being a resurrected, immortal, and glorified physical body. (Christoferrson)

9. HOW IS PROCREATION ESSENTIAL TO THE PLAN OF HAPPINESS 1.We lived as spirit Sons and Daughters of a heavenly father and Mother; and we wanted to be like him 2. 2.To be like them, we needed a body. Thus, mortal birth is essential to Heavenly Father’s plan.

10. Through the righteous exercise of this power, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fullness of joy, even godhood.

11. BECOMING LIKE GOD Read: D&C 76: 53, 58 Read: D&C 76: 53, 58 Read: D&C 88: 107 Read: D&C 88: 107 Exaltation linked to eternal marriage Exaltation linked to eternal marriage Latter-day Saints use the term exaltation to describe the glorious reward of receiving one’s full inheritance as a child of Heavenly Father, which is available through the Atonement of Christ, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. (Topics: Becoming Like God) Latter-day Saints use the term exaltation to describe the glorious reward of receiving one’s full inheritance as a child of Heavenly Father, which is available through the Atonement of Christ, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. (Topics: Becoming Like God) Read: Quote 4 Read: Quote 4

12. The end of all activity in the Church is to see that a man and a woman with their children are happy at home, sealed for eternity.

13. [Marriage] has never been just about the love and happiness of adults.

15. PROBLEM OF HAPPINESS Man that he might have joy? What if I don’t have joy? Man that he might have joy? What if I don’t have joy? Read Alma 41: 10 Read Alma 41: 10 But, is righteousness always happiness? But, is righteousness always happiness? Read Moses 6: 48 Read Moses 6: 48 Read 2 Nephi 2: 23 “knew no joy, for they knew no misery” Read 2 Nephi 2: 23 “knew no joy, for they knew no misery” “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ” “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”

16. INFINITE ATONEMENT APPLIES TO ALL

17. INFINITE ATONEMENT APPLIES TO HAPPINESS Read Quote 5 Read Quote 5 Read Quote 6 Read Quote 6

18. INFINITE ATONEMENT AND EXALTATION Read Quote 7 Read Quote 7 Read Quote 8 Read Quote 8