Editing Mormonism (section)

===Cosmology===
{{main|Mormon cosmology}}

Smith's cosmology is laid out mostly in Smith's later revelations and sermons—particularly the [[Book of Abraham]], the [[Book of Moses]], and the [[King Follett discourse]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|pp=64–71}}</ref> [[Mormon cosmology]] presents a unique view of God and the universe and places high importance on human [[Agency in Mormonism|agency]]. In Mormonism, life on earth is just a short part of an eternal existence. Mormons believe that in the beginning, all people existed as spirits or "intelligences" in the presence of God.<ref>Mormons differ among themselves about the form of man in the beginning ... but Smith's intention was to assert that some essence of human personality has always existed. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=72}}</ref> In this state, God proposed a [[Plan of salvation (Latter Day Saints)|plan of salvation]] whereby they could progress and "have a privilege to advance like himself."<ref>See King Follett discourse and {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=73}}</ref> The spirits were free to accept or reject this plan, and a "third" of them, led by [[Satan]] rejected it.<ref>According to the Book of Moses, Lucifer offered an alternate plan that would guarantee the salvation of ''all'' spirits, however, at the cost of their agency, essentially forcing them to be saved. God's plan allowed spirits the freedom of choice but left room for some to fall out of his presence into darkness. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=73}}</ref> The rest accepted the plan, coming to earth and receiving bodies with an understanding that they would experience sin and suffering.

In Mormonism, the central part of God's plan is the [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] of Jesus Christ.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=77}}</ref> Mormons believe that one purpose of earthly life is to learn to choose good over evil. In this process, people inevitably make mistakes, becoming unworthy to return to the presence of God. Mormons believe that Jesus paid for the sins of the world and that all people can be saved through his atonement.<ref> Nineteenth-century Mormonism defined itself against Calvinistic religions that asserted humans' incapacity and utter dependence on the grace of God. Early Mormon preachers emphasized good works and moral obligation; however, in the late twentieth century, Mormons pulled back from an "entrenched aversion" to the doctrines of grace, and today, they have an attitude of trusting in the grace of Christ while trying their best to do good works. {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2008|p=76}}</ref> Mormons accept Christ's atonement through faith, repentance, formal covenants or ordinances such as baptism, and consistently trying to live a Christ-like life.

According to Mormon scripture, the Earth's creation was not ''[[ex nihilo]]'', but organized from existing matter. The Earth is just one of many inhabited worlds, and there are many governing heavenly bodies, including the planet or star [[Kolob]], which is said to be nearest the [[throne of God]].{{cn|date=February 2025}}