We know that one third of the spirit children of God destined for this world chose evil over righeousness. Of the two thirds who chose the Savior's plan, we can see that many of them are now following Satan. It would appear that at least half of our Heavenly Father's children assigned to this world may end up serving the evil one.
Now for a question to ponder: We know God has created worlds without number. Do you think it may be possible that on some of these planets, evil has completely taken control and all the inhabitants have rebelled and followed the devil?
I got this thought from a book I am reading for the second time called Earth in the Beginning. The author alludes to this very idea and in the footnotes gives a reference from Spencer W. Kimball to back it up. He does not say what Pres. Kimball stated but the reference is from the June 1962 Improvement Era and the article is titled Spiritual Communication.
Does anybody know if this can be found on-line?
Well, Gaucho, this is an interesting topic. First of all, I must say that I don't think things are as gloomy as you feel they are. I do believe most people see it as you do, but I am a bit more of an optimist. I believe that the majority of people who recieve a body will in the end make it back to live with Heavenly Father. We do not stop progressing when we die. Therefore, just because we haven't lived a life worthy yet of Exaltation does not mean we will never be worthy. While we must live worthy of the Celestial Kingdom or at least have become worthy of that by the time of the final judgment, this is not the same as being worthy of exaltation. True it is more difficult to repent after death, but it is not impossible. A discussion of that is an entirely different topic though.
At any rate, I think an triumph evil has would be a temporary one. In the end evil does not bring joy. It takes some people longer than others to figure this out, but I think in general we at some point come to that realization. This is evident throughout the Book of Mormon.
QUOTE (gaucho @ 31-May 04, 3:14 AM) |
I got this thought from a book I am reading for the second time called Earth in the Beginning. The author alludes to this very idea and in the footnotes gives a reference from Spencer W. Kimball to back it up. He does not say what Pres. Kimball stated but the reference is from the June 1962 Improvement Era and the article is titled Spiritual Communication. Does anybody know if this can be found on-line? |
It is my understanding that the Spirits who did not keep the first estate are in Outer Darkness with no glory. Whereas the most evil of those that at least kept their first estate will at least get a Telestial glory (save for those who commit the unpardonable sin). Therefore those who are considered evil will still have some kind of glory for whatever good works they attained. They will also rule over the Beast and not the other way around. Therefore, if a world is to be totally overrun with evil we will have to say to what extent? This world as it is right now can be considered that way since the Lord cannot rationalize the least degree of sin. Of course I have also heard of this earth being the most evil, but that might be representative of current time and not an association of past occurences.
QUOTE (tenaheff @ 31-May 04, 11:49 AM) |
I believe that the majority of people who recieve a body will in the end make it back to live with Heavenly Father. We do not stop progressing when we die. |