Category: Afterlife
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Do You Really Believe You Can Become a God?
Whereas Christianity has, throughout the centuries, defined salvation as synonymous with eternal life, Mormonism makes eternal life synonymous with becoming a god. According to sixth President Joseph F. Smith, The object of our earthly existence is that we may have a fulness of joy, and that we may become the sons and daughters of God,…
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Theosis: “The Mormon View Is Altogether Different.”
This has been going on for far too long. BYU Professor Robert Millet, as part of his continuing apologetic for the Mormon doctrine of exaltation (i.e., faithful Mormons becoming Gods), perseveres in asserting that this doctrine did not originate with Mormonism, but was taught by the early (Christian) church fathers. Dr. Millet said as much…
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Eternal Progression: Mormonism vs. Christianity
I think Christians see eternal progression with bigger potential and glory than Mormons realize. Let me explain. Traditional Mormonism has followed Orson Pratt’s model of eternal progression, which holds that when we achieve full godhood we will cap out in knowledge and power, having become equal with God in all divinity, subsequently only progressing in…
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Does God Want People in Hell?
Does God want people in hell? By Eric Johnson
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Is It Possible To Choose Salvation After Death?
Is it possible to choose salvation after death? By Eric Johnson
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Ceaseless Praise That Has No End
Ceaseless praise that has no end The following was originally printed in the March-April 2009 edition of Mormonism Researched. To request a free subscription, please visit here.
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No Jumping Kingdoms
The LDS doctrine of eternal progression teaches that individuals progress through three estates, with their eternal state determined by their choices during mortal life. Some LDS leaders teach is no hope for advancement after death.
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2 Corinthians 12:2: Are there three Kingdoms of Glory?
Mormons use this verse to explain their three kingdoms of heaven, which they call the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. According to this view, everyone who dies will eventually make it to one of these three kingdoms. However, Paul was merely explaining how he ascended (probably in a visionary state) into the presence of the…
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John 14:2: Are there 3 Kingdoms of Glory?
According to Mormonism, there are three kingdoms of heaven called the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. This verse, used with 1 Cor 15:40, is often referenced to support this teaching. However, such an interpretation is incorrect for several reasons. First, Jesus was comparing heaven to a house with many “dwelling places,” an example that Jesus’s…
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More on Exalted Mormons Creating and Populating Worlds
Mormonism Research Ministry’s website contains a 2011 article sparked by Mormon denials (including a pointed and clear denial found on lds.org) of the long-standing doctrine in Mormonism that exalted Mormons will one day create and populate their own worlds. The article contains many quotes from Church manuals and Church leaders that prove the doctrine is…
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Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34: Ye are Gods
By Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson
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Terrestrial Kingdom (Defined)
Terrestrial Kingdom. The middle kingdom of glory to which honorable non-Mormons are assigned after death. The residents of this kingdom will be visited by Jesus Christ but will be separated from God the Father throughout eternity. Explained twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball: “Lukewarm Saints get terrestrial glory. The terrestrial kingdom will not be enjoyed by the…
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Telestial Kingdom (Defined)
Telestial Kingdom. The lowest kingdom of glory to which “liars, sorcerers, adulterers and whoremongers” are assigned for eternity after death. The residents of this kingdom will be visited by the Holy Ghost, but not by the Father or the Son. According to a church manual, “Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the…
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Spirit Prison (Defined)
Spirit Prison: Temporary place for deceased non-Mormons who await vicarious temple work done in their behalf by living Mormons, allowing them the opportunity to accept the LDS gospel. They are then released from spirit prison into paradise to await the resurrection.Return to dictionary here.
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Sons of Perdition (Defined)
Sons of Perdition: Those who rebelled with Lucifer in the pre-existence. The term can also apply to Mormons who willfully and deliberately deny the Holy Ghost and the truth of Mormonism while knowing it to be true. This sin will not be forgvien and will result in outer darkness.
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Paradise (Defined)
Paradise. Temporary place in the postmortal spirit world for Mormons who have been properly baptized and who remained faithful until death. Return to dictionary here.
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Outer Darkness (Defined)
Outer Darkness. Severe punishment for eternity, reserved for Satan and his demons as well as the sons of perdition, those humans who once embraced Mormonism and left to fight against the faith, even though they knew Mormonism was true. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell.
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Exaltation (Defined)
Exaltation. Godhood achieved by complete obedience to all the commandments and complete repentance of sins. Those who are exalted earn the right to etenral life in the celestial kingdom with their families. Those who are exalted will create worlds and populations, receive the worship of those people, and rule as Gods and Goddesses over their creations.
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Eternal Progression (Defined)
Eternal Progression. Composed of three stages of development, which are the first estate (premortality or preexistence), the second estate (mortality), and the third estate (immortality or eternal life). Eternal progression had no beginning and has no end; all Gods that ever were or ever will be must achieve their exalted state in this way.