Between Terrestrial and Celestial

Look for what made these people Terrestrial rather than Celestial.

79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.

Doctrine & Covenants 76:79

Did you see the key word “valiant”?  So does that mean those Terrestrial people just were not good enough to make the cut?

Let’s consider the word valiant in another context.  What would make someone a valiant basketball player on a team? Could you have a valiant member of the team that is not on the starting line up? Yes. The valiant team member is one of those trying their best; first one at practice, last to leave.  The valiant players always give their best even though they might not be the most talented players on the team.  Could you have the opposite, someone on the starting lineup that's not a valiant member of the team?  Sure; they are the kind people that their half effort is better than another’s total effort.  They are just naturally good.  So we see that valiant is not a measurement of how good a person is, but rather what kind of effort they are putting into it.

That can give us all great hope.  I don’t have to be as good as Brother or Sister ______.  To the Savior, I only need to be trying my best; even if my best isn’t nearly as good as someone else’s best. When I fall down, I get back up and keep trying. All of us who are honestly striving to follow the Lord are going to make it no matter how imperfect we are.

Today’s Takeaway: If you are sincerely trying to grow and follow the Savior, take comfort that you are going to make it to Celestial Glory. One step in front of the other.