Understanding God's Plan of Salvation

Where did I come from?

Why are we here?

Where are we going?

God's Plan of Salvation has the answers

The world’s greatest minds have pondered these three questions to the point of exhaustion. Every person that has ever lived has wondered about his life, origin and destiny. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ offers a complete answer. The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s Plan of Salvation. 1

God's Plan of Salvation essentials

Sometimes God's Plan of Salvation is called “the great plan of happiness,” 2 “the plan of redemption,” 3 or “the plan of mercy.” 4

God's Plan of Salvation includes knowledge about:

• life before earth
• the Creation
• the Fall
• the Atonement of Jesus Christ
• all the laws, ordinances and doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ
• the universal resurrection and judgment of all mankind
• the kingdoms of glory that the souls of men will inherit after the final judgement.

“Moral agency—the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

Because of God's Plan of Salvation, we can:

• choose and be perfected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ
• receive a fullness of joy
• live forever in the presence of God
• enjoy family relationships that can last through the eternities.” 5

Contents for God's Plan of Salvation'

1. Where Did I Come From?
   • Life before earth
   • The Creation
   • Freedom of Choice
     
     
2. Why Are We Here?
   • The Purpose of Life
   • The Atonement of Jesus Christ
     
     
3. Where Are We Going?
   • The Spirit World
   • Judgment and Resurrection
   • Kingdoms of Heaven
   • Baptism for the Dead
   • The Eternal Journey of Man

Questions about God's Plan of Salvation'

• God's Plan of Salvation answers what three important questions?
• In addition to the gospel of Jesus Christ, what are other names for God's Plan of Salvation?
• What stages of man's existence does God's Plan of Salvation encompass?
• What essential ability is necessary for God's Plan of Salvation to be effective?
• What are the blessings associated with God's Plan of Salvation?

References for 'Understanding God's Plan of Salvation'

1. (Alma 24:14; Moses 6:62) – And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations (Alma 24:14). And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time (Moses 6:62).
2. (Alma 42:8) – Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
3. (Jacob 6:8; Alma 12:30) – Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? (Jacob 6:8) And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works (Alma 12:30).
4. (Alma 42:15) – And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
5. (True to the Faith, p. 115)