The God Who Weeps

1. God's Nature: A Personal Entity with Profound Empathy

"The God of Heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and He wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?"

God feels our pain. The authors present a vision of God as a deeply empathetic being who genuinely experiences sorrow and joy alongside His creations. This perspective challenges traditional notions of an impassive deity, instead portraying a God who is personally invested in the human experience.

Vulnerability as strength. The concept of a weeping God demonstrates divine vulnerability, which paradoxically becomes a source of strength and connection. This vulnerability allows for a more intimate relationship between God and humanity, fostering a sense of kinship and shared experience.

Implications for human behavior. Understanding God's empathetic nature encourages humans to develop similar qualities of compassion and emotional engagement. It suggests that our capacity for empathy and vulnerability is not a weakness, but a reflection of the divine nature within us.

2. Premortal Existence: Our Eternal Identity and Purpose

"Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be."

Eternal identity. The concept of premortal existence posits that human souls have an eternal past, existing before birth in a spiritual realm. This idea provides a framework for understanding human purpose and potential beyond the confines of mortal life.

Divine lineage. By asserting our premortal existence, the authors suggest a direct kinship with God, positioning humans as spiritual offspring with inherent divine qualities and potential.

Implications for mortal life:

• Sense of purpose and direction
• Explanation for innate moral compass and spiritual yearnings
• Foundation for understanding human agency and accountability

3. Mortality as Ascent: The Fall as Fortunate and Necessary

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

Reframing the Fall. The authors present a radical reinterpretation of the traditional Christian view of the Fall, positioning it as a necessary and positive step in human progression rather than a cosmic tragedy.

Growth through experience. This perspective views mortality as an ascent rather than a descent, emphasizing the importance of embodied experience in developing godly attributes and understanding.

Key aspects of this view:

• Mortality as a school for spiritual development
• Challenges and opposition as essential for growth
• The body as a tool for learning and progression, not a prison for the soul
• Sin as a necessary part of the learning process, not an irredeemable stain

4. Universal Salvation: God's Plan for Exaltation of All

"This is the father's will . . . that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing."

God's expansive love. The authors argue for a view of salvation that extends to all of God's children, challenging traditional notions of limited salvation or predestination.

Ongoing opportunities for growth. This perspective suggests that the work of salvation continues beyond death, providing opportunities for learning and progression in the afterlife.

Implications of universal salvation:

• Emphasis on God's mercy and love over justice and punishment
• Reframing of missionary work and temple ordinances for the dead
• A more optimistic view of human potential and divine purpose

5. Relationships: The Core of Heavenly Existence

"There shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest."

Relational nature of divinity. The authors posit that relationships are fundamental to God's nature and, by extension, to the nature of heaven and eternal life.

Continuity of earthly bonds. This view suggests that the relationships we form and nurture in mortality have eternal significance, forming the basis of our heavenly experience.

Key aspects of heavenly relationships:

• Family ties extending beyond mortality
• Friendships and communities as eternal structures
• Love as the fundamental force of creation and exaltation

6. Agency and Accountability: The Path to Spiritual Growth

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection."

Freedom to choose. The authors emphasize the centrality of moral agency in God's plan, positioning it as essential for genuine spiritual growth and character development.

Consequences as teachers. This perspective views the consequences of our choices as integral to the learning process, rather than purely as rewards or punishments.

Key elements of agency and accountability:

• Premortal choice to participate in mortality
• Ongoing choices shaping our eternal identity
• Repentance as a process of realignment and growth
• The Atonement as enabling meaningful choice and change

7. Zion: Building Heaven on Earth Through Loving Relationships

"The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."

Heaven as a collaborative project. The authors present the concept of Zion as a divine-human partnership in creating heaven on earth, emphasizing the active role of humans in this process.

Practical spirituality. This view encourages a focus on building loving relationships and just communities as the essence of spiritual practice, rather than solely on individual salvation.

Key aspects of building Zion:

• Unity of heart and mind among believers
• Economic and social justice as spiritual imperatives
• Practical application of Christ-like love in daily life
• The family as a microcosm of Zion

8. Atonement: Christ's Sacrifice as the Key to Reconciliation

"By his bruises we are healed."

Expansive view of Atonement. The authors present Christ's Atonement as a cosmic act of healing and reconciliation, extending beyond mere forgiveness of sins.

Enabling change. This perspective sees the Atonement as empowering individuals to make meaningful changes and progress eternally, rather than simply wiping away guilt.

Key aspects of the Atonement:

• Christ's perfect empathy through shared suffering
• Breaking the cycle of sin and enabling new choices
• Reconciling justice and mercy in God's plan
• Ongoing application throughout eternity

9. Eternal Progression: Continual Growth and Learning in Heaven

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection."

Dynamic afterlife. The authors propose a view of heaven as a place of ongoing growth, learning, and progression, rather than a static state of bliss.

Continuity with mortal life. This perspective suggests that the knowledge, relationships, and character developed in mortality form the foundation for eternal progression.

Key aspects of eternal progression:

• Ongoing learning and development of divine attributes
• Expansion of knowledge across all fields of study
• Deepening and creation of relationships
• Increasing capacity for joy and love
• Potential for continued creative and generative activity

Last updated: August 31, 2024