The Plan of Salvation

In Short

This tract serves as a theological roadmap, outlining the foundational beliefs of the Latter-day Saints regarding the nature and destination of the human soul. By synthesizing biblical scripture with specific doctrinal interpretations, it constructs a comprehensive narrative of the "plan of salvation"—from pre-existence as spirit children to life on earth and final exaltation. It remains a significant historical artifact for understanding how the early leadership of the movement articulated their core distinctives, aiming to reconcile the apparent injustices of the mortal experience with the promise of divine mercy.

The Story

The narrative begins before the foundations of the earth were laid. It posits that every human spirit once resided in the presence of God as a "son of God," a pre-existent being with individual identity and agency. This first phase of existence was not a trial, but a period of development where spirits learned and grew. The transition to the second estate—the earthly life—is presented not as a punishment for past failures, but as a necessary step for progression. To advance in the eternal scale of being, it is essential for a spirit to acquire a body of flesh and bone and to experience the contrast between good and evil, health and sickness, and pain and joy.

Because God is just, this earthly probation serves as the testing ground for faith. The author argues that without a body and the trials of the physical world, the human soul would remain incomplete. However, the path is fraught with confusion due to the conflicting theories of various Christian sects. To navigate this, the book lays out the "first principles" of the gospel: faith in God, repentance from past wrongs, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. These are not merely symbolic gestures but active, required ordinances that act as the doorway into the kingdom of God.

The arc of the story continues past the grave. Many have assumed that the dead are either immediately consigned to heaven or hell. The author challenges this, proposing instead a "prison world" where spirits who did not receive the gospel in life—or who received it through unauthorized channels—are given a further opportunity to hear and accept the message of salvation. This connects the living to the dead; through vicarious baptism performed in temples, those currently on earth can participate in the salvation of their ancestors.

The conclusion of this progression is the restoration of the righteous to the presence of God. The "everlasting punishment" described in scripture is reinterpreted not as an infinite duration of torture for every sinner, but as God’s own punishment, meted out in degrees according to one's works. By providing the deceased with the same opportunities for baptism and the Holy Ghost as the living, the plan is revealed to be universal and complete. It is a grand, encompassing cycle designed to ensure that every soul, given the chance, may eventually return to the celestial home from which they originated, fulfilling the promise that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess.

How It Unfolds

The pre-mortal origins The book opens by establishing the pre-existence of spirits, using biblical references like Job and Luke to demonstrate that humans were nurtured near the side of the Father before birth. It posits that our current earthly life is an extension of this first estate, necessary for gaining a physical form.

The principles of the gospel The argument shifts to the practical requirements of the second estate, emphasizing that faith, repentance, and baptism are the essential steps for advancement. It warns that these are not optional, but are fixed, eternal laws by which the worlds are governed.

The mission to the spirit world The narrative moves to the state of the dead, using the example of the thief on the cross and Jesus’s own post-crucifixion ministry. It argues that Jesus preached to those in the "prison house," thereby offering hope for redemption to those who died without the gospel.

The work of the fathers and children The final section describes the role of Elijah and the importance of vicarious work for the dead in temples. It concludes by framing this as a grand, eternal plan that ensures all of humanity, both living and departed, receives the opportunity for exaltation.

The People

The central figure is the Father, the Creator of spirits, who desires the advancement and return of all His children. He is characterized by a desire to provide every soul with a fair opportunity for growth, regardless of when or where they lived on earth. Jesus acts as the primary intermediary, both as the Son of God who provides the example of perfect obedience and as the Redeemer who opens the prison doors of Hades, ensuring that even those who missed the gospel in life are eventually reached. Joseph Smith is presented as the prophet of the "dispensation of the fullness of times," the one through whom the keys of the priesthood were restored, allowing for the performance of the necessary ordinances for the living and the dead. Finally, the human family—the reader included—is the collective protagonist. Each individual is viewed as a wanderer from an exalted sphere, currently undergoing a probationary test that will ultimately determine their degree of glory in the eternal mansions to come.

In Its Own Voice

"Let us ask ourselves how it would be possible to return to a place, point or locality, which we had never visited."

The author uses this rhetorical question to argue for the necessity of a pre-existent state.

"If you limit the signs following the believer to the day of the apostles, you must also limit salvation to that day."

This assertion is used to challenge the idea that the gifts of the Spirit were intended only for the primitive church.

"He to whom Jesus transferred the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and who stood at the head of the twelve apostles, would certainly be accepted as a competent witness in this matter."

This refers to the Apostle Peter’s authority in explaining Christ's ministry to the spirits in prison.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is an argument for divine justice. It seeks to resolve the problem of how a just God can judge a world where millions have never heard the name of Jesus or received valid baptism. By expanding the timeline of salvation to include both pre-mortal life and a post-mortal spirit world, the author argues that God’s grace is not restricted by the arbitrary circumstances of one’s birth or death. The underlying question is whether the "plan" is truly universal; the author’s answer is a firm yes, provided that the ordinances established by the Creator are honored. It is a defense of theological order, hierarchy, and the necessity of authoritative priesthood in the administration of salvation.

Why Read It Today

This text is essential for any reader interested in the theological foundations of Latter-day Saint thought. It offers a rare, direct look at how the faith justified its distinct ordinances—such as baptism for the dead—against the backdrop of 19th-century American Protestantism. The writing is urgent and argumentative, reflecting the polemical style of the era, and it expects the reader to engage with its logic through the constant citation of biblical proof-texts.

Readers will find the book straightforward and uncompromising. It does not shy away from the exclusive claims of the church, nor does it soften its stance on the necessity of its specific rites. Those who appreciate clear, dogmatic structures will find it a compelling read, while others may find the period language and the intense focus on sectarian debate to be challenging. Ultimately, the book stays with you as an example of a worldview that seeks to provide a totalizing, logical answer to the "where do we come from and where are we going" question. It is not a casual spiritual guide, but a precise, historical manual of belief that remains as deliberate and fixed in its purpose today as when it was first published.