EverythingAccording to Latter-day Saints

Who are we?

Why are we here?

What happens after this life?

In the BeginningGod the Father created our spirits.

We are God’s children.Thus, we are the same species of being.

Our PurposeGod created us so that we could become like Him.

Why would He be occupied with any lesser purpose?

ProgressionLife is progress and growth.

We grew a lot in Father’s presence.But we reached a barrier.

We needed to gain experience through trials.

The Council in HeavenJehovah’s plan: Freedom and Atonement.

Lucifer’s plan: Absolutism and control.

Our ChoiceYou and I chose Jehovah’s plan.We chose the trial of mortality.

We chose to be separated from Godso that we could learn to draw near unto God.

CreationThe Father gave Jehovah His power and authority.Jehovah created the physical existence we know.

This LifeGod has let go of the bike.When we crash, it hurts.

But we are learning.

This LifeThis existence is not one big accident trying to fix

itself.It was initiated for a purpose.

We seek not only to regain innocence,But to progress to a higher state of being.

AtonementOur fallen nature and our sins separate us from

God.We needed a Redeemer to take our sins upon

Himself.Jehovah – Jesus – undertook this responsibility.

Prophets and Revelation

God did not leave us without guidance.He sends prophets to teach us the truth.

Prophets and Revelation

God’s love is not limited to one nation long ago.God has communed with prophets in many nations.

He continues to do so now.

Prophets and Revelation

Prophets have the authorityto receive revelation for others.

We all can receive personal revelationif we seek it in faith.

PriesthoodProphets have God’s priesthood.

Priesthood is the authority to represent God.

ScriptureAny record of God’s word – not corrupted with the

philosophies of men – is scripture.This is not limited to the Bible.

Virtue and ViceNo one is born with sin: little children are pure.

This fallen state gives us a natural inclination to sin,but our spirits have a natural inclination for good.

CreativityGod is the Great Creator.As His children, we too can create.This is a great source of joy in life:It makes us a little more like Him.

Men and WomenOur spirits are male and female.

This identity is eternal.We can only reach our potential together.

BodiesThis life is a gift.

This body is a gift.We should never pollute or abuse it.

Drugs should be used only for medicinal purposes.

FamiliesFamilies are ordained of God.

By building a family, we follow God’s example.With the priesthood, we can make families eternal.

ReligionAll religions cannot be true:

They have basic contradictions.However, most have pieces of truth.

ReligionWhy are there disagreements?

Because people mix revealed truthwith the philosophies of men.

ReligionWithout revelation, religion is conjecture.

Revelation is required both to produce and to interpret scripture.

Before ChristAdam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many other prophets taught revealed truth before Christ.

Christ’s MinistryJesus Christ came into the world to do three things:1. Preach the Gospel.2. Establish the Church.3. Atone for the sins of the world.

After ChristThe Apostles received the priesthood from Christ.They led the Lord’s people after Christ.They maintained doctrinal purity through revelation.

The Great ApostasyChrist’s Church was persecuted.

The Apostles were killed.Doctrines were changed.This led to the Dark Ages.

RestorationAfter over 1,000 years, the Gospel and the Church

were restored through Joseph Smith.

The Spirit WorldWhen we die, our spirits go to the Spirit World.

It is very much like this world.We will all wait there until the Second coming of

Christ.

The Spirit WorldThose who did not get the chance to hear the

Gospel in mortality will get the chance in the Spirit World.

The Second ComingJesus Christ will come again into this world.

It will be the end of everything as we know it.

ResurrectionAs Jesus Christ was resurrected, so will we ALL be resurrected.

Judgment

Some desire to be close to God.Some desire an ambiguous relationship with God.

Some desire to be far from God.

We will receive what we desire.

JudgmentWe will not simply receive either ecstasy or hellfire.

God is not so simplistic.

We will all receive as much of God’s glory as we are capable of receiving.

Salvation and Exaltation

To receive a fullness of God’s blessings, we must:• Have faith in Jesus Christ.• Repent of our sins.• Receive baptism.• Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.• Endure to the end and follow God’s

commandments.

Eternal LifeLife is defined by growth and progress.

Those who receive eternal life will experience eternal progression.

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