University of Heaven
by Vincent O'Neil May, 2002
When something breaks or is dented, it has been my habit to consider that item scarred for life. My financial condition is such that I must keep the item, but my first reaction is to throw the marred item away as soon as possible.
As I approach the completion of my sixth decade, my body is much like an old car - full of dings, dents, and even replacement parts! More and more, I wish I could throw the thing away!
As I was on a walk today, I thought about how the earth is probably going through the same experiences as the living creatures upon it. It gets gouged, smashed, shaken, stirred, and almost blown apart. Would a heavenly father throw it away? I don't think so.
In fact, it is more than likely that even the earth we live on is just like our bodies. If parts gets broken, we fix it. We don't throw away the baby with the dirty bath water. If we extend this concept of continued repairs and refinements, maybe the earth will become something more glorious and wonderful than we can presently imagine. Some have supposed it will even be turned into a heaven!
". . . .our planet is to pass from its present dreary and broken state to a condition of glorified perfection. . . ."
(James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, 344.)
". . . . this earth has been appointed a certain time in which to accomplish its mortal probation, prior to its glorification. It was created, not a something out of nothing, as many have absurdly taught and supposed, but was organized from everlasting spirit and element, and was made for the children of God, firstly as a temporary abode, and lastly as an eternal inheritance. It has been given a certain time in which to fulfill its mission as a mortal creature. It keeps the law of God, the celestial law, which means that it lives by every word that proceeds from his mouth, and because of this it shall be sanctified. Yea, though it die, yet it shall live again, be resurrected, to shine as a celestial body, as 'a sea of glass mingled with fire,' and beings of celestial order shall inherit it forever."
(Brian H. Stuy, ed., Collected Discourses, 5 vols., 5: .)
"The humble and meek of the earth, those who give of themselves in their tithes and offerings and keep all the other commandments sufficiently well, will be given to the Son by the Eternal Father at the judgment day. They will become the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ and be placed upon this earth to receive their inheritance when this earth becomes a celestial orb and Christ's world."
(Milton R. Hunter, Will a Man Rob God?, 256 - 257.)
George W. Meek gathered the testimony of many Near Death Experiences, and was told, "...there were thousands upon thousands of bookshelves stuffed with books. There were books on every topic imaginable. But you didn't read them, all you had to do was open up a book and you would immediately absorb all the knowledge it contained. You could just sit down and learn anything you ever wanted to know. To learn everything would take an incredibly long time, though, because there were so many of them."
Books! Absorb knowledge! We will be part of the "University of Heaven!"
It tastes good!