One Eternal Round
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible, -- I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form -- like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another."
-Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 p.345
Earth life has a profound purpose. God was once as we are now, but even more profound, "As God now is, man may be" (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p.2.) If we consider the nature and abode of God we can get a picture of our destiny.
Of all the stars, Kolob is the great and governing one, near unto God. God dwells in eternal fire and everlasting burnings. From the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that, "the angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord." (D&C 130:6-7.) We are also informed that, "The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim" (vs. 8.)
Our Heavenly Father's interest in his children is loving and compassionate. He knows our potential and seeks to lead us to our eternal possibilities. God has manifested himself to mankind to reveal the principles leading to salvation. Moses "saw God face to face, and he talked with him." (Moses 1:2.) Enoch also records that, "the Lord spake with me, and gave me commandment." (Moses 6:43.)
Consider a mathematical analogy that regards the difference between human nature and the divine. In flatland everyone lives on a great flat glass table. Forward and backward are convenient directions, as are left and right. Up and down are sometimes used synonymously with north and south, in their two dimensional world, but not in our three dimensional sense of the word. Sesom is a member of the flatland community. He is a circle, as are his family members. He is a righteous man who faithfully goes about his ethical duties. Deeply religious, he often prays to God.
While in his home he hears a voice, speaking to him. "Sesom, I have heard thy prayers and know thy hearts desire." Confused, Sesom thought of his desires. They were written on the innermost parts of his soul where no one could read them. "I see the innermost parts of all people, for they are before me."
"Wilt thou show thyself to me?" Instantly a circle appeared in the room. "Is the Lord a circle, like me?" thought Sesom.
"No. I am a cylinder," came the reply.
"A what?"
"A cylinder is like a circle only greater. It is beyond your comprehension."
"May I see the world and the ends thereof," queried Sesom.
Departing from his two dimensional world, Sesom was lifted, and tilted so as to view his home. Sesom could see the edges of the table he called home, and off to the infinite reaches of space in the plane of his table. He also saw that there were other planes besides his own. "Only an account of your plane give I unto you. For behold, there are many planes, and I know them." answered the Lord.
Sesom marveled at that which he saw and at the nothingness of flatman.
"I have showed you the workmanship of my hands, but not all, for my works are without end. Wherefore, no man can behold all my works except he behold all my glory, and see as I see; and no man can behold my glory and afterwards remain a two dimensional being."
After his visions were ended the Lord spoke, "Sesom, I have a work for thee to do." Sesom thereafter spent his life declaring the things of God to the people of flatland, although many mocked him. As they sought to lay their hands on him he spoke boldly and revealed their inner thoughts, for he had seen their doings and the Lord had told him of the things written on their hearts. And many people feared him because of his power and knowledge. Their consciences burned within in them and they could not deny, in their hearts, that he spoke the truth.
"God is not a circle," they cried. "How could it ever be possible for us to ever be like him? He is greater than us, and you yourself have said he is a cylinder, whatever that nonsense means. Sesom is mad!" With reviling and harsh words they condemned the knowledge of Sesom.
Sesom responded, "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves. For what is a circle but an immature cylinder." Insenced, they sought to kill him.
When his life was over he went before the Lord and asked, "How can I become a cylinder? I am only a circle."
Into the Lord's hands he was drawn, and as easily as a child crumples a piece of paper, Sesom was rolled up, into a cylinder.
On Earth, our version of Sesom's world, there are detractors who know not the destiny of earth or man. If we will prepare, we can become what God, our Father, is. "Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons." (Moses 6:68.) The early Christian writer Athanasius declared that "[Christ] became man that we might be made divine" (On the Incarnation, 54.) Paul thought it not robbery to be equal with God. (Philip 2:5-8.) This is the destiny of the sons of God. "They are to become like Him; they will see Him as He is; they will behold His face and reign with Him in His glory, becoming like unto Him in every particular." (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p.5.) What of the earth? Where will we be?
"This earth on which we dwell, like many that have gone before, is destined to become a celestial sphere and the righteous shall inherit it forever, 'For, for this intent was it made and created,' and after it has filled the measure of its mortal creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father. Like man, the earth also shall die, but it also shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, to continue throughout eternity as the celestial abode of man." (Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.2, p.26 - p.27).
Man will dwell on a celestialized earth like unto the place where God dwells. (D&C 130:7-9.) What has man thus attained to? He has gained intelligence. He is righteous. His faith, or power, has increased. Justice, mercy and truth have developed in the processes of life. The proper exercise of the priesthood has been learned, and charity fills his bowels. Obedience to the injunction to let "virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly," has led to the promised blessing.
"Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." (D&C 121:45-46.)
What is the dominion which is to flow unto you, and why shall it flow unto you? "Intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence." (D&C 88:40.) In gods dwells all intelligence and power. All things are subject unto them. They are from everlasting to everlasting. (D&C 132:20.) Intelligence is drawn to the justice and power of a god. Intelligence, which is co-eternal with God and you, desires the enlargement only a god can provide. Infused with the power of righteousness you begin to provide organization to the spirits drawn to you, your children. God, your father, grows in glory and the cycle begins again.
If you could hie to Kolob in the twinkling of an eye,
And then continue onward with that same speed to fly,
D'ye think that you could ever, through all eternity,
Find out the generation where Gods began to be?
Or see the grand beginning, where space did not extend?
Or view the last creation where Gods and matter end?
Methinks the Spirit whispers, "No man has found `pure space,'"
Nor seen the outside curtains, where nothing has a place.
The works of God continue, and worlds and lives abound;
Improvement and progression have one eternal round.
There is no end to matter; there is no end to space;
There is no end to spirit; there is no end to race.
- Hymns #257
1999 Karl Kowallis
All Rights Reserved
