Celestial Thinking

In the address, “Think Celestial!”, President Russell M. Nelson discusses a method to help us on the covenant path. When faced with any situation, “Think celestial!” But what does “think celestial” mean? Why is this important? Does it take away from our focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ? These are the questions I will attempt to answer in this post.

God’s Work and Glory

In order to understand why the prophet of God would exhort us to think celestially, we need to understand God’s purpose for us. God told Moses that His “work and glory” are to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). He also stated to Abraham that we are here to be proved to see if we “will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us].” To Jeremiah came the insight that God knew us before he formed us in the belly (Jeremiah 1:5). Job learned that he sang with the stars and shouted with the sons of God (Job 38:7).

We see from these scriptures that God’s plan was to create a way for us to live in the Celestial Kingdom. Christ reaffirmed this with His apostles when he said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Finally, Paul tells us that “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (1 Corinthians 15:40).

When put into the context of God’s plan, celestial thinking is thinking about the glory we want to have after we leave this mortal existence. Celestial thinking brings us into alignment with God’s plan and helps us, and others, achieve God’s work and glory.

But What About Jesus?

I saw a lot of discussion about celestial thinking and why the focus of that thinking isn’t on the Savior. However, if you truly think about it, celestial thinking leads you automatically to the Savior. We’ve all heard the phrase “What would Jesus do?” That is celestial thinking! Christ did nothing on this earth that didn’t allow men to achieve the Celestial Kingdom. If we do the works Jesus did, we are thinking celestially. There is no separation between thinking of Jesus and thinking celestially.

Christ is our example in all things. This includes how to live in a manner that will allow us to enter the Celestial Kingdom. His Atonement makes it possible for each of us to correct our mistakes (non-celestial thinking) and realign ourselves on the Covenant Path.

In fact, President Nelson admonishes us in his address to “Put Jesus Christ first, because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and His Atonement.” Anyone who states that President Nelson wants us to move away from Jesus by “thinking celestially” doesn’t understand that the two are interconnected. To think on Jesus is to think celestially.

Where Do I Want To Be?

Doctrine and Covenants section 88:22 states, “For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.” This begs the question, “Where do I want to be after this life?” Do I want to live in the celestial kingdom with my Heavenly Father and my Savior? Do I want to enjoy the blessings of living with my eternal companion? How would I feel if I didn’t make it there and had to abide in a lesser glory, regardless of how awesome that glory is?

I believe that we all strive to live our best lives. I know that every day I try to live in accordance with God’s plan. I want to be in the celestial kingdom. I want to be by Cheryl’s side and experience the fullness of God’s glory. I also know that I am not perfect. Yet I have the example of the Savior that shows me how to live. I can, and do, take advantage of the Atonement so that my mistakes can be erased and I can be on the path to celestial glory.

“As you think celestial, your faith will increase” stated President Nelson. I have had numerous experiences where this has proven to be true. Cheryl asked me recently if I would ever leave this church. I told her I would not. Why? Because of the experiences I have had. My faith has only grown, and no amount of imperfections from others can change those personal experiences. As Joseph Smith stated “I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation” (Joseph Smith – History 1)

Conclusion

Celestial thinking allows us to see where we want to be after this mortal probation has ended. It does not distract us from focusing on the Savior, rather it enhances that focus as He is the perfect example. Jesus Christ is the answer. If we choose to think celestially, our faith in Jesus increases, our faith in God’s plan increases, and our actions will be such that we can abide a celestial glory and live in the celestial kingdom where God and Christ dwell.