Degrees of glory

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The Plan of Salvation, as illustrated by some within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Plan of Salvation, as illustrated by some within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In Mormon theology, there are three degrees of glory (alternatively, kingdoms of glory) which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth. Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, provided a description of the afterlife based primarily upon a vision he reportedly received together with Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832, and recorded as Doctrine and Covenants Section 76. According to this section of LDS scripture, the afterlife consists of three degrees or kingdoms of glory, called the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. The few who do not inherit any degree of glory (though they are resurrected) reside in a state called outer darkness, which, though not a degree of glory, is often discussed in this context. The only ones who go there are known as "Sons of Perdition".

Critics of the Latter Day Saint Movement argue that Joseph Smith used the ideas of Emmanuel Swedenborg to formulate the theology surrounding the three degrees of glory.

Contents

[edit] Doctrinal Origin

The three degrees of glory are described in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In the preface to Section 76 in the LDS edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, the following explanatory text is given:

A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832. Prefacing his record of this vision the Prophet wrote: "Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed the translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body, the term 'Heaven,' as intended for the Saints' eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one. Accordingly, while translating St. John's Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following vision." It was after the Prophet had translated John 5:29 that this vision was given.[1]

Assignment to a particular kingdom in the resurrection is contingent upon the faith and works exhibited during mortal life. The LDS Church teaches that these different kingdoms are what Jesus was referring to when he said "[i]n my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2).[2] Additionally, the LDS Church teaches that 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 speaks of these three degrees of glory, comparing them with the glory of the sun, moon, and stars.

[edit] Hypothesized influence of Emanuel Swedenborg

Some, including LDS historian D. Michael Quinn in his book Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, have argued that various parts of the plan of salvation were taken by Joseph Smith, Jr. from Emanuel Swedenborg's book Heaven and Hell. In the book, Swedenborg wrote that "There are three heavens" that are "entirely distinct from each other."[3] He called the highest heaven "the Celestial Kingdom," and stated that the inhabitants of the three heavens corresponded to the "sun, moon and stars."[4] Swedenborg's book also mentions a vail, "spirit prison" and "celestial marriage."[5] Quinn also alleges that Swedenborg's book was familiar to Smith, and that he had commented about it with his contemporaries[citation needed].

[edit] The Celestial Kingdom

The celestial kingdom is the highest of three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is thought to be the "third heaven" referred to by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version of 2 Corinthians 12:2 and it is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "celestial bodies" and "glory of the sun" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41. The Latin word celestial means "heavenly".

[edit] Inhabitants of the celestial kingdom

According to Smith's teachings, only those who attain the celestial kingdom will be united with their families in the afterlife.[citation needed] It will be the residence of those who have been righteous, accepted the teachings of Mormonism, and made and lived up to all of the required ordinances and covenants during their mortal lives.[6] It will also be the residence of those individuals that accepted and received the ordinances and covenants in the post-mortal spirit world.[7] All children who die before the age of eight automatically qualify for the celestial kingdom.[8] The celestial kingdom will also be the permanent residence of God the Father and Jesus Christ.[9]

Smith taught that "a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereone is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it."[10] This white stone will become a Urim and Thummim (or seer stone) to the recipient.[11]

[edit] Degrees within the celestial kingdom

Smith taught that the celestial kingdom itself is subdivided into three "heavens or degrees".[12] Only those individuals who are sealed in celestial marriage to a spouse in a temple while alive (or after death by proxy) will be permitted to enter into the highest degree of celestial kingdom.[13] These individuals will eventually become "exalted"[14] and will be permitted to live "the kind of life God lives".[15]

[edit] Location of the celestial kingdom

Smith taught that the earth will also receive a celestial glory.[16] Most Latter-day Saints believe that the earth will be the celestial kingdom, or at least a celestial world within the celestial kingdom for humans who lived on the earth and qualified for the celestial kingdom.[17]

[edit] The Terrestrial Kingdom

In Mormonism, the terrestrial kingdom is the middle of what are believed to be three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "bodies terrestrial" and "glory of the moon" mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version translation of 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 15:40-41. The word terrestrial derives from a Latin word meaning "earthly".

According to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the terrestrial kingdom is the eternal destination in the afterlife to which some portion of humankind will be assigned following resurrection and the judgment day. The primary source of this doctrine is a vision recounted by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832, and recorded as Doctrine and Covenants Section 76.

[edit] Inhabitants of the terrestrial kingdom

According to Doctrine and Covenants section 76, those who will inhabit the terrestrial kingdom include those who lived respectably but "were blinded by the craftiness of men" and thus rejected the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mormonism) when it was presented to them during their mortal lives.[18] It also includes persons who rejected the "testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it" in the spirit world[19] and those who "are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus" after having received it.[20]

Ultimately, the kingdom of glory (either the celestial or the terrestrial) received by those who accept the testimony of Jesus will be based on God's knowledge of whether they "would have received it with all their hearts" as manifested by their works and the "desire of their hearts".[21]

Those who inherit the terrestrial kingdom "receive of the presence of the Son, but not the fulness of the Father."[22]

Joseph Smith taught that translated beings abide in the terrestrial kingdom until they are resurrected and enter the celestial kingdom.[23]

[edit] The Telestial Kingdom

In Mormonism, the telestial kingdom is the lowest of what are believed to be three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "glory of the stars" mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version translation of 1 Corinthians 15:41.

[edit] Inhabitants of the telestial kingdom

According to Doctrine and Covenants section 76, those who will inhabit the telestial kingdom include those who "who received not the gospel of Christ, nor the testimony of Jesus."[24] It also includes "liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie."[25] Because of their refusal to accept Jesus as their Savior, these individuals will suffer in hell for their sins for 1000 years during the millennial reign of Christ.[26] After the 1000 years, the individuals in hell will be resurrected and receive an immortal physical body and be assigned to the telestial kingdom.[27]

Smith taught that individuals in the telestial kingdom will be servants of God, but "where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end";[28] however, they will receive the ministration of the Holy Ghost and beings from the terrestrial kingdom.[29] Despite these limitations, in LDS theology being resident in the telestial kingdom is not an unpleasant experience: "the glory of the telestial ... surpasses all understanding".[30]

Smith also taught that unlike individuals in the celestial or terrestrial kingdoms, each person resurrected to telestial glory will be of a different glory: "as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in the telestial world."[31] Because they accepted Jesus and relied upon his merits, residents of the celestial and terrestrial glory will all receive the same respective glory. However, because residents of the telestial kingdom rejected Jesus as the Savior, they will be rewarded according to their own merits and works; thus each person's glory will vary depending on their works while on the earth.[32]

Smith and Rigdon say that "we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore".[33] One Latter-day Saint commentator has suggested that by implication this means that "most of the adult people who have lived from the day of Adam to the present time will go to the telestial kingdom."[34]

[edit] Origin or meaning of the word telestial

 This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2007)

The origin of the word "telestial", which does not occur in other contexts, is uncertain, although some claim it means "distant"[citation needed] (since this realm is seen as being further from the seat of God than the other kingdoms), citing the meaning of other words that begin with the Greek prefix "tele-" (such as telephone and television). Another possible source might be the Greek adjective "telestikos", which means "mystical," "consecrational," or "initiatory."[citation needed]

[edit] Role in Temple Ordinances

During the Mormon Endowment ordinance, members move between ordinance rooms - three of which represent the kingdoms of glory. See Ordinance room.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ History of the Church 1: 245—252
  2. ^ LDS Church, Gospel Topics: Kingdoms of Glory.
  3. ^ Emanuel Swedenborg, "Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen"
  4. ^ Emanuel Swedenborg, "Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen"
  5. ^ Emanuel Swedenborg, "Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen"
  6. ^ Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith (ed.) (1976). Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book) p. 309: "All men who become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom; and those who will not receive all the ordinances will come short of the fulness of that glory"; see also p. 362 where Smith said that without temple ordinances "we cannot obtain celestial thrones."
  7. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 137:5-9.
  8. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 137:10.
  9. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:62.
  10. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 130:11.
  11. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 130:10.
  12. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 131:1.
  13. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 131:2-4.
  14. ^ Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith (ed.) (1976). Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book) p. 348: "It will be a great while after you have [died] before you will have learned [all the principles of exaltation]. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave."
  15. ^ LDS Church, “Chapter 47: Exaltation”, Gospel Principles, 301.
  16. ^ Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith (ed.) (1976). Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book) p. 181: "This earth will be rolled back into the presence of God, and crowned with celestial glory."
  17. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 88:14-26
  18. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:75.
  19. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:74.
  20. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:79.
  21. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 137:8-9.
  22. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:77.
  23. ^ Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith (ed.) (1976). Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book) p. 170: "Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fulness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order ...."
  24. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:82.
  25. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:103; see also Revelation 22:15.
  26. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:84, 105-106; LDS Church. “Chapter 46: The Last Judgment”, Gospel Principles, 294.
  27. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 88:100-101.
  28. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:112.
  29. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:86.
  30. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:89.
  31. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:98; see also 1 Corinthians 15:41.
  32. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:109-111; see also Bruce R. McConkie (1966). Mormon Doctrine (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft) p. 778-79.
  33. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 76:109.
  34. ^ Bruce R. McConkie (1966). Mormon Doctrine (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft) p. 778.

[edit] References

  • The Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 2:5–30; 10:23–25; Alma 12:24–37; 22:12–14; 42; Moses 6:47–62
  • "The Merciful Plan of the Great Creator"

Adhemar Damiani, Ensign, Mar. 2004, 8–12 In 2 Nephi, Jacob teaches the basic doctrine of the plan of salvation with great clarity.

  • "Teaching Our Children the Plan of Salvation"

Robert England Lee, Ensign, Sept. 2001, 33–39 Parents can present Heavenly Father's "great plan of happiness" in simple yet powerful ways.

  • "The Plan of Salvation: A Flight Plan for Life"

Duane B. Gerrard, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 77–78 The plan of salvation . . . comprises all of the laws, ordinances, principles, and doctrines required to complete our mortal journey and progress to a state of exaltation enjoyed by our Father in Heaven.

  • "The Joy of Living the Great Plan of Happiness"

Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1996, 73–75 Obedience to the plan is a requisite for full happiness in this life and a continuation of eternal joy beyond the veil.

  • "Answers to Life's Questions"

M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 1995, 22–24 By focusing on and living the principles of Heavenly Father's plan for our eternal happiness, we can separate ourselves from the wickedness of the world.

  • "Sharing Time: The Plan of Salvation Offers Me Peace"

Judy Edwards, Friend, Mar. 1994, 14–15 This is the plan of salvation unto all men (Moses 6:62).

  • "The Great Plan of Happiness"

Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1993, 72–75 When we understand the plan of salvation, we also understand the purpose and effect of the commandments God has given His children.

  • "The Great Plan of the Eternal God"

Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1984, 21–23 One of the great blessings flowing from amplifying, latter-day revelations is the crucial, doctrinal framework known as the marvelous plan of salvation.

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Concepts of Heaven
Christian: Kingdom of God • Garden of Eden · Paradise • New Jerusalem • Pearly gates
Jewish: Gan Eden • Olam Haba
Islamic: Jannah • Sidrat al-Muntaha
Latter-day Saint (Mormon): Celestial Kingdom • Terrestrial Kingdom • Telestial Kingdom • Spirit world
Ancient Greek: Elysium • Empyrean • Hesperides
Celtic: Tír na nÓg • Mag Mell
Norse: Valhalla • Asgard
Egyptian: Aaru
Indo-European: Paradise • Svarga • The Summerland • Myth of Er • Fortunate Isles
Related concepts: Nirvana • Millennialism • Utopianism • Golden Age • Arcadia • The guf • Well of Souls • The Republic of Heaven
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