Understanding the Great Plan: A Journey of Growth and Exaltation

Many wonder about the purpose of life, the challenges we face, and the ultimate destination of our souls. The answer lies within what many believe is The Great Plan, a comprehensive design crafted by a loving Heavenly Father for His children. This plan, often referred to as the "great plan of happiness," "plan of redemption," or "plan of salvation," offers a framework for understanding our existence, both pre-mortal and beyond. It's a roadmap guiding us toward our ultimate potential: becoming like God.

The Pre-Mortal Council and Our Choice

Before our mortal existence, we lived as spirits in the presence of God. In a grand pre-mortal council, we, as His spirit children, were presented with The Great Plan, a plan that included the experience of mortal life—a journey fraught with challenges but ultimately essential for our growth and development. We, knowing the difficulties and triumphs this plan entailed, willingly chose to participate, demonstrating our faith and courage. This act of agency, this choice to embark on this earthly journey, forms the cornerstone of our spiritual progression.

The specifics of our pre-mortal choices and their influence on our present lives are largely unknown to us, veiled in the mysteries of eternity. However, the knowledge that we participated in this council, understanding the grand scope of the plan, provides a powerful context for our mortal experiences.

Mortality: A Crucible for Growth

Our mortal life on Earth, far from being random or accidental, is a vital stage in our eternal progression. It's a testing ground where we develop crucial attributes—faith, hope, charity, and resilience—through the trials and triumphs we encounter. This earthly experience, while often filled with adversity, pain, and temptation, serves as a crucible, refining our spirits and preparing us for the glories to come.

This is where we learn from our mistakes, refining our character through repentance and striving towards righteousness. It's a time of learning, growth, and ultimately, the opportunity to choose good over evil, despite the inevitable presence of opposition and temptation.

Overcoming Challenges: The Role of Opposition

The Great Plan inherently acknowledges the existence of opposition—the presence of evil, the sins of others, and personal afflictions. These are not merely obstacles but necessary components of our growth and progression. They provide us with the opportunity to exercise our agency, to develop strength of character, and to learn empathy and compassion.

Divine intervention, while present and powerful, doesn't eliminate all adverse consequences. Instead, it provides guidance, strength, and support to navigate these challenges, allowing us to grow in ways we wouldn't otherwise experience.

The Atonement: The Central Pillar of the Plan

Central to The Great Plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, a pivotal act of infinite love and sacrifice. This Atonement overcomes the consequences of sin and death, offering us four critical assurances:

1. Forgiveness of Repentant Sins: Through sincere repentance, the Savior's Atonement cleanses us from the stain of sin, offering complete forgiveness and peace.

2. Strength in Adversity: The Atonement provides strength and comfort during life's challenges, helping us bear burdens and overcome obstacles.

3. Resurrection: Death is not the end but a transition. The Atonement guarantees the resurrection of all, restoring our bodies to perfected states and enabling family reunions in the afterlife.

4. Post-Mortal Progress: The spirit world continues our journey of learning and growth, offering further opportunities for repentance and preparation for the final judgment.

The Importance of Family and Eternal Life

The Great Plan emphasizes the sanctity of family and the importance of marriage as the divinely ordained setting for procreation. The procreative power is viewed as a sacred gift to be used responsibly within the bounds of marriage, fostering the creation of eternal families. This divine mandate underscores the crucial role of family in our eternal progression and our journey towards exaltation.

The goal of The Great Plan is not merely to survive mortality but to thrive, to progress eternally, and ultimately, to achieve exaltation—to become like our Heavenly Father. This divine aspiration drives our actions, shapes our choices, and provides meaning and purpose to our earthly journey. Understanding The Great Plan empowers us to navigate life's challenges, embrace the opportunities for growth, and ultimately, achieve our divine potential.

What is the Great Plan?

The Great Plan, also known as the plan of happiness, redemption, or salvation, is God's overarching design for His children to progress and ultimately become like Him. It encompasses our pre-mortal existence, our mortal life on Earth, the post-mortal spirit world, and ultimately, exaltation. This plan was presented in a pre-mortal council in Heaven, where we, as spirit children of God, chose to participate, understanding both its challenges and ultimate glories.

Why did we need a mortal experience?

Our pre-mortal existence, while significant, lacked the crucial experiences necessary for complete spiritual growth. Mortal life, with its challenges—including sin, suffering, and death—provides opportunities for learning, growth, and the development of essential qualities like compassion, resilience, and faith. These experiences are essential for progressing towards exaltation.

What is the role of Jesus Christ's Atonement in the Great Plan?

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the central pillar of the Great Plan. It overcomes the consequences of sin and death, offering us forgiveness through repentance, strength to endure adversity, and the promise of resurrection. The Atonement allows us to be cleansed from sin and ultimately enables us to return to God's presence.

What happens after death?

Upon death, we enter the spirit world, a continuation of our journey towards eternal progression. This is a time of continued learning, repentance, and preparation for the final judgment. Family relationships continue, and we can progress spiritually. The details of the spirit world are not fully revealed, but it's a crucial part of the plan, paving the way for our ultimate destination.

What are the key assurances offered within the Great Plan?

The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides four key assurances:

1. Forgiveness of Repentant Sins: Through sincere repentance, the grace of Christ cleanses us from our sins.
2. Strength in Adversity: The Savior's Atonement provides strength and comfort to face life's challenges.
3. Resurrection: Death is not the end; all will be resurrected, receiving perfect, immortal bodies.
4. Post-Mortal Progress: Our spiritual progression continues after death in the spirit world.

What is the significance of family in the Great Plan?

The Great Plan emphasizes the sacred nature of family. Marriage is presented as the divinely ordained setting for the birth and raising of children, preparing them for eternal life. The procreative power is a sacred gift, and its misuse outside of marriage is considered a perversion of this divine attribute. Eternal families are a central component of ultimate happiness and exaltation.

How does opposition fit into the Great Plan?

The Great Plan acknowledges the existence of opposition—evil influences, the sins of others, and personal afflictions. These challenges are not presented as mistakes but as necessary elements for growth and learning. Divine intervention doesn't eliminate all adversity, but it provides guidance, strength, and the opportunity for spiritual growth through facing and overcoming trials. We learn and grow through facing these challenges.

How do we participate in the Great Plan?

We participate in the Great Plan by exercising our agency to choose righteousness, following God's commandments, and striving to live according to the teachings of inspired leaders. This includes developing faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins, and seeking forgiveness through His Atonement. Living a life of service and love for others is also vital in fulfilling God's plan.