3 Nephi 28:38-39 -- On Perfection and Preparation

"Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world.
Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them."
3 Nephi 28:38-39


This is some pretty cool stuff, talking about the change that happened to the three Nephites who wanted to stay. It's interesting that it is a different "level" of body than when we are resurrected, but it still is so far beyond what we have that it seems incredible... no pain, no sorrow, and no temptation. Wow, right?

I think this emphasizes the fact that God could have made us all immortal from the beginning, but that death is baked into the whole idea of coming to earth... death makes it possible for us to have a "probationary" (Alma 12:24, 42:4, etc.) space where we could sin but then change and repent and try again before we inherit our far more permanent bodies and futures. Where Christ's atonement could affect us, overcome death, and give us all another chance... which is why we are all here, because we need a few extra tries to get it right. :) (Okay, more than a few.)

I am not sure exactly how it works, but what I imagine is that it is the separation of spirit and body that makes all of this possible, and when we actually get resurrected those get permanently fused together, which will be amazing in lots of ways... no more internal struggles between spirit and flesh, plus all the things mentioned here, and likely more. Maybe we'll be able to walk on water, just naturally. :) ... But in terms of what we're trying to accomplish here also a couple of down sides. I think that being fused like that makes us like God in the respect of being permanent and unchangable--which means this life is it. Whoever we learn to be here, that is who we are going to be--always. Which is awesome, but also scary if we don't especially like ourselves right now. That's why God is trying to help us change and grow and become and make the choices that turn us into the people that we want to be--because after this, we're not malleable anymore. Our figuratively clay selves will be fired and hardened and perfected into solid, permanent beings. Not ones that can't do cool things or learn more stuff, but ones that are whole and happy and not looking to be different or resolve internal conflict anymore. There won't be a conflict. We'll just be who we are.

Anyway, don't take that last paragraph as eternally true, since it is just my idea, not scripture. Either way though, today, let's take advantage of our probationary time and repent and change the things that we want to change, for "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32).