this life - a hopeful context

The Book of Mormon teaches that “this life is the time for [us] to prepare to meet God.” Alma 34:32 But that challenging limitation to “this life” was given a hopeful context (at least to some extent for some persons) by what the Lord revealed to President Joseph F. Smith, now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 138. “I beheld,” the prophet wrote, “that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.

“The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,

“And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.” D&C 138:57-59

In addition, we know that the Millennium, the thousand years that follow the Second Coming of the Savior, will be a time to perform the required ordinances for those who have not received them in their mortal lives. D&C 29:11

Dallin H. Oaks

"Kingdoms of Glory," General Conference October 2023

in my Father's house are many mansions

If the Latter-day Saints think, when the Kingdom of God is established on the Earth, that all the inhabitants of the Earth will join the Church called Latter-day Saints, they are egregiously mistaken. I presume there will be as many sects and parties then as now. Still, when the Kingdom of God triumphs, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, to the glory of the Father. Even the Jews will do it then: but will the Jews and Gentiles be obliged to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? No, not by any means. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions; were it not so I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye may be also.’ There are mansions in sufficient numbers to suit the different classes of mankind, and a variety will always exist to all eternity, requiring a classification and an arrangement into societies and communities in the many mansions which are in the Lord’s house, and this will be so for ever and ever.


Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. XI., p. 275 as found in Doctrine and Covenants Commentary by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl. Deseret Book. 1965. p.147, 148

The principles of the welfare plan, when applied, will lift us out of this worldly life. The welfare plan is the most spiritual program in the Church. It is the final program and preparation for us to live. If and when properly lived, it will usher in the millennium.


Marion G. Romney. Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. p. 291. Remarks originally given in a regional meeting on welfare square, 18 May 1954.