I have given few sermons on the degrees of glory, so
called, but I spoke of it in a measure this morning [at a stake conference]. My
view does not particularly respond to the notion of a stratified eternal experience,
but rather of varying degrees of interest, involvement, and service and the
preparation underlying these. I think of the degrees of opportunity or levels
of capacity, of preparations for eternal creative experience. In the 88th
section of the D&C is recorded a statement about “the kingdom not of glory,”
and the standard by which those who arrive there are chosen. The words are
simple and direct—we get what we are willing to enjoy and will not have imposed
on us to anything we are not willing to enjoy. Thus, the enjoyment of
opportunities is directly dependent upon our willingness to accept those
opportunities, including faith and repentance and obedience and walking in the
Spirit—in short, preparation for that kind of eternal, progressive, exciting
creative, learning experience. The people were responsive, and I had a fine
time. (Marion D. Hanks, Journal, March 13, 1977, repr. Richard D. Hanks, To
be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks [Salt Lake City: Signature
Books, 2024], 165-66, comment in square brackets added for clarification)
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