Are there 3 degrees within the Celestial Kingdom?

[ChronoTrigger]

I have tentatively held to this supposition for years, without realizing anyone else ever thought it, too. In fact, your post and reference to this blog entry is the first I've ever heard of anyone outside of Vort wondering about this issue. Kind of nice to know I'm not the only one wondering if the simpler interpretation is the correct one.

I just wish the modern apostles touch on the subject soon.

[Vort]

I just wish the modern apostles touch on the subject soon.

Apostles rarely touch on such fringe issues that have no direct bearing on salvation. In my experience, most leaders simply accept traditional doctrinal interpretations and work from there. Clarifications do not come about unless there is a real need for it, so I try not to worry too much about such things.

[Dravin]

Apostles rarely touch on such fringe issues that have no direct bearing on salvation. In my experience, most leaders simply accept traditional doctrinal interpretations and work from there. Clarifications do not come about unless there is a real need for it, so I try not to worry too much about such things.

Yes, the distinction is of possible theological interest but not of any particular practical interest. The goal, exaltation, is the same regardless of if there are three subdivisions in the Celestial Kingdom or not.

[ChronoTrigger]

I want to achieve exaltation, but I'm not married yet.

[bytebear]

I want to achieve exaltation, but I'm not married yet.

Don't worry. If you are faithful, you will be where you want to be.

[mordorbund]

Some relevant quotes from our Sunday School discussion on D&C 132:

No blessing denied the faithful

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve counseled:

“We know that many worthy and wonderful Latter-day Saints currently lack the ideal opportunities and essential requirements for their progress. Singleness, childlessness, death, and divorce frustrate ideals and postpone the fulfillment of promised blessings. In addition, some women who desire to be full-time mothers and homemakers have been literally compelled to enter the full-time workforce. But these frustrations are only temporary. The Lord has promised that in the eternities no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments, are true to their covenants, and desire what is right.

“Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right in the Millennium, which is the time for fulfilling all that is incomplete in the great plan of happiness for all of our Father’s worthy children. We know that will be true of temple ordinances. I believe it will also be true of family relationships and experiences” (Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 75).

"They neither marry nor are given in marriage"

Elder James E. Talmage offers the following commentary on the story of the Sadducees trying to stump Jesus with a hypothetical woman married seven times (Luke 20:27-38):

“In the resurrection there will be no marrying nor giving in marriage; for all questions of marital status must be settled before that time, under the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which holds the power to seal in marriage for both time and eternity” (Jesus the Christ, pg. 509. Ch. 31).

Millennial temple work (a solution for singles in the spirit world)

“We never make matches for the dead in the temples. The Lord will bless all who are worthy of the blessings, and they will lose nothing. The work of the millennium will be largely work for the dead who did not have an opportunity when living to obtain the blessings, but who would have accepted the blessings if they had lived and obtained the blessings. Where, however, a couple is engaged and the woman dies, she may be sealed to her intended husband” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation vol. 2, pg. 177).

“I have heard President Joseph F. Smith say on several occasions that he would rather take his children one by one to the grave in their innocence and purity, knowing that they would come forth to inherit the fullness of celestial glory, than to have them marry outside of the Church, or even outside the temple of the Lord” (ibid, pg. 76).

[andypg]

That's true. I just wish I had a better understanding of which kingdom I am going to.

I don't know the intricacies of the afterlife (does anyone in mortality?) but what I do know is that I want to return to God and be in communion with him. Through the Scriptures, I understand that to reach this unity with God I desire we need to follow the commandments he laid out for our benefit, make and keep our ordinances, become Christ-like to those around us and endure well.

[reflexzero]

I was under the impression that the highest degree of exhaltation was reserved for those who fulfilled the blessing of Abraham as indicated in D&C 132 with plural marriage.

"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them."

- The Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol 11, p. 269

The practice of plural marriage may have been taken out of play, but the doctrine has not been altered as far as I can tell.

[Vort]

I was under the impression that the highest degree of exhaltation was reserved for those who fulfilled the blessing of Abraham as indicated in D&C 132 with plural marriage.

"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them."

- The Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol 11, p. 269

The practice of plural marriage may have been taken out of play, but the doctrine has not been altered as far as I can tell.

Your impression is incorrect. The blessings of eternal life are reserved for those who uphold all the laws of God, including the law of chastity. In Brigham Young's time, the law of chastity was understood to be more or less synonymous with plural marriage, and so was discussed as such. Replace instances of "plural marriage" with "celestial marriage" (meaning both temple-sealed marriage and observance of the law of chastity) and you will usually get a very relevant teaching that applies just as much today as it did back then.

[mordorbund]

I was under the impression that the highest degree of exhaltation was reserved for those who fulfilled the blessing of Abraham as indicated in D&C 132 with plural marriage.

"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them."

- The Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol 11, p. 269

The practice of plural marriage may have been taken out of play, but the doctrine has not been altered as far as I can tell.

Re-read section 132 and you'll note those who are exalted "did none other things than that which they were commanded". This explicitly includes Isaac, who, as far as has been revealed, had only one wife.

One other thing (to piggyback on Vort's comment), we are blessed for following the living prophet and not for following past or future prophets. Cain's offering (of the fruit of the field) was not acceptable even though Moses made it a requirement to make the same offering.

Edited October 7, 2013 by mordorbund

[ChronoTrigger]

I've sinned a lot and repented fully, even of bad sins after talking to my Bishop, even after being endowed in the temple, so I hope I still have a chance at exaltation. But I'm going to try to the end.

[wenglund]

The question of this thread is addressed by Ben McGuire in the recent Interpreter Scriptural Roundable discussion on D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 20:(starts about 15 minutes in): 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Sunday21]

14 hours ago, wenglund said:

The question of this thread is addressed by Ben McGuire in the recent Interpreter Scriptural Roundable discussion on D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 20:(starts about 15 minutes in): 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

I love these guys!