Lesson 26

The Plan of Salvation (Part 2)

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Remember that studying the gospel prayerfully with a desire to learn will help you to be taught and edified by the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

A young man named Caleb experienced a terrible tragedy when his family was involved in an automobile accident. Listen to his story. What helped Caleb to continue finding happiness in this life?

A Plan

Think of a task or project that you either want or need to complete and a plan for how you will accomplish it.

Why do you think it is important to have a plan if you want to accomplish something?

The Plan of Salvation

Heavenly Father has a plan for His children. It is often referred to as the plan of salvation.

Read paragraph 2.1 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for what Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation is designed to accomplish.

Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

You may want to mark the following key statement of doctrine in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: In the premortal existence Heavenly Father introduced a plan to enable us to become like Him and obtain immortality and eternal life.

Read the following statement by Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. How does knowing that Heavenly Father has a plan for you affect the way you live your life?

“Our Eternal Father did not send us to earth on an aimless, meaningless journey. He provided for us a plan to follow. He is the author of that plan. It is designed for man’s progress and ultimate salvation and exaltation” (L. Tom Perry, “The Plan of Salvation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 70).

The Book of Moses

As recorded in Moses 1, the Lord taught Moses about why He had created this world and about the work He had prepared for Moses to complete during his mortal life.

Read Moses 1:39, and look carefully at the words of this passage. Moses 1:39 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking this verse if you have not already done so.

This passage helps teach the doctrine you identified earlier, that in the premortal existence Heavenly Father introduced a plan to enable us to become like Him and obtain immortality and eternal life.

From the Old Testament Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students we learn that “immortality means living forever with a resurrected body. Eternal life means becoming like our Heavenly Father and being able to live as families eternally in His presence” ([2015], 5).

How do you feel when you consider that Heavenly Father’s plan is for you to receive immortality and eternal life?

Quiz 1

1. What is immortality?

   1. The condition of living forever in a resurrected state.

   2. Becoming like God and living forever as families in His presence.

2. What is eternal life?

   1. The condition of living forever in a resurrected state.

   2. Becoming like God and living forever as families in His presence.

3. What phrases in Moses 1:39 indicate how important our immortality and eternal life are to God? Please select all that apply.

   1. “of man”

   2. “my glory”

   3. “to bring”

   4. “my work”

The Gift of Moral Agency

Think of some ways we can demonstrate that we are following Heavenly Father’s plan.

When you choose to follow Heavenly Father’s plan, you are using your agency righteously. Using our agency righteously, or making correct choices, is critical to the plan of salvation.

Read paragraph 2.2 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, looking for what depends on how we use our agency.

Our Eternal Progression

Consider marking the following key statement of doctrine in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document: Our eternal progression depends on how we use [the gift of moral agency].

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how the exercise of our moral agency affects our eternal progression.

“We are in a mortal experience because we cannot become as God without that experience. We must prove to Him and to ourselves that we can consistently make the right choices and then stick to those choices, come what may. …

“… God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied if our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, not just do some things. He is endeavoring to make us independently strong—more able to act for ourselves. …

“Using our agency to choose God’s will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make us God’s puppet; it will make us like Him. God gave us agency, and Jesus showed us how to use it so that we could eventually learn what They know, do what They do, and become what They are” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Agency,” Ensign, June 2009, 53).

Our Choices and Becoming More like God

1. Please answer the following questions:

• Why do you think God is so concerned about the choices we make?

• When have you felt that the way you used your moral agency helped you to become more like God?

Our Moral Agency and Eternal Progression

Joshua 24:15 also helps us understand how our eternal progression depends on how we use [the gift of moral agency]. Joshua 24:15 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking this verse.

As recorded in Joshua 24, at the end of the prophet Joshua’s life he gathered the children of Israel together and recounted how the Lord had miraculously led them out of Egypt and blessed them in overcoming their enemies in the promised land. Joshua challenged the people to be obedient and serve the Lord and not yield to temptation.

Read Joshua 24:15, looking for Joshua’s invitation to the people.

Our Choices and Our Destiny

Listen as President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) explains why it is important to righteously exercise our agency. You can read the text for this video here: “Choose You This Day,” Ensign, Nov. 2004, 67.

2. What did President Monson teach you about why it is important to righteously exercise our agency?

The Choices I Make

Think about the choices you are currently making that will help you become more like God.

3. Please answer the following questions:

• In what areas of my life do I need to change or improve so I can progress spiritually? (Please do not share anything that is too personal or private.)

• What choices will I make today to consciously exercise my agency and serve the Lord?

You may want to copy your answers into your study journal or into your Notes on LDS.org.

Identified Truths

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• In the premortal existence Heavenly Father introduced a plan to enable us to become like Him and obtain immortality and eternal life.

• Our eternal progression depends on how we use [the gift of moral agency].

During the next few days, do your best to use your moral agency to follow our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a; (2) b; (3) b, d

References for Quiz

(1) See Guide to the Scriptures, “Immortal, Immortality,” scriptures.lds.org.

(2) See Guide to the Scriptures, “Eternal Life,” scriptures.lds.org.