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In the days of Noah the Lord sent a universal flood which completely immersed the whole earth and destroyed all flesh except that preserved on the ark. "Noah was born to save seed of everything, when the earth was washed of its wickedness by the flood." This flood was the baptism of the earth; before it occurred the land was all in one place, a condition that will again prevail during the millennial era.
There is no question but what many of the so-called geological changes in the earth's surface, which according to geological theories took place over ages of time, in reality occurred in a matter of a few short weeks incident to the universal deluge.
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966. 289.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr. (10th prophet):
This earth on which we dwell, like many that have gone before, is destined to become a celestial sphere and the righteous shall inherit it forever, "For, for this intent was it made and created," and after it has filled the measure of its mortal creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father. Like man, the earth also shall die, but it also shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, to continue throughout eternity as the celestial abode of man.
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., ed. Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 2. 26-27. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1955.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr. (10th prophet):
In that great change, or resurrection, which shall come to this earth, it shall be sanctified, celestialized and made a fit abode even for God the Father, who shall grace it with his presence. Then shall the righteous, those who have become sanctified through the law of God, possess it for ever as their abode. This earth is destined to become the everlasting residence of its inhabitants who gain the glory of the celestial kingdom. It shall become in that day like the throne of God and shall shine forth with all the splendor and brightness of celestial glory in its eternal, sanctified and glorious state.
Source: Smith, Joseph Fielding. The Way to Perfection: Short Discourses on Gospel Themes, 9th ed. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1951. 351.
The Resurrection is a reality. Activity to help promote our Father's work is going forward among the disembodied spirits who have left this life. It will continue to go forward until every one of God's children has had an opportunity to receive the gospel, to hear it and to have it explained to them. And then at the end of that millennial period we will all stand judgment. There is a partial judgment before, but the final judgment will be at the end. Then this earth will undergo a change and receive its paradisiacal glory and will be made a fit abode for the celestial beings. Those who live to inherit the celestial kingdom will live on this earth eternally. This is made very clear in the scriptures.
Source: Benson, Ezra Taft. Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988. 38.