As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a special understanding of the eternal nature of our souls. We know that we had a premortal existence. We accepted our Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness and chose to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Consequently, we were permitted to enter mortal life. We understand that we will live a postmortal life of infinite duration and that we determine the kind of life it will be by our thoughts and actions in mortality.
Mortality is very brief but immeasurably important.
We are also eternal beings. Our presence here on earth is an essential step in our loving Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for His children. 6 Right now, this very moment, is part of our eternal progression towards returning with our families to the presence of our Father in Heaven. How different this world would be if every person realized that all of his actions have eternal consequences. How much more satisfying our years may be if . . .