Vila Real, is located in an area known as “Tras-Os-Montes” which means behind the hills. In order to reach this area you have to travel through the longest tunnel in Portugal. The tunnel is 3 1/2 miles long and was completed in May 2016. Here are some photos:
SCRIPTURE POWER
How long is the “space granted unto man in which he might repent”? (Alma 12:24)
“And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.” (Alma 12:24)
Alma, coins the phrase “this life” and defines it as the time prior to that “endless state…which is after the resurrection” Therefore, the “space granted unto man in which he might repent” defined as: “this life” is from birth until the resurrection. Notice the phrase is not “this mortal life”.
Even though repentance can occur after death in the Spirit World prior to the resurrection, Alma, taught in this same discourse to the Nehorites in Ammonihah: “Now is the time to repent.. And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;” (Alma 13:21,27)
Alma explains to Corianton: “ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.” (Alma 39:8) “I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead.” (Alma 40:1) Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.” (Alma 40:9)
Interestingly, the phrase “probationary state” or “probationary time” which are from birth until the resurrection are only used by Alma in Alma 12:24 and when speaking to Corianton in Alma 42: 4,10 & 13.
However, the phrase: “day(s) of probation” refers consistently to mortality in the Book of Mormon. “If ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation” (1 Ne. 10:21) “works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.” (1 Ne. 15:32) “the days of the children of men were prolonged…that they might repent while in the flesh..a state of probation” (2 Ne. 2:21) “waste the the days of his probation” (2 Ne. 9:27) “continue in the path until the end of the day of probation” (2 Ne. 33:9) “your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation” (Hel. 13:38) “Be wise in the days of your probation” (Mor. 9:28)
Also, the 4 times the word “procrastinate” or “procrastinated” are used it is always “procrastinate the day” (Alma 13:27; Alma 34:33,35; “procrastinated the day” (Hel. 13:38)
Amulek, who was present when Alma introduced the term “this life” would later use this same phrase four (4) times in speaking to the apostate Zoramites.
“Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life [birth until the resurrection] is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day [mortality] of this life [birth until the resurrection] is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end [resurrection]; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life,[birth until the resurrection] then cometh the night of darkness [after the resurrection] wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis,[resurrection and final judgement] that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies [spiritual bodies] at the time that ye go out of this life, [at the resurrection] that same spirit will have power to possess your body [resurrected body] in that eternal world.”
“For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his;[“at the last day” Alma 34:39] therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.” (Alma 34:31-35) (see also Alma 30:42)
What about those who “die in their sins”? (2 Ne. 9:38; Mosiah 15:26; Moroni 10:26)
“The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.” (D & C 138: 58-59)
“And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel. Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, (1.) without a knowledge of the truth, or (2.) in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know...” (D & C 138:31-34)
Even those who “rejected the prophets…who died in their sins” can be “washed clean”. Indeed, “all who would repent”.
The Vision in D & C 76: “And the only ones [sons of perdition] on whom the second death shall have any power; Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. Wherefore, he saves all except them” (D & C 76:37-44)
Jesus suffered for all. When we repent we don’t have to suffer. However, those that have not repented in mortality will suffer as they repent in the Spirit World.
“Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;” (D & C 19:15-17)
It appears that Corianton, was attempting to rationalize his sin, while procrastinating his repentance.
Alma, says: “And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.” (Alma 41:9-10) “Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins” (Alma 42:30) “she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee” (Alma 39:4)
“And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing.” (Alma 41:1)
Nehor, is an example of someone who wrested the scriptures and went far astray concerning restoration. “And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.” (Alma 1:4)
Jacob, explains God’s promise to parents who’s children die in their sins, in unbelief.
“For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.” (2 Ne. 10:2)
Our children will be restored to the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
In mortality we are able to dull our conscience and perhaps any feelings of guilt. However, King Benjamin, taught that if one “remained and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul” (Mosiah 2:33) “Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.” (Mosiah 2:38) Those that have not repented at the resurrection and final judgement will “have a bright recollection of all our guilt” (Alma 11:43)
At death the unrepentant will have their “immortal soul” “awaken[ed]” “to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth… fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire”
This is similar to what Alma the younger experienced for three days and three nights. He tells Shiblon: “And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.” (Alma 38:8)
The solution for Alma, Corianton or those in the Spirit World who feel “guilt, and pain, and anguish” is to repent by exercising faith in Jesus Christ who is “mighty to save” (2 Ne. 31:19; Alma 7:14; 34:18; D & C 133:47; Isaiah 63:1)
How great that we have a promise that “our children shall be restored…to..the true knowledge of their redeemer” (2 Ne. 10:2) Jesus Christ, is the only solution to end the guilt, pain and anguish.
(Gospel Topics-Physical Death) states: “A place called spirit prison is reserved for “those who [have] died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:32). The spirits in prison are “taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that [are] necessary for them to know” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:33–34). If they accept the principles of the gospel, repent of their sins, and accept ordinances performed in their behalf in temples, they will be welcomed into paradise.”
My sense is that most everyone that feels “guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire” (Mosiah 2:38) will look for a solution. Inasmuch, as “our children shall be restored..to.. the true knowledge of their redeemer” (2 Ne. 10:2) then “they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish” (Alma 13:10) will turn to “the Redeemer of the world” (1 Ne. 11:27) “after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean” (D & C 138:58-59) they will be welcomed into paradise.
Alma’s concluding words to Corianton: “..that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them.” (Alma 42:31) The “great plan of mercy” will have claim on all those that repent in mortality or in the Spirit World.
Nephi concludes his writing with: “I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat…. And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.” (2 Ne. 33:7,12)
Additionally, these statements should also fill us with Hope!
Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in 1929: “The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110.) (see 2 Ne. 26:15)
Elder David A. Bednar commenting on the above statement said: “The influence of parents who honor covenants and obey commandments indeed can have a decisive spiritual impact upon children who stray by activating the tentacles of divine Providence—in ways that have not been revealed fully and are not understood completely. However, righteous parental influence (1) does not replace in the life of an individual the need for the redeeming and strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, (2) does not overrule the consequences of the unrighteous exercise of moral agency, and (3) does not negate the responsibility of an individual as an agent “to act … and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). (Faithful Parents and Wayward Children, Ensign, March 2014).
President Henry B. Eyring said: “For some, that eternal joy may seem a faint or even a fading hope. Parents, children, brothers, and sisters may have made choices that seem to disqualify them from eternal life. You may even wonder whether you have yet been qualified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, “You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.” (“The Hope of Eternal Family Love”, Ensign, August 2016) also (“A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells, Ensign, May, 2019)
President Brigham Young said: “Let the father and mother, who are members of this Church and Kingdom, take a righteous course, and strive with all their might never to do a wrong, but to do good all their lives; if they have one child or one hundred children, if they conduct themselves towards them as they should, binding them to the Lord by their faith and prayers, I care not where those children go, they are bound up to their parents by an everlasting tie, and no power of earth or hell can separate them from their parents in eternity; they will return again to the fountain from whence they sprang” (quoted in Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:90–91).
President Lorenzo Snow (Fifth President of the Church) said: “If you succeed in passing through these trials and afflictions and receive a resurrection, you will, by the power of the Priesthood, work and labor, as the Son of God has, until you get all your sons and daughters in the path of exaltation and glory. This is just as sure as that the sun rose this morning over yonder mountains. Therefore, mourn not because all your sons and daughters do not follow in the path that you have marked out to them, or give heed to your counsels. Inasmuch as we succeed in securing eternal glory, and stand as saviors, and as kings and priests to our God, we will save our posterity” (in Collected Discourses, comp. Brian H. Stuy, 5 vols. [1987–92], 3:364).
President Boyd K. Packer (Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) said: “The measure of our success as parents … will not rest solely on how our children turn out. That judgment would be just only if we could raise our families in a perfectly moral environment, and that now is not possible. It is not uncommon for responsible parents to lose one of their children, for a time, to influences over which they have no control. They agonize over rebellious sons or daughters. They are puzzled over why they are so helpless when they have tried so hard to do what they should. “It is my conviction that those wicked influences one day will be overruled. …
“We cannot overemphasize the value of temple marriage, the binding ties of the sealing ordinance, and the standards of worthiness required of them. When parents keep the covenants they have made at the altar of the temple, their children will be forever bound to them” (“Our Moral Environment,” Ensign, May 1992, 68).
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