Does exaltation ever seem too glamorous to be true?

[Guest]

What I mean by that is we are taught to be disciples of Christ and humble, but the reward for getting sealed in the temple and being worthy as D&C 132 says is kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers dominions and a continuation of the seeds forever and we will become gods. All in D&C. Other past prophets have said we will help create worlds without end to populate with our spirit children. We will get to be with our worthy family members and be with God and Christ again, but we also get to become gods lower case g. Is wanting all that wrong or a worthy goal that goes along with eye hath not seen nor ear heard the things which the Lord has prepared for those that love him and we will be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. All this certainly gives incentive to follow all the commandments and keep a worthy temple recommend. Thoughts?

[skalenfehl]

Well, considering the alternative...

[Guest]

Another question I had. Does exaltation and eternal life mean the same thing?

[skalenfehl]

8 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

Another question I had. Does exaltation and eternal life mean the same thing?

Yes and no. To be exalted is to be elevated. To be elevated to the celestial kingdom is to be saved. But to be saved isn't necessarily exaltation as Mormons consider the term. People who overcome death will be saved, death being the final enemy, whether in the Telestial, Terrestrial or Celestial Kingdom. Now consider this passage:

Quote

D&C 130:9 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;

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.

So, those who inherit the celestial kingdom, who are "saved" will learn about a higher order of kingdoms, which equals further "exaltation." 

[Guest]

It all seems like it should be our goal since Heavenly Fathers purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

[skalenfehl]

Yes. Immortality is to overcome physical death. Eternal life is to over come sin, or in other words, eternal life is life with God--dwelling in His presence. 

[Edspringer]

 

 

 

Exaltation is one of my favorite gospel subjects. The Prophet Joseph Smith said it will take a long time after the grave until we become to understand what exaltation really is. So, I feel less said for not understanding exaltation in its fullness. But let ‘s get back to the topic.

Paul taught that “without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  So, we are commanded to seek God diligently and expect for His reward: all that He possesses. He won’t deny anything to those who endure to the end. He will grant a place among the exalted beings and, as John taught in the book of Revelations, we will sit in the throne with Christ and become joint-heirs with Him.

So, doing something expecting a promised reward is not necessarily wrong. Otherwise promises wouldn’t be made. God promised us the highest spot in heaven and so He will do, if we do our part in the covenant.

To be humble, in this perspective, is to render our thoughts, our feelings, our very actions to God and His work. We truly decide to obey Him e follow the Savior, His Begotten Son. We covenant ourselves to serve Him and our fellowmen. We consecrate our time, resources, talents and even our bodies to Him. We put off the natural man.

But it is my opinion that, when we come to know God and our true relationship to Him and learn and start to understand the Savior’s atoning sacrifice for us, we begin to understand that we not only do all of this simply to get a reward for God’s hand, but become we learned to love Him and the righteousness. We start to have a sense of gratitude in our hearts that will inevitably lead us to perfection. President Eyring, in his talk to the priesthood holders last General Conference, mentioned Enoch and how he became a mighty man. He was commanded to “walk with [God]” and them he completed: “Brethren, our ordination to the priesthood is an invitation from the Lord to walk with Him. And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves. He sacrificed His own comforts to bless those in need, so that’s what we try to do. He seemed to take particular notice of people who were overlooked and even shunned by society, so we should try to do that too. He testified boldly yet lovingly of the true doctrine He received from His Father, even if it was unpopular, and so must we”.

When we love God, we want to do what He does and so one. The ultimate result of such performance will inevitably be to become a god and to enjoy all that a god enjoys. This thought thrills me deeply and bring to me a sense of awe and reverence to our Heavenly Father.  

 

Edited April 15, 2017 by Edspringer

[Guest]

I also think becoming exalted will be like becoming a super sayain in Dragon Ball Z.

[person0]

1 hour ago, Zarahemla said:

I also think becoming exalted will be like becoming a super sayain in Dragon Ball Z.

Kamehameha, let there be light!!!