We are choosing not to live with our families forever. Thus, if we unwisely choose to live telestial laws now, we are choosing to be resurrected with a telestial body. He said, “All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … have an end when men are dead.” 10 The Lord has clearly taught that only men and women who are sealed as husband and wife in the temple, and who keep their covenants, will be together throughout the eternities. This means making the celestial kingdom your eternal goal and then carefully considering where each of your decisions while here on earth will place you in the next world. In my first message as President of the Church, I encouraged you to begin with the end in mind. However, your choices today will determine three things: where you will live throughout all eternity, the kind of body with which you will be resurrected, and those with whom you will live forever. Far too many people live as though this life is all there is. Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import. We learn from the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob that “to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.” 8 Here is the great news of God’s plan: the very things that will make your mortal life the best it can be are exactly the same things that will make your life throughout all eternity the best it can be! Today, to assist you to qualify for the rich blessings Heavenly Father has for you, I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial”! 7 Thinking celestial means being spiritually minded. The baseless notion that we should “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die and it shall be well with us” 6 is one of the most absurd lies in the universe. It allows each of us to choose how we will live here on earth and where we will live forever. 3 Jesus Christ described His experience in Gethsemane and on Calvary: “Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore.” 4 My injury has caused me to reflect again and again on “the greatness of the Holy One of Israel.” 5 During my healing, the Lord has manifested His divine power in peaceful and unmistakable ways.īecause of Jesus Christ’s infinite Atonement, our Heavenly Father’s plan is a perfect plan! An understanding of God’s fabulous plan takes the mystery out of life and the uncertainty out of our future. Think of it! The Savior suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind” 2 so that He can comfort us, heal us, rescue us in times of need. 1Īs I have wrestled with the intense pain caused by my recent injury, I have felt even deeper appreciation for Jesus Christ and the incomprehensible gift of His Atonement. I have learned that Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous, that what we do in this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible. Time today does not allow me to answer that question fully, but may I share one of the most crucial lessons I have learned. A better question would be “What have I learned in nearly a century of living?” I am often asked the secret to living so long. I recently celebrated my 99th birthday and thus commenced my 100th year of living. I pray that the Spirit will carry my message into your hearts today. So, while I have delivered more than 100 general conference addresses standing, today I thought I would do so sitting. Three weeks ago, I injured the muscles of my back. At my age, each new day brings wonderful as well as challenging surprises. My dear brothers and sisters, I am deeply grateful to speak with you today.
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