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.
January 25th, 2009 on 5:07 pm
Hm. I do find this very interesting! I am so excited for the Second Coming, I can only pray it comes soon
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January 25th, 2009 on 11:07 pm
You gave a far more thorough explanation of this than the missionaries gave me. I’m so happy to know that young children are guaranteed a place in the Celestial Kingdom. What a comforting thought!
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January 26th, 2009 on 8:49 am
Question for you - do you believe that ALL children under 8 go to the Celestial Kingdom? So then say Catholic children would go there, but their families would not be allowed to enter because they are not LDS? Just curious
Thanks!
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Jenna Reply:
January 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Very interesting question Britt, and the answer would be yes. God is no respecter of persons.
I grew up being taught by my parents that my brother was likely doing “missionary work” in the Spirit World, teaching departed souls the Gospel. I don’t now that it is doctrine, but I believe it to be true. I imagine that is what almost all of the souls of children who were 8 years old when they die are doing.
Each person in the Spirit World has the option to accept the gospel or not. So I guess I would say it’s not that their families wouldn’t be allowed to enter, it’s that their families would choose not to enter.
The improtant thing to remember in all of this is that EVERY person who ever lived on the earth has the opportunity to choose for themselves. It seems like if the Mormons are right, that everyone when they got to the Spirit World would choose to accept, but when we die we are still the same person. It is likely that those who didn’t believe the gospel was true on the earth will also not believe it in the world to come.
I’ve had readers get very offended about some of these ideas, but I say “If you don’t believe it’s true, then it doesn’t matter because that is not the way it is going to be.” I don’t believe that anyone will be “left out” of the celestial kingdom. I believe that we all choose to keep ourselves out. That is why I love the Gospel so much, because God doesn’t send anyone to hell because they weren’t Christian, or because they died before they were baptized. Everyone has a chance to choose eternal life, no matter what.
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Britt Reply:
January 26th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
While I am not LDS, I very much like the idea that you choose to be with God or to reject Him.
I really appreciate your explanation of your faith in such an honest way. Not being afraid of what people will think as well as being able to articulately discuss issues that are so personal to so many in such a different way is a talent and a blessing.
Thanks for promoting acceptance!
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Sophia Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hey Jenna I had a question about the CK. You said that you didn’t think anyone would be left out of the CK, that they would choose the Gospel or reject it. But I’ve had other members tell me that if you die before becoming a member, and then you accept the Gospel in the next life, the highest you can go is the Terrestrial.
Your explanation gives me much more peace. I’m not saying you’re right and they’re wrong or vice versa, I was just wondering what was the official stance.
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Jenna Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Well that is ridiculous to believe!
The requirements to enter the CK (love that we are abbreviating), are to both live righteously and have all of your ordinance work done. So I must be baptized, receive my endwoment, and be sealed to my spouse, and then if I live worthily I’m in!
If people who were baptized in the hereafter were denied entrance to the CK, why in the world do we spend so much time doing their endowment and sealing work for them? My husband and I spend 3 hours every other week going through the temple to do endowments for the deceased. If they didn’t get the chance to go to the CK, what a waste of time that would be!
Those members are wrong. Joseph Smith said of his own brother:
“He was … the noblest of my father’s family. He was one of the noblest of the sons of men. … In him there was no guile. … He was one of the soberest of men, and when he died the angel of the Lord visited him in his last moments” (History of the Church, 5:126–27).
If what your friends are saying is true, then his brother will be kept out of the CK.
The sealing power of Elijah “seals both on heaven and on earth”. Those who have ordinance work done for them vicariously are privvy to the same blessings that I am eligible for, even though my work was done in person, and their work was done through someone like me.
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Sophia Reply:
February 4th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Ah, thank you so much! I thought the same thing- “wait, why do all the ordinance work by proxy??”
Your blog rocks, thanks for answering questions so readily!
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March 22nd, 2009 on 12:05 am
[...] posting on topics such as the Plan of Salvation or the Temple, I began to receive comments and emails that kept asking me questions using the term [...]
March 22nd, 2009 on 10:04 pm
So can only former Mormons go to Perdition?
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Jenna Reply:
April 21st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Yep, because you have to know the truth before you can deny it.
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November 14th, 2009 on 5:07 am
Hi!
I just wanted to say that your blog is amazing and thank you for sharing the knowledge you have of the true gospel of Christ on the Internet.
I would just like to add to your discussion of salvation for the dead; which is revealed in section 137 of the Doctrine and Covenants. All who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God (D & C 137:7-9). Not just the members of the church as you stated! Peace and God bless you!
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Jenna Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Gabrielle,
Great point!
Paul in writing to the Corinthians asked, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29) I’m so grateful that we have the opportunity to do the work for those who passed on without the chance to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth.
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April 3rd, 2010 on 12:16 pm
[...] but of faith in the Lord.- Wilford W. Andersen. I also have a perfect trust in the Plan of Salvation. It is my faith in the reality of this Plan of Happiness that buoys me up during times of [...]