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I'm not to sure or want to dwell on this too long.
President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) described the source of some of the
blessings we receive in this life: “All these rewards were seemingly
promised, or foreordained, before the world was. Surely these matters must
have been determined by the kind of lives we had lived in that premortal
spirit world. Some may question these assumptions, but at the same time
they will accept without any question the belief that each one of us will
be judged when we leave this earth according to his or her deeds during our
lives here in mortality. Isn’t it just as reasonable to believe that what
we have received here in this earth [life] was given to each of us
according to the merits of our conduct before we came here?” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1973, 7–8; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 5).
I know that or actions in the preexistance do affect thus life, but I never
thought that they could determine where you started at.
I'll have to ponder this a whole lot more.
EDIT: Though a closer reading I notice "Surely" and "assumptions". That does make me feel a little bit more comfortable. If President Lee had known this as firm revelation he would have clearly said it so and not allowed any room for doubt. The brothern don't usually mince words. So, this is likely true, but not necessary so.
Not that we didn't exist in the preexistance, but that our actions there determined how we started out in this life. That was a piece of logic I was having problems wrapping my mid around. I could figure it either way, but it seemed to fluffy and mind blowing.
This is also why Brother Hoskisson always told us to read the commentaries (in this case the Institute Manuel) with caution and prayer. For all they are wonderful books made to the best knowledge of men, they're still written and compiled by men. Only the Holy Spirit will speak to the truth of any doctrine explained therein.
President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) described the source of some of the
blessings we receive in this life: “All these rewards were seemingly
promised, or foreordained, before the world was. Surely these matters must
have been determined by the kind of lives we had lived in that premortal
spirit world. Some may question these assumptions, but at the same time
they will accept without any question the belief that each one of us will
be judged when we leave this earth according to his or her deeds during our
lives here in mortality. Isn’t it just as reasonable to believe that what
we have received here in this earth [life] was given to each of us
according to the merits of our conduct before we came here?” (in Conference
Report, Oct. 1973, 7–8; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 5).
I know that or actions in the preexistance do affect thus life, but I never
thought that they could determine where you started at.
I'll have to ponder this a whole lot more.
EDIT: Though a closer reading I notice "Surely" and "assumptions". That does make me feel a little bit more comfortable. If President Lee had known this as firm revelation he would have clearly said it so and not allowed any room for doubt. The brothern don't usually mince words. So, this is likely true, but not necessary so.
Not that we didn't exist in the preexistance, but that our actions there determined how we started out in this life. That was a piece of logic I was having problems wrapping my mid around. I could figure it either way, but it seemed to fluffy and mind blowing.
This is also why Brother Hoskisson always told us to read the commentaries (in this case the Institute Manuel) with caution and prayer. For all they are wonderful books made to the best knowledge of men, they're still written and compiled by men. Only the Holy Spirit will speak to the truth of any doctrine explained therein.
