"We were born to die and we die to live. As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven"

This quote by Russell M. Nelson encapsulates a profound philosophical and spiritual point of view on the cyclical nature of life, death, and the afterlife. The first part, "We were born to pass away and we pass away to live", recommends a view of life and death as interconnected processes rather than distinct phases. It implies that birth is naturally linked to death, and death is not an end but a transition to a different kind of existence. This cyclical idea resonates with many religious and spiritual beliefs that view earthly life as a short-lived phase of a larger, everlasting journey.

The imagery of people as "seedlings of God" indicates a divine origin or development, recommending that life in the world is a duration of growth and advancement. Simply as seedlings require time, nurturing, and the ideal conditions to grow, human beings are seen as growing spiritually during their earthly lives. The expression "we barely blossom in the world" indicates that life's true potential is not totally understood in our earthly existence. It suggests that the obstacles, finding out, and experiences we undergo are preparatory phases that add to our spiritual maturation.

The culmination of this development is reflected in the expression "we completely flower in heaven". Here, heaven is illustrated as the world where the supreme purpose and potential of the soul are recognized. It recommends a state of conclusion, fulfillment, and knowledge; a spiritual flowering where the soul attains its desired appeal and function. This blooming can be interpreted as reaching a state of spiritual perfection or union with the divine.

In general, the quote shows a belief in life as a journey of spiritual development, where earthly existence is an essential but initial phase in a much larger, magnificent trajectory. It stresses hope and continuity beyond death, providing solace in the belief of an afterlife where real spiritual capacity is fully understood.