Life Eternal

Lite Eternal By Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:23). The Scriptures are rich in mention of eternal life as the supreme attainment of the soul, and are specific in declaring this inestimable boon to be the gift of God. What is eternal life? How may it be obtained? These are questions of profound im- portance to every mortal. In the words of Paul cited above, the portentous con- trast between death and life is strikingly projected; but the pas- sage when read with its context is seen to signify life and death in other than the physical sense. Eternal life is something more, something immeasurably greater and grander than the assurance of individual existence throughout the eternities beyond the grave. Sinners under condemnation shall continue to exist; even in hell there is no annihilation. The soul is eternal; and unending existence with identity unimpaired is inevitably certain. While bodily death may befall as the direct wage or result of sin, there is a death more to be dreaded; and with this latter or second death, eternal life is set as the glorious opposite. (See an earlier article: "The Second Death"; free copy sent on application to the author). The first death, which came upon Adam in the day of his transgression, consisted essentially in exclusion from the presence of God, and for redemption from this doom the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been provided. The second death is likewise banishment, and this, as the Lord hath made known, "is the last death, which," He explains, "is spiritual, which shall be pro- nounced upon the wicked when I shall say, Depart, ye cursed." (Doctrine and Covenants 29:1). Eternal life, the blessed antithesis of this dread state of exile, is communion with God, with access to His presence, and participation in the privileges and powers of endless progression and eternal increase. In His last interview with the apostles, immediately prior to the betrayal, the Lord voiced in prayer the meaning of eternal life: 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3). None can ever come to know God except through obedience to the laws by Him ordained. To know God is to be God-like, to learn His ways, and so to become prepared for admittance to His presence. Where He dwells there is no death, and thus the

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deeper significance of our Lord's utterance becomes clear —that to know Him is life eternal. There is but one means of reaching the Father's presence, and the Savior hath thus declared it: "I am theway, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6). In these latter days the Lord Jesus Christ has spoken anew, reiterating the meaning of eternal life and again affirming the unalterable conditions on which it is granted: "But if ye re- ceive me in the world then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation, that where I am, ye shall be also. This is eter- nal lives, to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law." (Doctrine and Covenants 132:23,24). The supreme gift of God is eternal life, and this comes only through Jesus Christ, the inestimable boon being bestowed through and by the Savior whose atoning death has made its attainment possible. The Son received this specific power and authority, as appears in His words relating to Himself and ad- dressed to the Father: "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:2). Shortly after His resurrection, Christ appeared in bodily presence to the Nephites on the Western Continent, and to them He offered the priceless gift, conditional as always. Thus He spake: "Verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." (Book of Mormon, 3 Ne- phi 9:14). And again He declared Himself and the gift in His power to give: "Behold I am the law, and the light; look unto me. and endure to the end, and ye shall live, for unto him that endureth to the end, will I give eternal life." (15:9). The first or fundamental principles and ordinances of the Gospel, prescribed by Jesus Christ as the indispensable means by which men may be saved are (1) Faith in God and in His Son, the Savior of humankind; (2) Repentance of sin; (3) Bap- tism by immersion in water for the remission of sins; (4) Be- stowal of the Gift of the Holy Ghost bv the laying on of hands. These ordinances are valid only as administered by one duly commissioned to act in the name of Jesus Christ. Having complied with these conditions, the candidate for eternal life is required to live in harmony with his high profes- sion, and therein to endure to the end of his mortal existence, continuing in faith, and manifesting by good works his alle- giance to Christ the Giver. Paul's soulful admonition is of full force today and is direct- ed to us all: "Lay hol&on eternal life."