I think along the lines of the quote from Parley Pratt--"continued exertions" of "creative power" by which millions of new worlds will yet be formed and peopled, not just by God the Father, but also by king Adam and his descendants.”[6] What does it take to be creative? what do we need to learn enough? Does God give us practice? Does everything in eternity all happen at once? Most of the questions I find are in themselves limiting--and the answers then become limited and less than useful. I appreciate the comment by James Stuart Brown when he said"Boredom is a function of our own limitations." We are limiting ourselves!!! The frightening irony about less than faith filled lines of self-limiting questions and statements is that the boredom will come from being STUCK without the power of God to progress and continue EXPANDING our worlds in whatever way shape or form that is. The Celestial world is the only one that is unbounded and open to all possibilities! By purposely choosing a lesser existence because we haven't put the time and effort and desire into gaining personal revelation as to what might be in store or what our possibilities are is actually purposely choosing to confine ourselves to an existence that was prepared for those who don't trust God enough to believe what great things he has in store and settling in the most permanent way possible. That will get old FAST.
Rochelle HaleAugust 16, 2024
Boredom in the Celestial Kingdom? I think it beats sitting on a cloud and playing a harp for all eternity. Seriously, we have so much more to learn and so much has not yet been revealed. I believe we will be engaged in a lot of work and serious study, but we put that in the perspective of our mortal minds rather than what celestial beings will be capable of. To me it seems quite fascinating. Does my world have to have mice or worms? How many different kinds of apples are required? Most importantly, we will be with our Heavenly family and our loved ones.
DebbieAugust 15, 2024
There are so many things we do not know about the hereafter. Corinthians 2:9 “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him,” intimates that there is more to the story that we have no concept about!
The experience of the Nephites and Lamanites was so profound from being in a Gods (Christs) presence, and hearing and seeing what they did… that they had peace for almost 200 years. Might as well live to obtain ALL the blessings so you can have the have the ability to choose something lesser, than to forfeit any potential for those blessings by giving up now (when you can’t even fathom what the Lord lovingly has instore for us)! Don’t forget the power of The Savior to redeem and exalt those now problematic children! Nor what capacity for joy and peace that an exalted being is capable of. As far as boredom goes. Just think of the endless variety of creative opportunities that are in store in Eternity! Think WAY outside the Eternity box on this one!
JayAugust 15, 2024
Maybe it might be fair to consider one more truth to understand what exaltation, or what God's life is really like. Elder Holland taught in "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments" that we are never more like our Father in Heaven than when we are participating in creating the lives of our children. He further explains that "Father" is the name that He prefers over all others. President Nelson further suggests that while Salvation (eternal life in the celestial kingdom) is an individual matter, exaltation is a "family matter."
In other words, when we grasp that being promised the promises in the sealing ordinance, they are not centered on the creation of kingdoms, or worlds for creation sake, but in the creation and nurturing of life eternally and that the state of exaltation is most certainly about having the "seeds forever." Logically, with that view, the creation of places "for (our children or seed) to dwell, is simply a necessary byproduct as a means not an end in and of itself. That thought suggests that in this sense our motives should not and will not center on physical creation of planets and worlds in and of themselves.
As section 49 says, the earth was created so that a man and women could get married and have an earthly family. If we don't want to create children in eternity, we most certainly will not create life with God forever and by extension, there will be no opportunity to create worlds for those who don't want to be heavenly parents in an eternal chain of "gods with a little 'g'."
To be "gods" is to be parents...period, there is no other way or purpose under heaven than that. My conclusion, being an eternal parent is what it means to receive "all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" and what is means when we read that Abraham sought the "blessings of the fathers."
CSAugust 15, 2024
To your concluding statement, "And my guess is that most of you have never worried much about being 'bored in eternity,'" I think about it ALL the time. I'm not sure I want to build worlds, but I do want to reside in the Celestial Kingdom. I do want to be sealed to a good and worthy spouse to make up for the unworthy spouse I was sealed to on Earth. I wish for the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom -- but I would also like to know I can read a book once in a while or take a vacation to visit other worlds and not just be a Worker Bee for eternity, and especially not be obligated to pop out spirit babies for eternity. Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm there, but right now, I both look forward to being in the Celestial Kingdom and also dread it just a little bit. I HOPE HOPE HOPE there is more to it than it sounds like there is.
Shalissa LindsayAugust 15, 2024
Thanks for your treatment of this question, which comes up so often! I would like to add something I wrote myself several years ago:
"Modern prophets teach that we are gods in embryo, so let’s first think
about that comparison for a moment. Embryos (or at least fetuses) already share much of the physical anatomy of their parents and soon begin to have some of the same capabilities, such as movement, hearing, and even very limited sight.
But while embryos carry the raw DNA potential to become adults, they
hardly have an adult-like existence. Embroyos don’t eat salsa, tell jokes, build snow forts, play the guitar, light fireworks, polka,
or hit home runs. They don’t drive, ski, invent, paint, congregate, quilt, procreate, play basketball, hike, bicycle, or compose music. Thousands of joys specific to adult life are simply unknown to the babe in a womb, or even to a toddler. If you described to a fetus the process of birth, it might sound hellish. No more umbilical cord or warm amniotic fluid? Mother far away? No thank you. I’ll just stay right here as long as possible.
In the same way, the vast majority of celestial joys and capabilities must be simply beyond our wildest imaginations at this embryonic stage of our existence." (From the book Answers Will Come, p.83)
James Stuart BrownAugust 15, 2024
I greatly enjoyed the article as it is something I have pondered and prayed about for a long time. It makes sense that even within the Celestial Kingdom there will be numerous levels and roles. Not everyone will become a "CEO" comparable to Elohim. It is unlikely that the Final Judgement will be an "all or nothing" sort of thing. We know a little about three levels within the Celestial Kingdom. Those are probably Macro Divisions with their own entry criteria and some room for progression. There may be many further levels of differentiation. Pres Nelson's training at the University of Minnesota was a 7-year program with a few dropping out each year. The seventh-year finishers were considered capable of being University Program Chairs (or a Prophet in his case). There may be 7 levels after Celestial selection. There may be many more than 7 before someone has graduated to the level of Elohim. What will they concern themselves about? Maybe they will work to solve the issue of implosion of the existing universe, or relationship with an adjoining member of the Multiverse. Who knows, certainly not me. Boredom is a function of our own limitations.
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kjcoAugust 19, 2024
I think along the lines of the quote from Parley Pratt--"continued exertions" of "creative power" by which millions of new worlds will yet be formed and peopled, not just by God the Father, but also by king Adam and his descendants.”[6] What does it take to be creative? what do we need to learn enough? Does God give us practice? Does everything in eternity all happen at once? Most of the questions I find are in themselves limiting--and the answers then become limited and less than useful. I appreciate the comment by James Stuart Brown when he said"Boredom is a function of our own limitations." We are limiting ourselves!!! The frightening irony about less than faith filled lines of self-limiting questions and statements is that the boredom will come from being STUCK without the power of God to progress and continue EXPANDING our worlds in whatever way shape or form that is. The Celestial world is the only one that is unbounded and open to all possibilities! By purposely choosing a lesser existence because we haven't put the time and effort and desire into gaining personal revelation as to what might be in store or what our possibilities are is actually purposely choosing to confine ourselves to an existence that was prepared for those who don't trust God enough to believe what great things he has in store and settling in the most permanent way possible. That will get old FAST.
Rochelle HaleAugust 16, 2024
Boredom in the Celestial Kingdom? I think it beats sitting on a cloud and playing a harp for all eternity. Seriously, we have so much more to learn and so much has not yet been revealed. I believe we will be engaged in a lot of work and serious study, but we put that in the perspective of our mortal minds rather than what celestial beings will be capable of. To me it seems quite fascinating. Does my world have to have mice or worms? How many different kinds of apples are required? Most importantly, we will be with our Heavenly family and our loved ones.
DebbieAugust 15, 2024
There are so many things we do not know about the hereafter. Corinthians 2:9 “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him,” intimates that there is more to the story that we have no concept about! The experience of the Nephites and Lamanites was so profound from being in a Gods (Christs) presence, and hearing and seeing what they did… that they had peace for almost 200 years. Might as well live to obtain ALL the blessings so you can have the have the ability to choose something lesser, than to forfeit any potential for those blessings by giving up now (when you can’t even fathom what the Lord lovingly has instore for us)! Don’t forget the power of The Savior to redeem and exalt those now problematic children! Nor what capacity for joy and peace that an exalted being is capable of. As far as boredom goes. Just think of the endless variety of creative opportunities that are in store in Eternity! Think WAY outside the Eternity box on this one!
JayAugust 15, 2024
Maybe it might be fair to consider one more truth to understand what exaltation, or what God's life is really like. Elder Holland taught in "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments" that we are never more like our Father in Heaven than when we are participating in creating the lives of our children. He further explains that "Father" is the name that He prefers over all others. President Nelson further suggests that while Salvation (eternal life in the celestial kingdom) is an individual matter, exaltation is a "family matter." In other words, when we grasp that being promised the promises in the sealing ordinance, they are not centered on the creation of kingdoms, or worlds for creation sake, but in the creation and nurturing of life eternally and that the state of exaltation is most certainly about having the "seeds forever." Logically, with that view, the creation of places "for (our children or seed) to dwell, is simply a necessary byproduct as a means not an end in and of itself. That thought suggests that in this sense our motives should not and will not center on physical creation of planets and worlds in and of themselves. As section 49 says, the earth was created so that a man and women could get married and have an earthly family. If we don't want to create children in eternity, we most certainly will not create life with God forever and by extension, there will be no opportunity to create worlds for those who don't want to be heavenly parents in an eternal chain of "gods with a little 'g'." To be "gods" is to be parents...period, there is no other way or purpose under heaven than that. My conclusion, being an eternal parent is what it means to receive "all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" and what is means when we read that Abraham sought the "blessings of the fathers."
CSAugust 15, 2024
To your concluding statement, "And my guess is that most of you have never worried much about being 'bored in eternity,'" I think about it ALL the time. I'm not sure I want to build worlds, but I do want to reside in the Celestial Kingdom. I do want to be sealed to a good and worthy spouse to make up for the unworthy spouse I was sealed to on Earth. I wish for the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom -- but I would also like to know I can read a book once in a while or take a vacation to visit other worlds and not just be a Worker Bee for eternity, and especially not be obligated to pop out spirit babies for eternity. Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm there, but right now, I both look forward to being in the Celestial Kingdom and also dread it just a little bit. I HOPE HOPE HOPE there is more to it than it sounds like there is.
Shalissa LindsayAugust 15, 2024
Thanks for your treatment of this question, which comes up so often! I would like to add something I wrote myself several years ago: "Modern prophets teach that we are gods in embryo, so let’s first think about that comparison for a moment. Embryos (or at least fetuses) already share much of the physical anatomy of their parents and soon begin to have some of the same capabilities, such as movement, hearing, and even very limited sight. But while embryos carry the raw DNA potential to become adults, they hardly have an adult-like existence. Embroyos don’t eat salsa, tell jokes, build snow forts, play the guitar, light fireworks, polka, or hit home runs. They don’t drive, ski, invent, paint, congregate, quilt, procreate, play basketball, hike, bicycle, or compose music. Thousands of joys specific to adult life are simply unknown to the babe in a womb, or even to a toddler. If you described to a fetus the process of birth, it might sound hellish. No more umbilical cord or warm amniotic fluid? Mother far away? No thank you. I’ll just stay right here as long as possible. In the same way, the vast majority of celestial joys and capabilities must be simply beyond our wildest imaginations at this embryonic stage of our existence." (From the book Answers Will Come, p.83)
James Stuart BrownAugust 15, 2024
I greatly enjoyed the article as it is something I have pondered and prayed about for a long time. It makes sense that even within the Celestial Kingdom there will be numerous levels and roles. Not everyone will become a "CEO" comparable to Elohim. It is unlikely that the Final Judgement will be an "all or nothing" sort of thing. We know a little about three levels within the Celestial Kingdom. Those are probably Macro Divisions with their own entry criteria and some room for progression. There may be many further levels of differentiation. Pres Nelson's training at the University of Minnesota was a 7-year program with a few dropping out each year. The seventh-year finishers were considered capable of being University Program Chairs (or a Prophet in his case). There may be 7 levels after Celestial selection. There may be many more than 7 before someone has graduated to the level of Elohim. What will they concern themselves about? Maybe they will work to solve the issue of implosion of the existing universe, or relationship with an adjoining member of the Multiverse. Who knows, certainly not me. Boredom is a function of our own limitations.
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