The Second Estate

The little spirit perched cautiously on the edge of his seat outside the big conference room. He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time; now only two persons were before him, and then it would be his turn to enter the big room for a private conference before his journey began. He had longed for this day ever since Father had explained his plan to all His children. What would Heavenly Father say to him about his new life? Did he have some special task on earth to complete before he returned to report his mission?

The sound of a door opening disturbed his thoughts and he tried to catch another glimpse of the big room before the door closed again. Only once more now, and then it would be his chance to walk through that same door.

The little girl sitting next to him smiled shyly as they waited together. He nervously returned her smile and wished again that the time would pass more quickly.

"I wonder who my parents will be", said the little girl. "I hope they will love me as much as I know I'll love them. What kind of a family do you want to belong to?" she asked the little boy.

He thought a minute and then replied, "Oh, I don't care too much, I guess. I'm like you, I just want a family that will love me and help me return to Father. They don't have to have money or an important name. As long as we will all love each other, everything else will work out. I do hope they're friends of Father though . . .So many of my friends have gone to families that don't even talk to Father for days at a time and sometimes only when they are in trouble. I surely don't want that to happen to me as it's so hard to find the way back home all by yourself."

"I agree with you", said the little girl. "Oh, there's my name now. Well, perhaps I'll see you again sometime. Bye now." She walked away happily as the big door opened for her turn.

"Well, I guess I'm the last one today." he said to himself. "I sure wish they'd hurry." He squirmed a few more times (as little boys often do) and then scooted down the bench until he was right outside the big door. At the exact moment the big door opened and he gulped a deep breath and he finally heard his name called.

Now he was inside the room. He felt very shy before the two persons who sat at the end of a long conference table. Father seemed to sense his shyness, for he smiled and called the spirit closer to Him. Older brother was also there with Father. He had been to earth many years before and had already returned to help Father guide the other spirits who were still to go to Earth.

Father spoke kindly, but His voice had a note of authority in it. "My son, come sit here by me while we talk of your future. I can tell you about it now, although you know you won't remember our conversation once you actually go to Earth."

The little spirit seated himself carefully so he wouldn't miss an iota of their last precious moments before the big journey. Innumerable questions raced through his head by he decided to wait and ask them after Father had finished talking.

Behind Father was the huge veil that filled on side of the conference room. Only on very special occasions did one get to see what was on the other side. The big journey was just such an occasion. Father carefully parted the veil and drew the little spirit close to him.

"I have three scenes to show you, little one. About your new life on earth. The first scene is an unhappy one, and perhaps you will wonder why this must be so for you. But watch quietly and I will explain it to you." Father spoke tenderly as He showed the little spirit a hospital on Earth where he would enter mortality. There, amid the joys of a new life, a young girl lay in a hospital bed. She was softly crying. "This my son, is your mother. She loved you very much, but she does not feel she can keep you to raise you properly. She consented to give you to another family that she might have a new start in life and be a better mother for spirits yet to come. Her decision is wise, my son, although very sad, for she can yet be a chosen daughter if she will hearken unto my teachings."

The little spirit listened wonderingly. Apparently his was not to be a normal visit to earth. What would the rest of his mission be? It all seemed so very strange and different than what he had anticipated.

Father turned the scene to a young couple that looked very sad and lonely. "This will be your family on earth," He said. "They have been valiant servants and have waited long for a son of their own. Buy their time of sorrow is past, for you are to be what mortals call 'adopted' by this family. They are choice parents for you to return with, to dwell with us again. They have talked to me often and made many promises to me, if they might be given a child to raise. . . and you have been chosen as an answer to their prayers."

The little spirit heaved a sigh of relief. Now he knew that his chance to return to his Heavenly Father were much better, as he would have earthly guides to lead him when he started to go astray. He knew the final decision would be his, but it would be good to have someone help him, when he started to act unwisely. He watched eagerly as Father showed him the third scene.

A beautiful building came into view. It seemed to have a special air about if and within he saw many people dressed in white. They were all talking about Father with an attitude of great love and reverence.

Father spoke again. "This is my house", he said. "My children often come here to continue their journey in the second estate. It is here that they are closer to me than at any other place on earth; because my homes have been built under my direction and for my glory. See, there are your parents now and you are with them. My priesthood is sealing you to them, that you might be their son both on earth and throughout eternity. You cannot be taken away from this family by an power save your own unworthiness, for you are theirs just as much as if you had been born unto them. You will return to this building many times, my son, if you are faithful; then you will know that you are very close to the veil and my love for you. Here you will bring a wife from among my valiant daughters and here you will also come to receive your blessings I have reserved for you if you remain true and faithful to me. I will not tell you more now except to say that you will learn more of me on earth, as though everything was new. If you are faithful you will return to time and be able to see that those things that you learned were not new. . . .they had just been withheld for a short time. Then all the pieces of your life will fit together as in a perfect puzzle. It's up to you, my son; you can be what you want to be, but remember that I will often stir your memory to help you return to me."

Father slowly closed the veil and the little spirit reached out his hand to touch his Heavenly Father once more before time to leave. He had no more questions for Father had answered them all. He felt very pleased and blessed that he would have such wonderful parents but he had one more request before he left.

"Please, Father, he said, "May I have a special blessing that I might bring joy and love with peace and happiness into my parents lives in return for their guidance?"

Father placed His hands upon the little spirit's head and invited older Brother to join Him. Then He blessed the little spirit and promised his guidance in the days to come. At the end of the blessing he opened the veil once more so that the little spirit might enter his second estate.

…And down on earth a tiny baby's cry pierced the silent tension of the hospital delivery room as the doctor gave a resounding spank and said, "It's a healthy boy."