Question: You believe that before gaining physical bodies here, we dwell with our Creator as spirit children. We are given physical bodies here to prove we can keep his commandments. Why would we need to do that? If you are a spirit child without physical attributes you can't hardly break many of the commandments. IT seems that the commandments were given for those of the flesh not of the spirit. I guess what I am asking is why wouldn't the Creator be satisfied with us as spirit children? What would be his further plan that would require changing us from spirit children to flesh? And given that question could you perhaps describe some attributes as to what a spirit child is.....what do they do, what is their existence, anything you care to remark about as to describe them/us?
And where are we when we are spirit children?
Response: We have learned from the writings of Moses and Abraham as well as prophets in these latter-days, that "it is the work and glory of God our Heavenly Father to bring to past the immortality and the eternal life of man." God, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge about things as they really are, created our spirit bodies, and we dwelled with him in His heavenly kingdom. It was there that we were taught our first lessons about the value and necessity of an earthly experience. The blessings of learning to make correct choices and the promise that he would send his spirit to be with us and his prophets to guide us and direct us while we were on the earth is part of this plan. We also knew that he would send his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to provide the central core of our teachings and take upon himself our sins, imperfections, and weaknesses through an atoning sacrifice that would surpass any mortal man's understanding. We learned that there would be great trials and tribulations during this mortal experience and that it would all serve to minister to our education and to the obtaining of such virtues as kindness, and charity.
While we lived with him, we observed the creation of the earth and it's heavens, and all things that are on earth and in the heavens. We rejoiced at his placement of our first parents, Adam and Eve, on the earth because we knew that through them we would have an opportunity to come to the earth and obtain a physical body and be taught further, all that we needed to know to grow and progress and become ever more like our Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:45 states: "Be. ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Your supposition that we would have been happier had we remained in our spirit realm does not coincide with all that we were taught from the scriptures and from modern day revelation. The scriptures are replete with the constant invitation to come unto Christ. This invitation calls us to be perfected in him so that we can earn the right to return someday to live with our Heavenly Father as resurrected beings, having gained immortal physical bodies, just as Jesus Christ has, after we received our resurrection and perfected state. The great challenge is whether we will keep his commandments and live our lives to merit that great reward.
If you will allow, I would like to ask two representatives of our church to call on you to explain what we believe regarding all of this and why it is truly different. Once you have had a chance to hear that message, you will know whether you should pursue this or not. If you do, it will prove to be the greatest blessing that you can possibly imagine. If you would like me to send them, please email me your address and phone number and I will have them call on you.
