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.

August: The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality

The time will come when all of us will be resurrected, to stand before the judgment bar and be judged according to our thoughts and works. Our spirits, which have been dwelling in The Spirit World will be united with a perfect, resurrected body. Our bodies and our spirits will never again be separated.

Everyone who has ever lived on the earth will be resurrected. "Immortality is a free gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked." (Preach My Gospel, pp. 53). However, not everyone will have the opportunity to have Eternal Life, which is "a gift of God given only to those who obey His Gospel" (Preach my Gospel, pp. 53). Eternal life is the privilege of living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever, and this can only be given to those who have lived worthy of it.

The final judgment with which we go through once we are resurrected determines whether or not we are worthy of receiving this gift. Because Jesus Christ will be our judge, we can know of a surety that our judgment will be just and fair.

An explanation of what happens after the final judgment will be given in next month's post

June: The Spirit World

For the past few months, we have looked at the Plan of Salvation. We have learned about a bit about our premortal life, how the earth was created, the truths about The Fall, the purpose behind our mortal existence, and how the Atonement of Jesus Christ blesses our lives. I now move on to discussing the next part of the Plan of Salvation, and that is, what happens to us after we leave mortality.

Death is something which we all must face. It is an unquestionable fact of life, and it is an essential element in Heavenly Father's plan for us. "... (D)eath is part of the process by which we are transformed from mortality to immortality" (Preach My Gospel, pp. 52). When we die, our spirit becomes separated from our physical body, and goes to a place which is called the Spirit World. The Spirit World is a place where we wait until we have the opportunity to be resurrected. This is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, because the Atonement helps us to overcome physical death and receive a resurrected body.



In the Spirit World, our thoughts, intentions, passions and desires do not change. If we have chosen to do good in our mortal lives, we will live in a state of happiness in the Spirit World. If we have chosen to do evil in or mortal lives, we will live in a state of misery.

Those who have died without having had the chance to hear about the Gospel will have the chance to hear it in the Spirit World. They will have the opportunity to accept or reject what is being taught to them, just as we have the opportunity to accept or reject the Gospel here on earth.

For a more detailed description about the Spirit World, please click here to learn what President Brigham Young has to say on the topic.