Mortality

The meaning of mortality is commonly known as the time from birth until physical death. However, doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that mortality is much more than just time from birth to death. It is a vital part of God’s plan for His children.

Doctrine of the Church teaches that before we were born we lived as spirits with God. While there we were able to grow and learn from Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father knew that for us to grow and progress as much as we could, we needed to receive a physical body, learn to choose between good and evil, and gain experience. So a plan that members refer to as the Plan of Salvation was presented and put into action. The plan would mean that we would be born into mortality and have to live by faith. Heavenly Father knew that we would make mistakes so He sent Jesus Christ to be our Savior and example. His Atonement made it possible for us to repent and return to live with Heavenly Father.

Not all of the spirits thought the plan would work. Another plan was presented by Lucifer. His plan was contrary to the will of God and Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven and denied to opportunity to gain a body. All who have been or will be born accepted Heavenly Father’s plan and gained their second estate (or mortality).

Mortality is described by Lance B. Wickman as, “a proving ground, a probationary state, a time to walk by faith, a time to prepare to meet God (see, for example, Abr. 3:24–25; 2 Ne. 31:15–16, 20; Alma 12:24; Alma 42:4–13). It is in nurturing humility (see Alma 32:6–21) and submissiveness (see Mosiah 3:19) that we may comprehend a fullness of the intended mortal experience and put ourselves in a frame of mind and heart to receive the promptings of the Spirit. Reduced to their essence, humility and submissiveness are an expression of complete willingness to let the “why” questions go unanswered for now, or perhaps even to ask, “Why not?” It is in enduring well to the end (see 2 Ne. 31:15–16; Alma 32:15; D&C 121:8) that we achieve this life’s purposes. I believe that mortality’s supreme test is to face the “why” and then let it go, trusting humbly in the Lord’s promise that “all things must come to pass in their time” (D&C 64:32).”

The things we must do in mortality are sometimes referred to as a divine mission. This mission is to learn the things that will help us gain characteristics that Heavenly Father has. Some of these things are to control our bodies, choose right over wrong, humility, obedience, kindness, love, charity and living by faith. If we learn these things and apply the principles of the Atonement we are prepared to return again to live with Heavenly Father.

Other Links: Church Publication Search http://www.mormon.org/search/1,9643,1226-1,00.html http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/previousyears/aa030599.htm