In this second part of our discussion on God’s plan, we move from a high-level overview into a more visual, step-by-step explanation of how that plan unfolds. In Part 1, we covered the foundational framework: creation, the fall, and the atonement. We also explored how this plan was presented before the earth was created, how agency was central to it, and how Jesus Christ and Lucifer each responded in very different ways.
Now, let’s walk through God’s plan in a more detailed and practical way, following the journey of the soul from the pre-earth life to eternity.
The Pre-Earth Life and the Grand Council
The story begins before we were born, in what the scriptures describe as the pre-earth life. Heavenly Father was there. Jesus Christ was there. And we were there too. To make this easier to visualize, imagine a person named Ralph—Ralph represents every one of us.
In this pre-earth life, God presented His plan. Earth would be created, and we would have the opportunity to be born, receive physical bodies, and experience life with agency—the power to choose good or evil.
Birth, the Veil, and Life on Earth
When Ralph is born on earth, his spirit and physical body come together. At the same time, a veil is placed over his memory. He no longer remembers the pre-earth life or the Grand Council. This veil allows him to live by faith rather than by memory.
Life on earth includes three essential components of God’s plan:
- Creation – The earth is formed as a place for God’s children to gain experience.
- The Fall – Adam and Eve fall, making mortality, opposition, and agency possible.
- The Atonement – Jesus Christ comes to earth to redeem humanity.
Through the fall, all people experience hardship, choice, and eventually physical death. Through the atonement, all people are given the opportunity to overcome both physical and spiritual death.
What Happens After Death?
When Ralph dies, his physical body is buried, but his spirit continues to live. According to the scriptures, spirits go to the spirit world, which includes two conditions: paradise and spirit prison.
Those who accepted Jesus Christ during mortal life enter paradise. Those who did not may enter spirit prison, where they can still hear the gospel and choose to accept Christ. The scriptures teach that Jesus Christ visited the spirit world and preached to those who were in prison, extending mercy and opportunity beyond mortality.
The Resurrection and the Judgment
Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, all people will be resurrected. Ralph receives his physical body again, reunited with his spirit in an immortal state.
After the resurrection comes the judgment. Jesus Christ stands as the judge, perfectly understanding each person’s choices, intentions, and opportunities. The judgment is not arbitrary—it is just, merciful, and based on agency.
The Three Kingdoms of Glory
The scriptures describe different degrees of glory prepared for God’s children:
- The Celestial Kingdom – The highest kingdom, where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ dwell.
- The Terrestrial Kingdom – A kingdom of glory for honorable individuals who did not fully accept the gospel in mortality.
- The Telestial Kingdom – A kingdom of glory for those who rejected the gospel until after this life.
Jesus taught that in His Father’s house are “many mansions,” emphasizing that God has prepared places of glory according to our choices and willingness to follow Him.
What Does “Hell” Really Mean?
When people speak about hell, the term can refer to different things. In some cases, it refers to spirit prison—a temporary condition where people can still learn, repent, and accept Christ. In other cases, it refers to separation from God’s presence.
Satan, who rebelled in the pre-earth life, lost his first estate and does not inherit a kingdom of glory. A third of the hosts of heaven chose to follow him and were cast out, losing the opportunity to receive physical bodies.
God’s Plan Was Established from the Beginning
The scriptures make it clear that God’s plan was not improvised. It was prepared from the foundation of the world. Prophets were foreordained. Redemption was planned before creation.
Alma teaches that individuals were called and prepared according to God’s foreknowledge, based on faith and choices made even before mortality. Doctrine and Covenants further explains that agency is essential—that without opposition, we could not truly choose.
Agency, Repentance, and the Atonement
God allows temptation so that His children can be agents unto themselves. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, all people can be redeemed. Mortality is a probationary state—a time to choose light over darkness.
The Apostle Paul taught that just as all die because of Adam, all are made alive through Christ. Isaiah prophesied of the Savior’s suffering, teaching that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
The True Purpose of Jesus Christ
Throughout the Old Testament, Jesus Christ—known as Jehovah—was the central figure. Animal sacrifice symbolized His future atonement. Over time, many misunderstood His mission, expecting a political or military savior.
Yet the scriptures consistently testify that His true purpose was redemption. He came to heal, to save, and to make eternal life possible for all who choose Him.
Continuing Your Study
If you would like to deepen your understanding of God’s plan, you can study the Bible and other scriptures that testify of Jesus Christ and His mission. These teachings reveal a God who is just, merciful, and deeply invested in the eternal growth of His children.
God’s plan is not about limitation—it is about opportunity, agency, and redemption, made possible through Jesus Christ.
