Questions about Heaven

[Nahilolo]

As someone who is just now re-starting her journey with Christ I have questions about the LDS faith and Heaven. I don't mean to offend anyone with these questions I am just wondering...

1. Are Mormons the only ones going to heaven? I understand that you believe that you are the "only true church", so are christians of other christian denominations not going to heaven? Most of what I find says thats not true but I have read otherwise.

2. I understand that you do proxy baptisms for dead relatives? So I could have sex, do drugs, drink, kill someone, be pagan, and live a totally mean horrible life, then my great great granddaughter could convert LDS and do a proxy baptism for me and I would end up in heaven. I know there has to be more to this because it makes no sense to me whatsoever!

I am aware that question #2 totally contradicts the question #1.

I repeat I in no way mean to offend anyone. I am simply an inquiring mind wishing to get closer to the Lord and checking out all the paths I have stumbled across.

[HiJolly]

As someone who is just now re-starting her journey with Christ I have questions about the LDS faith and Heaven. I don't mean to offend anyone with these questions I am just wondering...

1. Are Mormons the only ones going to heaven?

No.

I understand that you believe that you are the "only true church", so are christians of other christian denominations not going to heaven? Most of what I find says thats not true but I have read otherwise.

Here's the scriptural statement: Doctrine and Covenants 1

I personally don't think that's the same thing as the "only true church", but I realize that many, many LDS *do* think it means just that. But I don't.

Anyone who follows Christ with full intent and faith, who does not reject the promptings of the Holy Ghost, is a member of the Church of the Lamb of God. 1 Nephi 14 That goes beyond membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We believe that the Mormon Church is the church that has the most truth, and the authority of God to administer the priesthood. At the same time, those whose hearts are true will be led by God to proper discipleship. Most LDS believe the Mormon Church is the only legitimate place for this, but I do not. Both they and I are Mormons in good standing. There is much room for differing opinions, in the Church. Social acceptance may be a different issue....

2. I understand that you do proxy baptisms for dead relatives? So I could have sex, do drugs, drink, kill someone, be pagan, and live a totally mean horrible life, then my great great granddaughter could convert LDS and do a proxy baptism for me and I would end up in heaven. I know there has to be more to this because it makes no sense to me whatsoever!

Whether you get baptized today, or 100 years after you die, the ordinance is useless if you do not seek to follow Christ. There is the outer form, and then there is the inner, living essence of the thing. If you do seek Christ and His righteousness, then the ordinance is efficacious regardless of when you accept it.

I repeat I in no way mean to offend anyone. I am simply an inquiring mind wishing to get closer to the Lord and checking out all the paths I have stumbled across.

Good idea.

HiJolly

Edited August 3, 2010 by HiJolly
spelling

[bytebear]

We believe that heaven is made up of levels called kingdoms. There are three major kingdoms in heaven. The lowest kingdom is for those who reject Christ. The middle is for those who accept Christ as their savior, but the highest is for those who covenant with Christ through baptism. We believe the LDS Church is the only organization on Earth with the authority to properly administer the covenant through priesthood. But, as was said, through baptism for the dead, all of mankind will have the opportunity to accept the covenant if they wish. Children and those unable to comprehend their sins will not be held accountable and are cleaned through the blood of Christ. In other words, if you are unable to comprehend the covenant, you are not responsible for making it. Read 1 Cor. 15 for how Peter describes the three degrees of glory.

But, these kingdoms come after the final judgment, which does not come right at death. Instead we go to a spirit world to await resurrection. The spirit world is divided into paradise and prison, for those who have accepted Christ and those who have not. This is often what other churches see as Heaven and Hell, but this is only a temporary state until we are resurrected and judged. There are some great Bible scriptures that explain this fairly clearly.

See:

Paradise

Hell

Kingdoms of Glory

Edited August 3, 2010 by bytebear

[mnn727]

1.) We believe most everyone will make it to Heaven, but we also believe there are levels to heaven and you will get to the level you deserve based on how you lived your life, the knowledge you had (of God), the choices you made and what was in your heart.

2.) See answer to number 1.

Your example person "So I could have sex, do drugs, drink, kill someone, be pagan, and live a totally mean horrible life," would probably only make it to the lowest level -- however God will be the judge of what was in that persons heart, not me.

I would also exhort the LDS members replying here not to get salvation and exaltation mixed up - a very common mistake.

Edited August 3, 2010 by mnn727

[jayanna]

What if you were born in say, China, and were not given the opportunity your whole life to even hear the name of Christ much less had a chance to get baptized...would it be just to be kept out of heaven for that? Of course not, with baptisms for the dead the plan is complete and mercy is extended to those who did not know or have what we do. As for which kigdom they will be in, that is not our call. Also, free will is involved on their part, b/c while we are doing baptisms for them in our physical bodies, they must be willing to accept it.

What you can do, if you like is get a gospel principles book, if you go to church they will give you one at the library for the class you will be in.

If you don't want to get one that way, you can go online to lds.org, go to Gospel Library, Lessons, then click on the picture of the Gospel Principles book. You can read by chapter, topic, it includes scripture references and everything. I would strongly suggest praying for knowledge and then looking these scriptures up and reading them for yourself. If you decide to go to class to discuss these topics and ask questions you will be welcomed and appreciated, though sometimes people can be shy.

I am so glad you are asking questions!