The spirit children of Heavenly Father were given their first chance at exaltation in the pre- existence, the second chance came in this earth and most of them will get a third.chance is the post mortal Spirit World. How many chances do you want to give them? Unlimited? Where’s the justice in that. Just like the mortal law “Three strikes and you’re out”.
Cyndi H.September 14, 2022
Thank you for your insights. I agree with you. Our time of probation here on this Earth and in the Spirit World ends at the time of our resurrection with either a telestial, terrestrial, or celestial body. We receive the body for the glory that we feel most comfortable with. Yes, I believe that we can all eternally learn and grow. However, I believe those opportunities reside in each of those kingdoms and that’s where they stay.
brettSeptember 14, 2022
I have given a lot of thought about this over the years and the comments in this article make sense. What I struggle with reconciling is the family situations. An enormous focus is put on uniting families forever and I can see the real possibility that earthly families would be in different kingdoms after a final judgment. In my limited earthly view I don't see how I could enjoy a celestial life while loved family members are in a different kingdon.
BoBSeptember 14, 2022
I believe there is a lot of truth in what you are saying. I do not believe that everything you are saying is necessarily true. It is possible, I believe probable, for the parent(s) to provide to their children what they need and what they merit without providing everything they could have received. There are too many scriptures and revelations to simply say, "you will get everything that will make you the happiest forever." I do not believe that. I am not Presbyterian; I do not believe some are simply created for this glory and some for that. I believe, as a child of God, each has divine potential. We will become what we choose, not what we are. Yes all of the Kingdoms of Glory are for joy, but not all will receive a fullness of joy and they will be aware of that. Everything to the left of the Celestial Kingdom is a degree (we Latter-Day Saints teach and believe in degrees) of damnation; everything to the right of outer darkness is a degree of Salvation. Yes they will have joy, but yes there will be some sorrow as well.
IanSeptember 14, 2022
Let me add that NO ONE will arrive at the resurrection with anything less than an absolutely full understanding of the kingdoms and what they entail. If someone chooses the Telestial or Terrestrial (or even one of the lower levels of the Celestial), it is because they have no desire for anything else.
If someone has an honest desire to become Celestial, then they will achieve their goal BEFORE the resurrection, no matter how long it takes or how much repentance it requires. It is, after all, an infinite Atonement. In other words, no one in a lower kingdom will desire to go to a higher kingdom because they already made their permanent, full and open, all information included, no deception or misunderstanding involved choice.
Boanerges RubalcavaSeptember 14, 2022
I think the author is setting limits to ETERNITY. Of course, we do not know if there are really progression from one glory to other, but, the mortal examples he uses are by far less important than the ETERNAL PROGRESSION and of course the immense love of God for His children. After all, I strongly believe that although "...this is my work and my glory to bring to pass immortality and eternal life for man.", due to His eternal love for us actually I believe He wants Eternal Life for all His children, unfortunately many of us did not appreciate it and simple accept the other glories. But still I think He wants Eternal Life for all, and as a matter of fact He has been helping us throughout our mortal existence (and very likely after it) to gain precisely Eternal Life.
Herm OlsenSeptember 14, 2022
Bro. Goddard offers a wonderful insight into a perplexing question. I can take a deeper, more relaxing breath on the issue based on his observations. Thank you much for these insights. You’re amazing!
MarySeptember 14, 2022
I think this is a nice thought, but since there hasn't been a lot reveled I think it is safer to say that we just don't know. I personally lean more towards that there will be mobility between kingdoms. I think a loving God will give his children as many chances as he can to have them back. I once was stressed about being at the " celestial" level that God was by the time the final judgement came I then had a thought that maybe God didn't just become God over night, but through progressing throughout time which took away my anxiety. So I like to think about the eternities of one of constance growing and progressing.
Becky L RoseSeptember 14, 2022
I have never believed this is possible.
KcSeptember 14, 2022
If we are the same people and enjoy the same socialites I believe we will deal with regrets that we might have chosen better. That’s likely true if we’re missing family members in other kingdoms. If you’re in say terrestrial then you can be visited by a celestial family member. A terrestrial family member can visit a telestial. Visiting isn’t the same as living together and working for common goals. Spouses who love each other but weren’t valiant enough for exaltation might be celestial but not exalted as husband and wife. Despite the happiness of working to fulfill our eternal selves there will be regrets by those not exalted—they will wish they had the powers others have. There will even be sorrow on the part of exalted beings that people they love aren’t anywhere near, just like our Heavenly Father has for us.
I have a friend who said she’s perfectly content being an angel to a god. Yet she’s so intensely invested in the work of her family, esp wayward family. Why not shoot for the moon so you can have power within yourself to effect change in their behalf?
Comments | Return to Story
Rob McGhieSeptember 14, 2022
The spirit children of Heavenly Father were given their first chance at exaltation in the pre- existence, the second chance came in this earth and most of them will get a third.chance is the post mortal Spirit World. How many chances do you want to give them? Unlimited? Where’s the justice in that. Just like the mortal law “Three strikes and you’re out”.
Cyndi H.September 14, 2022
Thank you for your insights. I agree with you. Our time of probation here on this Earth and in the Spirit World ends at the time of our resurrection with either a telestial, terrestrial, or celestial body. We receive the body for the glory that we feel most comfortable with. Yes, I believe that we can all eternally learn and grow. However, I believe those opportunities reside in each of those kingdoms and that’s where they stay.
brettSeptember 14, 2022
I have given a lot of thought about this over the years and the comments in this article make sense. What I struggle with reconciling is the family situations. An enormous focus is put on uniting families forever and I can see the real possibility that earthly families would be in different kingdoms after a final judgment. In my limited earthly view I don't see how I could enjoy a celestial life while loved family members are in a different kingdon.
BoBSeptember 14, 2022
I believe there is a lot of truth in what you are saying. I do not believe that everything you are saying is necessarily true. It is possible, I believe probable, for the parent(s) to provide to their children what they need and what they merit without providing everything they could have received. There are too many scriptures and revelations to simply say, "you will get everything that will make you the happiest forever." I do not believe that. I am not Presbyterian; I do not believe some are simply created for this glory and some for that. I believe, as a child of God, each has divine potential. We will become what we choose, not what we are. Yes all of the Kingdoms of Glory are for joy, but not all will receive a fullness of joy and they will be aware of that. Everything to the left of the Celestial Kingdom is a degree (we Latter-Day Saints teach and believe in degrees) of damnation; everything to the right of outer darkness is a degree of Salvation. Yes they will have joy, but yes there will be some sorrow as well.
IanSeptember 14, 2022
Let me add that NO ONE will arrive at the resurrection with anything less than an absolutely full understanding of the kingdoms and what they entail. If someone chooses the Telestial or Terrestrial (or even one of the lower levels of the Celestial), it is because they have no desire for anything else. If someone has an honest desire to become Celestial, then they will achieve their goal BEFORE the resurrection, no matter how long it takes or how much repentance it requires. It is, after all, an infinite Atonement. In other words, no one in a lower kingdom will desire to go to a higher kingdom because they already made their permanent, full and open, all information included, no deception or misunderstanding involved choice.
Boanerges RubalcavaSeptember 14, 2022
I think the author is setting limits to ETERNITY. Of course, we do not know if there are really progression from one glory to other, but, the mortal examples he uses are by far less important than the ETERNAL PROGRESSION and of course the immense love of God for His children. After all, I strongly believe that although "...this is my work and my glory to bring to pass immortality and eternal life for man.", due to His eternal love for us actually I believe He wants Eternal Life for all His children, unfortunately many of us did not appreciate it and simple accept the other glories. But still I think He wants Eternal Life for all, and as a matter of fact He has been helping us throughout our mortal existence (and very likely after it) to gain precisely Eternal Life.
Herm OlsenSeptember 14, 2022
Bro. Goddard offers a wonderful insight into a perplexing question. I can take a deeper, more relaxing breath on the issue based on his observations. Thank you much for these insights. You’re amazing!
MarySeptember 14, 2022
I think this is a nice thought, but since there hasn't been a lot reveled I think it is safer to say that we just don't know. I personally lean more towards that there will be mobility between kingdoms. I think a loving God will give his children as many chances as he can to have them back. I once was stressed about being at the " celestial" level that God was by the time the final judgement came I then had a thought that maybe God didn't just become God over night, but through progressing throughout time which took away my anxiety. So I like to think about the eternities of one of constance growing and progressing.
Becky L RoseSeptember 14, 2022
I have never believed this is possible.
KcSeptember 14, 2022
If we are the same people and enjoy the same socialites I believe we will deal with regrets that we might have chosen better. That’s likely true if we’re missing family members in other kingdoms. If you’re in say terrestrial then you can be visited by a celestial family member. A terrestrial family member can visit a telestial. Visiting isn’t the same as living together and working for common goals. Spouses who love each other but weren’t valiant enough for exaltation might be celestial but not exalted as husband and wife. Despite the happiness of working to fulfill our eternal selves there will be regrets by those not exalted—they will wish they had the powers others have. There will even be sorrow on the part of exalted beings that people they love aren’t anywhere near, just like our Heavenly Father has for us. I have a friend who said she’s perfectly content being an angel to a god. Yet she’s so intensely invested in the work of her family, esp wayward family. Why not shoot for the moon so you can have power within yourself to effect change in their behalf?
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