1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, [ The oldest available manuscripts leave the "at Ephesus" out ] and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [ Jesus Christ has a Father; so if he has a Father then they are not the same person. ] who hath blessed us with all [ What is Paul trying to teach here when he says "us all"? in other words Christ's sacrifice applies to both Israel and the Gentiles. This chapter addresses two important doctrinal matters, one of which is still quite important to us today. The first is a discussion of the foreordination of both Jews and Gentiles to salvation. Obviously, at this time in the early Church, there were still matters of distinction between the two groups hinging on the application of the Law. so, Paul emphasizes to these various Churches, which were probably predominantly Gentiles, that salvation is available to both groups and it had been intended so from the beginning. The only doctrinal difference between the two groups is how they are covered under the plan of salvation as is noted in (v. 5) by adoption versus (v. 11) through inheritance. Do we have any problems that this in the church today? members all our lives verses new converts...?] spiritual blessings in heavenly places ["en toiv epouranioiv" or In heavenly things. ] in Christ:

4 According as he [ God the Father. ] hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, [ So then, with regards to salvation, there is no difference between the groups except to how we were chosen in pre-earth life. Another possibility(from the grand council in heaven - where there were many Gods and who and what where they? Where they other heavenly parents for the worlds without number, those who had gone through a previous iteration of mortality? I don't know), one that I do not comprehend completely is that Paul may be suggesting here that God the Father chose us from among the many children of Heaven because of His Son.  By this, are we to understand that we have distinguished ourselves from the other children of heaven because of our faith and good works based on the life and example of the Son of God.  Paul then explicitly states that God will adopt us as His own children through the grace and power of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks further of this adoption in Romans 8:15 that we call God the Father, Father, through the spirit of adoption. Each one of us has a father and mother in heaven. We were raised by them, just as they were raised by heavenly parents of their own. These heavenly parents are all part of this grand council of gods, all of which fall under the authority and jurisdiction of God the Father? ] that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated [ Notice both 5 & 11 are parallel repetitions of foreordination - this one for the Gentiles. the Greek term is "proorizo" which is a compound from the Greek terms "pro" and "horizo". The Greek most literally translates to "before-determine". It is simply a matter of whether the translators espouse the doctrine of foreordination or predestination as to how they translate it.
Here are the Strong's entries for the three Greek terms: 4309 proorizo {pro-or-id'-zo} from 4253 and 3724; TDNT - 5:456,728; v AV - predestinate 4, determine before 1, ordain 1; 6 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand. Could also be translated foreordain or appoint. In fact, the Greek word from which the King James translators chose the word predestinate has a variety of meanings. The emphasis in the Greek suggests the foreknowledge of God, but not in an ultimate determination of all things excluding man's agency. For this reason many Bible revisions and newer translations replace the word predestinate with words such as foreordain or appoint.] us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, [ How does the principle of adoption of Christ apply to the Gentiles? Since they were not the chosen people they had to be adopted into the lineage to receive the promised blessing. so how does adoption apply to the Jews since they are already of the chosen lineage? Even is they are in the lineage they must still be adopted as his children, they must take upon them the name of Christ , be adopted into his family if his sacrifice is to save them spiritually. vs 3-11 addresses the adoption of the Gentiles - how they are covered by the plan ] according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known [ Having made what known? vs 4: the we were chosen in our pre-mortal life; vs 5 & 11: the we were foreordained to be a part of this work while in mortality; The topic here as we see is the principal of forordination ] unto us the mystery of his will, [ This is discussed in detail in Ephesian 3:3 and is what Paul is referring to in 3:3. Mystery in Greek is "Musterion" which means: The counsels of God once hidden but now revealed, in the gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation. ] according to his good pleasure [ "thn eudokian" or benevolent design ] which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times [Except for this single reference, the phrase “the dispensation of the fulness of times” is one that is unique to Latter-day Saints. We know from latter-day scripture that it is the dispensation in which we are presently living (D&C 27:13; 112:30; 124:41). What is a dispensation of the gospel? A period of time when the Lord has at least one servant on the earth who holds the keys of the higher priesthood and is authorized to perform and administer the ordinances of the gospel. What is the dispensation fulness of times? The dispensation that began with the restoration of the gospel and organization of the Church through Joseph Smith.)

Why is our dispensation referred to as the fulness of times?
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “You and I are experiencing the profound and wonderful blessings of the dispensation of the fulness of times. In this day and time there have been restored to the earth all of the principles, powers, blessings, and keys of all previous dispensations” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 98; or Ensign, May 1992, 70).a phrase common in LDS lingo and discussed extensively in the D&C, cf. D&C 27:13, D&C 112:30, D&C 121:31, D&C 124:41, D&C 128:18, D&C 128:20, D&C 138:48. The phrase is generally referring to the "times of the Gentiles" which was initiated anciently with Acts 10 and is to be fulfilled per Luke 21:24, D&C 45:25-30.

literal - eiv oikonomian tou plhrwmatov twn kairwn. The word oikonomia, which is the same as our word economy, signifies, as Dr. Macknight has well observed, "the plan which the master of a family, or his steward, has established for the management of the family;" it signifies, also, a plan for the management of any sort of business: and here it means the dispensation of the Gospel, that plan by which God has provided salvation for a lost world; and according to which he intends to gather all believers, both Jews and Gentiles, into one Church under Jesus Christ, their head and governor. See the note on Matt. xxiv. 45, where the word and the office are particularly explained.

The fullness of times - By this phrase we are to understand either the Gospel dispensation, which is the consummation of all preceding dispensations, and the last that shall be afforded to man; or that advanced state of the world which God saw to be the most proper for the full manifestation of those benevolent purposes which he had formed in himself relative to the salvation of the world by Jesus Christ.] he might gather together in one all things in Christ, [ "anakefalaiwsasqai", from ana, again, and kefalaiow, to reduce to one sum; to add up; to bring different sums together, and fractions of sums, so as to reduce them under one denomination. What did Paul say our Father in Heaven would do in this dispensation? that they all may have one master. If we are all gathered under Christ, and Christ and the Father are one in purpose then we are therefore gathered as one with the Father as well. What do you think it means to “gather together in one all things in Christ”? What are some things that are being gathered together in our day? scriptures, Church members, records of the dead, and families that are sealed in the temple. What is our responsibility in this gathering process? ] both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom [in Christ] also we have obtained an inheritance, [ the mechanism of how each group was elected (chosen) by him - either as direct descendants of Abraham or adopted in as one. By entering into his earthly kingdom (his church) we will obtain admission into his eternal kingdom ] being predestinated [ being foreordained to such an inheritance - notice both 5 & 11 are parallel repetitions of foreordination - this one for the Jews] according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12  That we [ Jews, who are now his apostles and messengers. ] should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [ What is the holy Spirit of Promise, and why is it important? It is an act which is sealed or radified by the Holy Ghost, it is one that has been approved by the Lord. see D&C132:7 "And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, ... are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead." Joseph Smith said that the seal placed upon these saints was that their callings and electios were made sure Teachings pp 149-151.
“When faith is sufficient to sacrifice all earthly things, even life itself if necessary, it is possible for a person to know that he is accepted of the Lord for what he has done, and with this strong faith he may eventually receive eternal life. Thus the Prophet Joseph said: “After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure.” (Teachings, p. 150.) “Such a person eventually receives godhood and becomes a member of the “church of the Firstborn.” (D&C 76:54.)” “Who were some of the saints who were accepted of the Lord through their sacrifices? The Prophet Joseph Smith indicated that when a person has been proved of the Lord by “hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God,” he may then have the privilege of receiving the Second Comforter. This Comforter is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, “and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face.” Joseph Smith went on to say that this was the condition of a number of the ancient saints, naming Isaiah, Ezekiel, John the Revelator, Paul, and “all the saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn.” (See Teachings, pp. 150–51.)” “Inasmuch as the calling and election made sure is the greatest of all blessings received in this life, what greater counsel may Latter-day Saints receive than the following from the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Then I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it.” (Teachings, p. 299.)” ]

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance [ What is earnest? It is something of value given to bind a contract. So here the Lord is giving the Holy Spirit of promise as earnest until we receive our inheritance - which will be in the next life. ] until the redemption of the purchased possession, [ Christ has "bought them with a price" (see 1 Cor 6:20) the price being "his precous blood" (1 Pet 1:19) Here he is saying that these specific saints to which he is referring have worked out their salvation thru proper works and ordinances and have made their callings and elections made sure. see 2 Pet 1:1-19 ] unto the praise of his glory.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [ that you might recieve a personal witness, a testimony of him thru your own personal revelation or witness see Alma 32, God either stands revealed to you or is unknown to you, that is God our Eternal Father is only known through revealtion while a man might see his works and discover his laws - he is only known through revelation. ]

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; [Literally the original Greek phrase reads “having been enlightened as to the eyes of your heart.” Anciently, as now, the heart was viewed as the seat of moral character and spirituality. Paul’s words imply more than just illumination of the mind and its understanding; they indicate an actual enlightenment of the whole man through the gospel of Jesus Christ. (LDS Institute Manual)

note the use of the word eyes - through which we see. So he in essence is saying that you will be able to see with your spiritual eyes, the veil will be parted and you will see and understand. Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith in the Kirkland Temple when the veil was taken from their minds - both saw the Lord standing on the breastwork of the pulpit. D&C 110:1-2] that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [ Which is what? What do we receive as our part of the inheritance? We become joint heirs with Christ - meaning that everything that he receives as an inheritance from the Father - we also receive in equal portion from the Father. ]

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, [the ressurrection] and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [Jesus sits on the right hand of God]

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [ Remember that the traditional Jewish position that the messiah is a physical deliverer and earthly king. Even if the Churches in Asia Minor were not heavily influenced by Judaizers, the temptation to strip Jesus of divine elements would be strong, even as it is common today for people to find the "historical Jesus" more palatable than a divine one. Paul wants the ecclesia to know for a certainty by personal revelation that Jesus was exactly what he claimed to be and did exactly what he said he would.]

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. [ What is the point that Paul is trying to express here with the phrase "all in all"? “In the Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith describes the Father and the son as ‘filling all in all’ because the son, having overcome, has ‘received a fulness of the glory of the Father,’ and possesses ‘the same mind with the Father.’ Then he announces the conclusion to which Paul here only alludes: ‘And all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and jointheirs with Jesus Christ; possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all; being filled with the fulness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, son and Holy Spirit are one.’ (Lectures on Faith, pp. 50–51.)” (McConkie, DNTC, 2:497.)]