What is the afterlife like?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I have been thinking a lot about this question the last few days. On Sunday I was teaching a lesson to the 13 year olds after being pulled from the hallway, the lesson was on forgiveness. I asked why it was important to forgive and we talked about many reasons and then talked about how we needed to forgive to gain exaltation.

One of the boys asked "Why do we want that?" I gave the standard answers about living with God and Jesus, our families being together, etc. Then he followed up with "What do we do there?" I really had no answer. Perhaps I am just void of common knowledge, but I have no idea. I thought about telling him you would stand on a piece of glass and create worlds, but I didn't think that would motivate him to forgive people (which exaltation or not I believe is a good thing to practice).

We wrapped up the lesson and moved on 3rd hour, and I have spent the last few days thinking about this. I have been told in very mocking tone throughout my youth that there is no sports as that is not the point of the Celestial kingdom, and told that eternity will be like the temple.

So what is eternity filled with? Why do we learn to enjoy varied pursuits on earth if the after life is filled with things completely different from our earth existence? I understand the joy that would come from being in the presence of Jesus, as I do believe in Christ and find happiness in that belief, however I see it hard to think that there will be much one-on-one with the God-head. Are we to believe that the Celestial kingdom is like the temple ceremony?

[Surfah]

I'll never forget in mutual one night we had this bogus activity where the RS room was made to look like the fuselage of an airplane. The plane crashes and we all die. Then we get taken to the chapel where we are taught and instructed. Part of that instruction were people coming in representing the different degrees of glory. The first group looks like hell. Nobody is interested. My dad comes in dressed in his basketball clothes representing the second group. He talks about how great it is to play ball all day with his perfected body. The celestial group is all dressed in temple whites and they are very reverent and solemn and talk about all the work they have to do. It was the ultimate back fire as everyone wanted to play basketball.

[JohnnyLingo]

My dad comes in dressed in his basketball clothes representing the second group. He talks about how great it is to play ball all day with his perfected body. The celestial group is all dressed in temple whites and they are very reverent and solemn and talk about all the work they have to do. It was the ultimate back fire as everyone wanted to play basketball.

That is awesome. Best version of that idea I've heard of. My ward never did it when I was growing up.

[LiveCoug]

I'll never forget in mutual one night we had this bogus activity where the RS room was made to look like the fuselage of an airplane. The plane crashes and we all die. Then we get taken to the chapel where we are taught and instructed. Part of that instruction were people coming in representing the different degrees of glory. The first group looks like hell. Nobody is interested. My dad comes in dressed in his basketball clothes representing the second group. He talks about how great it is to play ball all day with his perfected body. The celestial group is all dressed in temple whites and they are very reverent and solemn and talk about all the work they have to do. It was the ultimate back fire as everyone wanted to play basketball.

We did that too in our ward. And yes, everyone wanted to play hoops. I've had the same questions as HFN. We are taught to gain all the knowledge and experience (within certain moral codes) here on this earth, but to what purpose? I'm happy doing lot's of Terrestial type things (sports, fun activities, etc.) and wonder if I don't have enough faith in the happiness that is wearing white and quiet reverence...

[JohnnyLingo]

We did that too in our ward. And yes, everyone wanted to play hoops. I've had the same questions as HFN. We are taught to gain all the knowledge and experience (within certain moral codes) here on this earth, but to what purpose? I'm happy doing lot's of Terrestial type things (sports, fun activities, etc.) and wonder if I don't have enough faith in the happiness that is wearing white and quiet reverence...

Well, if we're supposed to become like God, I imagine we'll be fairly busy, right? See: Evan Almighty.

[Solon]

Well, if we're supposed to become like God, I imagine we'll be fairly busy, right? See: Evan Almighty.

Svidrigailov, one of the characters in Crime and Punishment, thought that the afterlife was a small, dark room with spiders in the corners. That image has always kind of stayed with me.

[JohnnyLingo]

Svidrigailov, one of the characters in Crime and Punishment, thought that the afterlife was a small, dark room with spiders in the corners. That image has always kind of stayed with me.

If that's not sufficient reason to avoid suicide, I don't know what is.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think I am a lot like CardiacCoug in this regard. Questions like this just don't interest me much. How could anyone know the answer to that question?

[Indy Coug]

I think I am a lot like CardiacCoug in this regard. Questions like this just don't interest me much. How could anyone know the answer to that question?

They have a vision?

[Jeff Lebowski]

They have a vision?

We had a discussion about this in HP group a few weeks back. I was amazed at how confident some people were about their speculation and how much detail they provided. Far beyond anything I recall from any canonized revelation.

[JohnnyLingo]

We had a discussion about this in HP group a few weeks back. I was amazed at how confident some people were about their speculation and how much detail they provided. Far beyond anything I recall from any canonized revelation.

Please share. I wish EQ was as entertaining as I hear HP Group discussions are.

[Pheidippides]

We had a discussion about this in HP group a few weeks back. I was amazed at how confident some people were about their speculation and how much detail they provided. Far beyond anything I recall from any canonized revelation.

IOW, a typical HP group lesson.

[Indy Coug]

Well, I'm not sure how much detail you're looking for here. Regardless, I'm just pointing out that we should preclude the simple possibility that such things can be revealed. I think that many people have had visions and that there are a lot of consistencies in those visions.

True we don't have explicit official doctrine detailing locations, buildings, landscapes, diet, intra-kingdom and inter-kingdom interactions, intramural sports leagues, etc. but I don't think we have to wait until we croak to learn more.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Please share. I wish EQ was as entertaining as I hear HP Group discussions are.

Oh, it wasn't too interesting. Mainly it was lots of detailed discussions about missionary work during the millennium. I kept thinking, "Wouldn't that be pretty easy? No Satan and you can walk right up and talk to Jesus."

Overall, the HP group discussions are far superior to what I experienced in EQ.

[JohnnyLingo]

Oh, it wasn't too interesting. Mainly it was lots of detailed discussions about missionary work during the millennium. I kept thinking, "Wouldn't that be pretty easy? No Satan and you can walk right up and talk to Jesus."

A valid point. Do you think Jesus will be hanging around telling people to join the Mormons? Best mission ever.