Where did we come from? -- The Pre-Mortal Life

What is the definition of Eternal?

A quick look up at Dictionary.com says:

"without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal ): eternal life."


So for someone to be eternal, they must have always existed. As Latter-day Saints, we believe that each person who has lived on this earth, or will live, actually lived before they came here and were born into this world.

Now let me say here that we don't believe in reincarnation. That is to say that we are not talking about a rebirth from a previous life lived on this earth in the flesh. Instead we believe that we lived as the spirit children, or literal spiritual offspring of God the Father. (Acts 17:26-29)

None of us at that point had a physical body. As I've said in my post about God, our Heavenly Father did have a physical body of flesh and bone. He was (and is) made up of both spirit and flesh. This in no way limits God, but it actually allows Him to have a fullness of joy. (D&C 138:17)

Since we were all His literal children, He wanted us to be able to have what He has. And one of those things is a physical body.

In the book of Moses chapter 1 verse 39 it says:

"This is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"

What is the difference between immortality and eternal life? Simply put, immortality is the ability to never die (physically) and eternal life is the ability to never die spiritually (or in other words to be separated from God).

So God the Father called together a great council in Heaven. There He presented His plan on how he would accomplish both our immortality and eternal life.

He told us that we would be born on the earth and thereby given a physical body. We would be tested to see if we would do everything He asks of us. If we are faithful and live up to His commandments we would inherit eternal life.

But there was a problem... God knew that NONE of us would be completely faithful. (Rom. 3:23) That is none of us except His son Jesus Christ (Jehovah). How would this work if He knew none of us would meet the conditions for eternal life?

In order for this to work, God would have to send someone down to earth who would live a perfect life, and that would willingly give their life as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world. This sacrifice would make it possible to meet the divine laws of justice and mercy.

Justice because the punishment for sin would be fully given.
Mercy because that punishment wouldn't be enacted on the actual sinners, if they met the conditions of faith, repentance, baptism, and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and endured to the end.

This marvelous plan would allow us to not only learn and grow in the mortal sphere, but to also gain a body and eventually live the life that God lives along with Him. (Rom. 8:17)

Jesus, being the first born Spirit child of the Father and one who had already progressed to Godhood willingly volunteered to be the sacrifice for our sins, and also to be resurrected allowing our mortal bodies to become immortal.

He said "Here am I, send me". (Abr. 3:27)

But another in the heavenly host stood up and said "Here am I, send me" and then went on to present another plan. This was none other than Lucifer. He is described in the scriptures as a "Son of the Morning" meaning he held high status in the council.

His alternative plan to the Fathers had some slight differences that at first glance might seem appealing, but would prove to be disastrous if implemented.

Basically he said that he will go down and make sure that not one soul is lost. He would take away our ability to choose or our agency so that each of us would automatically make the right choices. This way we would all be guaranteed to succeed.

In return for doing this great task Lucifer just wanted one thing.. He wanted to take God the Father's place. He wanted the Father's honor and glory.

But if we look closer into Lucifer's plan we can see some big flaws. First of all, if we didn't have the ability to choose right or wrong for ourselves.. what would we actually learn? How would we progress? In truth the only thing that would make us closer to God after doing this would be the acquiring of a body. However even then our bodies wouldn't be instruments of agency so their purpose would largely be mute.
(2 Nephi 9:8-9)

After Lucifer had presented his plan, God the Father rejected it and chose Jesus to be our Savior.

This caused quite a stir in Heaven. In fact, this led to war in heaven. Michael (later our father Adam) and his angels (us) fought against Lucifer and those that followed him. Eventually Michael won the battle and cast Lucifer and those who followed him out and into the earth. (Rev. 12:7)

Lucifer became Satan, or the Devil, and those that followed him also became devils or angels to the devil. They were now spirits who would not have the chance to gain a body and progress. They with the devil will all eventually be bound and cast into outer darkness. But until that time they are allowed to tempt and try us. It is said in the scriptures that Satan was able to get 1/3 of the hosts of heaven to follow after him.

The other 2/3rds followed our Heavenly Fathers plan. Because they followed His plan, they or we are able to carry it out. Each child born into this world is one of the 2/3rds of the hosts of heaven who followed the Father.

Each of us has a chance to not only receive immortality, but also eternal life with God.

That is why we are here, to be tested to see if we will have faith in Jesus, repent of our sins, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.

If we do, then we are promised immortality and eternal life with God.

If you would like to know more, please contact the missionaries.

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