The ‘Plan of Salvation’ has several names such as: ‘The Plan of Happiness’ and ‘Plan of Progression.’ That name is in reference to our progress from the pre-mortal world to earth life, to the spirit world and then to a kingdom of glory. The Father’s plan calls for us to be progressive. We are meant to learn, grow, and serve throughout all eternity. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
This was the admonition of the Savior. The statement was hardly meant to be a challenge or a goal to be accomplished while we are yet in this mortal state. In referring to this statement President Wilford Woodruff said, (paraphrased) ‘We qualified in the pre-earth existence to come to earth, and now if we can live worthy while here we will go into eternity where we can continue to grow and progress, until at some point in the eons of time we will eventually become perfect.’ In President Woodruff ’s mind, that challenge to become perfect was a challenge for the eternities.
One of the controversial aspects of the Plan of Progression is whether there can be advancement from one degree of glory to the next . This has been a point of contention among the brethren for over a century. Based on what it says in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, most church members are satisfied that there is no progression between glories. In Church Gospel Doctrine classes one can hear that expressed every time the subject is reviewed.
In all actuality, that is not the final word. Below is a letter to a member of the church who sent in a query regarding progression between kingdoms. The reply to that query came from Joseph L. Anderson, at that time, the Secretary to the First Presidency of the Church, writing in behalf of the Brethren. In this letter, dated Mar 5th 1952, he states:
“The Brethren direct me to say that the Church has never announced a definite doctrine upon this point. Some of the Brethren have held the view that it was possible in the course of progression to advance from one glory to another, invoking the principle of eternal progression; others of the Brethren have taken the opposite view.
But as stated, the Church has never announced a definite doctrine on this point.”
An example is this statement by Apostle James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 1st ed. (Salt Lake City, 1899), p. 420–421. “It is reasonable to believe, in the absence of direct revelation by which alone absolute knowledge of the matter could be acquired, that, inaccordance with God’s plan of eternal progression, advancement from grade to grade within any kingdom, and from kingdom to kingdom, will be provided for. But if the recipients of a lower glory be enabled to advance, surely the intelligences of higher rank will not be stopped in their progress; and thus we may conclude, that degrees and grades will ever characterize the kingdoms of our God. Eternity is progressive; perfection is relative; the essential feature of God’s living purpose is its associated power of eternal increase.”
Other General Authorities have held the view that there is no progression between kingdoms. Until the Lord reveals exactly what His doctrine is on the subject, it will be left open by the Presidency of the Church.
Based on the value the Lord has placed on every living soul, it seems inconceivable that any one of His offspring would be denied eternal progress. As long as the person had repented and was now living such that he was meeting the Father’s criteria for admission into the next kingdom, why would He not have joy on such an occasion, as did the father of the prodigal son?
Just as the 19th section of the Doctrine and Covenants states that eternal punishment does not mean that the punishment is eternal, but that it is God’s punishment; and because God is eternal, it is referred to as eternal punishment. These are statements that may dissuade a person from doing those things, while sojourning here.
That would be evil in God’s view, but not unforgivable. I believe the statement in the 76th section may have been similarly assigned.
Saying that both the 19th and the 76th sections had statements designed to deter one or encourage one, depending on our point of view, to live up to our true potential for good.
Maybe, because of my own weakness, I tend to believe as Brother James E. Talmage. I want to believe that a person can always repent after coming to the realization that what they have done is offensive to our Father. I also understand that there is power within us to change, after all we are His offspring. As we mold our desires and behavior to be more Christ-like we should be able to find that the path is open for personal and eternal progression.