Monday, November 19, 2012

Mormonism: Immortality and Eternal Life (Moses 1:39)

Many of you may know this, but for those of you who do not, I will explain.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) has more book of scripture than just the Holy Bible.  It is not uncommon for religions to have multiple books of scripture.  Mormonism has four scriptural books:  The Holy Bible (containing both the Old and New Testaments), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  The passage I wish to expound upon today is taken from the Pearl of Great Price.

In the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price, chapter one verse thirty nine, it reads:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

There are many ways one could branch out from this, but I wish to do so this way:  First I will explain immortality and second eternal life.  There is a difference between the two, and in connection with the above quoted verse it is important to understand.  Here we go.

Immortality
As the word describes, immortality is to be immortal, to live forever.  Mankind is now mortal (as is discussed in detail here and here).  But through the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ mankind will one day become immortal through the resurrection (discussed a bit more in detail here and here).  In this way the first half of the previously quoted verse has come into being.  God's work of bringing about immortality has been fulfilled.

Eternal Life
Second comes eternal life.  Eternal Life is a degree greater than immortality.  Immortality is to live forever and eternal life is to liver forever with God, in the Celestial Kingdom.  Only those that have lived worthily to receive this will have eternal life.  (Discussed more here.)



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