Only One Destination in the Plan

Most people within the Church are familiar with diagrams of the Plan of Salvation. As I've prepared my next lesson for the teachers in my ward (I'm the Teacher's Quorum Advisor), I've noticed that the diagram in the lesson manual is slightly different from the diagrams I've often seen in the past. It looks something like this:

Pre-earth life ---Birth---> Earth life ---Death---> Spirit World ---Resurrection and Judgement---> Celestial Kingdom

Usually I've seen this diagram with three kingdoms at the end. It strikes me, however, that these young men need to understand that there is only one kingdom for them. That goes for all of us. Yes, other kingdoms have been prepared, because in a practical sense, there will be plenty of people who will need such kingdoms in which to spend eternity, but that's not what we're here for.

If we have been sealed to our spouse in the temple, there is only one goal in sight: exaltation. Even if we have been endowed in the temple, there is only one goal in sight, which we will achieve after being sealed: exaltation. For the men, if we have received the priesthood, there is only one goal in sight. Even just having been baptized in the true Church, we have only one goal. Beyond that, I would think that even just having taken an early step by coming to earth, there's only one reason we should have done it and only one destination that is good enough for us, though the making of covenants is the key action I want to emphasize. The reason we make all of these covenants is so that we may progress toward and arrive in the Celestial Kingdom.

Back to the teachers to whom I'll give the lesson: if they're not planning on going to the Celestial Kingdom, there's no reason for them to be at church in the first place. It's the reason why we go to church.

Sometimes young folks are unsure of themselves, though. They feel that "I'm not good enough for the Celestial Kingdom." To be honest, older folks also aren't exempt from that uncertainty. However, no one should sell themselves short in envisioning their potential. Frankly, when they say th're not good enough, they're right; none of us are. That's why Christ atoned for our sins, and he did so for all of us, so that all of us have the ability to be exalted.

Last thoughts for now:
There's only one destination with which I'm concerned. The knowledge of the Plan of Happiness, including the Atonement of Jesus Christ, should guide me in everything I do, so that I may reach that destination. I'm going to the Celestial Kingdom.

Meriting Great Gifts

God told Nephi, son of Helaman, the following:
"...I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed. in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word...I give unto you power..." (Helaman 10:5, 7)
And He states that Nephi will have the power to seal and loose things in earth and in heaven, to speak and make mountains flat or cause the people to be smitten.

Nephi received this gift only after being imprisoned for teaching the gospel, after preaching for six years in a land where the people didn't listen to him, and after being faithful despite having his country overtaken and perverted by the Gaddianton robbers.

I guess I might normally want to be blessed to be "mighty in word and deed" before serving as a missionary for six years. Little do I know what kind of effort and righteousness are required before we receive such gifts.

It certainly makes sense in a basic sort of way. How can one expect to be blessed without showing some effort to do God's will?

Interestingly, after being given such power, Nephi still was tasked with preaching repentance he faced rejection as he carried out that preaching. Even though he had been given great power, he still had difficult work to do.

It seems to be the basic flow in life: Do what is right, and you will be blessed with more opportunities to do what is right.

Last thoughts for now:
I admire Nephi's dedication. I know I must resolve myself to live righteously and share the gospel, even if it takes years to receive all the blessings my Father in Heaven has in store for me.