If there was a pre-existence and we did live with God before this life...we shouted for Joy to be able to come down and gain a body like he did? We wanted to forget everything we knew and simply come down without any sort of knowledge before hand what we would be getting ourselves into?
I have often stated that I hoped God would have taken each of us aside personally and spoken with us explaining that which was about to happen, personally to us. Instead of just tossing us down here without any kind of preparation. Even though we would forget all such things we had grown accustomed to. If that didn’t take place? Even to calm the nerves of children afraid of the future, then I am saddened by that thought.
There are quotes from general authorities about certain people being born with “limitations” and the like because of their not being fully righteous in the pre-existence. I find that thought abhorring. Here is the quote in question:
"The privilege of obtaining a mortal body on this earth is seemingly so priceless that those in the spirit world, even though unfaithful or not valiant, were undoubtedly permitted to take mortal bodies although under penalty of racial or physical or nationalistic limitations."1
It brings about an interesting thought does it not? President Lee felt that those people born with a disability were less valiant in the pre-existence. People believed this thought back then. It has taken a change in later years, as we no longer teach this thought. Like we don’t teach that black people were cursed with the mark of cain because of not being valiant in the pre-existence. Yet these teachings were taught at one time. They were believed to be doctrine.
Doctrine has an...interesting ring to it. The terminology itself is not what one would assume. Can there be many types of doctrine within the church? There is the Doctrine of Christ, which the Savior stated would be the most important doctrine one can follow in order to return back to Heavenly Father. Is that the only doctrine we need to know and follow?
If so, then why must there be so many different policies and doctrines upon which a member must follow and believe in, in order to obtain Eternal Life? Is it wrong to question such things? Is it wrong to want to have an understanding of these matters?
There is the notion that we would choose which path to be in, that depending upon our wanting to find the gospel, we would be born where we were. In order to find the gospel, we would need to be born into certain homes, nations, with the ability to reach the gospel as easily as we needed to. This thought comes from the bible:
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:2
So, apparently we would reach after the gospel based on our pre-existence and how we lived there. How noble and righteous we were there depends on how and when we would find the gospel of Jesus Christ during this state.
I cannot say for myself how I was in the pre-existence for I do not remember any of it. Like everyone else here I have that vail over my mind. It is a tricky thought to accept that isn’t it. We accepted such a handicap to come down here. I imagine it was either that or we wouldn’t be allowed to come at all.
We learn that those who add to or take away from the Doctrine of Christ are to be punished. They should not be followed and are false prophets. I wonder about those people who would say that certain doctrines are doctrines of salvation…or rather for salvation. Without them we cannot return to God. Is that really the case? Does God only love those who follow His rules to a T without faltering? I mean, we all make mistakes sure. But will He cast those aside who did not choose the exact one religion which He established on the Earth?
Will they be tossed aside without further thought? Or will mercy take over, and will one learn what they didn’t quite grasp down here? If there is only one true religion, wouldn’t that religion include everyone in their worship service and not throw out those who are different then them?
Above all, I believe Jesus taught that we should love our neighbor. We should love the Lord our God first, but then we should love our neighbor. Sometimes I wonder at how policies and practices are in place that do not show that love. Certain beliefs in the LDS church are not all inclusive of people, of everyone. They are set out to separate people and not allow them to be together in the eternities. All because some people do not agree with the theology or doctrine of the church.
People are not made to worship idols, or churches, or leaders of churches. God would not approve. Yet some leaders allow this hero worship to occur. Even to be able to enter the Holy Temple, people have to say the believe in a restoration, they have to believe Joseph Smith to have been a prophet in order for that restoration to occur. How does that affect my eternal salvation in the slightest? How does believing in and following modern revelation affect my eternal salvation?
I thought I was supposed to follow Christ and love God and His ways not the will of man.
1. Harold B. Lee, Decisions for Successful Living, pp. 165
2. Acts 17:26-27
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