In the heart of Christian belief is the assurance that God has a plan for all His children. This plan, known by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Plan of Salvation, offers hope and purpose to each of us. At its core, this plan teaches that God loves us, that we lived with Him before this life, and that He desires for us to return to Him and be reunited with our families in eternity. But an essential part of this divine plan is agency—the freedom to choose our own paths.
God’s plan doesn’t dictate every action we take. Instead, He allows us to make choices, trusting that we will use our agency to seek Him and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Joshua declared in the Old Testament, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). It is up to us to choose how we will live, and through those choices, we draw closer to Christ and become more like Him. The beauty of the Plan of Salvation is that it empowers us to act, to grow, and to serve.
The Restoration of Priesthood Authority: A Blessing to the Entire World
While God’s plan offers each of us the freedom to choose, He has also provided essential tools and authority to help us along the way. One of the most important moments in Christian history occurred in 1836, when God restored priesthood authority to the earth. In a sacred vision in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration, and Oliver Cowdery were visited by Moses, Elijah, and Elias. These biblical figures conferred priesthood keys, or sacred authority, that had been lost from the earth for centuries.
Among the restored keys was the sealing power, delivered by Elijah. This power allows families to be bound together for eternity, fulfilling the prophecy found in Malachi 4:5-6: “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” This priesthood authority isn’t just a blessing for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; it is a gift to the entire world. It invites people everywhere to turn their hearts to their ancestors and seek to connect with the generations that came before them.
Through this restoration, the promise of eternal families became a reality, and temple ordinances now allow for the uniting of families, not just in this life but for eternity. This divine authority affects both the living and the dead, allowing for blessings to flow across generations. As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, "The restoration of the sealing power of the priesthood is one of the most significant events in all of human history” ("Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints").
Our Responsibility to Our Ancestors and Future Generations
The restoration of priesthood authority brings with it a sacred responsibility: the responsibility to turn our hearts to our ancestors. Family history, or genealogy, is more than a hobby for Latter-day Saints—it is a way to fulfill the Lord’s commandment to unite families across the generations. Through temple ordinances, members of the Church believe they can provide spiritual blessings to those who have passed on, offering them the opportunity to accept the gospel and be sealed to their families for eternity.
This responsibility also extends to future generations. The choices we make today—the lives we build, the values we hold, the service we give—create a foundation upon which future generations will stand. Just as we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, we are called to build upon the foundation of faith they created, ensuring that the blessings of the gospel reach our descendants.
As President Nelson has said, “We can’t do what they did, but we can build on their work” ("The Future of the Church"). Each generation contributes to the work of salvation, linking past, present, and future in a chain of faith that spans both sides of the veil.
The Stakes of Zion: Places of Refuge, Light, and Blessing
In a world that often feels uncertain, people everywhere are searching for peace and purpose. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, local congregations, called stakes of Zion, are designed to meet this need. But these stakes are much more than places of worship. They are shining lights—centers of goodness and truth in a world that desperately needs both.
Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Stakes of Zion are meant to be that light. They are communities where individuals and families can find spiritual nourishment, strength, and a sense of belonging. In these stakes, members strive to live Christ’s teachings, becoming examples of love and service to those around them. They are called to bless not only those within the Church but all people, offering hope and peace to any who seek it.
More than just places of spiritual strength, stakes of Zion are also places of refuge. In a world filled with storms of uncertainty, trials, and hardships, stakes provide a safe harbor where individuals can come to feel God’s love. As Isaiah prophesied, Zion will be “a place of defense, and a refuge from the storm” (Isaiah 4:6). These congregations are open to all who seek peace, regardless of their background or beliefs.
One of the most profound ways stakes bless lives is through temple work, which allows individuals to perform sacred ordinances for their deceased ancestors. Through this work, blessings flow across generations, both for the living and the dead. The priesthood keys restored by Elijah make it possible for families to be sealed together for eternity, ensuring that God’s promises reach all of His children on both sides of the veil.
Building Upon the Foundation of Faith
As Christians, we honor the faith and sacrifices of those who came before us. Just as the prophets and apostles of old laid the foundation for the Christian faith, the early pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sacrificed much to ensure the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days. They faced persecution, hardship, and loss, yet they pressed forward with faith in Jesus Christ.
Today, we are called to build upon the foundation they laid. We are not asked to endure the same trials they faced, but we are invited to carry on their legacy by living lives of faith, service, and love. Each generation adds to the work of salvation, creating a stronger and more vibrant Church that can bless the world. As the Apostle Paul taught, we are “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
Through our choices—how we use our agency—we decide how we will contribute to God’s kingdom. As we follow Jesus Christ, we can help bring light into the lives of others, offer refuge to those in need, and ensure that the blessings of the gospel reach all people, both in this life and the next.
Conclusion: God’s Plan, Our Agency, and the Blessing of the Priesthood
God’s Plan of Salvation is a gift to all His children, offering hope, purpose, and eternal joy. He has given us the freedom to choose how we will follow Him, and through the restoration of priesthood authority, He has provided the means for families to be united forever. The stakes of Zion stand as places of light and refuge, blessing not only the people of this world but also those who have passed beyond the veil.
As we turn our hearts to our ancestors and embrace the opportunities given to us by the restored priesthood, we fulfill God’s desire for all of His children to be united. This is the work of salvation, and it is an invitation open to everyone.
The more we embrace God’s plan and use our freedom to follow Him, the more we will see His hand guiding us, lifting us, and helping us become the people He knows we can be.
