My goal as a blogger is to write about those things that will help each of us draw nearer to the lord. The Lord has said, “draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”
With that scripture in mind I would like to discuss the following question:
Each Day, What Glory Am I Being Quickened By?
…your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.
Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. D&C 88:28 – 31
The doctrine of Christ teaches that each day you are being quickened by a portion of glory. The thoughts and intends of your heart attract one of the degrees of glory into your being. And as the days turn into weeks and then into years you are becoming either a Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial being.
Following are a few ideas regarding the difference between realizing a Terrestrial or Celestial glory. I won’t go over the Telestial glory because most church members understand what the qualifications are for the Telestial glory. I think it is more useful to distinguish between the Terrestrial and Celestial.
Answer the following self assessment questions, yes or no:
- Do you value the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon?
- Do you value the living prophets?
- Do you value the ordinances of the gospel?
- Do you value your membership in the church?
- Do you love the Lord?
- Is prayer an important part of your daily activity?
- Do you strive to keep all the commandments, and when you fall short and sin, do you speedily repent?
- Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness, evidenced by fasting and prayer?
- Do you attend church out of habit or a desire to serve the Lord and others in your ward/branch?
- Do you have the companionship of the Holy Ghost?
- Do you feel you’ve been converted or born again?
- If you died today, what would be your greatest regret, or do you feel that you are at a point where your garments are made white through the blood of Christ?
The parable of the ten virgins teaches a chilling thought—five out of ten active church members were called unwise—and were not allowed into the the wedding.
I wonder how many of the twelve questions an unwise virgin would answer yes? I think an unwise virgins might answer yes, to the first six questions, but not all of the last 6 questions.
The different rewards in the resurrection are explained by the prophet Joseph Smith:
In the resurrection, some are raised to be angels, others are raised to become Gods. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 312.
Summary:
Following are three quotes from church leaders to help us determine if we are valiant in our testimony of Christ (D&C 76:79).
1). The Church, with all its organizational structure and programs, offers many important activities for its members aimed at helping families and individuals to serve God and each other. Sometimes, however, it can appear that these programs and activities are closer to the center of our heart and soul than the core doctrines and principles of the gospel. Procedures, programs, policies, and patterns of organization are helpful for our spiritual progress here on earth, but let’s not forget that they are subject to change. In contrast, the core of the gospel the doctrine and the principles will never change. Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance into the lives of all Latter-day Saints…. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Christlike Attributes the Wind beneath Our Wings,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 100
2). Unfortunately, some in the Church may believe sincerely that their testimony is a raging bonfire when it really is little more than the faint flickering of a candle. Their faithfulness has more to do with habit than holiness, and their pursuit of personal righteousness almost always takes a back seat to their pursuit of personal interests and pleasure. With such a feeble light of testimony for protection, these travelers on life’s highways are easy prey for the wolves of the adversary. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 34
3). There are three areas where members of the Church, influenced by social and political unrest, are being caught up and led away. I chose these three because they have made major invasions into the membership of the Church. In each, the temptation is for us to turn about and face the wrong way, and it is hard to resist, for doing it seems so reasonable and right.
The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals. Our local leaders must deal with all three of them with ever-increasing frequency. In each case, the members who are hurting have the conviction that the Church somehow is doing something wrong to members or that the Church is not doing enough for them. Talk to the All-Church Coordinating Council, Elder Boyd K. Packer, May 18, 1993
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