Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. Arthur Dent a man whose planet has just been blown up.... Just kidding.
This next post will be focusing on Heaven!
Starting off we will be describing what the Mormon's believe about heaven, and what the Christians believe about heaven.
Mormons: We believe that there are three separate kingdoms in heaven, the Celestial the Terrestrial and the Telestial.
The highest degree of glory is the Celestial. This is the kingdom where God and Christ live. It is also the kingdom where families can live with their earthly families and produce spirit children. In this kingdom you will receive a fullness of happiness, and receive exaltation (becoming a God) To enter into this kingdom you will need to have faith in Christ, be baptized and do all the necessary ordinances in the temple. Children who die before the age of accountability (usually 8) will also be in this kingdom.
The next highest is the Terrestrial. All of the beings from the Celestial kingdom (including Christ and God) will be able to visit this kingdom. The people who will be in this kingdom would have gotten the gospel on earth, rejected it, and then accepted it again after death. This is a place for Mormon's and Non-Mormons who didn't obey the commandments as best they could.
The lowest kingdom, Telestial, is still a heaven, but it is not as grand as the Terrestrial and Celestial. It will still be an awesome place. Doctrine & Covenants 76:89, “the glory of the Telestial… surpasses all understanding.” Only the Holy Ghost is able to go into that kingdom, God and Christ will not be there. The people in this kingdom will be the ones who reject the gospel and all the ordinances, in this life and in the life after death. Because they did not accept Christ, they would have to suffer for their own sins before they are resurrected to this kingdom.
Outer Darkness: This is where Satan/Santa is. Everybody who did not agree with God's plan, and instead followed Satan, is here. Only a few of us will go to outer darkness. Because you would have to deny the Holy Ghost. In order to do this a person must first gain a sure knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel, and then deny it. It's like someone saying that there is no sun at noon on a clear day.
A biblical scripture that supports this is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2. " I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven"
Christians believe that Paul is referring to an atmospheric heaven, or sky, rather than the dwelling place of God.
Christianity: There is not a solid agreement on what Heaven is, but the more popular one is that Heaven will eventually be on this earth.
After Christians die they go to an intermediary place called Paradise, (Luke 23:43) it is here Christians wait until Jesus makes His second appearance. Once the whole story plays out, a new Earth will be created, it will be here where people will reign with God forever in their new glorified bodies. (Matt 25:34)
Christians believe in one heaven, but that people will receive different amounts of Glory (rewards) based on their works during their lifetime. (1 Cor 3:8) Heaven, to Christians, is “In the presence of God”.
Who gets in? Only those who are righteous may enter heaven. (Gal 5:21, Eph 5:5, Rev 22:15) Who is righteous? No one. (Rom 3:10) The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) Christians are saved by grace though faith in Jesus Christ. So all who are saved will eventually reign with God for eternity on the New Earth. (Matt 25:34) Serving Him forever. (Rev 22:3)
Alrighty. As you can probably tell, both of these beliefs are different. Mormons believe that you will be in a kingdom according to your faith and works, and with people like you around you. Christians believe that there is one heaven and everybody who is saved will go there. If you were more faithful than others, you would receive more rewards then they would.
2 questions for Amulon.
ReplyDelete1) Where exaclty does the polygamy thing come in?
2) Define "Following satan"
1) I am not to knowledge-able (haha) on the polygamy thing. But i think that we will be able to have multiple wifes after we die. I don't know for sure.
ReplyDelete2) Before earth we were in the presence of God. God presented His Plan of Salvation. Which would enable us to receive a body, and to become like Him. Everybody who followed God and Jesus Christ would come to earth. Lucifer (satan) rebelled against God, and tried to destroy our agency (our freedom to choose. In his plan, we would have no choice to follow him. No wrong, no right, no happiness, no sadness, no noting!) Everybody who followed Lucifer hang to go to Outer Darkness.
Make sense?
so following Lucifer is like limbo?
ReplyDeleteHoly Subjectivity Batman! Please elaborate on what you mean by "limbo".
ReplyDelete1) We will go into polygamy in a later post, it will need at least one post to at least touch on most of it. As for now, suffice it to say that the LDS (The main branch of the Mormon Church, to which Bryan belongs) Church does not practice polygamy, and any members found to be doing otherwise are excommunicated. The FLDS (Fundamental Church of Latter Day Saints) is the group that not only condones polygamy, but enforces it, they are also the ones that have been portrayed in "Big Love" as well as the coverage of the raid on the Texas compound. The LDS consider the FLDS apostate, and likewise vice versa.
2) Like Bryan said, both God and Satan proposed plans, God Chose Jesus as Savior and Satan rebelled, taking 1/3 of the spirit children with him to outer darkness. This pre-existence is known to Mormons as the "First Estate". The existence we are now experiencing is known as the second estate. Only those who kept their first estate by not following Satan gained entrance to the second estate, only those who keep their second estate will gain entrance to the third.
Hope that helps.
It's good to read the beliefs of a Mormon straight from the keyboard of a Mormon. After reading about Mormonism myself, I have to admit I was a little shocked that anyone could believe that. No offense meant, but its a lot to swallow especially upon realizing that it originated from the claims of one mans unverified and unverifiable interactions with the spirit realm (the plates he alone could read, the "ancient" Egyptian language). Joseph Smith had so much to gain by way of his revelations it seems to me that they more probably must have been born out of greed or want for control. Anyway your post has made this all more real to me. Not only do "people" believe Joseph Smith but you believe him. An intelligent, (and from my observations) honest individual who has a real desire to honor (the) God (that you have been raised to trust in). This is entirely interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! That is the reason Paul and I are doing this. To help you critically think about your religion, and other religions.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryan, for helping me look at my own religion more critically :) W007!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about the Mormon "heaven levels" before but never knew their exact designations. Very interesting indeed, but how can you except something after you're already dead, how can that be decerned by those left on earth. Do you get a communication saying, by the way mom, dad, I made it to the next level!
ReplyDeleteSorry, but i am not understanding the question. Are you asking if there is a way to tell your earth parents if you made it to the next level? You can't progress in levels. You are sent to a 'heaven' and you will always be there.
ReplyDeleteif anyone is interested in knowing what heaven is like then read 'heaven and hell' by emmanuel swedenborg http://swedenborg.newearth.org/hh/hh00toc.html
ReplyDeleteMore info here on who Swedenborg is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg
ReplyDeleteIf you were never given the opportunity at all on earth to know the gospel and you die before getting it, you're work can be done for you here on earth. If the person in heaven for some reason doesn't want the work done, they can reject it. It's not like forcing baptism on them. they have to accept. there is missionary work in heaven though for people who didn't get it on earth. In certain situations they can move up to terrestial. this is a touchy subject though. very very deep if you get way into it. i don't know the situations. sorry
ReplyDelete@Anon Yeah, that sounds like standard Mormon doctrine. Who would ever reject a baptism after they died? I can't imagine anyone willingly going to hell when they're facing the supernatural reality of their eternity ;)
ReplyDeleteMy question is why is God so involved in our lives while we're here on this Earth if everything can be taken care of after we die? I think everyone would be more receptive of doctrinal truths after they die... seeing as there wouldn't be much point in debating it then.
yeeah... i've thought that too honestly. ha it would be easier when you're seeing all of it right there in front of you. There's a whoole lot that plays into it. I'm not the person to talk to about it. haha but for example... there are certain ordinances that have to be completed on earth to reach the celestial kingdom i know. You'd have to ask someone with more authority than me about that. i don't think i should try to even talk about it cuz i know i'd mess something up. :P
ReplyDelete@Anon No no you're doing great! Believe me I understand that you don't speak on behalf of the LDS church, nor do I speak on behalf of Jesus Christ :P What goes on in these discussions is purely the thoughts of those who adhere to either religion. The why's and why not's if you will. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, people can only reach the Celestial if they follow all of the necessary ordinances, same goes with exaltation. Good points.