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!

Glorifying God

I have always been puzzled by verses of scripture that talk about God being glorified. For example Paul tells the Corinthians : “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor 6:20). I’m going to reveal my ignorance, but the reason I was puzzled is that to me the word glorify meant to make something glorious—glorious being something or someone that possessed glory. So how could I or any other human being glorify God? He is already glorious.

A little dictionary sleuthing soon solved my problem. Glorify also means “to praise or celebrate.” So what Paul is admonishing the people to do is to celebrate and praise God in their actions and thoughts.

I especially like the celebrate part. I think we talk so much about reverence in Church meetings (which is important and right for meetings!), that we don’t celebrate our Father and Heaven and the Savior enough. Outside of meetings, in our daily living we should be more exuberant about the wonderful things God has given us and done for us. We should remember Them with excitement and enthusiasm. We should rejoice daily in the great gift of the Atonement. This happens through our thoughts and words, but the best way to be excited and show our enthusiasm is to do what They have taught us to do. Every time we suppress a bad thought, control our temper, refrain from gossiping, refuse to tell a white lie, pay our tithing, or obey any commandment of God, we are glorifying God. At those times we should rejoice and celebrate the fact that we know what it is God want us to do so that we can do it. There are many people in the world who don’t have that knowledge. But we do! Rejoice! Glorify God! Celebrate God!

In short, what I am saying is that to glorify God means to live in such a happy and obedient way that God is obvious to others in your life.

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8).