Moses 1:27–39; Abraham 3: 24–26

What’s the difference between immortality and eternal life?

"27 And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the Spirit of God.

28 And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.

29 And he beheld many lands; and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants on the face thereof.

30 And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them?

31 And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me.

32 And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.

33 And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.

34 And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.

35 But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.

36 And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.

37 And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.

38 And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:27–39)

"24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (Abraham 3: 24–26)

And here's the commentary entitled: "God’s work and glory is to help me gain eternal life." : 

"After seeing a vision of God’s creations, Moses said to the Lord: “Tell me … why these things are so” (Moses 1:30). What impresses you about the Lord’s response in Moses 1:31–39? What’s the difference between immortality and eternal life? (see Topics and Questions, “Eternal Life,” Gospel Library). How does Jesus Christ help bring to pass both? Abraham also had a vision, recorded in Abraham 3. What do you find in verses 24–26 that could help answer Moses’s request?"

God's response to Moses that impresses me: 

• "By the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son."
• "Worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten."
• "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

God organized materials to create innumerable worlds by the power of His word, through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. How impressive is that! God, our Heavenly Father is the Architect, and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ is the Engineer. And the Lord's purpose is even more impressive—His work and His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. 

The difference between immortality and eternal life:

Immortality is free. Eternal life is not. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 

Death entered the world because of Adam's transgression. Jesus Christ has overcome both physical and spiritual death through His atonement. We will all be resurrected just as Jesus was resurrected. When the spirit reunites with the physical body through resurrection, the soul of man becomes immortal—the soul of every man will live forever and die no more. 

Immortality brings every one of God's children back to His presence, but it doesn't guarantee being able to live with Him forever or receiving the greatest gift of eternal life—eternal increase and fullness of joy. Being immortal, everyone would face God to be judged for their works and the desires of their hearts. Those who are able to prove themselves worthy are the ones who will inherit eternal life and will live with God again and will be together with their families eternally.