Temple More Imperative Than Your Mission - Mission Prep Series Class 7

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Mission Prep Class 7: "Temple More Imperative Than Your Mission," delves into foundational doctrines crucial for missionaries and members alike, emphasizing the paramount importance of temple preparation over mission preparation.
Understanding the "great dilemma" that necessitates Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Key concepts explored include:
•The Great Dilemma: Introduced as described by Stephen Robinson in his book Believing Christ, this dilemma highlights the reality faced by all individuals. It is defined by two core scriptures:
◦Moses 6:55-57: States that "no unclean thing can enter the presence of God". The discussion uses an analogy of paint on a shirt to illustrate that even a single speck of "uncleanliness" prevents entry into God's presence, regardless of how much "paint" others might have. This law is presented as a just, eternal law with affixed punishments and blessings.
◦Romans 3:23: Declares, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". Combined, these scriptures mean that every individual, no matter how obedient, is inherently unworthy to enter God's presence on their own.
•The Law of Works vs. The Law of the Gospel: The episode draws a clear distinction between two types of "law" mentioned in scripture.
◦The "Law of Sin and Death" (or "Law of Works"): This refers to the idea that one could achieve worthiness to enter God's presence solely through perfect obedience to commandments. The sources describe this as a "cursed law" that leads to misery, condemnation, and spiritual death, because no one can keep all commandments perfectly. It's acknowledged that this burden of trying to be perfect can lead to mental health issues. Abraham, for instance, was considered righteous not because he was perfect, but because he believed and repented.
◦The "Law of the Spirit of Life in Jesus Christ" (or "Law of the Gospel"): This is the "good news" that overcomes the "bad news" of the law of works. It teaches that Christ takes the fixed punishment for broken laws. This law is founded on faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Through this, individuals are "justified by faith without the deeds of the law". The discussion also references the April 2023 General Conference talk "The Imperfect Harvest," which clarifies the difference between perfectionism and being perfected in Christ—the latter being a process guided by the Holy Ghost.
•Salvation vs. Exaltation: The podcast emphasizes a critical distinction between these two concepts, which many in the church may not fully understand.
◦Salvation: Defined as being saved from the "great dilemma" through the law of the gospel, overcoming spiritual (separation from God) and physical (separation of body and spirit) death, and being brought back into God's presence. Salvation is described as "free" because of Christ's Atonement. It means being saved into one of the kingdoms of glory (celestial, terrestrial, or telestial).
◦Exaltation: This is the "highest level of the celestial kingdom" and the ultimate purpose of the Church. It is uniquely linked to the concept of "eternal lives" (plural), as found in Doctrine and Covenants 132:23-24. Exaltation signifies eternal progression, a "chain of glory," and the power for "god-like creation". Crucially, it cannot be achieved by an individual alone; it requires entering the "new and everlasting covenant of marriage" in the temple, which is the capstone covenant.