When we use or interpret the word “eternal” we often think of it as a measurement of time or even the inability to measure time.  Yes, it can be used in that way, but when it is coupled with the word “life” (“eternal life”) it is referring to something more specific.

“Eternal” in the context of “Eternal Life” is referring to a “type of life.”  I would even venture to use the term, “lifestyle”, but don’t think of lying on your side being fed grapes by servants.  This type of life or lifestyle is the experience, presence, comfort, and access to God’s glory.  The glory of God is the mind, truth or intelligence of God. It is light that is visible through both temporal eyes and spiritual eyes. The sensation and emotion of the glory of God is love. The glory of God has immense power because all things under heaven and in the earth obey God.

For this “type of life” or “lifestyle” think of an all-encompassing bubble of light hovering above you, below you and a 360-degree visual scape around you.  Visualize the ability to discern everything spiritual in front of you, behind you and in all directions around you.  Now, sense your uninhibited access to anything at your fingertips.  Visualize truth past, present or future instantaneously through thought as if you are bathing or submerged in liquid truth.  Visualize standing in an interactive classroom with screens of knowledge (truth) to your every question.

“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).

It is the greatest gift of God because it is the environment, presence, comfort, and access to the things that are in God’s environment, in the presence of God, comfortable to God and accessible to God.  It is “life” because you are living, dwelling, moving, acting and reacting in the midst of the glory of God.  It is the seemingly ordinary living experience that God experiences.

This same “eternal” type of life or lifestyle is meant to be received in the here and now–mortality.

The term “eternal life” is mentioned dozens of times in the scriptures and more than twenty times just in the Book of Mormon.  Now, see (visualize) it differently.

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