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!

Quickening

During the last decade science has taken gigantic leaps at understanding what goes on in the brain. Many things are still a mystery, but new imaging techniques have allowed scientists to see what chemical reactions happen when someone laughs or cries or lies or any number of things that originate in the brain. One of the things now recognized is that every thought a person has sends electrical signals through the brain. What this means is that every thought has very real physical properties that have significant impact on every cell in a person’s body. Negative thoughts don’t just influence attitudes; they negatively impact the entire body. Positive thoughts have positive impact—on every cell of the body.

This is very interesting in light of what we are taught in Doctrine and Covenants 88:28-31 about the resurrection. There we are told that “They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.”

According to this instruction from the Lord, at any given moment we are responding to a power or influence that “quickens” or makes alive our bodies. As we respond to celestial influences we are quickens by celestial glory and our bodies are changed to celestial bodies so that eventually we will be restored to a fullness of celestial glory.

When we understand this concept, we realize that every decision we make has eternal consequences. When we live in truth we are slowly being changed into celestial beings. Decision at a time, line upon line, we are changing and becoming!