September: The Kingdoms of Glory

"There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption." - 1 Corinthians 15:40 - 42

We now approach the final stage in Heavenly Father's plan for us. Most of what I will be discussing here is modern revelation revealed to us by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that as you study what you have read thus far on this blog, and pray to know of the truthfulness of it, you will come to find out for yourself that the things I am sharing with you now is also true...

... The following scripture from Corinthians talks about celestial bodies and telestial bodies, and how these two bodies differ in glory. Modern day revelation helps us understand what Paul was talking about in his letter to the Corinthians.

After we have been resurrected and brought before the judgment bar, we will be judged according to our thoughts and deeds. Our thoughts and our deeds in this life determine what rewards we will receive in the next life. "God rewards us according to our works an desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned after the Judgment (Preach My Gospel, pp. 53). The scripture in Corinthians teaches us about two of the three kingdoms of glory that we could inherit, depending on our worthiness. Modern day revelation reveals to us which kingdom of glory each of us could enter in, depending on how we have lived our lives.

There are three kingdoms in total: The Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom.

Those who have been obedient, who have received the ordinances of salvation (e.g. baptism) and have been faithful to the very end will receive an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom. This is the kingdom where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ lives, and this is the Kingdom we should be aiming to live in. The glory of the Celestial Kingdom is often compared with the light of the Sun.

Those who have chosen not to take upon themselves those saving ordinances, who have not lived the Gospel to the fullest, but nevertheless have lived honourable lives will receive an inheritance in the Terrestrial Kingdom. The glory of the Terrestrial Kingdom is often compared with the light of the moon.

Those who have continued in their sins and did not repent, nor take upon themselves those saving ordinances, will go to the Telestial Kingdom. The glory of the Telestial Kingdom is compared with the light of the stars.

For a greater understanding of this and of the entire Plan of Salvation, please visit this page.

Consequences of the Fall

The Fall of Adam and Eve brought two kinds of death into the world: Physical Death and Spiritual Death. These two kinds of death are obstacles that prevent us from becoming like our Heavenly Father.

Physical Death is when our spirit bodies are separated from our physical bodies. Our spirits go to the Spirit World until our resurrection and final judgement.

Spiritual Death is where we are cut off from God's presence. When we sin, we distance ourselves further away from our Heavenly Father, because "no unclean thing" can dwell in his presence ( 1 Nephi 10:21 ). Only through believing in Jesus Christ, accepting his atonement and repententing from our sins are we able to overcome Spiritual Death.

Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to overcome the consequences of the Fall. He took upon himself our sins ( Luke 22 ), so that we could avoid spiritual death, as long as we accept him as his Savior and keep his commandments. He was the first of all mankind to be resurrected ( Luke 24:36 - 39 ). He overcame physical death, so that we too would have the chance to be resurrected and overcome physical death.

To learn more about the Fall, its consequences, and how the Atonement reverses those consequences, please click here.