User:Alienburrito/Exaltation (LDS Church)

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Exaltation or Eternal Life is a belief among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that mankind can return to live in God's presence and continue as families.[1] Exaltation is believed to be what God desires for all humankind. The LDS Church teaches that through exaltation believers may become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.[2] In a a soermon given at the funeral of a church menber, Joseph Smith described becoming Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Jesus Christ as "To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before."[3] In the Doctrine & Covenants is found a verse that states that those who are exalted will become gods.[4]

Ordinances

According to LDS beliefs, certain ordinances, such as baptism, are required of all those who hope to obtain exaltation. These ordinances are basically the same as those of other Christian churches, and are very similar in concept to the Sacrements of the Catholic Church. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage, and endowment. The Endowment is unique to the LDS church. The LDS ordinance of marriage is unique in that the LDS church teaches that the marriage bond may continue in the afterlife, if performed by someone with the proper priesthood authority. The LDS ordination to the priesthood is also unique in that generally all men are expected or encouraged to be ordained to the priesthood.

All the ordinances are believed to be required for entrance into the highest levels of Heaven. The LDS believe that they can perform the ordinances on behalf of the dead, allowing those who died without ever hearing the Gospel an opportunity to have access to salvation.

Different kingdoms

Those who reject the ordinances are still believed to have the opportunity to inherit a kingdom of glory distinct from, and of less glory, than the Celestial Kingdom: either the Terrestrial Kingdom or the Telestial Kingdom[5] Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom is the ultimate goal of faithful LDS Church members.

In an LDS scripture, the book of Moses 1:39, God tells Moses, "this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." God shows Moses a vision depicting some of His vast creations including a vast number of worlds created for other people—a sampling of what God created in the past and what he will continue to do forever. Each world was prepared and peopled by God for the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of all of this children. Immortality refers to personal resurrection by which each individual can continue to enjoy a perfect, physical body forever. Exaltation refers to living in the presence of God and Jesus Christ; to becoming like God both in terms of holiness or godliness and sharing in God's glory.[6]

It is commonly believed by members of the Church that, as God's children, mankind may, through the merits and mercy accorded all through the Atonement of Christ, become like God the Father. As Paul taught the Romans, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."[7] Eternity will be spent in a process of eternal progression becoming more like the Father (God).

Latter-day Saints posit that not only does God have the power to exalt mortal man, but without the possibility, there is little reason for mortality.[8] They also point to comments made by Christ and Psalmists among others that refer to the Divine nature and potential of humans as children of God. [9] They include passages in the Book of Revelation that describe the joint heirship with Christ of those who overcome by faith in Jesus Christ.[10]

External links

Gospel Principles is a manual used by LDS Church to teach new converts and those investigating the church about basic LDS beliefs. Chapter 47 of the manual is titled "Exaltation" and explains LDS beliefs on the subject.

Notes

  1. ^ "Topic Definition - Eternal Life", Official LDS Church Website 9 June, 2008.
  2. ^ Romans 8:16-17
  3. ^ [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1a79945bd384b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 The King Follett Sermon, Ensign, April 1971
  4. ^ D&C 132:20
  5. ^ The Celestial kingdom is reserved for the members of the Church who have a testimony of Christ and live a Christian life. The Terrestrial kingdom is for the honorable and virtuous people of the world as well as those who reject the gospel. The Telestial kingdom is for the murderers, robbers and liars. The Celestial kingdom has two separate classes, those who are married and those who are not, who will be servants to others. (DC 130:5, 1 Corinthians. Gospel Topics - Kingdoms of Glory, Official LDS Church Website
  6. ^ Doctrine & Covenants 132:23
  7. ^ Romans 8:17
  8. ^ The object of our earthly existence is that we may have a fullness of joy, and that we may become the sons and daughters of God, in the fullest sense of the word, being heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, to be kings and priests unto God, to inherit glory, dominion, exaltation, thrones and every power and attribute developed and possessed by our Heavenly Father. This is the object of our being on this earth. In order to attain unto this exalted position, it is necessary that we go through this mortal experience, or probation, by which we may prove ourselves worthy, through the aid of our elder brother Jesus - "Melchizedek Priesthood Manual", Official LDS Church Website 9 June, 2008.
  9. ^ John 17:20-23, Psalms 8:4,5
  10. ^ Rev. 21:7,3:21

References

  • Adams, Lisa Ramsey (1992), "Eternal Progression", in Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: Mcmillan, pp. 465–66, ISBN 0-02-904040-X.
  • Hardy, Grant R. (1992), "Godhood", in Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: Mcmillan, pp. 553–55, ISBN 0-02-904040-X.
  • Pope, Margaret McConkie (1992), "Exaltation", in Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: Mcmillan, p. 479, ISBN 0-02-904040-X.
  • Ricks, Shirley S. (1992), "Eternal Lives, Eternal Increase", in Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: Mcmillan, p. 465, ISBN 0-02-904040-X.

Category:Latter Day Saint doctrines regarding deity Category:Latter Day Saint concepts of the afterlife Category:Latter Day Saint terms

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