The Plan of Salvation in a Nutshell

To truly comprehend the plan of redemption, it must begin with an understanding of the deity to which we are indebted. There is an undeniable reality that there is a God. His existence is the foundation of our own existence. He is the literal Father of all mankind. He is a perfect person of flesh and bone. His character and attributes are also without flaw. He is the Supreme Being in the universe. And, as such, he presides over the Godhead.
Our premortal life took place in the presence of this perfect being. Before the creation of planets, intelligence existed seeing that they are eternal entities. Intelligence can also be known as the light of truth. It is in this existence that we lived as spirit children of our Heavenly Father. And, as spiritual children, we lacked those things that went along with a physical body. Because of this, and many other factors, God presented His plan so that all His children could become as He is.
This desire for His children to become like Him required a creation. This creation was a spiritual creation before it ever became a physical creation. Then, when things were to be created physically, it all occurred according to the plans of the Father. When this process was completed, and our first earthly parents were placed on this earth, we were then given very specific and unique roles in regards to the rest of God’s creations.
After an unrecorded time in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were placed in a dilemma. While in the Garden, they lived a very different life than that which is allocated to us in mortality. While in this paradisiacal state, Adam and Eve chose of their own volition to bring to pass the Fall. This decision brought to pass many changes to Adam and Eve, along with their future posterity. Two such changes that they brought to pass were that of physical and spiritual death. They could neither dwell in the presence of God nor live on in that perfected state forever. Despite some inherit sadness with the introduction of these two deaths, it was necessary for the plan of salvation to unfold. It is also for these reasons that we are now tempted in the Spirit and the flesh.
In light of the Fall, God had certain consequences that must ensue. The only way to overcome these new conditions is for one to come and pay the price for all the sins and transgressions of man. This made it necessary for one to perform the Atonement. Because he was born with both attributes of god and manhood, he was given power from the Father to overcome the shortcomings of humanity while still the shortcomings that come with it, like the ability to die. This power allowed for him to fulfill an infinite, intimate and eternal Atonement. Because of this, the debts accrued by man could be rectified and mercy could be extended. And, as such, this act that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, the cross on Golgotha’s hill and the garden tomb is essential for the salvation of all of our Heavenly Father’s children. It was herein that we overcame physical and spiritual death that all can follow His example. However, to make the Atonement a part of each of our lives, we must follow the commandments put in place by God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
To make the Atonement a part of our lives, we have to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ, repentance from dead works, baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. The first ordinance, baptism, is the first outward manifestation of our faith and repentance. It is in this act that we make a covenant, or two-way promise, between ourselves and the Lord. This act, which has been a part of ever dispensation of the gospel, is an eternal and essential ordinance. Without baptism by water, we can never enter into the kingdom of God. Despite its need, not just any baptism will be accepted by the Lord. This requires it to be done in one manner as he has designed. It is baptism that symbolizes the death of the old self to allow for the birth of yourself anew.
Following the ordinance of baptism, one must have hands laid upon their head so that they can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Long before an individual receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, they are given the Light of Christ. This attends each person from birth. Not all people, however, receive the Holy Ghost. This requires a conscious decision and the making of a covenant with the Lord through baptism and the laying on of hands. It is then possible for those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost to experience the blessings of the Spirit.
Once one is baptized and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, they are then able to participate more fully in the items of Sabbath worship. The keeping of the Sabbath day holy is a commandment of God to bring man closer to Him. This day of observance prior to the death of Christ was on a Saturday, whereas we now celebrate on Sunday to remember His rebirth through resurrection. With the importance of observing the Sabbath, the Lord has given very vague laws pertaining to the best manner by which to observe it; however, when anyone observes the Sabbath, they are richly blessed.
It is on the Sabbath day that members of Christ’s restored church has the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. This ordinance was instituted by the Savior amongst His apostles. The purpose of this is to remember His body and blood as represented by bread and water. Every time that we partake of the sacrament, we are covenanting with God. There are several promises to those who choose to take the sacrament, including the chance to be cleansed from sin and the companionship of the Holy Spirit.
However, regardless of how we live our lives, death is a part of existence. This is an absolutely universal condition that allows one to participate fully in the plan of salvation. Upon this death, there is a separation that occurs. The body remains on earth and the spirit continues on to the Spirit world to prepare more fully for the Resurrection. Those who live a just life, and those who do not, will go to an area with like spirits with specific purposes in stow.
After a time in the world of the spirits, there will be a resurrection that will occur. This resurrection, as part of God’s plan, is in store for all who kept their first estate, or in other words came to earth. This resurrection does not occur at the same time for everyone. The righteous will come forth in the first resurrection and the unrighteous in the second. It is after this resurrection that all will be presented before the Lord to be judged, which power was given to the Savior by the Father.
It is during the time that the righteous will be resurrected that there will be a millennium, or 1,000 years, set aside for the Lord and His work. This will be ushered in at the second coming of the Lord. It is at this time that He will come in His power and glory. During this time, earth will also be renewed. The world will be at peace, with all man and beast living in harmony. To accompany this peace, the Lord will personally govern the earth. The fullness of the earth’s renewal will occur sometime after the Millennium.
It is following this Millennium that Satan will again be loosed for a short time. Satan and his followers will attempt to turn the Saints of God away from the Lord. However, the final war between good and evil will ensue. The conclusion of this will have Satan again cast out, but this time forever.
Following this war, there will be a final judgment that will occur. From this judgment, the children of God will be placed in the kingdom for which they worked. There are three degrees of glory that man can reach. They are named celestial, terrestrial and telestial and are compared to the sun, moon and stars respectively. The celestial kingdom is the highest degree which man can achieve, though there are things in which they must achieve. But, once they meet the requirements for exaltation as described throughout this text, they are promised many great opportunities and rewards. The next level is for those who have sought to do righteously during their time of probation, but proved unvaliant, or came to the truth after turning away from it. Then, directly below this, is the telestial kingdom. These are all they that can be titled “wicked.” In this kingdom, one can find murderers, adulterers and many other less than desirable individuals. But, beyond this, there are some who will receive no level of glory. This includes all who turned from God before this earth, but also those who denied the Holy Ghost and fought against the Lamb of God.