Which Glory Am I Quickened By?

The scriptures teach us that at any moment of any given day you and I are “quickened by the glory” of either the celestial, terrestrial or telestial. (See D&C 88.)  Which glory we choose to let quicken us makes all the difference in our condition in this world and the next. 

But the two words used here, quicken and glory, are not words we use much and so sometimes the meaning goes right over our heads and we fail to grasp the significance of what we are being taught. The word glory is usually used to mean “praise, honor, or distinction” but there is another definition of the word that fits what we are talking about. Glory can also means, “a distinguished quality or asset.”

There are several definitions of the word quicken in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and the best way to sense how the Lord is using the word is to exam all of them. Quicken means “to come to life” or “to enter into a phase of active growth and development” or “to shine more brightly.” Each of these definitions contains the meanings of growth and progress. In a dictionary for people who are learning English, quicken is defined as, “to make (something, such as a feeling) stronger or more active” or “to become stronger or more active.”

When we put these two meanings together we realize that “quickened by a portion of the celestial glory” (D&C 88:29) means that we are being made active by the qualities of and assets of the celestial world. In my own words this means we are being motivated and influenced by celestial values. 

So what are the qualities or values of the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial? On a telestial level we are motivated by selfishness and greed. On a terrestrial level we are motivated by success and pride. And on a celestial level we are level motivated by trust in Jesus Christ and charity or the pure love of Christ.

In the scriptures we are taught that in the resurrection we will be restored to the body we have “made” while in this life. If in this life we responded to telestial glory we will be restored to that telestial body we developed while on earth. If we responded to terrestrial glory we will be restored to a terrestrial body. If we respond to celestial glory or influences we will be restored to a celestial body.

But this isn’t just about what will come in the future. Right now we live in a celestial, terrestrial, or telestial state of being depending on what we respond to. Living in Truth means living and responding to celestial glory means that we have access to a portion of the “assets and qualities” of celestial life right now. And what are those qualities? Love, peace, happiness, joy, and truth. It all can be ours, now!