Lesson 30: “The Great Plan of Happiness” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 - Elder Stephen L. Richards taught that the spiritual gift of discernment “arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions–spiritual impressions, if you will — to read under the surface  as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed.”

Reading 1A - Elder Boyd K. Packer has said, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." (Ensign, Nov 1986, 17.)

Reading 2 – Alma 40:11-13

Reading 3 - Parley P. Pratt wrote, "The Spirit World is not the heaven where Jesus Christ, His Father, and other beings dwell, who have, by resurrection or tradition, ascended to eternal mansions and been crowned and seated on thrones of power; but it is an intermediate state, a probation, a place of preparation, improvement, instruction, or education, where spirits are chastened or improved, and where, if found worthy, they may be taught a knowledge of the Gospel. In short, it is a place where the Gospel is preached, and where faith, repentance, hope and charity may be exercised, a place of waiting for the resurrection or redemption of the body; while, to those who deserve it, it is a place of punishment, or purgatory or hell, where spirits are buffeted till the day of redemption. As to its location, it is here on the very planet where we were born." (Key to Theology, Chapter 14)

Reading 4 – Joseph Smith taught: "The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers.  A man is his own tormenter and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as the lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man." (TPJS, p310, p357)

Reading 5 – Alma 40:21, 23

Reading 6 – Alma 41:2-6

Reading 7 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “The resurrection is a restoration, both a restoration of body and spirit and a restoration to the individual of the same mental and spiritual acquirements and attitudes he had in this life” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 641).

Reading 8 – Alma 42:16-21