We know that there is a great missionary work going on in the hereafter. It almost seems that those who never know of the gospel on this earth are more blessed than we who struggle every day to comply with its doctrines.
But it seems obvious that a conscious decision to avoid knowledge of the things of eternity while we are here on the earth is not exactly what the Savior has in mind when as Alma says:
…he is merciful unto the children of men, and … he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance. (Alma 12:15)It also seems obvious that since the Lord knows the intents of our hearts, his judgments must be eternally just and we cannot escape justice by consciously avoiding knowledge of the gospel. (Mosiah 16:1, Alma 12:15) Mosiah says:
But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3:12)So it perhaps it’s better to accept the gospel and work out or salvation here. It seems better not to walk the tightrope of gospel ignorance. It seems better to enjoy the fruits of our labors – the Lord’s employment benefits – while in mortality. The Savior instructs us to seek Him early so that we can enjoy the benefits of the gospel:
He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken. (D&C 88:83)We who are in the employ of the Lord certainly must work to live the gospel. Why should we? What are the benefits to us of being yoked with the Lord (Matthew 11:29) in the great effort to redeem His people (and in so doing, redeem ourselves)? I almost don’t know where to start to outline the benefits of service to the Lord in this life, there are so many. Joseph Smith said:
It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (D&C 131:6) He also said: Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. (D&C 130:18)So it seems obvious that at some point, whether in this life or the hereafter, we must bow the knee and confess that Jesus is the Christ (Philippians 2:10-11, Mosiah 27:31, D&C 76:110-111) to gain entry into the Celestial Kingdom. Again, Joseph Smith said:
And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:19)Our eternal progress is based on knowledge and faith. Neither of those can come to us in abundance until we accept and live the gospel. It seems better to make a beginning in that effort here – knowledge and intelligence will rise with us. Blessings of the gospel are almost uncountable. For instance:
Baptismal covenant: Our baptismal covenant provides entry to the path to eternal life. Without baptism, we cannot enter therein. This is why the ordinance of baptism for the dead was restored in this dispensation.
Gift of Holy Ghost: The gift of the Holy Ghost we receive at baptism entitles us to personal revelation “in the very moment” (D&C 24:6, 100:6) when it is needed. The communion of the Holy Spirit entitles us to revelation and inspiration concerning everything we do, if we seek the Savior’s guidance through prayer. The Savior said:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)Personal revelation: Through an ordained patriarch, we can receive personal scriptural instruction in the form of a patriarchal blessing.
Temple blessings: The washings and anointings given to us in the temple carry eternal promises and blessings, as well as temporal ones. They prepare us and sanctify our bodies so that we are ready to receive the endowment and be sealed to an eternal companion – a concept and doctrine unique in all the world of religion.
Companionship of angels: Joseph Smith made a promise to the Nauvoo Relief Society on 28 April 1844:
“If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates” (Teachings, 1977, 226).Certainly this promise applies to all of us. More than once, as I have given blessings or ordained someone to an office in the Priesthood, I have felt that there were other hands there with mine. This was certainly the case several years ago when I ordained my brother a High Priest. I firmly believe that our father was there. What a transcendent blessing: “the angels cannot be restrained.”
Membership in this life in the great eternal family of Adam: As we link ourselves to our ancestors through the work of genealogy, we further link ourselves to the eternal family that will exist in the Celestial kingdom.
Peace and rest: We all suffer tribulation in this life, and sometimes peace and rest seem unattainable. President Ezra Taft Benson told us:
“God will have a humble people. We can either choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.”Those who embrace the gospel can perhaps avoid the unpleasant compulsion to be humble that God may choose to burden us with if we are proud or arrogant. Regardless, we can have peace and rest in this life and eternally through the gospel. The earlier in life we seek the things of the gospel, the sooner the peace “that passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) can come to us. The scriptures tell us:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you… (John 14:27.) Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. (D&C 19:23) …they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. (D&C 54:10)Companionship with the Saints: Elder Wirthlin said:
"My heart is warmed by the fellowship we share as Latter-day Saints."Help and support from our fellow citizens – those who travel the path called the strait and narrow with us, is of great value as we work to live the gospel.
Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures: The Word of Wisdom instructs us as to the maintenance of our bodies. Proper health has direct impact on our learning skills and stamina. Observance of the Word of Wisdom is one of the keys to entry into the temple where true eternal wisdom can be found.
Mysteries revealed:
For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost… (1 Nephi 10:19.) … but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. (Mosiah 2:9)The scriptures are the Savior’s human resources manual. His employment benefits number far more than the few we have outlined. We haven’t really even scratched the surface. Real reading of the scriptures reveals a blessing or gift of the gospel in nearly every verse. As you read the scriptures, as you listen to General Conference or talks in Sacrament Meeting, as you listen to teachers discuss the gospel in Sunday school or institute classes, the Savior’s employment benefits begin to be more obvious and desirable.
This is why we share the gospel. This is why we ache for those close to us who do not accept the gospel. This is why we teach our children and those around us about the Savior’s plan for us. We want them to experience the joy and peace that can come to us in this life from embracing and living the principles of the gospel. It is love for them and love of the Savior that drives us.
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