Doctrine and Covenants 130: 9=10

[askandanswer]

 

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:9 - 10)
This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ's.

10  Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:11)

11  And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it.  The new name is the key word.

It may be reasonable to suppose that the white stone referred to in verse 11 is the same type of white stone referred to in verse 10. Verse ten indicates that one of the properties of the white stone is that it is able to make known things of a higher order of kingdoms. If a white stone is given to those entering the celestial kingdom, as verse 11 indicates, I wonder what order of kingdoms it will make things known about to those celestial beings who receive white stone. I understand that there are degrees of glory within the celestial kingdom, but they would all seem to be degrees within the same kingdom, whereas vs 10, with its reference to kingdoms, plural, seems to be referring to something other than higher degrees within a particular kingdom. Does this verse give reason to consider the possibility that there is something higher than the celestial kingdom?

[zil]

1 hour ago, askandanswer said:

Does this verse give reason to consider the possibility that there is something higher than the celestial kingdom?

Follow the footnote to Abraham - I think he explains the reality of eternal hierarchy quite well.

[Sadliers]

There are 3 degrees within the Celestial Kingdom. The highest degree is exaltation, aka eternal life. There is nothing greater than exaltation for that is where Father dwells.

 

"In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;" (D&C 131:1)

Edited April 12, 2016 by Sadliers

[Edspringer]

5 hours ago, askandanswer said:

 

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:9 - 10)
This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ's.

10  Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:11)

11  And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it.  The new name is the key word.

It may be reasonable to suppose that the white stone referred to in verse 11 is the same type of white stone referred to in verse 10. Verse ten indicates that one of the properties of the white stone is that it is able to make known things of a higher order of kingdoms. If a white stone is given to those entering the celestial kingdom, as verse 11 indicates, I wonder what order of kingdoms it will make things known about to those celestial beings who receive white stone. I understand that there are degrees of glory within the celestial kingdom, but they would all seem to be degrees within the same kingdom, whereas vs 10, with its reference to kingdoms, plural, seems to be referring to something other than higher degrees within a particular kingdom. Does this verse give reason to consider the possibility that there is something higher than the celestial kingdom?

In my personal view of things, verse 10 could be referring to kingdoms above our own, that is, above our celestial kingdom. We know that our Father in Heaven has His kingdom, that will be inherited by Christ and the faithfull saints as promissed in scripture. We'll also inherit this Earth as it becomes celestialized. In effect, we'll be heirs of this Earth (celestial kingdom) and our Father in Heaven's kingdom (celestial kingdom and more). As the Great Elohim (according to the prophets Joseph Smith and Lorenzo Snow) also experienced a mortal life in a place within His Father's kingdom. Possibily and presumebly He inherited it after its celestialization and the kingdom of His Father. So, it's reasonable to believe that higher kingdoms, like the kingdom of our Heavenly Father's Father, will be made known to us. As we read in Pearl of Great Price, in the chapter 1 of Moses, the LORD only revealed to Moses things pertaining this kingdom only. A greater knowledge of higher kingdoms may be made known to us when our glorified minds will be ready to number them all and understand the power by which they stand. There may be inumerable celestial kingdoms of higher orders. Think about our Father in Heaven's kingdom, our Grandfather in Heaven's kingdom, our Great-Grandfather in Heaven's kingdom and so on. It's too much for our finite minds!

Of course, we can only speculate about that, though it sounds pretty reasonable to me. 

Edited April 12, 2016 by Edspringer