Trailing Clouds of Glory

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Gospel of ThomasSummarized by Mark McConkie

This is an allegory of a king's son who is required to leave his father's kingdom, where he enjoyed great wealth, to obtain a pearl. The pearl, quite obviously, is a symbol of his own soul. His parents see that he is properly provisioned for his journey. Before leaving their presence he is required to surrender his splendid robe. This robe, or garment of light, we are told, had been woven to the measure of his stature. He also enters into a covenant with them to obtain the pearl and return that he might once again enjoy their presence and wear his splendid robe. The covenant is written upon his heart.

Though the way is hazardous and difficult, an intimate friend referred to as "an (anointed one)" warns him of the dangers that beset him. Notwithstanding all this he soon forgets his identity as a king's son and his mission to obtain the pearl. At this point a council is held; it is attended by his father, his mother, his brother (the crown prince), and many other great and mighty ones. They determine to send him a letter imploring him to awake and remember who he is and what king he serves. He is encouraged to remember his splendid robe and to so conduct himself that his name might be written in the book of heroes, and that with his brother he may be an heir to his father's kingdom.

Thus reminded, he commences again his efforts to obtain the pearl, which he must wrestle from a terrible serpent. This he is able to do only by naming his father's name, that of his brother, and that of his mother. Having obtained the pearl he flees Egypt, sheds his dirty and unclean garments, and is further guided by the letter. At this point he is greeted by messengers from his parents, who clothe him once more in his royal robe, and he returns as an heir to his father's kingdom.

Orson F. Whitney’s Question

Why are we drawn toward certain persons, and they to us, as if we had always known each other? Is it a fact that we always have? Is there something, after all, in that much abused term "affinity"? . . .

After meeting someone whom I had never met before on earth, I have wondered why that person's face seemed so familiar. More than once, upon hearing a noble sentiment expressed, though unable to recall that I had ever heard it until then, I have found myself in sympathy with it, was thrilled by it, and felt as if I had always known it.

The same is true of some strains of music; they are like echoes of eternity. I do not assert pre-acquaintance in all such cases, but as one thought suggests another these queries arise in the mind.

When it comes to the Gospel, I feel more positive. Why did the Savior say: "My sheep know my voice?" Did a sheep ever know the voice of its shepherd if it had never heard that voice before? They who love the Truth, and to whom it most strongly appeals--were they not acquainted with it in a previous life? I think so. I believe we knew the Gospel before we came here, and that is what gives to it a familiar sound. ["The Undiscovered Country," Improvement Era, vol. 23 (December 1919), p. 100]

                                                                                                            

                

 

 

Joseph F. Smith’s ResponseIf Christ knew beforehand [about his mission] so did

we. But in coming here, we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil, that we might merit the reward of our own choice and conduct.

But by the power of the Spirit, … we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home.

Lorenzo SnowWe were selected, ordained, and set apart

[in the premortal life] according to our worthiness and preparation and training to come forth when our preparation fitted clearly into the great plan of our Father.

And as we live worthy the Holy Spirit brings this knowledge to this body, and that is the only way we become acquainted with the knowledge of our spiritual understanding.

This body must get acquainted with former pre-existent experiences through being revealed to, and made a part of, this flesh. [Journal of John Whitaker, 6 April 1894]

Bruce R. McConkie... When we pass from preexistence to

mortality, we bring with us the traits and talents there developed. True we forget what went before because we are here being tested, but the capacities and abilities that then were ours are yet resident within us.

Mozart is still a musician; Einstein retains his mathematical abilities; Michelangelo his artistic talent; Abraham, Moses, and the prophets their spiritual talents and abilities ....

And all men with their infinitely varied talents and personalities pick up the course of progression where they left it off when they left the heavenly realms

Popular LDS Doctrinal Misconceptions

Magic Baptismal Water

“Burning in the Bosom” Thing

Two Plan Theory

2 Ne 2:17…an angel of God… had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.

Elder Neal MaxwellIt is “extremely important

to get straight what happened in

that premortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out.

Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the plan.

Moses Chapter 41 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses,

saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—

Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

Moses Chapter 42 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my

Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Moses 43 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought

to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.

QuestionHow could a “third part’ of heaven stand in the

presence of the Father, bathed in premortal light, and choose to follow Lucifer?

We don’t want to change

Satan lies to us

We choose to believe the lie-

It “tickles” our ears

We harden our hearts

against furtherlight