What is Heavenly Father’s ultimate goal for you and me? Sure. It’s “…To bring to pass [our] immortality and eternal life.” Immortality being a free gift to all mankind through the miracle of the resurrection. All mankind will become eternal beings. Eternal life, on the other hand, “is a personal achievement by each individual, made possible through the atonement and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ”. It’s in part earned (See Spiritual Roots of Human Relations by Stephen R. Covey, p. 5).

So, what is OUR ultimate goal for ourselves and our families? Our goals should be in line with Heavenly Father’s. To spend eternity with our families in the Celestial Kingdom. Our eternal home should be our ultimate destination.

Do you know what the Celestial Kingdom is like? What it looks like? We don’t have a lot of information but the Prophet Joseph Smith saw the “…transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold” (See D&C 137:1-4).

Here’s what I think the Celestial Kingdom will be like. There will definitely be no bills to pay; I will never be tired or worn out; I will have a perfect singing voice; I won’t have to watch what I eat; when my kids ask me a question about math I will know the answer; there will definitely be no teenagers but instead lots of cute babies that never spit up or have wet diapers; the music will be commercial free; and finally there will be caffeine free Cherry Coke.

So if there’s caffeine free Cherry Coke waiting for us in the Celestial Kingdom, why do we “…covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?” (See D&C 117:8) Paying attention to the weighty matters is what will help us to achieve eternal life. We know what the weighty matters are. We have been taught them since attending Primary.

“Perhaps as much as anything in this day and age of mass media, instantaneous worldwide communications, and modern conveniences that seem to help us pack more into each day than would have been considered possible just a few decades ago, we need to focus and direct our attention to the things that really matter. And simply, what really matters is a personal testimony of Jesus Christ, an understanding of who we are and what we’re doing here, and an absolute determination to return home” (Marvin J. Ashton, “A Yearning for Home” Ensign November 1992).

Let’s challenge ourselves to revaluate our priorities in life. Let’s commit ourselves to get down to business and do the Lord’s will. No more fence sitting. Let’s tackle those weaknesses right now! Brigham Young said, “We talk about our trials and troubles here in this life: but suppose that you could see yourselves thousands and millions of years after you have proved faithful to your religion during the few short years in this time, and have obtained eternal salvation and a crown of glory in the presence of God; then look back upon your lives here, and see the losses, crosses, and disappointments, the sorrows…you would be constrained to exclaim, ‘But what of all that? Those things were but for a moment, and we are now here. We have been faithful during a few moments in our mortality, and now we enjoy eternal life and glory, with power to progress in all the boundless knowledge and through the countless stages of progression, enjoying the smiles and approbation of our Father and God, and of Jesus Christ our elder brother’” (Brigham Young, JD 7:275-276).

Let’s do a little better tomorrow than we did today. If we do all we can do in this life, we will someday live together in a beautiful white city with luscious fruit and flowers in perfect bloom. Be sure to look for me. I will be the one hanging out at the caffeine free Cherry Coke stand.

Posted by John in Feature Articles