Three months after my father passed away from a brief bout of cancer, he came to comfort me in a vision. He showed me what he was doing- teaching spirits about the Savior! In this earthly life, he didn't have the opportunity to be a missionary, and yet, his greatest desire to spread the gospel had come true! His countenance beamed with joy as he spoke of how much work needed to be done! It truly was glorious to see the spirit world so alive and bright with spirits eager to learn. His unexpected death wasn't really unexpected though.. for he was there to teach the victims of 9/11 and many, many others. Heavenly Father had a plan for his life from the very beginning. It's just US poor souls who have to learn to let them go. I am ever-so grateful for this beautiful vision gifted to me to fortify my testimony that teaching and learning continue, even after death.
I recently came back to church, after 15 years of inactivity. I never understood why my father was taken from this earth so early. I went from sad to disappointed to angry towards life; and became indifferent about the church. My father was my best friend, my counselor, my support, I love my father. He was a faithful member of the church, called as bishop twice, served two missions, and a great husband and father. Shortly after he passed, my mother passed of an unexplainable death. I had not read these sections since early morning seminary. I did not understand these sections. I now know my father and mother are helping many others on the other side of the veil. I feel at peace and comforted by a loving Heavenly Father. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been fortified and strengthened by the study of the doctrine and convents. My temple attendance means so much more. Thank you both for this beautiful podcast and sharing your talents and insights. Hope to meet you in person one day.
Talking scripture is my favorite scripture podcast. I love the practical applications. I love the "geek" moments with Hebrew etc, where we come to understand additional meanings. I love the temple emphasis. I love the faith and so appreciate the scholarship and enriching quotes. Thank you!!!
I have a personal witness that some who die "too early" does so because they can help someone still here on earth better from the other side than what they could do staying here.
I want to stop and take the time to thank you both for the many hours you put into preparing these come follow me lessons! You have blessed my life and opened my mind to deeper thoughts, so as I study and ponder the scriptures and go to the temple often I have been taught eternal truths that are so dear to me! I LOVE learning from you each week!
I am so grateful for your insights. I look forward every week to your podcasts. You ‘fill in the blanks’ through your research to give us a deeper understanding. Thank you! May you and your families be blessed for your efforts in blessing us. ♥️
Starting at 32:22, I have a testimony of this. My spirit has lifted my body beyond anything that anti depressants could do. I have even, with the assistance of my Dr., been able to decrease my meds a little. I have also lost weight because I find that I don't need to self medicate with food. Thank you for making that point.
That resurrecting all the righteous after Jesus was resurrected …. Totally believe that :) and the fact that the first resurrection began with Christ and is still going I believe as well.
I didn’t think that I was a nerd, but I love your Geeking Out. Keep it up and God bless you. Thanks for making the scriptures so delicious. We’ve been married for 64 happy years, ages 88 and 82, and still love learning!
I want to thank you both for your podcast it has been such a blessing for me, my husband has advanced Alzheimer's & I'm his primary care giver, so listening to your pod cast has helped strengthen my testimony, increase my knowledge, it's like having an institute class in my home. Thank you! Thank you! Excited for next year!
In Feb 2019 our teenage son took his own life in our home. When my husband entered the house before he found our son, he heard our son's voice say, "This was a mistake." Not an accident, because it had been intentional, but a mistake. As soon as he had stepped through the veil he realized he'd made a terrible mistake. One of Satan's greatest lies is that death is an escape. The truth is that the way we feel when we're alive is the way we'll feel upon entering the spirit world. Our son still had to face the turmoil and anxiety he had in mortality, but now he had to do it without a body and without his closest family. The Lord's plan is perfect and progress is possible in the spirit world, as you've taught previously. We can progress the fastest when our spirits and bodies are together.
Your added insights, questions, conundrums and referencing other scriptures are not just eye opening but spirit enlightening. You both offer divine curiosity. Thank you. I still would love to see you in these podcasts.
Thank you for your prayers, ponderings, and righteous efforts as you prepare and present for this podcast. Your Spirit guided insights and testimonies have blessed my life and helped me understand and endure very difficult ongoing trials.
Divine curiosity... I love it! It honors our agency perfectly & it's so instructive. "Cast not your pearls before swine". We need to ask questions because that shows the Lord that we're humble, ready & open. It also shows me how to be a better friend, mom, grandma & teacher. I need to see if they're receptive so I don't overload them. As always, thank you guys. You're amazing & I'm so grateful that you're willing to make your classroom available to us all! 🙏❤
This episode on D&C 137-138 was again insightful and thought provoking. I was taken with the conundrum that was posed regarding resurrected spirits. The thought I had was why couldn’t a resurrected being dwell in the spirit world? If so they could continue in the spirit world to teach. My reasoning is based on our premortal experience of resurrected beings (Heavenly parents) living and teaching all their spirit children? Thank you for all your time and efforts in producing a wonderful podcast! You have both been a real positive influence in opening my mind and heart up to important and sacred truths. I particularly love the book recommendations.
Daisy. My constant prayer is that all my children would return to the fold. When I reached my winter years, I added to my prayer, "Please, would it be possible that at least one before I die." Three years ago, over many years of praying, the Lord granted me that "at least one" and that she not suffer the pains of type of cancer that would have caused her death. I knew the Lord called her to work from the other side of the veil for the salvation of her siblings and others. I do not mourn a loss because I know the Lord knows what is best and our connection will never be broken. During her memorial services, hearing what numerous people telling me how she touched each of them in very personal and significant ways, the Lord gave me evidence she had accomplished her mission. Above all, she was the youngest of six, the only one born in the covenant, her temple work has been completed and therefore is the one ready to work on the other side. God truly does love us.
Thank you so much for your wonderful work in clarifying these precious scriptures and teachings. You have helped my understanding and growth. May you and your families be blessed for your time and efforts.
I have your answer because all the little children and all with special needs will be saved in the celestial kingdom, it is because they will never taste evil since in the millennium we will only have the light of Christ and we will all have only pure hearts when the first time. that I tried the pepsi I liked it until now I take it our little ones will to have 99% the ability to live a straight life I love your program and I thank you for helping me learn more about the plan of salvation I am from Venezuela and all my life I have been a member of the church and because of what my parents taught me I have had better decisions in my life than my friends I have a daughter with Down syndrome and I know that she already has the kingdom won and in the millennium she will follow their I agree with what she has learned thanks to you for your devotion to our redeemer 😘😘❤❤
My feeling about children before experiencing probation here on earth, my thought, maybe their spirit already was so advanced and was so special and understanding of life as a mortal, all they needed is a body to complete what it is to return home. I feel deeply about this. Their understanding of life here on earth is so advanced they were able to skip the flesh.
I love that Ruth Ann, but what does that say about all the rest of us? Joseph Smith? President Nelson? My incredible wife? Are we the losers who had to come to earth because we weren’t as good in pre-mortal life? I love the theory, I just struggle with what that means for everybody else who doesn’t die before the age of eight.
I love the thoughts, which made me think as well. I struggle with the empty paradise theory, cause where would they go. Resurrected being can be here and now so I’m pretty sure they can still be in paradise. Joseph Smith had a Hugh responsibly in this dispensation. I think he is joined by the heads of others to complete the entire work project. I don’t see anybody leaving there post just because Joseph Smith showed up. Not trying to degrade the prophet in any way. I really love your comment on early death and why. Thinking I’m doing the temple work for someone my wife is teaching. That’s a sweet. Concept. Thanks and keep up the awesome work your doing.
D&C 132:37. Once resurrected, they move on to their kingdom of glory. Except for rare exceptions, nobody goes back to a previous state and works. Once born into this earth, no one goes back to the pre-mortal life and does any work. Once we die, very few people come back and do any work here among the living. I think the pattern is true in the spirit world. Once resurrected you don’t go back into the spirit world and perform any work. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not.
In relation to doctrine of children and probationary estates… Remember that the millennium IS a probationary estate, it is terrestrial and many will choose and qualify for a Terrestrial Estate. Many of these children will be raised during this time! So is the paradisiacal spirit world terrestrial… we know those babes are kept safely there! Also probationary! They will be waiting for the millennium to be raised. There are also “Children of the Promise” who are among us today! If my research and study is correct these special souls are born having already obtained the Celestial kingdom.
Hey Mike and Bryce, I love your podcast so much! Just a thought about the question you brought up in 137:10 about how children can be heirs to celestial glory, I have cross referenced in my scriptures this verse to 2 Nephi 9:25. Have a look and see what you think. Keep up the great work!
I love that verse and I completely agree that they are saved by the Savior’s grace. But what about Alma 12:24? When is their probationary state in which they prepare for the eternities? What about Alma 29:4-5? If we receive our eternal reward according to our desires, when do they truly have an opportunity to decide what they desire? Don’t their desires need to be tested in a mortal experience like ours are being tested? What about D&C 88:22? When do they learn to live the celestial law and can we guarantee that that’s what they will all choose? Thank you for bringing up 2 Nephi 9:25. I don’t doubt the promise of their salvation. I just don’t understand how it can come about
My understanding has always been: that it is during the Millennium that those lost children would have the opportunity to learn and grow and eventually choose for themselves just as the rest of us do. It’s important to remember that the Earth during the Millennium is NOT the Celestial Kingdom. Final judgement has not yet occurred and our choice to receive exaltation is still pending at that time. We will continue to live our lives and to have children during the Millennium just as we do now. But similar to the Nephites after the Savior came to them in 3 Nephi, it will be a time of unity and peace. Nevertheless, we will have agency and still must choose to follow Christ. Joseph told Emma in a dream that if she was patient, she would have all of her lost children returned to her. And I believe that that is what her was teaching while he was still alive, when he would give comfort to those mourning the loss of a child. It’s not that they receive “instant exhalation” because there is more to becoming like our Heavenly Father than simply being saved. I believe that these two sections (137-138) are teaching that there will still be an opportunity to learn and to grow and to CHOOSE, after our bodies die. Perhaps, God doesn’t consider the death of our bodies to be the end of our probation at all.
Loved the quote by Bro. Maxwell but it isn't in the talk you refered to but some.of that talk fit in nicely with your comments on people with mental health issues . Listened to Notwithstanding my weakness twice. Would love to hear the talk the quote came from. BTW, love your podcast. Always go away feeling better and understanding more.
I think it is taken from Elder Maxwell's book, "Notwithstanding My Weakness" and not the conference talk. It can be confusing when they have talks and books with the same titles. 😊
Regarding your thoughts on the work for the dead being reserved for Latter-day Saints, after Christ emptied Paradise... another reason that this makes sense is because we need a body for laying on of hands. The priesthood keys are transferred here on earth, and couldn't be given by a not-yet-resurrected Savior. One modern day prophet spoke of women preaching to women in the spirit world, and said they would be ordained by the priesthood. This specifically applies to temple workers from this dispensation, because of the way it's worded. I'll try to find the quote and put it here as a reply.
Concerning 137:10; will not the children who die before the age of accountability be raised by their parents during the millennium? And thus have a probationary state when confronted by Satan at the end of the millennium?
So could they choose sin and turn against God? The promise is that they are heirs of the Celestial Kingdom. How can we say that if they still have to pass the tests of a probationary state? A probationary state suggests that their salvation is being worked out and that they could choose any kingdom, even one that is not Celestial. How then can we say that they are ALL heirs of the Celestial Kingdom?
My understanding of heir is one who is “entitled to inherit”, which leads me to understand that they still have free agency, can still experience family life with challenges, and can still make good or bad choices. Thus a probation.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie once said "There are certain spirits who come into this life only to receive bodies; for reasons that we don't know, they do not need the testing, probationary experiences of mortality." My guess is that somehow they had already proven themselves.
So if they have a probation and can choose evil and end up in some other kingdom, can we still say that they are heirs of the celestial kingdom? If that phrase simply means they have a probation, then couldn’t we say that every single person is an heir of the celestial kingdom? That doesn’t seem accurate.
Three months after my father passed away from a brief bout of cancer, he came to comfort me in a vision. He showed me what he was doing- teaching spirits about the Savior! In this earthly life, he didn't have the opportunity to be a missionary, and yet, his greatest desire to spread the gospel had come true! His countenance beamed with joy as he spoke of how much work needed to be done! It truly was glorious to see the spirit world so alive and bright with spirits eager to learn. His unexpected death wasn't really unexpected though.. for he was there to teach the victims of 9/11 and many, many others. Heavenly Father had a plan for his life from the very beginning. It's just US poor souls who have to learn to let them go. I am ever-so grateful for this beautiful vision gifted to me to fortify my testimony that teaching and learning continue, even after death.
This his beautiful...thanks for sharing.
I recently came back to church, after 15 years of inactivity. I never understood why my father was taken from this earth so early. I went from sad to disappointed to angry towards life; and became indifferent about the church. My father was my best friend, my counselor, my support, I love my father. He was a faithful member of the church, called as bishop twice, served two missions, and a great husband and father. Shortly after he passed, my mother passed of an unexplainable death. I had not read these sections since early morning seminary. I did not understand these sections. I now know my father and mother are helping many others on the other side of the veil. I feel at peace and comforted by a loving Heavenly Father. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been fortified and strengthened by the study of the doctrine and convents. My temple attendance means so much more. Thank you both for this beautiful podcast and sharing your talents and insights. Hope to meet you in person one day.
Hear...hear, preferably in mortality first ☺
Talking scripture is my favorite scripture podcast. I love the practical applications. I love the "geek" moments with Hebrew etc, where we come to understand additional meanings. I love the temple emphasis. I love the faith and so appreciate the scholarship and enriching quotes. Thank you!!!
I have a personal witness that some who die "too early" does so because they can help someone still here on earth better from the other side than what they could do staying here.
Hmm, interesting insight,thank you.
I want to stop and take the time to thank you both for the many hours you put into preparing these come follow me lessons! You have blessed my life and opened my mind to deeper thoughts, so as I study and ponder the scriptures and go to the temple often I have been taught eternal truths that are so dear to me! I LOVE learning from you each week!
I am so grateful for your insights. I look forward every week to your podcasts. You ‘fill in the blanks’ through your research to give us a deeper understanding. Thank you! May you and your families be blessed for your efforts in blessing us. ♥️
Starting at 32:22, I have a testimony of this. My spirit has lifted my body beyond anything that anti depressants could do. I have even, with the assistance of my Dr., been able to decrease my meds a little. I have also lost weight because I find that I don't need to self medicate with food. Thank you for making that point.
God bless you in your journey ❤
When I was 14 my best friend passed unexpectedly and little by little year by year I’m understanding more
Thank you for the beautiful lessons this year. I am always inspired by your cooperative effort. Bless you in your work.
Awesome information and thought provoking commentary. I don’t miss a week. Usually the first I listen to.
That resurrecting all the righteous after Jesus was resurrected …. Totally believe that :) and the fact that the first resurrection began with Christ and is still going I believe as well.
I didn’t think that I was a nerd, but I love your Geeking Out. Keep it up and God bless you. Thanks for making the scriptures so delicious. We’ve been married for 64 happy years, ages 88 and 82, and still love learning!
Beautiful insights and much to ponder. ♥️
This is an awesome lesson!! Thank you so much!! I listen every week and have learned so-o much this year!! I thank you with all my heart!!
I want to thank you both for your podcast it has been such a blessing for me, my husband has advanced Alzheimer's & I'm his primary care giver, so listening to your pod cast has helped strengthen my testimony, increase my knowledge, it's like having an institute class in my home. Thank you! Thank you! Excited for next year!
Love that you guys provide 'show notes'. Thank you so much for your presentation!
In Feb 2019 our teenage son took his own life in our home. When my husband entered the house before he found our son, he heard our son's voice say, "This was a mistake." Not an accident, because it had been intentional, but a mistake. As soon as he had stepped through the veil he realized he'd made a terrible mistake.
One of Satan's greatest lies is that death is an escape.
The truth is that the way we feel when we're alive is the way we'll feel upon entering the spirit world. Our son still had to face the turmoil and anxiety he had in mortality, but now he had to do it without a body and without his closest family.
The Lord's plan is perfect and progress is possible in the spirit world, as you've taught previously. We can progress the fastest when our spirits and bodies are together.
I feel your deep pain and have my total sympathy for you because a similar circumstance happened with our son.
Wow, l feel for him. I am so sorry for your loss.
You two have been hitting home runs lately. Loved these last two especially. Thanks guys!
Your added insights, questions, conundrums and referencing other scriptures are not just eye opening but spirit enlightening. You both offer divine curiosity. Thank you. I still would love to see you in these podcasts.
This is my favourite come follow me podcast/discussion…..I listen to 10 every week.
I can’t wait for the Old Testament and Mike geeking out 🤗
Thank you for your prayers, ponderings, and righteous efforts as you prepare and present for this podcast. Your Spirit guided insights and testimonies have blessed my life and helped me understand and endure very difficult ongoing trials.
Thank you for fulfilling the measure of your creation brimming full and overflowing.
Thank you For sharing your insight of this great sections and time putting this podcast together I learned a lot.
Divine curiosity... I love it! It honors our agency perfectly & it's so instructive. "Cast not your pearls before swine". We need to ask questions because that shows the Lord that we're humble, ready & open.
It also shows me how to be a better friend, mom, grandma & teacher. I need to see if they're receptive so I don't overload them.
As always, thank you guys. You're amazing & I'm so grateful that you're willing to make your classroom available to us all! 🙏❤
Such wonderful insights, thank you!
Thanks for your great insights!😃😃
This episode on D&C 137-138 was again insightful and thought provoking. I was taken with the conundrum that was posed regarding resurrected spirits. The thought I had was why couldn’t a resurrected being dwell in the spirit world? If so they could continue in the spirit world to teach. My reasoning is based on our premortal experience of resurrected beings (Heavenly parents) living and teaching all their spirit children?
Thank you for all your time and efforts in producing a wonderful podcast! You have both been a real positive influence in opening my mind and heart up to important and sacred truths. I particularly love the book recommendations.
Daisy. My constant prayer is that all my children would return to the fold. When I reached my winter years, I added to my prayer, "Please, would it be possible that at least one before I die." Three years ago, over many years of praying, the Lord granted me that "at least one" and that she not suffer the pains of type of cancer that would have caused her death. I knew the Lord called her to work from the other side of the veil for the salvation of her siblings and others. I do not mourn a loss because I know the Lord knows what is best and our connection will never be broken. During her memorial services, hearing what numerous people telling me how she touched each of them in very personal and significant ways, the Lord gave me evidence she had accomplished her mission. Above all, she was the youngest of six, the only one born in the covenant, her temple work has been completed and therefore is the one ready to work on the other side. God truly does love us.
We lost our two year old cousin to an accident this last week :( this lesson could not be more timely
Thank you
Thank you so much for your wonderful work in clarifying these precious scriptures and teachings. You have helped my understanding and growth. May you and your families be blessed for your time and efforts.
Loved your teachings thank you. 💜
I have your answer because all the little children and all with special needs will be saved in the celestial kingdom, it is because they will never taste evil since in the millennium we will only have the light of Christ and we will all have only pure hearts when the first time. that I tried the pepsi I liked it until now I take it our little ones will to have 99% the ability to live a straight life I love your program and I thank you for helping me learn more about the plan of salvation I am from Venezuela and all my life I have been a member of the church and because of what my parents taught me I have had better decisions in my life than my friends I have a daughter with Down syndrome and I know that she already has the kingdom won and in the millennium she will follow their I agree with what she has learned thanks to you for your devotion to our redeemer 😘😘❤❤
My feeling about children before experiencing probation here on earth, my thought, maybe their spirit already was so advanced and was so special and understanding of life as a mortal, all they needed is a body to complete what it is to return home. I feel deeply about this. Their understanding of life here on earth is so advanced they were able to skip the flesh.
I love that Ruth Ann, but what does that say about all the rest of us? Joseph Smith? President Nelson? My incredible wife? Are we the losers who had to come to earth because we weren’t as good in pre-mortal life? I love the theory, I just struggle with what that means for everybody else who doesn’t die before the age of eight.
I love the thoughts, which made me think as well. I struggle with the empty paradise theory, cause where would they go. Resurrected being can be here and now so I’m pretty sure they can still be in paradise. Joseph Smith had a Hugh responsibly in this dispensation. I think he is joined by the heads of others to complete the entire work project. I don’t see anybody leaving there post just because Joseph Smith showed up. Not trying to degrade the prophet in any way. I really love your comment on early death and why. Thinking I’m doing the temple work for someone my wife is teaching. That’s a sweet. Concept. Thanks and keep up the awesome work your doing.
D&C 132:37. Once resurrected, they move on to their kingdom of glory. Except for rare exceptions, nobody goes back to a previous state and works. Once born into this earth, no one goes back to the pre-mortal life and does any work. Once we die, very few people come back and do any work here among the living. I think the pattern is true in the spirit world. Once resurrected you don’t go back into the spirit world and perform any work. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not.
All children are innocent. Especially babies. They will go to the Celestial Kingdom.
In relation to doctrine of children and probationary estates… Remember that the millennium IS a probationary estate, it is terrestrial and many will choose and qualify for a Terrestrial Estate. Many of these children will be raised during this time! So is the paradisiacal spirit world terrestrial… we know those babes are kept safely there! Also probationary! They will be waiting for the millennium to be raised. There are also “Children of the Promise” who are among us today! If my research and study is correct these special souls are born having already obtained the Celestial kingdom.
Hey Mike and Bryce, I love your podcast so much! Just a thought about the question you brought up in 137:10 about how children can be heirs to celestial glory, I have cross referenced in my scriptures this verse to 2 Nephi 9:25. Have a look and see what you think.
Keep up the great work!
I love that verse and I completely agree that they are saved by the Savior’s grace. But what about Alma 12:24? When is their probationary state in which they prepare for the eternities? What about Alma 29:4-5? If we receive our eternal reward according to our desires, when do they truly have an opportunity to decide what they desire? Don’t their desires need to be tested in a mortal experience like ours are being tested? What about D&C 88:22? When do they learn to live the celestial law and can we guarantee that that’s what they will all choose? Thank you for bringing up 2 Nephi 9:25. I don’t doubt the promise of their salvation. I just don’t understand how it can come about
My understanding has always been: that it is during the Millennium that those lost children would have the opportunity to learn and grow and eventually choose for themselves just as the rest of us do. It’s important to remember that the Earth during the Millennium is NOT the Celestial Kingdom. Final judgement has not yet occurred and our choice to receive exaltation is still pending at that time. We will continue to live our lives and to have children during the Millennium just as we do now. But similar to the Nephites after the Savior came to them in 3 Nephi, it will be a time of unity and peace. Nevertheless, we will have agency and still must choose to follow Christ.
Joseph told Emma in a dream that if she was patient, she would have all of her lost children returned to her. And I believe that that is what her was teaching while he was still alive, when he would give comfort to those mourning the loss of a child.
It’s not that they receive “instant exhalation” because there is more to becoming like our Heavenly Father than simply being saved. I believe that these two sections (137-138) are teaching that there will still be an opportunity to learn and to grow and to CHOOSE, after our bodies die. Perhaps, God doesn’t consider the death of our bodies to be the end of our probation at all.
Loved the quote by Bro. Maxwell but it isn't in the talk you refered to but some.of that talk fit in nicely with your comments on people with mental health issues . Listened to Notwithstanding my weakness twice. Would love to hear the talk the quote came from. BTW, love your podcast. Always go away feeling better and understanding more.
It is in the show notes, near the bottom: www.ldsscriptureteachings.org/2021/11/06/dc-137-138-quotes-and-notes/
It wasn’t from his talk, it was from his book.
I think it is taken from Elder Maxwell's book, "Notwithstanding My Weakness" and not the conference talk. It can be confusing when they have talks and books with the same titles. 😊
Regarding your thoughts on the work for the dead being reserved for Latter-day Saints, after Christ emptied Paradise... another reason that this makes sense is because we need a body for laying on of hands. The priesthood keys are transferred here on earth, and couldn't be given by a not-yet-resurrected Savior.
One modern day prophet spoke of women preaching to women in the spirit world, and said they would be ordained by the priesthood. This specifically applies to temple workers from this dispensation, because of the way it's worded. I'll try to find the quote and put it here as a reply.
Although this thought does raise the question, why were they doing baptisms for the dead in the New Testament?
Could this be why God let his older brother, who 💖ed his family, die? There maybe more to it then this.
Concerning 137:10; will not the children who die before the age of accountability be raised by their parents during the millennium? And thus have a probationary state when confronted by Satan at the end of the millennium?
So could they choose sin and turn against God? The promise is that they are heirs of the Celestial Kingdom. How can we say that if they still have to pass the tests of a probationary state? A probationary state suggests that their salvation is being worked out and that they could choose any kingdom, even one that is not Celestial. How then can we say that they are ALL heirs of the Celestial Kingdom?
My understanding of heir is one who is “entitled to inherit”, which leads me to understand that they still have free agency, can still experience family life with challenges, and can still make good or bad choices. Thus a probation.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie once said "There are certain spirits who come into this life only to receive bodies; for reasons that we don't know, they do not need the testing, probationary experiences of mortality." My guess is that somehow they had already proven themselves.
So if they have a probation and can choose evil and end up in some other kingdom, can we still say that they are heirs of the celestial kingdom? If that phrase simply means they have a probation, then couldn’t we say that every single person is an heir of the celestial kingdom? That doesn’t seem accurate.
I missed the reference. Where can I find that talk by Elder Maxwell?
It’s in the show notes… at the bottom next to his picture.