Question regarding the Plan of salvation

[z_o_n_e]

While we were all still in Pre-mortal existence, were we given the choice of being born in our current mortal existence? Did we have the choice of staying with God, rather than departing?

It has been a few years, since I have studied this and have become incredibly rusted on such matters while being inactive. Any references to scripture would be really appreciated. Thanks :)

[selek]

While we were all still in Pre-mortal existence, were we given the choice of being born in our current mortal existence? Did we have the choice of staying with God, rather than departing?

It has been a few years, since I have studied this and have become incredibly rusted on such matters while being inactive. Any references to scripture would be really appreciated. Thanks :)

Personally I suspect that any answer you'd receive would be speculative at best.

We know through Scripture that we were given a choice with at least two options:to either accept Satan's plan (and subsequent rebellion) or to accept the Lord's plan.

Ultimately, we were born here, so by default, that means we chose to accept the Plan of Salvation as it was laid out.

Since we're here, what does a hypothetical third choice matter?

You're here.

Deal with it.:D;)

[pam]

I have to go with selek. With what we do know, we weren't given any choices but to follow Christ or to follow Lucifer. Since we are here, we know what choice we made.

The logical answer would be, without coming to earth and going through this part of our journey, we can't achieve exaltation and eternal life. Of course, we may learn something differently at some point.

[Guest jollyroger]

I wasn't aware there might've been a third choice. If we could've stayed behind at some point we'd had to have left to come here. I don't think it was an option just to stay in the pre extistance for eternity, that defeats the object of the plan of salvation.

[Seminarysnoozer]

While we were all still in Pre-mortal existence, were we given the choice of being born in our current mortal existence? Did we have the choice of staying with God, rather than departing?

It has been a few years, since I have studied this and have become incredibly rusted on such matters while being inactive. Any references to scripture would be really appreciated. Thanks :)

I think the answer is in the question. If a person wanted to stay in God's presence then they would choose God's plan which is to come here. If a person didn't want to stay in God's presence they would follow Satan.

Maybe, use the metaphor of going to college, but knowing that God dwells in an eternal "college". The question you are trying to ask is like saying, can a person go to college but not be part of the college? No, there is no 'online' college available. ... that was Satan's idea, to try to do it without God but there is no other way.

[HiJolly]

While we were all still in Pre-mortal existence, were we given the choice of being born in our current mortal existence?

Yes.

Did we have the choice of staying with God, rather than departing?

Not ultimately, no. But there is nuance to it. I am not sure everyone in the pre-mortal existence has made their choice yet. We always speak of it in a sequential sense, and so it is for each of us as individuals, but for ALL of God's offspring collectively? I'm not so sure.

It has been a few years, since I have studied this and have become incredibly rusted on such matters while being inactive. Any references to scripture would be really appreciated. Thanks :)

Uh...

HiJolly

Edited September 12, 2011 by HiJolly

[z_o_n_e]

Uh...

HiJolly

I was just trying to justify my ignorance with that statement, nothing else was meant to be implied.

Edited September 12, 2011 by z_o_n_e

[Traveler]

During the great council of heaven G-d presented the Plan of Salvation. Lucifer sort of accepted the plan with modifications. This can be understood as both a rejection (rebellion) and an effort to over through G-d as well as a modification to the plan. We are told in scripture (Revelation and D&C) that as a result of Lucifer’s rebellion that the society of heaven was divided into 3 parts. In Revelation 14 we are told that one part followed Lucifer or Satan. A second part is referenced in various scriptures (like Abraham 3 or Alma 13) as the “great and noble” or those that G-d would make his rulers. We are not told much about the final part except that they were not as valiant as the noble and great.

Because Heaven was divided into 3 parts we assume that there were 3 choices - but we are not told what those choices were. It is also interesting to note that in Genesis following the flood that mankind was divided into 3 parts through the 3 sons of Noah. Also following our mortal estate man will be divided among 3 kingdoms of glory. All these divisions into 3 parts implies 3 different choices at 3 different times - not only in the pre-existence but during our mortal probation and finally at the final judgment where we make our final choice.

The Traveler

[Blackmarch]

While we were all still in Pre-mortal existence, were we given the choice of being born in our current mortal existence? Did we have the choice of staying with God, rather than departing?

It has been a few years, since I have studied this and have become incredibly rusted on such matters while being inactive. Any references to scripture would be really appreciated. Thanks :)

while we know we had a choice, we do not know to what extent, or what alternatives, or if we could do more than say yea or nay in it.

IMTUiO.... I think we had more than just a yes or no option.

[Seminarysnoozer]

while we know we had a choice, we do not know to what extent, or what alternatives, or if we could do more than say yea or nay in it.

IMTUiO.... I think we had more than just a yes or no option.

I think the "yea or nay" response was shown on the spectrum of valiant versus rebellious linear spectrum. I think a person could be anywhere on that spectrum but I think there are only two ends of the spectrum, valiant or rebellious.

In the pre-mortal life it was probably a lot more obvious where our loyalties lie and to what degree and it wasn't masked by the indecision we have caused by the mortal mind. Looking at the situation through our mortal eyes and the limited information we have now it seems like it would be a confusing choice but God knows our mind then just like He knows it now and only those that were fully mature, spiritually made the choice. This wasn't a choice made by any spirits that were not spiritually mature enough to make it. We had progressed as far as we could without taking the next step, there was no further progression that could take place for all the pre-mortal spirits. It is not like they could come back at a latter time to make the decision after they thought about it some more, we all had done all the thinking and maturing we could to that point. If any spirit was not fully matured, I don't think they would have been given the choice, so there doesn't need to be a third choice. .... in my opinion.