**Note: I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book is written by an LDS author and is pretty particular to LDS doctrine. If you have questions about my beliefs, I'd love to talk to you, or you can visit THIS PAGE on Mormon.org to understand a little more about what we believe this life and the life after are all about. I love talking to people about what I believe, but please don't use this post as a forum for negative comments about my beliefs.
As a guilt-prone person of faith, I have lots of moments where I wonder if I'm really doing enough in the eyes of God. I always feel like I could be doing more...because all of us could be doing more. When is enough, enough? And even though I know we have been given the gift of Jesus Christ's Atonement to help overcome sin and weakness, I wonder if I'm applying it the way I'm supposed to. If I'm going to make it to the highest degree of glory, with all my family in tow, have I really done enough? This book calmed many of those doubts and fears.
I originally picked this book up because the author was my Book of Mormon professor my very first semester at BYU. He was the most entertaining professor I ever had, and he is an amazing scriptorian. When I saw this title pop up on my local library's Overdrive list, I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did.
Gaskill uses a mix of scripture, quotes from general authorities, and commentary from gospel scholars to provide a compelling argument for his title statement: odds are, you're going to be exalted. One of his main points really hit home with me. After discussing what we know about the opportunity people without the gospel will have to receive it after death, he addresses this question: "so wouldn't it be easier to get to the celestial kingdom if I didn't have the gospel on earth then just accept it after?" He notes that there is no way being born in the latter-days and having the blessings of the gospel and covenants in the temple is a disadvantage. While it's true that where much is given, much is required, that doesn't mean having the gospel means you're less likely to make it to the celestial kingdom. That doesn't even sound logical. We should have a great advantage because we have the gospel and access to so many blessings. He provides much more evidence supporting this idea in the book.
After initially feeling reassured while reading the book, I started to have one big, creeping doubt as I got closer to the end. In a section on wayward children, Gaskill provides scriptures and quotes to support the idea that children will eventually return, after they've gone through the proper repentance process and suffered for any sins left unresolved. As a parent, I found comfort in this idea and know that the scriptures promise this. However, I have a hard time wanting this to apply to even the people in my life who are very intentionally making choices that harm other people, trying to tear them down. If these people have parents who keep their covenants, do they get to make it to? That doesn't seem fair to me, when I'm over here trying my hardest to live the right way. The justice part of my brain couldn't make peace with that. In the final chapters, my worries were assuaged. Through quotes from general authorities, Gaskill brought home the point that, in the end, both justice and mercy will prevail. God will take care of all. We are all His children and He wants us all to return to Him, but He will not let any unclean thing enter his presence. It will all work out. I want Him to be merciful with me, so I have to let Him show mercy towards others, trusting that the demands of justice will be met.
I would highly recommend this book to any LDS person looking to gain some additional insight into the plan of salvation. It was extremely thought provoking and allowed my husband and I to have some great discussions. I do have one disclaimer on any book like this, written by a gospel scholar and not as a church publication: THIS BOOK IS OPINION, NOT DOCTRINE. Although Gaskill uses scriptures and quotes from general authorities, he put them together in a way that makes sense to him that support his opinion of the plan of salvation. There are some beautiful truths in this book, but it is up to each of us, individually, to prayerfully consider the ideas and make sense of it.
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Content Warning: Nothing offensive, just a lot of religious stuff!
Target Audience: LDS adults, possibly even teens
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