“The Reason for Our Hope,” Liahona, March 2018
What We Believe
The Reason for Our Hope
Heavenly Father has an eternal plan to bring you home to Him. His Son, Jesus Christ, has been with you and will continue to be with you each step of the way.
Life before Birth
In our premortal life, Heavenly Father presented to all of His spirit children His plan for helping us become like Him. The plan required a Savior to help us overcome physical and spiritual death. Jesus Christ offered to be our Savior and give our Heavenly Father the glory (see Moses 4:1–2).
Creation
Under His Father’s direction, Jesus Christ created a beautiful world for us (see Colossians 1:15–16; 3 Nephi 9:15). “The vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Matter to Him,” Liahona, Nov. 2011, 20).
Life on Earth
On earth we are no longer in God’s presence, but the gospel of Jesus Christ can guide us. Although we sin from time to time, the Savior can heal and forgive us when we repent. He suffered “even more than man can suffer” (Mosiah 3:7) so we could overcome our sins without being condemned by them! (See Mosiah 4:2; Alma 42:14–15.)
Life after Death
At death, our spirits and bodies separate, awaiting the Resurrection in the spirit world. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ overcame death for all of us, allowing us, if we are faithful, to be reunited with our families and Heavenly Father. “The spirit and body shall be reunited again in its perfect form” (Alma 11:43) and live forever. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Nephi 9:4–13.)
Judgment Day
Jesus Christ will be our judge. He who has been our advocate with Heavenly Father will deliver a perfect, loving, merciful, and just judgment. He will judge us not only for what we did, said, and thought but also for who we became—how Christlike we are. (See 2 Nephi 9:15; Mosiah 4:30; D&C 45:3–5.)
Eternal Life
Those who come unto Christ and receive all necessary ordinances, such as baptism and temple ordinances, and are faithful to the commandments will inherit eternal life in God’s presence. This blessing comes “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8; see also Mosiah 15:23).