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God himself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself.
Source: Smith, Joseph Fielding, ed., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City: 1938. 354.
The pre-existent life was thus a period -- undoubtedly an infinitely long one -- of probation, progression, and schooling. the spirit hosts were taught and given experiences in various administrative capacities. Some so exercised their agency and so conformed to law as to become 'noble and great'; these were foreordained before their mortal births to perform great missions for the Lord in this life. Christ, the Firstborn, was the mightiest of all spirit children of the Father. Mortal progression and testing is a continuation of what began in pre-existence.
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966. 590.