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Odds Are You're Going to Be Exalted: Evidence That the Plan of Salvation Works
Many Latter-day Saints worry whether they're capable of reaching the celestial kingdom. Are these anxieties born of a sense of unworthiness, or is it that we just don't think we can "do it all?" Author Alonzo L. Gaskill believes that such pessimism results from misunderstanding God's great plan of happiness and what it is that the Lord actually requires of us. In this hope-filled book, he reviews the teachings of the scriptures and modern prophets to instill in readers a greater sense of God's unfailing love and mercy and of His power and desire to exalt His children. Exaltation may be not only possible but probable!
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First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 22, 2018
4.5 stars overall. Gaskill is an incredible scholar and brilliant thinker, and I have loved reading his books over the years. A BYU professor and former professor at Harvard, while holding degrees in theology, psychology and biblical studies, Alonso Gaskill is not afraid to talk about deep and meaningful topics. This book felt very different to me, simpler than his more in depth studies of historical and symbolic elements of religion. It is really quite an easy read but that doesn't make it less powerful.
Gaskill, a convert to the LDS church, often sees things in the Mormon culture through different eyes- and I absolutely love that about him. I really feel there tends to be a bit of pessimism along with perfectionism in the church, and with this book the author points out why that is not in line with God's plan of salvation and exaltation.
This book is completely full of message after message found in scriptures, the words of prophets and apostles , and every day anecdotes pointing out how merciful our Heavenly Father is. It points out beautifully how both GRACE and WORKS change and save us. Not one of us is perfect, aside from Christ himself, and thus our relying on Christ every single day is essential. God is a loving father who created a plan to save as many of His children as possible, all the while allowing the act of being saved as a choice to us. That message alone is so profound and so beautifully explained in this book.
Here is a small snippet of the message;
"Christ has the composite picture. He knows the details. And his adding of all things atoned for us in not a negative picture of overwhelming guilt but rather a beautiful portrait of overwhelming understanding..... We must never doubt or give way to despair, we must not lose hope.... it is our responsibility to assume the best- and to believe that all flesh is in God's hands."
Gaskill tackles such topics as those young lives who die before the age of accountability, those born with handicaps, those in areas of the world where the gospel is not available to them. He lays out the case of how God indeed set forth a plan to reach every soul, in one way or another. If members took nothing more away than that optimism coupled with the importance of serving in the temple this would be life-changing book.
Again- the topics are heavy but the writing is not. If anything, I craved a little more intense and deeper discussions at some points, but that is not the point of this book. It lays down the case for optimism, hope, and ultimately for the responsibility of serving others along the way to bring them closer to God as well. I am so grateful I read this one.
Gaskill, a convert to the LDS church, often sees things in the Mormon culture through different eyes- and I absolutely love that about him. I really feel there tends to be a bit of pessimism along with perfectionism in the church, and with this book the author points out why that is not in line with God's plan of salvation and exaltation.
This book is completely full of message after message found in scriptures, the words of prophets and apostles , and every day anecdotes pointing out how merciful our Heavenly Father is. It points out beautifully how both GRACE and WORKS change and save us. Not one of us is perfect, aside from Christ himself, and thus our relying on Christ every single day is essential. God is a loving father who created a plan to save as many of His children as possible, all the while allowing the act of being saved as a choice to us. That message alone is so profound and so beautifully explained in this book.
Here is a small snippet of the message;
"Christ has the composite picture. He knows the details. And his adding of all things atoned for us in not a negative picture of overwhelming guilt but rather a beautiful portrait of overwhelming understanding..... We must never doubt or give way to despair, we must not lose hope.... it is our responsibility to assume the best- and to believe that all flesh is in God's hands."
Gaskill tackles such topics as those young lives who die before the age of accountability, those born with handicaps, those in areas of the world where the gospel is not available to them. He lays out the case of how God indeed set forth a plan to reach every soul, in one way or another. If members took nothing more away than that optimism coupled with the importance of serving in the temple this would be life-changing book.
Again- the topics are heavy but the writing is not. If anything, I craved a little more intense and deeper discussions at some points, but that is not the point of this book. It lays down the case for optimism, hope, and ultimately for the responsibility of serving others along the way to bring them closer to God as well. I am so grateful I read this one.
July 14, 2010
This was worth reading and I'm glad I did! The first couple of chapters were not very thought-provoking, and left me feeling a little unlucky... I appreciated the logic and connections made throughout the remainder of the book though. This theme was my favorite and makes so much sense, that if no unclean thing can enter His presence and we know that the Holy Ghost can only influence us when we are clean and sincerely repentant, then "...it seems one of the easiest ways to know your standing before the Lord is to look for the Spirit's active and regular influence in your life. If you are frequently feeling, often being directed by, or consistently being prompted by the Holy Ghost, you are on the right path." Being on the right path means being OPTIMISTIC about being able to be received into the Celestial Kingdom, pending continued worthiness. And being influenced by the Holy Ghost brings joy, peace, etc., and a desire to do good not fear and pessimism. Last thought, repentance is our willingness to change and our willingness to be right before the Lord. We can't be perfect in this life, so the Lord accepts our willingness and He makes up the difference. Maybe not new thoughts, but appreciated thinking about them in a new light! Maybe that last question in the temple recommend interview won't seem so hard to answer now that I have a specific tool to use... Worth reading for yourself!
July 11, 2008
This book just screams "Hope". For every Saint who's ever had a Gospel Doctrine teacher fix the entire class with a baleful gaze while intoning "There were five foolish virgins and five wise virgins, so HALF of you are NOT going to make it to the Celestial Kingdom (pause for dramatic effect) WHICH ONES OF YOU AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT?" there is this beautiful hope-filled counter-argument that the Plan of Salvation (NOT the Plan of Misery and Despair--loved that note!) really works, that the all-powerful God our Father didn't make a defective plan, that He loves us more than we can imagine, and that if only we'll keep plugging away, we'll make it. His power to save even surpasses my power to mess up--He knows I WANT to come home. What a comforting note. This is a good book for periodic re-reading.
September 11, 2012
After my last church book (Forgive for Good, a book about forgiving others, which is really tough for everyone), I decided to read church books that are very appealing to me. This book, based on the title alone, show how appealing Mormonism is.
This was a nice uplifting read. The title sums it up quite nicely.
Of course I had to bring it into Elder's Quorum and base a lesson around it. They should have known better than to put me in the presidency of anything.
I just realized that I checked out this book from the UCLA Institute of Religion last February. I should give it back. I'll file that away in my "to-do" list.
This was a nice uplifting read. The title sums it up quite nicely.
Of course I had to bring it into Elder's Quorum and base a lesson around it. They should have known better than to put me in the presidency of anything.
I just realized that I checked out this book from the UCLA Institute of Religion last February. I should give it back. I'll file that away in my "to-do" list.
September 12, 2008
What a wonderfully comforting and enlightening book! Bro. Alonzo Gaskill builds on work done in the same vein by authors such as Robert Millett and Stephen Robinson, highlighting the love God has for us that overcomes all. There is too much of value in Bro. Gaskill's thoughts to convey entirely here, but let me summarize a few thoughts that really stood out for me.
Impatience puts us at risk...we do not then honor the words "in process of time" and thus we miss opportunities for personal growth and development. I would add that, since "men [and women] are that they might have joy" we also put at risk our enjoyment of the beauties of the world around us, something Heavenly Father wants for us.
From time to time, we are blessed with the companionship of the Holy Spirit, for example in priesthood blessings or in the bearing of testimony. That same Spirit cannot dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Consequently, as Elder McConkie taught, "when men [and women] receive the Spirit, they become clean and pure and spotless." That truth is taught in James 5:14-15 and D&C 62"3. Thus, one way to know of your standing before the Lord is to look for the Spirit's active and regular influence in your life.
Our Father in Heaven is a successful parent, and will save far more of his children than he will lose. For those of us who have transgressed (ummm, all of us), that is important to understand. That happens through what Elder Neal A. Maxwell described as the "awful arithmetic of the Atonement." Hence his plea to the Father while on the cross to "forgive them for they know not what they do." His persecutors hadn't even asked for forgiveness, and yet he pleaded on their behalf in that most cruel of moments anyway.
We are certainly responsible for what we know, but many do not know. Some do not know beacuse they have not been taught the truth; others do not know because, although they have been taught, they do not grasp the truth. I believe that is true for most of us at one time or another, perhaps often, and is one powerful reason why we should not stoop to judging others.
Finally, as Bro. Gaskill writes, "God knows we're going to fall short. His expectation of us is not perfection but an attitude of willingness to endure, sorrow for sin, and a determination to move ourselves bit by bit toward Him in our nature, thoughts, and actions." This is what Hugh Nibley referred to as the "Doctrine of the Two Ways."
Great book! Be sure to read the chapter notes also, as their is much of value there also.
Impatience puts us at risk...we do not then honor the words "in process of time" and thus we miss opportunities for personal growth and development. I would add that, since "men [and women] are that they might have joy" we also put at risk our enjoyment of the beauties of the world around us, something Heavenly Father wants for us.
From time to time, we are blessed with the companionship of the Holy Spirit, for example in priesthood blessings or in the bearing of testimony. That same Spirit cannot dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Consequently, as Elder McConkie taught, "when men [and women] receive the Spirit, they become clean and pure and spotless." That truth is taught in James 5:14-15 and D&C 62"3. Thus, one way to know of your standing before the Lord is to look for the Spirit's active and regular influence in your life.
Our Father in Heaven is a successful parent, and will save far more of his children than he will lose. For those of us who have transgressed (ummm, all of us), that is important to understand. That happens through what Elder Neal A. Maxwell described as the "awful arithmetic of the Atonement." Hence his plea to the Father while on the cross to "forgive them for they know not what they do." His persecutors hadn't even asked for forgiveness, and yet he pleaded on their behalf in that most cruel of moments anyway.
We are certainly responsible for what we know, but many do not know. Some do not know beacuse they have not been taught the truth; others do not know because, although they have been taught, they do not grasp the truth. I believe that is true for most of us at one time or another, perhaps often, and is one powerful reason why we should not stoop to judging others.
Finally, as Bro. Gaskill writes, "God knows we're going to fall short. His expectation of us is not perfection but an attitude of willingness to endure, sorrow for sin, and a determination to move ourselves bit by bit toward Him in our nature, thoughts, and actions." This is what Hugh Nibley referred to as the "Doctrine of the Two Ways."
Great book! Be sure to read the chapter notes also, as their is much of value there also.
March 6, 2014
I really liked this book. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially any members of the church. My dad had this laying around in his office at home and I borrowed it. He had already read it and marked all over in it, which I liked.
It is written by a BYU professor but it is not published by the church. Although he quotes scriptures and conference talks and other church leaders through out the book.
It talks about how basically if we live a good life, always striving to have the spirit with us, we will be exalted. That is the Plan.
Heavenly Father wants us to return back to him. He did not make it hard. It is simple. Just to the things that would keep the spirit with you and Jesus' Atonement takes care of the rest.
He also talks about how many people will probably be exalted. Some of those are all those who die before the age of accountability, which is a lot.
He also talks about death, having a wayward children and the sealing powers of temples.
Even though we may not understand how Heavenly Father does things and how he will make things right, this book makes me feel good.
It is written by a BYU professor but it is not published by the church. Although he quotes scriptures and conference talks and other church leaders through out the book.
It talks about how basically if we live a good life, always striving to have the spirit with us, we will be exalted. That is the Plan.
Heavenly Father wants us to return back to him. He did not make it hard. It is simple. Just to the things that would keep the spirit with you and Jesus' Atonement takes care of the rest.
He also talks about how many people will probably be exalted. Some of those are all those who die before the age of accountability, which is a lot.
He also talks about death, having a wayward children and the sealing powers of temples.
Even though we may not understand how Heavenly Father does things and how he will make things right, this book makes me feel good.
February 22, 2016
I love what this book has taught me... and the following quotes will show you some of what that is.
... the Spirit enabled Christ to know exactly... what it was like to be you and me... what it was like to have the temptations we have, while having the background we have, and the health we have, and the family we have, and the history we have... Please know, if you are struggling, God understands why you are as you are!
... as we grow in the Spirit, gaining a familiarity with how He speaks to us individually, honing our ability to follow those promptings, we will experience the promised change in our outlook and behavior.
... although we are all judged by the same laws, our circumstances influence what is expected of us individually under those laws. From the very beginning of the Plan's institution, we each understood that we would have less ability than Jesus to keep the Father's commandments... Our inequality with Christ made this a necessary component of the Father's plan. Likewise, you and I are also unequal in our individual abilities to keep the commandments, when compared to each other.
... the Spirit enabled Christ to know exactly... what it was like to be you and me... what it was like to have the temptations we have, while having the background we have, and the health we have, and the family we have, and the history we have... Please know, if you are struggling, God understands why you are as you are!
... as we grow in the Spirit, gaining a familiarity with how He speaks to us individually, honing our ability to follow those promptings, we will experience the promised change in our outlook and behavior.
... although we are all judged by the same laws, our circumstances influence what is expected of us individually under those laws. From the very beginning of the Plan's institution, we each understood that we would have less ability than Jesus to keep the Father's commandments... Our inequality with Christ made this a necessary component of the Father's plan. Likewise, you and I are also unequal in our individual abilities to keep the commandments, when compared to each other.
December 16, 2024
I will read this book again. Probably several times over. It is a very easy read but it holds enough weight in my eyes to alter pessimistic and fearful views concerning God’s plan and our own (and others) outcome in regard to living in God’s presence as exalted beings. Some chapters have more brevity than others but nonetheless each chapter carries enough prophetic and scriptural teachings that should be able to sway any negative Nancy into a Positive Pete. As President Hinckley once said, “don’t be a pickle sucker.” Find the sweetness in all things. I have an increased and improved confidence in the perfect nature of God’s plan and Christ’s Atonement after reading this book. Thanks Alonzo, for a great read. You’re a gentleman and a scholar.
March 7, 2018
Great book that has really moved my thinking. The Mormon church has always been a near universal salvation church and this book helped shift my thinking that just maybe most of us will be saved in the highest kingdom possible. The only question is can people move between kingdoms once the final judgement has been levied, and officially there is no stance. Based on the evidence in the book and the numerous promises concerning wayward children (also in the book) I believe yes, there will be progression between kingdoms.
March 17, 2010
It's easy enough to read. It's really positive, so if you are critical or down, this is good. There are a lot of scriptures, but also he has a lot of his own opinions - a few which I felt uncomfortable with.
June 9, 2020
A short book looking at the Plan of Salvation and how successful it will be! We were not sent here to fail and the Lord will be merciful. What is most important are the desires of our hearts and the direction we are heading. He expands on comforting doctrines. An uplifting and inspiring read!
May 11, 2017
Not sure the coverage of this topic was quite worth a full book, smaller size, larger print, it felt stretched. An article in a journal would have been more fitting. There were a few things that made me smile, like all his personal examples showed Alonzo in a bright light and the contrasting people in utter darkness (fellow high priests, in a ward he was visiting of course, a missionary companion, a fellow Christian) his examples turned me off, as you don't make a point by putting others down to raise yourself up.
He quotes McConkie too much, yes, I've read everything Bruce wrote, some twice, but he had a lot of dogmatic opinions. I literally laughed out loud when he quoted Bruce's son Joseph from "personal correspondence" to make a point - I was like seriously, just because Joseph said it, it must be true - not the best way to support a point you're trying to make.
The redeeming factor of the book, was the few quotes that most members of the church don't come across or know about, so from that perspective, I like the quotes, which have been around a long time!!
He quotes McConkie too much, yes, I've read everything Bruce wrote, some twice, but he had a lot of dogmatic opinions. I literally laughed out loud when he quoted Bruce's son Joseph from "personal correspondence" to make a point - I was like seriously, just because Joseph said it, it must be true - not the best way to support a point you're trying to make.
The redeeming factor of the book, was the few quotes that most members of the church don't come across or know about, so from that perspective, I like the quotes, which have been around a long time!!
May 27, 2024
Excellent gospel treatise.
While some may take exception to his entire premise, he nevertheless does an excellent job of documenting his reasoning and thought process, quoting many of the latter day prophets as well as ancient scripture. Gaskill is a much better writer than so many who simply churn out their view of doctrinal points. The book is well organized, and the notes and bibliography are extensive, showing that he has done considerable research in supporting his thoughts on the matter. I enjoyed this book very much and it has taught me some things that I hadn't considered previously.
While some may take exception to his entire premise, he nevertheless does an excellent job of documenting his reasoning and thought process, quoting many of the latter day prophets as well as ancient scripture. Gaskill is a much better writer than so many who simply churn out their view of doctrinal points. The book is well organized, and the notes and bibliography are extensive, showing that he has done considerable research in supporting his thoughts on the matter. I enjoyed this book very much and it has taught me some things that I hadn't considered previously.
July 29, 2017
A great, uplifting read. Well researched ( that is, there are plenty of conference talks, scripture references, and quotes from prophets to support everything he says); some good things to think about, would recommend.
March 29, 2019
For everyone that judges themselves more harshly than anyone else and thinks they'll never be good enough. There's hope. Heavenly Father's plans were for the least of us to have the greatest blessings. It's likely you're doing just fine.
July 17, 2020
I had my usual concerns with this book as I do with any book on LDS doctrine. In short, I'd rather just read the scriptures if I want to hear what God has to say. But I do appreciate the author's optimism. I think that's needed in the church.
January 8, 2018
It's not my favorite of his book, but I did like it and learned some important truths. It's well worth the read, I just enjoyed his other books more.
March 6, 2018
4 1/2 stars. Clearly written and with very comforting and intriguing analysis about the plan of salvation.
March 24, 2018
I enjoyed this, don't get me wrong. But I think it would have been better as a pamphlet. It was the same basic points reiterated over and over. And I grew impatient.... So dnf. 😬.
May 2, 2019
He offers tons of references, scriptures and logic to teach what has been given to us, pretty good stuff
December 4, 2019
This book is so well written and brings up so many great points. It is also very well referenced. Leaves me full of HOPE!!! Highly recommend.
January 27, 2020
Enjoyed reading the info, but did not love the way it was presented. Something was lacking for me in the way he writes.
September 2, 2020
Loved this book!
August 3, 2021
A very much needed read. It is so easy to get mired in the weeds of this world and come to a pessimistic view. This read has cured me of that and now I have a brighter and optimistic view. Onward!
January 10, 2022
Uplifting
March 31, 2023
Definitely a very hopeful book. I'm not sure I agree on every single individual point, but he makes many good ones, and he develops a strong case for his thesis.
October 30, 2023
Excellent, a hopeful and well-thought look at the gospel plan and its implications for our lives both now and in the eternities.
May 19, 2024
I don’t think the chapter about people who die early is entirely true, but the rest seems spot on. The book is true to the message of Christ: there is hope for everyone.
March 7, 2025
What an optimistic outlook! I don't think we hear as much like this as we should. It aligns well with my impressions of the Lord and I hope it to be true.
May 23, 2025
Great book outlining our cause for hope as identified in the scriptures and from the words of the Lord's anointed. I particularly like his chapter on Sanctification by the Holy Ghost.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews