Who goes to the 3 levels of the Celestial Kingdom?

[Guest]

I kind of feel like, while you should be absolutely worried about missing the celestial kingdom for the terrestrial kingdom (which can come about from lukewarmth, inactivity, pornography, word of wisdom problems, or otherwise not being temple worthy), worrying about which part of the celestial kingdom you are headed for is a good way to make yourself crazy.  The lines are not really clear, we don't really know what this all means, and we are all imperfect beings dependent on Christ's grace.  At some point, you just have to get sealed in the temple, try to make a good faith effort at repenting and living the gospel, and rely on the grace of Christ, you know?

[Anddenex]

39 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

I don't understand how to confirm God's feelings for me. Do I need my bosom to burn to feel forgiven and clean? How do I feel forgiven and clean and know God has forgiven me of my sins and I'm currently on the path to Spirit paradise if I were to die today.

I think others have answered your previous question sufficiently regarding the levels of degree within the Celestial kingdom itself, and as pertaining to your top tier this would be correct with the caveat "as long as we have been faithful to this covenant." A note to ponder regarding receiving the glory of the Celestial kingdom and progression. Will those who have entered the bottom/lowest tier be able to progress from the lowest to the highest, are we not all Celestial bodies? These are questions and questions are good as long as we do not allow an unanswered question to shake our faith. 

Now, in answer to the quoted statement, I will share what a wise bishop once shared with me. We believe in a Godhead. We believe in the Father. We believe in the Son. We believe in the Holy Ghost. We believe them to be one God. Each member has their purpose, unique to our Salvation. Jesus Christ, the Son, is our Savior (blood & sanctification). The Holy Ghost does not have a body so that he may dwell within us (spirit & justification). The Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean bodies (almost an irony as none of us are without sin -- we are unclean). The Son, Jesus Christ, is why the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion as we are perfected through Him. The question my bishop asked me, "Anddenex, have you received a revelation from God"? My response, "Yes." His next question, "Have you received the Holy Ghost that he might dwell within you"? My response, "Yes." Then he said, "Trust in God's forgiveness, not your own personal righteousness, if you have received a revelation then the Holy Ghost has dwelt within you, and he cannot dwell in any unclean temple, just as no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God." 

At first I thought he was given me a good statement that brought momentary peace to my conscience, until I read this verse, Mosiah 4: 20, "And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy" (The whole chapter really).

A few points to ponder:

1) Are we "begging" for a remission of sins (repentance, blood & sanctification)

2) If so, has the Lord poured out his Spirit upon you? Have you received revelation?

3) Are we continually pursuing the path to perfection (obedience, the first law in heaven, spirit & justification)? The result, his image (the Lord's) is upon us, meaning we are obtain the same body, the same countenance as Christ because we are his. Our perfection is through him, and only through him are we worthy and perfect.

This brings me back to verses shared in other threads with you. Abraham 1:2, Moses 6:60. 

How do I know I am OK with God? I ask myself, "Have I recently felt the Spirit that it filled my heart with Joy, and that he dwelt within me"? If so, I am then OK if I were to die today, as long as, I have been faithful to the covenant I have made in the temple.

 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

I don't understand how to confirm God's feelings for me. Do I need my bosom to burn to feel forgiven and clean? How do I feel forgiven and clean and know God has forgiven me of my sins and I'm currently on the path to Spirit paradise if I were to die today.

Keyword: path.

The road is called Eternal Progression for a reason.  Many consider salvation or exaltation or forgiveness as a destination.  It isn't.  It's a path.  It's a direction.  The "destination" philosophy has two weaknesses.

1. It seems to say that once you've reached a certain point, you don't need to do anymore.  You can just stop.  This mindset misses the whole point of Eternal Progression.
2. There is no way to reach the destination in this life.  So, we constantly feel unworthy (which on some level we should).  But it also makes us wonder (as you are now) about our standing with God.

Instead, ask yourself,"Where have I pitched my tent?"  Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham moved his tent to the Oak at Mamre.  Where have you pitched your tent?

Even then, when Lot pitched his tent facing Sodom and Gomorrah, was he evil?  No.  In fact, even when the Lord sent his angels to destroy S&G many years later, Lot and his family were those who were spared (except his wife).  But there were many repercussions of his actions.

When Abraham moved to Mamre, was he pronounced perfect?  No.  It was many decades later in life that he was considered perfected.

For now, consider these truths:  

1. If you are making efforts, striving towards perfection, the Lord will hold out His hand to help you down the path.
2. If you are failing, He's holding out his hand to help you down the path.
3. If you are running the other direction, He's calling to you to stop and turn around to take His hand to help you down the path.

Do you really ever need to be concerned about His feelings for you?  Do you ever doubt His love for you?  If so, rest assured, that is the Devil talking to you.  The Lord has nothing but Love for you.  How do I know?  Because I'm a father --  a flawed mortal father who always loves his children no matter how much they mess up.

Quote

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give athe Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

--Luke Ch 11

If I as a flawed mortal father can love my children like that, then how much more does our Heavenly Father love every one of us no matter how badly we mess up?  That doesn't mean I don't get upset at my children when they really mess up.  Neither does the Lord not show some disappointment with our sins.  But He is always trying to help us down the road to righteousness.

 

 

Edited October 4, 2016 by Guest

[askandanswer]

5 hours ago, Carborendum said:

 

1. If you are making efforts, striving towards perfection, the Lord will hold out His hand to help you down the path.
2. If you are failing, He's holding out his hand to help you down the path.
3. If you are running the other direction, He's calling to you to stop and turn around to take His hand to help you down the path.

Do you really ever need to be concerned about His feelings for you?  Do you ever doubt His love for you?  If so, rest assured, that is the Devil talking to you.  The Lord has nothing but Love for you.  How do I know?  Because I'm a father --  a flawed mortal father who always loves his children no matter how much they mess up.

If I as a flawed mortal father can love my children like that, then how much more does our Heavenly Father love every one of us no matter how badly we mess up?  That doesn't mean I don't get upset at my children when they really mess up.  Neither does the Lord not show some disappointment with our sins.  But He is always trying to help us down the road to righteousness.

 

 

a slight improvement

keyword: up

If you are making efforts, striving towards perfection, the Lord will hold out His hand to help you down up the path.

If you are failing, He's holding out his hand to help you down up the path.

If you are running the other direction, He's calling to you to stop and turn around to take His hand to help you down up the path.

But He is always trying to help us down up the road to righteousness

Only one dude is trying to take us down the path and that’s not the dude we want to follow.

 

 

 

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, askandanswer said:

a slight improvement

keyword: up...

I'm wondering if this is just an Australian cultural thing.  In America at least, "Down the path" just means "further along the path" whether up or down metaphorically.

[zil]

14 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

I'm wondering if this is just an Australian cultural thing.  In America at least, "Down the path" just means "further along the path" whether up or down metaphorically.

I've heard both - usually in conjunction with whether the road is uphill or downhill (or possibly headed north or south).  I like the upprovement.

[Guest]

19 minutes ago, zil said:

I've heard both - usually in conjunction with whether the road is uphill or downhill (or possibly headed north or south).  I like the upprovement.

So, when we "ease on down the road" it is a curse to go see the Wiz?  Well, I guess "The Wiz" was a curse...

[askandanswer]

9 hours ago, Carborendum said:

I'm wondering if this is just an Australian cultural thing.  In America at least, "Down the path" just means "further along the path" whether up or down metaphorically.

Its just me being slightly silly.

[Guest]

I have chosen to meet with my Bishop on Sunday and confess a couple things in hopes of true repentance so wish me luck on Sunday. I see my Mormon psychologist tomorrow.

[Jane_Doe]

9 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

I have chosen to meet with my Bishop on Sunday and confess a couple things in hopes of true repentance so wish me luck on Sunday. I see my Mormon psychologist tomorrow.

Go @Zarahemla!!!

[Guest]

The psychologist appointment went well, now I hope my Bishop appointment goes great on Sunday.

[Guest MormonGator]

4 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

The psychologist appointment went well, now I hope my Bishop appointment goes great on Sunday.

You are in all of our prayers. I'm proud of you. 

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

The psychologist appointment went well, now I hope my Bishop appointment goes great on Sunday.

I'm praying for you too.  Have faith, and still make allowance for both the counselor and the Bishop being human.