What are Mormon views on the afterlife?

[Caitlyn]

I've read there are three different types of heaven. What are these, and why are they different?

[Dravin]

These are from the lesson book that is used by the Church and should give you some doctrinal background for any responses you get:

Gospel Principles Chapter 41: The Postmortal Spirit World

Gospel Principles Chapter 46: The Final Judgment

[james12]

Check out this link and let us know if you have any other questions.

Kingdoms of Glory

[Caitlyn]

Where are these places located?

[Spartan117]

I've read there are three different types of heaven. What are these, and why are they different?

There is the spirit world, and there are degrees of glory. Upon death, we go to the spirit world to await the resurrection. The spirits there are classified according to the purity of their lives and their obedience to the will of the Lord while on earth. The righteous and the wicked are separated into spirit paradise and spirit prison, but the spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison.

Doctrine and Covenant section 138 details the spirit world.

"Degrees of Glory" are differing kingdoms in heaven. At the final judgment, each person will be assigned to an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory, except those who are sons of Perdition.

There are 3 degrees of glory, and there is outer darkness.

Telestial Kingdom - These people did not receive the gospel or the testimony of Jesus either on earth or in the spirit world. They will suffer for their own sins in hell until after the Millennium, when they will be resurrected. 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. They will be visited by the Holy Ghost but not by the Father or the Son.

Terrestrial Kingdom - These are they who rejected the gospel on earth but afterward received it in the spirit world. These are the honorable people on the earth who were blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ by the craftiness of men. These are also they who received the gospel and a testimony of Jesus but then were not valiant. They will be visited by Jesus Christ but not by our Heavenly Father.

Celestial Kingdom - They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized, … that by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit. These are they who overcome the world by their faith. They are just and true so that the Holy Ghost can seal their blessings upon them. Those who inherit the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, who become gods, must also have been married for eternity in the temple. All who inherit the celestial kingdom will live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever.

Outer Darkness - These are they 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. They are the sons of Perdition.

Doctrine and Covenants section 76 details the degrees of glory.

[Blackmarch]

Where are these places located?

We havent been told yet.

[Blackmarch]

I've read there are three different types of heaven. What are these, and why are they different?

Spartan is pretty much spot on.

On a general note, social interaction will be very similar to how we are on earth only it will be made perfect. There will be working, duty, learning, caring, peace, teaching, leading, family.

[dahlia]

Boy, maybe I should have more control of this material at this point, but apparently I don't. Some question:

There are 3 degrees of glory, and there is outer darkness.

Terrestrial Kingdom - These are they who rejected the gospel on earth but afterward received it in the spirit world. These are the honorable people on the earth who were blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ by the craftiness of men. These are also they who received the gospel and a testimony of Jesus but then were not valiant. They will be visited by Jesus Christ but not by our Heavenly Father.

OK, so let's say my late husband accepts the gospel in the spirit world. There he is. But I'm LDS now and once I can get my endowments, we will be sealed. Where do we wind up? I should be in the Celestial Kingdom, but reading the above, it sounds like hubby can only wind up in the Terrestrial Kingdom.

Am I missing something? How do those who only accepted in the spirit world make it to the Celestial Kingdom? And if they can't, why should I go to all the trouble of being sealed, etc.?

[annewandering]

Am I missing something? How do those who only accepted in the spirit world make it to the Celestial Kingdom? And if they can't, why should I go to all the trouble of being sealed, etc.?

It is not true that if your husband accepts the gospel in the spirit world that he can not make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Otherwise, as you said, it would be pointless to do sealings for the dead.

Edited November 24, 2011 by annewandering

[bytebear]

Boy, maybe I should have more control of this material at this point, but apparently I don't. Some question:

OK, so let's say my late husband accepts the gospel in the spirit world. There he is. But I'm LDS now and once I can get my endowments, we will be sealed. Where do we wind up? I should be in the Celestial Kingdom, but reading the above, it sounds like hubby can only wind up in the Terrestrial Kingdom.

Am I missing something? How do those who only accepted in the spirit world make it to the Celestial Kingdom? And if they can't, why should I go to all the trouble of being sealed, etc.?

If your husband accepts the gospel in the spirit world, then he was not deceived by the craftiness of men. It just took him longer than most. But, since we are the same whether here or there, he will be as likely to accept it there as here.

By the way, the Celestial Kingdom is Earth, or will be when it receives its glory.

see Earth, Destiny of