FAMILY IN HEAVEN


Chapter 1
Family in Heaven

Prior to our mortal birth, we existed as spirit children in one big happy family with our Heavenly Parents and Jesus Christ in Heaven. This is referred to as our first estate or pre-existence.

The Bible presents the concept that we had a preparation period prior to mortal birth. We are literal spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents. God is “the God of the spirits of all flesh.” (Numbers 16:22.)

We existed as intelligence with God. Intelligence has always existed and never was created or made (D&C 93:29.) In time that intelligence was given a body of spirit, becoming eternal intelligences after the image of God.

So we became members of God’s Family, the basis for God’s creations. These spirit children needed physical bodies in order to have a fullness of joy (D&C 93:33-34.)

None of us recall our previous existence, if so we would not need to live by faith here. The scriptures are replete with references to foreordination of chosen spirit children, assigned to come forth to earth at special times to perform missions to the children of men.
Consider a few scriptures referencing a pre-mortal existence state:

Pre-mortal existence with appointments made according to the foreknowledge of God the father. (1 Peter 1:2.)

Foreordination to be a prophet unto the nations: “Before I formed thee in the belly...I ordained thee a prophet…” (Jeremiah 1:5.)
Moses taught that the whole host of spirits born in the lineage of Jacob was before appointed to come through the chosen line. (Deuteronomy 32:7-8.)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27.)

The lamb was slain from before the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8.)

John the Baptist received a pre-mortal commission to prepare the way for the first coming of the Son of Man. (Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:3.)

The temporal rule of Cyrus and the mission he was to perform as it affected Israel, was foretold by Isaiah long before the birth of that earthly ruler. (Isaiah 44:28, 45.)

All human beings, male and female, are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of Heavenly Parents, and as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual, pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

Everyone who accepts the Bible as the word of God believes our pre-mortal existence and the Atonement of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Christ is designated as the Word, and the Savior’s pre-earth life and primeval Godship are thus set forth:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.
“The same was in the beginning with God.
“All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4.)

God loves you. He understands you. He is aware of you. Improve on your shining moments. Return to your spiritual roots and resolve now to live as you know you should. Get rid of those destroying habits and thoughts that only weaken your resolve to be a better person. It will do wonders for you.

I hope you have grasped the importance of our pre-earth existence. We are all members of a Heavenly Family with a destination certain.
Families on Earth Are an Extension of the Family of God

According to the LDS concept of the family, every person is a child of heavenly parents as well as mortal parents. Each individual was created spiritually and physically in the image of God and Christ (Moses 2:27, 3:5). “All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity” (MFP 4:20). Everyone, before coming to this earth, lived with Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, and each was loved and taught by them as a member of their eternal family. Birth unites the spirit with a physical body so that together they can “receive a fullness of joy” (D&C 93:33; cf. 2 Nephi 2:2.) (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow New York: Macmillan, 1992, vols. 1-4, pp. 486-87.)

Fundamental Principles: Family In Heaven

1 We existed as sprits in a pre-mortal state, children of Heavenly Parents.
2 Intelligence has always existed and never was created or made.
3 The Atonement is the foundation of our existence.
4 We have potential to develop divine qualities and become like God.
5 All human beings are created in the image of God.
6 Jesus is a God and made all things.
7 Jesus is the Life and Light of all men.
8 We came to earth with a purpose and goal of returning to Heavenly Father.
9 Families on earth are an extension of the family of God.
10 Families are forever.
11 Families on earth are an extension of the family of God.
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