"In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of te priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase."
-D&C 131:1-4
I have heard two interpretations on this.
1. The 3 heavens or degrees are the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms - there are no degrees within. You may only enter into the celestial kingdom if you are married in the temple or die and accept your baptism for the dead in the spirit world.
2. There are 3 degrees within the celestial kingdom - you may still enter into it if you are not married, but if you are trying your hardest to stay on the right track. of course, this is heavenly father's judgement, but if we give our best and obey his commandments and are baptised, we can enter into the celestial kingdom.
I have always learned the second way, however, in my daddy's ward (he was just called bishop of a new singles ward, which i always attend to support him, although im 14 =] ) a brother teaching the gospel doctorine class taught #1 and this has caused a lot of talk in the ward. i was just wondering, what are your guys' takes on this?
in the above scripture, verse #1, i looked at the footnote for celstial glory, and it points to D&C 76:70:
"these are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is of the sun, even the glory of God..."
so this is obviously pointing 3 within the celestial kingdom, or #2.
however, i looked in the topical guide under Celestial Glory, which pointed me towared looking under 'Heaven', which is general, specifying all three degrees. so this would be supporting #1.
i talked about this to my friends' dad, who is the local mission president, who also is the nephew of Bruce R. McConkie. he said that his uncle taught him way #2. and we all know Bruce R. McConkie. He's pretty awesum.
what do you guys think about this? i find that this is a fun topis to discuss.
Degrees Of Glory
in LDS Gospel Discussion
Posted
"In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of te priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase."
-D&C 131:1-4
I have heard two interpretations on this.
1. The 3 heavens or degrees are the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms - there are no degrees within. You may only enter into the celestial kingdom if you are married in the temple or die and accept your baptism for the dead in the spirit world.
2. There are 3 degrees within the celestial kingdom - you may still enter into it if you are not married, but if you are trying your hardest to stay on the right track. of course, this is heavenly father's judgement, but if we give our best and obey his commandments and are baptised, we can enter into the celestial kingdom.
I have always learned the second way, however, in my daddy's ward (he was just called bishop of a new singles ward, which i always attend to support him, although im 14 =] ) a brother teaching the gospel doctorine class taught #1 and this has caused a lot of talk in the ward. i was just wondering, what are your guys' takes on this?
in the above scripture, verse #1, i looked at the footnote for celstial glory, and it points to D&C 76:70:
"these are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is of the sun, even the glory of God..."
so this is obviously pointing 3 within the celestial kingdom, or #2.
however, i looked in the topical guide under Celestial Glory, which pointed me towared looking under 'Heaven', which is general, specifying all three degrees. so this would be supporting #1.
i talked about this to my friends' dad, who is the local mission president, who also is the nephew of Bruce R. McConkie. he said that his uncle taught him way #2. and we all know Bruce R. McConkie. He's pretty awesum.
what do you guys think about this? i find that this is a fun topis to discuss.