The Spirit World

God has a plan for each of us.  That plan is perfect.  As we follow God's commandments and read the scriptures we can learn more of that plan.  In the scriptures that plan is referred to as the plan of redemption, the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation. 

Part of that plan takes place in what we call the spirit world.  In a conversation with his son, Corianton, the Book of Mormon prophet, Alma taught about the spirit world.  It was revealed to him by an angel of the Lord that "the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, ... whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life" (Alma 40:11).  I know that this is true.  We will reside in the spirit world.  We will live for a time without our bodies to await the eventual time when our spirits and or bodies will be united for the rest of eternity.  But before this resurection we have the incredible opputunity to learn more.  We will be taught of Jesus Christ.  We will learn his gospel.  All men will have the chance to accept the glorious message of the savior. 

We should not, however, delay the process of accepting and acting on the message of Christ's gospel.  As the prophet Amulek taught we should not "procrastinate the day of [our] repentance until the end".  "For that same spirit which doth possess [our] bodies at the time that [we] go out of this life ... will have power to possess your body in that eternal world" (Alma 34:33-34).  We can draw from Amulek's teachings that it will not be an easy thing to accept and live the gospel in the spirit world.  Thus, we should do all we can while in this life to follow Christ's teachings and prepare for eternal life (see Alma 34:32).

I am truly grateful for the mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has provided the way for all men to return to Him.  I am thankful for His atonement.  I thank God every day for his glorious Plan of Salvation and for His son who makes it all possible (see John 3:16).