Eternal Life is the greatest of all the gifts of God. Jesus in prayer, “As thou hast given [Me] power over all flesh, that [I] should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given [Me].  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:2, 3)

But how do we comprehend the incomprehensible? Thanks to the beautiful truths of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel, we gain great and inspiring understandings of Eternal Life. In this scripture, the Apostle John gives us a beautiful definition of “Eternal Life.” It is to know God and His Beloved Son. The implications of that knowledge are enormous. Jesus has asked us to be perfect like He and the Father are perfect. (3 Nephi 12:48) We learn from the restoration that Eternal Life is not only life with God but growing into perfection to be like God. We have the great promise: “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” (D&C 93:28)

Why Are We Here?

When Vinney Tolman passed the veil of death, he was taught the “Purpose of Life” by his great-great-grandfather Drake. He asked Vinney, “Why are we here?” referring to our mortal journey. Vinney shared his perspective, “I was taught Christian values and principles I should live by— that life was a test to see what kind of soul we have.” Drake responded, “Your mortal existence is not a test.” He explained that a test implies pass or fail. God created a “system where everyone succeeds, but only at the speed that they are able to grow.” Vinney questioned, “So, we can continue progressing after we die?” And Drake said, “We do indeed… the life you have on earth is a reflection of the life you can have afterward… [God] wants to give us more love, more responsibilities, and more opportunities to create and grow and love in ways you have never imagined. But you have to be ready for it… Whatever progress you can make while alive will help you that much more after you move on.” Life is a grand opportunity to grow in LIGHT and TRUTH. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.  (John 14:6)

Learning in This Life

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “…if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” (D&C 130:18-19)

The cornerstone scripture for the Protestant world is John 3:16; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” But “everlasting life” is not the same as Eternal Life. The Apostle Paul shares that there are three degrees of glory. (1 Corinthians 15:40-42). The revelation given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants greatly amplifies that. And Section 88 gives us even more glorious detail.

Paul describes the three degrees of glory like the sun, the moon, and the stars. And as one star differs from another “in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead…” Those coming to Christ and receiving the fullness of the gospel are promised celestial glory—like unto the sun. Those who accept Christ from the Bible gospel will make it into the Millennium, where they will have the opportunity to receive the fullness of the gospel.  If they accept, they will enter into celestial realms of glory at the end of the millennium. Otherwise, they will enter a glory like unto the moon. Those rejecting Christ in this life will suffer for their sins during the epoch of the millennium. And if they accept Christ, they will have glory like unto the stars (Telestial Kingdom).

In the perfection of our infinitely loving God the “glory of the telestial… surpasses all understanding.” (D&C 76:89) We learn from Section 88 that the Lord rewards us according to the desires of our hearts. The Lord shares this profound counsel: “…that which they are willing to receive because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receives not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. (D&C 88:32-33). The beautiful and glorious thing about Their Perfect Plan of Happiness is that we can grow in learning (Light and Truth) until we know what They know. Then we have a fullness of joy as we become like Them.

To Know Them is Eternal Life

I believe the most important thing we can do is help people come to know our infinitely loving Elohim. To know them is ETERNAL LIFE, (John 17:3) the greatest gift of all the gifts of God. (D&C 14:7) And the most important unit in time and in eternity is FAMILY.  Eternal Life is to know and live with our Heavenly Parents and Their Beloved Son, and to be like them—knowing “all things.” What an incredible promise and hope that gives us in the core of our beings and in the deepest reaches of our souls.

Elohim is plural and includes Heavenly Mother. I have come to know of her infinite love as well and of her magnificent role in the Godhead.

Learn the Truths of God

At a meeting in Paris, a good friend and colleague of mine came up to me and said, “I want you to give me a one-sentence summary of your religion!” I went into a deep internal prayer mode, and then shared with him, “We search for Truth with a capital T.” I believe the greatest opportunity in our mortal journey is to learn the TRUTHS of GOD, and then apply them in our lives. I have found the greatest joy in doing so. I believe that path leads us to Eternal Life and a fullness of joy Ironies, when you lose your life for Him, you find it.

Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ

In the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ, by Levi, we read: “While he, with Peter, James and John went to Gethsemane to pray. They sat beneath an olive tree, and Jesus opened up the mysteries of life to Peter, James, and John. 

He said, ‘The Spirit of eternity is One unmanifest; and this is God the Father, God the Mother, God the Son in One. In the life of manifests the One became the Three, and God the Father is the God of might, and God the Mother is omniscient God, and God the Son is Love. And God the Father is the power of heaven and earth; and God the Mother is the Holy Breath, the thought of heaven and earth; and God the Son, the only son, is Christ, and Christ is love. I came as a man to manifest this love to men.” (163:29-34) This gospel also shares, “Behold, this Comforter of God, the Holy Breath, is one with God, but she is one that the world cannot receive because it sees her not; it knows her not. But you know her because she will abide within your soul.” (161:36-37)

Eternal Life – The Fullness of Joy

The Gospel of Thomas shares that Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother are “EQUALLY-SACRED.” “THEY ARE THE GREAT-POWERS OF ALMIGHTY/EL-SHADDAI… THE ONE IS NOT [without] THE OTHER IN THE ONE GREAT… YHV.” (117:B) I believe that Heavenly Mother as the “Holy Breath” perfectly orchestrates the angels in the Kingdom of Heaven to have angels speak the words of Her Beloved Son to witness Him across time and in eternity. (2 Nephi 32:2-5) And also to bear witness of Heavenly Father and His infinite love. Heavenly Father has protected Her name from being profaned. She is the best means now for us to know our true ELOHIM and to enjoy Eternal Life and a fullness of joy.

David W. Allan

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