Chapter 19

Principles of Zion, Part XIX

Eternal Life, Being Active, Righteous Families, Bearing One's Testimony

Don't forego celestial glory and eternal increase. Exaltation is gorgeous.

Exaltation––the greatest realm of existence in eternity (JRE Link, 2019-0413 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The celestial kingdom is your eternal home. Prepare yourself for a triumphant entry (JRE Link, 2018-1224 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Your entrance to the celestial kingdom might be likened to the closing scene of the
classic 1959 movie Ben Hur––your wife's eyes gleaming, your eyes filled with tears, your family
gathering around you.

There is no sadness in the celestial kingdom. Happiness eternal, happiness everlasting (JRE Link, 2017-1026 (Thu), COM-STR2).

No sad apples on the tree of life. All the fruit is joyful. Come and partake (JRE Link, 2018-0911 (Tue), COM-STR2).

We welcome thee to the outstretched arms of righteousness and eternal salvation (JRE Link, 2019-0126 (Sat), COM-STR2).

The Eternal Father shares all He has with His children if they are obedient to His
commandments. This is the great plan of happiness. The Spirit sings this glad message to all the
world (JRE Link, 2018-0526 (Sat), COM-STR2).

You'll cash in these promised eternal blessings one day and go nuts with joy.

Welcome to paradise, you lucky family! You did things right while on earth.

You pondered upon the words of eternal life, and they filled you with wonder (JRE Link, 2017-1229 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Don't just barely make it into the celestial kingdom. Leave a comfortable margin. Grow
stronger in testimony and faithfulness throughout your life to create that margin (JRE Link, 2017-0618 (Sun), COM-STR2).

To be an honorable person in life is good, but it's not enough. Embracing the restored
gospel of Jesus Christ with all your heart is required for the greatest rewards of heaven (JRE Link, 2018-0107 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Many honorable men and women are preoccupied with the things of this world and lose
sight of the things of God. The glory of the moon eclipses the glory of the sun in their lives.

Sadly, the lesser glory of the terrestrial kingdom will be their inheritance, not the unspeakable
glory of the celestial kingdom.

The day of judgment has come and your eternal reward has been bestowed. You can now
enter the gates of the terrestrial kingdom. Isn't that what you always wanted?

Choose the sun over the moon and stars.

Ignoring or rejecting the opportunity for exaltation is pure idiocy (JRE Link, 2018-1130 (Fri), WSE-MAIN).

Hell is this––a remorse of conscience for all eternity, longing for celestial glory and
exaltation. The fire and brimstone of opportunity lost, of what could have been (JRE Link, 2019-0507 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Hell is this—what Scrooge felt as he looked upon his tombstone on a cold winter's night.
He wanted to repent if it was still possible.

The mournings of King David—for sins committed, for a troubled heart that could not be
comforted, for the close proximity to God and the unspeakable glory of His kingdom that was
lost—that's the unquenchable fire for the eternities that one feels in one's soul.

David is wondering what men and women of this earth are going to join him in his dark
and gloomy reality in the spirit world.

The references to fire and brimstone throughout the scriptures are figurative, not literal.
But they are indeed a literal representation of the anguish you may feel with the inability to
change once your kingdom of glory—celestial, terrestrial or telestial—has been assigned to you
at Final Judgment.

There are so many stars in the sky, and so many in the world, unfortunately, who are
moving fast towards the telestial kingdom.

Receiving the lesser blessings, a lesser degree of glory at Final Judgment—the shock of
disappointment for you will be severe and everlasting. There will be lots of time in eternity to
regret the choices you have made.

We can meet in heaven and find out the truth afterwards, but great blessings will have
been forfeited (JRE Link, 2021-0126 (Tue), COM-STR2).

I wanted to understand what the restored gospel was all about, but I got so busy in my life
with other things that I didn't have time for it (JRE Link, 2018-0304 (Sun), COM-STR2).

In order to be saved, you must keep the commandments and endure to the end. The
reward system in heaven is based on performance, not potential.

Be obedient to your temple covenants. Don’t be in-sin-serious in your faith (JRE Link, 2018-0605 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Remember, Priesthood Holders, you are under oath.

Your on-again, off-again approach to the gospel is not working. The riches of eternity are
slipping away from you (JRE Link, 2018-0605 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Don't wander aimlessly in your testimony. Mediocrity of faith is not a good life strategy (JRE Link, 2018-0720 (Fri), COM-STR2).

You half believe in the miracles of God. Why not fully believe?

Be strong in your faith. A weak testimony will make you easy prey for apostates.

Chuuurrrch... attend church (JRE Link, 2018-0617 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Whose fault is it that you have become inactive in the Church? Are you waiting for a
sudden tragedy in your life to reawaken your faith in God? (JRE Link, 2018-0605 (Tue), COM-STR2)

The typical inactive member lifestyle—What is a wonderful child of God like you doing
in a place like that?

We're standing still in the gospel. Our faith is dormant (JRE Link, 2017-1016 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Our activity in the Church reflects an average or less than average effort on our part.

We do what we are told in the Church, but nothing much beyond that (JRE Link, 2017-1016 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Our children follow our example. They believe in God to some extent (JRE Link, 2017-1016 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The Spirit of God is mostly unknown to us (JRE Link, 2017-1016 (Mon), COM-STR2).

I made my husband a married life, but we were far apart (JRE Link, 2022-1013 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The life we chose was not the best one (JRE Link, 2022-1013 (Thu), COM-STR2).

The Spirit was there at time, but we weren't dedicated to gospel principles in our lifestyle (JRE Link, 2022-1013 (Thu), COM-STR2).

We experienced the blessings of the gospel, but not in fulness (JRE Link, 2022-1013 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Some people want to keep their beliefs, even though they know they are not correct (JRE Link, 2016-1026 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

Making mistakes is part of life. Fixing those mistakes is what leads us to eternal life (JRE Link, 2017-0304 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Be the much better person in life you know you need to be (JRE Link, 2017-0723 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Do a little bit of improvement every day in the gospel through: serious prayer at bedside,
joyful scripture study, pondering gospel truths deeply in your heart, having celestial thoughts as
you go about your daily tasks, reaching out to serve others with a smile, enjoying family and

friend relationships, fulfilling your church callings and assignments, looking forward to
attending church on Sunday, and preparing for a temple session once a week.

Faithfulness is the way for you to stand out as a Latter-day Saint and become
recognizable to the world (JRE Link, 2018-0613 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Get on with this glorious work that you are a part of. Yearn to be great in the eyes of
God (JRE Link, 2017-0306 (Mon), COM-STR2).

A faithful servant walks very fast in faith, accomplishing much for the souls of men on
earth (JRE Link, 2021-0521 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Walk the path of our pioneer forefathers––rightness, correctness, goodness, happiness.

There's only one road to salvation. You need to be on it (JRE Link, 2018-0304 (Sun), COM-STR2).

And by the way—the iron rod (JRE Link, 2020-0608 (Mon), WSE-MAIN).

The time has come. It's time to believe again (JRE Link, 2018-0604 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Repent and find your way back to truth (JRE Link, 2017-0410 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The truth is terribly precious and terribly important (JRE Link, 2018-0413 (Fri), COM-STR2).

My disillusionment of faith was short-lived because I quickly repented and returned to
God with full purpose of heart (JRE Link, 2019-0125 (Fri), COM-STR2).

I have stumbled and lost my way. Lord, help me to regain my footing in the gospel (JRE Link, 2017-0723 (Sun), COM-STR2).

I am no longer at odds with the Church. I want to partake of the sacrament and commune
with Thee (JRE Link, 2017-0730 (Sun), COM-STR2).

There is so much, Lord, that I don't know and understand about life. But I will believe. A
true hope, a true faith, and an obedient heart are the things I will continuously strive for.

I'm pretty confident that the restored Church of Jesus Christ is true. What I don't have is a
perfect knowledge of all things. The Holy Ghost, however, can help me bridge that gap (JRE Link, 2018-0111 (Thu), COM-STR2).

All doubts aside, I really believe the Church is true. A surer knowledge is within reach (JRE Link, 2018-0530 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Knowledge of God is on the way in. Doubt is on the way out (JRE Link, 2018-0716 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Faith broke my fall. I'm now back on my spiritual feet again.

Thanks for the kind but sober warning about my state before God. I'll become active and
start going to church and the temple right away. I always intended to become active in the
Church again. Now is a good time.

Being a reliable witness is important to me. I'll become active again and bear a strong
testimony to the world as a witness of Jesus Christ. I'll demonstrate my love for the Savior.

I have faith. Let me walk in the ways of the Lord (JRE Link, 2017-0428 (Fri), COM-STR2).

I came into the world to serve the Lord, so that's what I will do.

I'm moving fast in the gospel. My ears are tuned to the Spirit (JRE Link, 2018-0314 (Wed), COM-STR2).

I feel good in my beliefs. They give me confidence and a sense of well-being (JRE Link, 2018-0301 (Thu), COM-STR2).

I believe in the work I am doing. I understand its purpose (JRE Link, 2018-0301 (Thu), COM-STR2).

I am faithful to the Lord. And it's my family and I myself who will benefit the most from
this faithfulness.

I am finding the strength to be more righteous now. The Holy Ghost is coming back
inside me, warmer than ever before, and in a more glorious manifestation.

Active in the Church. Active in the happiness circles of life (JRE Link, 2021-0616 (Wed), COM-STR2).

My stewardship in the gospel is far and wide. My children can become active with me in
the Church and enjoy the blessings of service to others. We certainly don't want to be sitting on
the sidelines when there is important work to be done (JRE Link, 2017-0824 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Give your children true liberty––a strong faith in God and a knowledge of the truth.

Lead your family back to church.

My children's eyes are filled with light and truth. Their happiness knows no bounds (JRE Link, 2017-0930 (Sat), COM-STR2).

You can see into the future. You can see into eternity. Families are forever (JRE Link, 2017-0929 (Fri), COM-STR2).

I see marriage as a lasting institution that extends beyond this life. The idea of "till death
do us part" is an old sectarian notion, and is false.

A loving mother's life is like a beautiful poem. She was made in heaven for you (JRE Link, 2018-0115 (Mon), COM-STR2).

A young child speaks these words of gratitude to God in morning prayer: How blessed I
am! I have my mother right where I want her––at home with me every day.

Love is yours truly if you put the family first, ahead of any career ambitions.

How to be happy in life––plain and precious gospel truths we learned at the feet of our
mother (JRE Link, 2019-0113 (Sun), COM-STR2).

You know your mother's heart (JRE Link, 2018-1025 (Thu), WSE-MAIN).

Righteous feelings are passed on to your offspring (JRE Link, 2017-1217 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Read stories of faith to your children at bedtime. Your testimony will become their
testimony (JRE Link, 2018-0924 (Mon), COM-STR2).

The sons of Helaman––Their hearts felt truth. Their minds were firm. Their acts of faith
were decisive. There was intergenerational faith (JRE Link, 2018-0526 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Passion for the restored gospel is the strength of youth.

Family history and family events are the joy of my life.

Happiness can be found on both sides of the veil.

Bring peace into your home. Bring your family together in love and rejoicing.

Pray that the love of God will be poured out in great measure upon you and your family.

Be a choice and righteous family of the Church, not a family of backbenchers and
naysayers (JRE Link, 2018-0704 (Wed), COM-STR2).

The gospel is the bedrock of love at home.

Be a great anchor––an anchor of truth for your family to depend upon.

Stand up in testimony meeting. Stand up for the truth (JRE Link, 2017-1102 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Let the truth become glorious unto you (JRE Link, 2017-1121 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Live life to its fullest as an active member of the Church (JRE Link, 2017-0901 (Fri), COM-STR2).

You become active in the Church through self-sacrifice (JRE Link, 2017-0901 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Raise your hand to volunteer. The work of the Lord awaits (JRE Link, 2017-0329 (Wed), WSE-MAIN).

Be a yes-man when the phone rings and someone needs help. Be ready, willing, and able (JRE Link, 2018-0722 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Some go beyond the minimum of what the Church asks them to do, and they excel in
faith. You can be one of those.

I can be a much better priesthood holder in life than I have hitherto been. I can show forth
a more powerful example of Christian service to my family, to my ward, and to the entire world.

A humble and willing attitude is a key component of an active Church member's toolkit
of success.

We just love people! That's why we serve in the Church (JRE Link, 2017-1108 (Wed), COM-STR2).

Treat all people as equals. Treat all people with kindness.

Ministering can lead to strong friendships, which is even better. Friends learn the gospel
together and rejoice together (JRE Link, 2018-1007 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Share uplifting stories of faith from your own life with friends who are sitting on the
sidelines of the Church. Their faith will grow and yours will, too.

Mend the hearts of the less involved, the less active (JRE Link, 2019-0826 (Mon), COM-STR2).

Call out to your inactive friend with a strong hope, supported by prayer.

Many of the inactive members of the Church are more than willing to bear their
testimony to others if given the chance. So, let's give them the chance (JRE Link, 2017-0407 (Fri), COM-STR2).

The Lord wants you to live a testimony-filled life (JRE Link, 2018-0916 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Use your testimony in the battle against falsehoods. Stand firm against an unbelieving
world (JRE Link, 2018-0916 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Don't be nuanced in your testimony. Stand up and bear witness (JRE Link, 2017-0714 (Fri), COM-STR2).

Open your mouth and testify. Let the truth speak (JRE Link, 2018-1227 (Thu), COM-STR2).

Hiding your testimony benefits no one (JRE Link, 2019-1228 (Sat), WSE-MAIN).

Show the Lord you love Him by sharing your testimony regularly and often. You can
bring the Spirit into any situation.

A regular testimony is good. But a super-sized, super-powerful testimony is what you
want (JRE Link, 2022-0227 (Sun), COM-STR2).

Don't take away from the good those of other faiths have in God already. Build upon their
existing faith, step by step. Milk comes before meat in the gospel.

Don't use the words of God in a heavy-handed way. People may move away from truth if
you push them too hard. The Spirit of God is gentle, unassuming, and respectful of agency.

Don't be the heavy in conversations about the gospel. Have a soft touch and an easy-
going manner.

Truth is truth, but relationships are relationships. Always build a warm and caring
relationship first with friends and neighbors. The sharing of the gospel then comes naturally in
due course (JRE Link, 2017-0709 (Sun), COM-STR2).

One has to tend to the wounds of others first before giving a sermon (JRE Link, 2018-1031 (Wed), COM-STR2).

You don't need to be an apologist. Just swim in the truth and be filled with gratitude to
God for the great blessings you enjoy every day in the Church (JRE Link, 2018-0217 (Sat), COM-STR2).

Heavenly Father, You give us hope by all these wonderful things. The gospel is the light
that guides our family.

Answers from God come regularly to the prayers of a faithful Latter-day Saint. There
may be delays at times, but the answers will come (JRE Link, 2018-1120 (Tue), COM-STR2).

Heavenly Father, let things be according to Thy will, and in Thine own time. I love Thee
and trust Thee (JRE Link, 2018-1120 (Tue), COM-STR2).