Where did we come from?

Why are we here?

And this week: Where are we going?

Second Coming

Acts 1:11

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into ^aheaven? this same Jesus, which is ^btaken up from you into heaven, shall so ^ccome in like ^dmanner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Second Coming is not something for the good people of the earth to be afraid of. There will be signs indicating its imminence such as the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ (see Acts 3:19–21; Revelation 14:6–7; D&C 45:28; 133:36), the preaching of the gospel throughout the world (see Matthew 24:14), and times of wickedness, war, and turmoil (see Matthew 24:6–7; 2 Timothy 3:1–7; D&C 29:17; 45:26–33; 88:91). The Lord has never revealed exactly when he will come again.

Millenium

After the Second Coming will be a period of 1000 years known as the Millenium. Christ will rule over the whole earth during this period. (see Revelation 20:4; D&C 29:11). Those living on the earth at this time will be righteous and good people of all belief systems. This will be a period of peace, in which members of the Church will continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the inhabitants of the earth.

The Lord has revealed that “in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea, the enmity of all flesh, shall cease” (D&C 101:26; see also Isaiah 11:6–9). Satan will be “bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men” (D&C 45:55; see also Revelation 20:1–3). I always get so excited when I think of this time period. Woohoo for no Satan!

After the period of 1000 years has ended, Satan will be loosed once again and he will attempt to win his war of evil once more. Don’t worry though, we already know he isn’t going to win. Why he keeps trying? I’m not sure.

Judgement

Then, the great day of Judgement will come. The scriptures teach that all of us will be judged according to our works: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12; see also D&C 76:111; 1 Nephi 15:32; Abraham 3:25–28).We will be judged by our thoughts, actions, and intentions. The Apostle Paul taught that we ourselves are the most complete record of our life (see Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3).

Christ not only Atoned for our sins, he will judge us for them as well. (See John 5:22.) According to our own acts, we will be assigned to the appropriate glory which we have earned.

Kingdoms of Glory

1 Corinthians 15:40-42

^aThere are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the ^bcelestial is one, and the glory of the ^cterrestrial is another.

There is one glory of the ^asun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the ^bstars: for one star ^cdiffereth from another star in ^dglory.

After the day of judgement, all who have ever lived on the earth will be assigned to a kingdom, either the telestial, terrestial, or celestial. Those who chose to reject God completely will be sent to a place called perdition. In the LDS faith we don’t believe in the “typical definition” of hell. Hell means spiritual death, being separated from God because of sin. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can all be redeemed from our sins and united with our Father and his Son once again.

Let’s start with the worst option and work our way up to the best.

Perdition

Those sent to the place we like to call Outer Darkness are those who had testimonies of Jesus through the Holy Ghost and knew the power of the Lord but allowed Satan to overcome them. They denied the truth and defied the power of the Lord. There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. They will not have a kingdom of glory. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever. (See D&C 76:28–35, 44–48.) One important distinction between the “traditional definition” of hell and that of perdition is that you have to know the truth before you can deny it. The souls residing here were once members of Christ’s church and had the gift of the Holy Ghost, but turned away from what they knew.

Please not that this is not the same as being a member of the church and then becoming inactive. It is much more serious than that.

Telestial Kingdom

Those in the telestial kingdom will be those who chose not to accept the Gospel either on earth or in the Spirit World. Remember from last week that all those who have ever lived will be given the opportunity to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.” These people are as numerous as the stars in heaven and the sand on the seashore (makes me sad to think how many people will live here). They will be visited by the Holy Ghost but not by the Father or the Son. (See D&C 76:81–86, 103–6.)

Terrestial Kingdom

Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people “who were blinded by the craftiness of men”. This group will include members of the Church who were “not valiant in the testimony of Jesus”. It will also include those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but who later received it in the postmortal spirit world. They will be visited by Jesus Christ but not by our Heavenly Father. (See D&C 76:73–79.) They will not be part of eternal families; they will live separately and singly forever (see D&C 131:1–4).

I think many have a hard time with the idea that only those who become members of Christ’s church can achieve the highest Glory of God, but I would point out that being a member does not automatically qualify you for the celestial kingdom. Those who weren’t “valiant” in their membership of the church will live in the terrestrial kingdom with all the rest.

Celestial Kingdom

The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have “received the testimony of Jesus” and been “made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood”. To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins.

All little children who die before the age of accountability (8 years old) are guaranteed a spot in the celestial kingdom. I consider this to be one of the most comforting point of doctrine imaginable. I’m grateful to know that my brother Drake, who lived on this earth for only a few minutes, will be waiting for me in such a wonderful place. I think of him often, and knowing that I can be with him again motivates me to live what I know to be true, no matter how difficult it may be at times.

The Plan of Salvation, a Plan which can lead each of us to find the greatest happiness, is truly magnificent. It provides answers to the questions which plague all of our minds behind the meaning of life. Upon gaining a testimony of its truth, each of us can walk the path of righteousness with steadfastness and purpose. We can be forgiven for our sins. We can live with our Father and our Redeemer, once again. I know this to be true.