Exaltation is earned by accepting Jesus Christ and His divine Sonship and following His precepts, Elder Royden G. Derrick of the First Quorum of the Seventy said Sunday afternoon.
The Lord has promised everyone resurrection and immortality, declared Elder Derrick, but there is a promise beyond that - "a reward for service rendered and for attainment. The reward is exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."Elder Derrick cited the Beatitudes (found in Matt. 5 and 3 Nephi) as steps toward achieving exaltation.
Step 1: Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (3 Ne. 12:3) "To come unto Christ, one's first step is to come forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit."
Step 2: Blessed are all they that mourn: For they shall be comforted. "The Apostle Paul spoke of a godly sorrow for our sins which is essential to our spiritual progress."
Step 3: Blessed are the meek: For they shall inherit the earth. "This is an important virtue that one must develop in preparation for entrance into the celestial kingdom."
Step 4: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: For they shall be filled. "To understand the gospel of Jesus Christ one must first have a strong desire to learn and a willingness to study."
Step 5: Blessed are the merciful: For they shall obtain mercy. "Webster's dictionary defines mercy as compassion or forbearance shown to any offender."
Step 6: Blessed are the pure in heart: For they shall see God. "When one extends mercy to others, he develops purity of heart."
Step 7: Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shall be called the children of God. "Once one has gained purity of heart, he receives peace in his mind and peace in his heart."
Step 8: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Elder Derrick urged members to partake of the sacrament regularly. "When we do so, based upon sincere repentance, our baptismal covenants are renewed," he explained. "The Lord forgives us, and we start anew."
When the Savior taught the Sermon on the Mount, He counseled His followers to become perfect, "even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." (Matt. 5:48.) After His resurrection, the Savior repeated this charge to the people of ancient America, with one change, "be perfect, even as I, or your Father who is in Heaven is perfect." (3 Ne. 12:48.)
"Something important occurred between that time," Elder Derrick observed. "The SaviorT went through His Gethsemane where He drank the bitter cup and did not shrink. We, too, must strive for perfection, bear up under our problems and our sorrows, remain faithful to the end, and not shrink."
