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Using the Bible as its source, this discussion answers the fundamental questions of life—
"Did I live before birth?"
"What are the purposes of my mortal life?"
"What will happen when I die?"
and
"What are my eternal possibilities if I am righteous?"
Included are ten tasks men and women should complete in mortality. This discussion is profound in its nature, and its teachings have power to motivate listeners to accept and follow the Lord's gospel plan.
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Did I live before birth?
We are pre-mortal children of God the Father. (Matt. 5:16; 5:44-45; 5:48; 6:3-4; 6:6; 6:9; 6:14-15; 6:17-18; 6:26; 6:31-32; 7:7-11; Heb. 12:7, 9.)
We lived with God, and Christ, our older brother, as spirit beings before we entered mortality. (Jer. 1:5; Isa. 49:1; John 9:1-3; 1:1-2, 14; 17:3-5; 16:27-28; 17:24; 1 Pet. 1:20.)
Satan was cast out of God's presence. (Rev. 12:7-10; Isa. 14:12-15; Luke 10:17-18; Jude 6; Rev. 12:4.)
The earth was created by Christ, acting under the Father's direction. (Job 38:4-7;
Heb. 1:1-2; Col. 1:15-19; Gen. 1:26-27.)
What are the purposes of my mortal life?
Man's potential; the shortness of earth life. (Ps. 8:4-6; 2 Pet. 3:8.)
Ten tasks to be accomplished while on earth:
1. Resolve: life's most important task is to make ourselves eligible to live with God.
(Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2.)
2. Come to Christ and have faith in him. (Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 11:6; Eph. 2:8-10;
James 2:14-20; Luke 6:46-49.)
3. Find the true church of Christ and be taught the gospel. (Rom. 10:13-14; Eph.4:12-14; 4:4-6; 1 Thes. 5:19-21.)
4. Be baptized, receive other ordinances by authorized servants of Christ. (Mark 16:15-16; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Tim. 4:14; John 15:16.)
5. Be born again. (John 3:3-7; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; 1 John 5:4-6; 5:18.)
6. Keep God's commandments. (1 Jn. 2:3-5; John 14:15; EccI. 12:13-14.)
7. Do God's will. (Matt. 7:21; James 1:22; Rom. 2:13,6-11.)
8. Live In the Spirit. (Gal. 5:5, 16-25; Rom. 8:5-9, 14; Gal. 6:8.)
9. Become godlike. (Matt. 5:48; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Rom. 12:12.)
10. Endure to the end. (Matt. 24:13; 10:22.)
What will happen when I die?
The spirit world—a temporary abode where people, in spirit form, await and prepare for the resurrection. (James 2:26; Luke 23:42-43; John 20:17.)
The gospel is taught to the spirits in prison. (1 Pet. 3:18-20; 4:6.)
Vicarious baptism of the living in behalf of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:29.)
Vicarious ordinances. (Lev. 16:20-22; 4:1-35.)
The resurrection: Inseparably reuniting physical and spirit bodies. (1 Cor. 15:19-23;
Job 19:25-26; Luke 24:36-39; Rom. 6:9; Luke 20:36.)
What are my eternal possibilities if I am righteous?
The glory of the first resurrection. (Philip. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:40-42; John 5:25,28-29;
Dan. 12:2; 1 Thes. 4:13-1 7; Rev. 20:4-6.)
The day of judgment. (Rev. 20:12-13; John 5:22-23; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10;
Rom. 2:16,6-11; Luke 12:48.)
Many mansions, in three "heavens," or degrees of glory. (Rev. 21:1; Isa. 65:17;
2 Cor. 12:2-4; 1 Cor. 15:40-42; Matt. 13:41-43; John 14:2·4; 2 Chr. 2:6; Job 22:14; Heb. 12:22.24.)
The highest reward: those who attain perfection become joint heirs with Christ.
(Matt. 5:48; Col. 1:28; John 14:12; Rom. 8:16-18; Gal. 4:6-7; Titus 3:7-8; Ps. 82:6; John 10:34-35; Rev. 3:21, 27; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; 2:9.)
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