Notice the similarities of things in the pre-earth existence, our current earth-life, the spirit world and Resurrection
Note: this is not complete, it is a work in progress, the references refer to the index for the SW quotes
Free agency
1. pre-earth
a. This is a law (law of free agency) which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice. (Brigham Young, BY21)
b. He (man) possessed it (free agency) in the heaven of heavens before the world was, and the Lord maintained and defended it there against the aggression of Lucifer. … By virtue of this agency you and I and all mankind are made responsible beings… (Wilford Woodruff, WW1)
2. earth
a. God has given to all men an agency and has granted to us the privilege to serve him or serve him not. … But he will hold us strictly to an account for the use that we make of this agency… (Joseph F. Smith, JFS4)
b. . Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any possession earth can give…. Only to the human being did the Creator say, ‘… thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee;’ … Without this divine power to choose, humanity cannot progress. (David O. McKay, DOM9)
c. They perhaps might have been faithful if they had exercised the agency which God gave them. But how easily are mankind toppled first this way, then that way; and are led astray, even after the heavens were opened (dedication of Kirtland Temple) and chariots and horses of fire as well as angels were seen; still many of those brethren apostatized. (Orson Pratt, OP30)
d. He wants us to choose to return to Him. He will not, He does not force us in any way. (Russell M. Nelson, RMN2(
3. spirit world
a. … they (in spirit prison) will be left to their own agency, either to receive or reject these glad tidings … (Orson Pratt, OP18)
b. God gave man his agency from the beginning (including the spirit world). (D. Todd Christofferson, DTC1)
4. resurrection (celestial kingdom)
Priesthood/gospel activity
1. pre-earth
a. Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. (Joseph Smith, JS8)
b. Even before they [the prophets] were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits (D&C 138:56)
c. The spirits of men were not equal (in the pre-earth existence)…but the right of free agency which was given to them enabled some to outstrip others, and thus, through the eons of immortal existence, to become more intelligent, more faithful… (Joseph fielding Smith, JFieldS5)
d. The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed … (Joseph Smith, JS39)
e. Joseph Smith, Junior, was ordained to this great calling before the worlds were. (Brigham Young, BY59)
2. earth
a. … therefore God conversed with men (on the earth), and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; (Alma 12:30)
b. Who instructed (Joseph Smith) in the mysteries of the Kingdom, and in all things pertaining to Priesthood, law, philosophy, sacred architecture, ordinances, sealings, anointings, baptisms for the dead, and in the mysteries of the first, second, and third heavens, many of which are unlawful to utter? Angels and spirits from the eternal worlds. (Parley P. Pratt, PPP20)
c. … and that through the operation and co-operation of the heavenly priesthood and the earthly priesthood, … a kingdom established that the will of God may be done upon the earth as it is done in heaven. (John Taylor, JT15)
3. spirit world
a. They are organized according to priesthood order in family organizations as we are here; only there they exist in a more perfect order. (Ezra Taft Benson, ETB5)
b. The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the vail. Every man who is faithful in his quorum here will join his quorum there. (Wilford Woodruff, WW3)
4. resurrection (celestial kingdom)
a. This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom (and) things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known (D&C 130:9, 10)
b. … in accordance with the Temples that exist in yonder heaven. (Orson Pratt, OP9)
Man, animal life and plants
1. pre-earth
a. … then man, animals and plants were not created in the spirit at the time of the creation of the earth, but long before. (Bruce R. McConkie, BRM3)
b. the spirits of mankind and all other creatures were in a perfect form in the spirit world (prior to the creation of the earth) (Joseph Fielding Smith, JFieldS15)
c. Thy spirit, filled with joy and thanksgiving, rejoiced in thy Father, and rendered praise to His holy name, and the (pre-earth) spirit world resounded in anthems of praise to the Father of spirits. Thou bade father, mother and all farewell … (John Taylor, JT12)
d. …beings that dwelt in eternal light before we came here … (John Taylor, JT26)
e. … they (spirits) had previously been acquainted with every nook and corner … (Brigham Young, BY22)
f. We lived as spirit children-individual, intelligent sons and daughters of God-before our mortal birth. (Boyd K Packer, BKP30)
2. earth
a. God who formed it and established its mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms. (Brigham Young, BY86)
b. … but at the present time it (the earth) is a dark, little speck in space. (Brigham Young, BY88)
c. . God created the earth as an organized sphere; but He certainly did not create, in the sense of bringing into primal existence, the ultimate elements of the materials of which the earth consists … (FP3)
3. spirit world
4. resurrection (celestial kingdom)
a. John also saw resurrected beasts in heaven, and the revelation specifically says they were “individual beasts … in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.” … they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God (Bruce R. McConkie, BRM10)
b. John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this, strange beasts of which we have no conception; all might be seen in heaven. (Joseph Smith, JS31)
c. When that time comes (earth celestialized), all those people upon the face of the earth who have lived a terrestrial law and been privileged to stay upon the face of the earth, will have to move out. (Joseph Fielding Smith, JFieldS24)
d. In the resurrection, men who have been faithful and diligent in all things in the flesh, have kept their first and second estate, and [are] worthy to be crowned Gods, even the sons of God, will be ordained to organize matter. (Brigham Young, BY76)
e. These (mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms) will all be retained upon the earth, come forth in the resurrection, and abide forever and ever. (Brigham Young, BY86)
f. … worlds will continue to be made, formed, and organized, and messengers from this earth will be sent to others. (Brigham Young, BY87)
g. When this is dissolved (body), and we again obtain our bodies by the power of the resurrection, … the food we eat and the water we drink, will be supplanted by another element; for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (Brigham Young, BY90)
