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Gramps, Question:  Do you feel the inhabitants of these other worlds went through the same process of a pre-existent state, were given a choice to follow the Savior and if so chose would gain a mortal state, then an immortal state and will face a final judgment such as we have been promised. If so, after their mortal existence ended, perhaps many millions of years ago, have they been awaiting the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on this earth, in order to gain their eternal or other rewards? Gene

Dear Gene,

Since very little has been revealed about the other worlds, there is little that can be said from any kind of an authoritative basis. But what has been revealed can form the base for some conjecture in that realm. So let me suggest a few thoughts for your consideration.

My belief is that there is one God, one Lord Jesus Christ and one gospel. The principles of the gospel are eternal in nature. They all point to the Celestial Kingdom and prepare us to qualify for residence with our Father in that Kingdom. It would be difficult to believe that different standards would be given to different groups of people to prepare them for eternity.

All who progress to eternity must pass through mortality to gain a physical body and to prove themselves before the Lord. Their faithfulness in obeying the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in mortality will determine whether they will inherit telestial, terrestrial or celestial kingdoms in eternity.

Not all the spirit children of our Father in Heaven will work out their mortal sojourn in a telestial environment. Some will be born into terrestrial worlds. In fact, during the Millennial reign of the Lord on this earth, it will be transformed into a terrestrial kingdom. Those who are alive when He comes, and who will not be destroyed because of their wickedness, will continue to live, and the race of mortals will continue through the Millennium, living on a terrestrial sphere. During this time Satan will be bound and will not be allowed to tempt the children of men. However,

when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season D&C 29:22).

For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth (D&C 43:31).

and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years (D&C 88:110).

So those who have lived in mortality during the millennial reign will yet have to opportunity to prove themselves by resisting the temptations of the Adversary.

I would suggest that before the Savior’s resurrection on this earth no one in the universe would have been resurrected. He was the first fruits of the resurrection. He alone had the power to overcome death, and after his mortal life had been taken away, He initiated, by his matchless power, the resurrection process, entering again into his body and causing it to come to life. So powerful was that event that its effects were made universal, so that all who live in mortality and who die, without exception, will live again, possessing their own bodies transformed to an immortal state—never again subject to death.

One can imagine the anticipation, the anxiousness of all humanity that had lived on all the infinite number of worlds, as the events of the crucifixion and resurrection were unfolding. That other worlds were aware of that which occurs on this earth, the sphere of the Savior’s mortal sojourn, is attested to in the scriptures—

For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven--Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined (D&C 38:11-12).

There is no doubt that no one was resurrected before the Savior, but one may wonder at the thought that there were no resurrections in the universe prior to the year 33 AD on this earth. There is much that we don’t know about eternity, and it would be hazardous to try to project mortal concepts into eternal conditions. This much we do know, that time is different from eternity, and that time is measured only unto man (Alma 40:8). So I would not attempt to read too much into the concepts that have been suggested above.

Gramps

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