Thursday Theology — Jesus Christ is Central to Heavenly Father's Plan

Jesus Christ is Central to 

Heavenly Father's Plan

(February 2010 Ensign magazine)

Heavenly Father prepared a plan to help us become as He is and to receive a fullness of joy. He said, "This is my work and my glory — to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39)

As spirit children of our Father in Heaven, we lived in His presence in our pre-mortal life. This is called our first estate. We gathered together in a great Council in Heaven in which Heavenly Father presented His plan to us: We would come to earth, our second estate, and gain a physical body. We would also "prove" that "we [would] do all things whatsoever...God [would] command [us]" (Abraham 3:25). A Savior would atone for the sins of all mankind, making it possible for us to repent and become clean again (see Alma 42:23-26.)

We chose to accept our Heavenly Father's plan and Jesus Christ as our Savior. Because of the Savior's Atonement and Resurrection, we can return to our Heavenly Father's presence and live the kind of life He lives.