While in This Life

In October 1990, Elder Nelson, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, made a statement clarifying a portion of D&C 76 in the same way I have in previous posts. In his talk Choices he said, "The Lord revealed more to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who wrote of the telestial glory, where those will ultimately abide “who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus” while in this life. (D&C 76:82) The Prophet taught of the terrestrial glory as the abode for the “honorable … of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men,” who rejected the gospel while on the earth. (D&C 76:75)"

He stated that D&C 76:82 was referring to the state of people "while in this life." He knows that those who will ultimately enter the kingdom of God, even the telestial kingdom of God, must receive the gospel of Christ, and the testimony of Jesus before the judgement day. This we know because of what the scriptures teach about those who are ultimately saved in the kingdom of God; and we know that the telestial kingdom is part of the kingdom of God.

He stated that D&C 76:75 was referring to the state of people "while on the earth." The same principles apply. No matter which kingdom we talk about within the kingdom of God, the first principles, ordinances and laws apply.

Throughout D&C 76 it talks about the state of men as they currently are, have been, or will be on this earth as mortals. What it doesn't make abundantly clear is the time between how they live in this life and their ultimate salvation in the kingdom of God. There are hints but the finer details must be searched out. How do the honorable but not valiant become valiant after this life? How do the murderers and whoremongers become sinless and spotless after this life? The answer is the same way they become valiant, sinless and spotless in this life - faith, repentance, vicarious baptism, vicarious confirmation, obedience, sacrifice, and enduring to the final judgment.