Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles urging greater appreciation of the doctrines of the restoration. The first focused on the concept of pre-mortal life and the second on the spirit world. To read the first article, CLICK HERE. To read the second article, CLICK HERE.
An early apostle, Orson F. Whitney, recounted the following experience:
Many years ago, there came to Salt Lake City a learned Doctor of Divinity, a member of the Roman Catholic Church…… One day he said to me: “You Mormons are all ignoramuses. You don’t even know the strength of your own position.
The account focuses on the question of the true church, but it can also be applied to the doctrines of the restoration. Too often, church members are ignoramuses because we fail to appreciate the unique and powerful implications of the principles that were restored. Inspiring doctrine doesn’t just tell us what to believe, it shows us how to live. Alma understood this concept as he went to preach among the apostate Zoramites, as recorded in Alma 31:5:
And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened to them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
This article considers the restored doctrines of judgment and of heaven and hell—what they teach us and why that knowledge is so important. The basic question will be “So What?” Why does a correct knowledge of the judgment and heaven/hell matter? I will suggest 12 important reasons why our understanding and behavior are influenced by these key doctrines.
Basic Concepts Associated with the Restored Doctrines of Judgment and Heaven/Hell
The restored gospel teaches that the final judgment will occur after the resurrection, and it will determine the eternal destiny of each person. Individuals will be judged not only by their works (actions) but also by their words, thoughts, desires, and the intent of their hearts (D&C 137:9).
President Dallin H. Oaks noted that “The final judgment is not just an evaluation of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgement of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become” (General Conference, Oct. 2000). This idea is captured by the evolution of the hymn, I am a child of God, which was initially revised from “know” to “do” in the line “Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him someday,” President Gordon B. Hinckley suggested a further refinement to “Teach me all that I must be”, but the idea was never enshrined in the official Canon of Hymns.
God’s judgment will be fair and will mercifully take into account a person’s opportunities, knowledge, and circumstances in life. All those who did not have the chance to hear the gospel or receive saving ordinances in this life will have that opportunity in the spirit world. Those who are not accountable because they die before they arrive at the years of accountability or have limited intellectual capacity will be special beneficiaries of God’s grace in the celestial kingdom. (D&C 137:10)
The restored gospel presents a more complex view of the afterlife than the traditional two-part (heaven/hell) dichotomy suggested in the Bible. A unique doctrine is the belief in three distinct kingdoms of glory, which are the eternal dwelling places for nearly all of God’s children after the final judgment.
The highest is the celestial kingdom, which is likened to the glory of the sun. It will be populated by those who accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, received all necessary ordinances (like baptism and temple covenants), and strove to keep the commandments throughout their lives. This kingdom has three levels. Those who merit the highest will have eternal life (exaltation), becoming like God and living in eternal family units that were initially formed during mortality. (D&C 76:50-70, 92-95, D&C 131:1-4)
The second is the terrestrial kingdom, which is compared to the glory of the moon. It will be the reward for those who lived honorable lives but did not accept the fullness of the gospel. (D&C 76: 71-80) Third is the telestial kingdom, likened to the glory of the stars. It will be the destiny of those who did not accept the gospel and choose to live after their own lusts and desires. (D&C 76: 81-90, 102-109)
Many have speculated as to whether there can be progression from one kingdom of glory to another. It’s a controversial, but officially unresolved issue. In 1952 and reaffirmed in 1965, the First Presidency stated:
“Some of the brethren have held that it was possible to advance from one glory to another, invoking the principle of eternal progression; others of the brethren have taken the opposite view…. the Church has never announced a definite doctrine on this point.”
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What about hell? The Bible Dictionary entry states that “In Latter-day revelation, hell is spoken of in at least two senses. One is the temporary abode in the spirit world of those who were disobedient in this mortal life….On the other hand, the devil and his angels, including the sons of perdition, are assigned to a place spoken of as a lake of fire—a figure of eternal anguish.” The phrase “sons of perdition” literally means ruin, loss, or destruction. Lucifer and his angels are the original sons of perdition. But there is another group of individuals who, after gaining a full, perfect knowledge of God, deny the Holy Spirit and actively fight against God’s plan. They do not inherit a kingdom of glory but are cast into the hell of “Outer Darkness” with Satan (D&C 76:25-49). There won’t be many in this category because the bar is very high. President Spencer W. Kimball taught that “The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin” (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123). What does the Bible say? The vision of the degrees of glory recorded in D&C 76 was prompted by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon pondering the either/or view of judgment found in John 5:28-29:
This binary perspective occurs frequently in the Bible. For example:
An exception to the concept of binary judgment in the Bible is found in I Cor 15, which suggests that there may be more than just heaven/hell: 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: What Do Other Faiths Teach About Judgment and Heaven/Hell? Most Christian churches believe in a binary judgment resulting in eternal life in heaven with God or eternal separation from God in hell. Heaven is an eternal state of bliss, perfection, and presence with God. It is often described as a New Heaven and a New Earth that follows the resurrection of the body. Heaven involves fellowship with God, but his children never achieve His full stature. The focus is on the individual’s salvation. Earthly marriage is generally believed not to continue in the same way as during mortality. Roman Catholicism adds the concept of purgatory, which is a temporary place for purification. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only a limited number (144,000) will rule with Christ, but the reward for the vast majority of the faithful is everlasting life on a paradise earth. The wicked are not eternally tormented but are subject to annihilation and cease to exist. Judaism is more difficult to characterize. It focuses primarily on this life and the covenant with God, but tradition does include concepts of an afterlife as a spiritual paradise where the righteous souls reside after death, enjoying a heightened experience of basking in the glow of God’s presence. This existence is generally viewed as being entirely spiritual and non-physical. Generally, Judaism does not teach of an eternal Hell or damnation for most people. In Islam, heaven is described as a physical place of incredible sensual delights such as gardens, rivers of milk and honey, beautiful companions, and freedom from suffering. It is attained by submission to Allah (God), following the Quran, observing the Five Pillars of Islam, and having one’s good deeds literally outweigh the bad deeds on the day of judgment. In contrast, hell is a place of eternal punishment for disbelievers. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the focus is on escaping the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. The ultimate reward is not a place but a state of being involving liberation, enlightenment, and freedom from suffering, which leads to a oneness with the ultimate reality and the non-existence of the self. And now I return to the question posed at the beginning: So, what? Why does understanding the doctrine of judgment and of heaven/hell matter? The ‘so what’ is that all our choices today have eternal significance. If God’s plan leads to different heavens—the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingdoms, it is not about being ‘good enough’ to avoid a threat of damnation. It means that what we become here is what we are prepared to receive there. It’s not about where you end up; it’s about who you are prepared to be with. The following are 12 important implications of the restored doctrines of judgment and of heaven/hell. |
- Judgment Isn’t Pass/Fail: The multi-tiered structure of kingdoms of glory rewards people according to their deeds and desires, accommodating a much wider range of human lives and choices. The atonement is universal, but an individual’s ultimate destiny is conditional, based on ordinances, covenants, and personal righteousness.
- Correct Understanding of God: The plan of salvation reinforces the unique understanding of God as our literal Father, who loves His children and whose work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)
- Opportunity for Eternal Progression and Exaltation: The ultimate goal, exaltation, is becoming like God the Father in attributes, glory, and knowledge. We will continue to learn and progress eternally, ultimately inheriting “all that the Father hath.” The goal is not just “getting to heaven” but achieving exaltation, which includes eternal life with God, the opportunity for eternal increase, and to become like God.
- Importance of Eternal Family Relationships: Marriage and family relationships are eternal and central to the plan of salvation, not just temporary earthly arrangements. Family relationships can be made permanent, ensuring that spouses, children, and ancestors continue together as an eternal unit.
- Near Universal Salvation: Almost all of God’s children will inherit a kingdom of glory, reinforcing a belief in a merciful and inclusive God. This shows God’s overwhelming love for all His children. Eternal suffering is reserved for an extremely small number of individuals (Sons of Perdition)—who gain a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and then maliciously and irrevocably reject Them.
- Personal Motivation for Diligent Effort: Knowing that one’s final dwelling place is directly tied to the laws one chooses to live by and the person we become provides powerful, lifelong motivation for righteousness and obedience. The focus on achieving perfection and becoming like Christ requires continual repentance to prepare for the presence of God.
- Judgment Based on Works and Desires: The judgment is not just a summing up of good/bad deeds but an assessment of the “thoughts, words, and actions,” and the “desires and intent of the heart,” making internal purity as important as external actions. Being trumps doing. Individuals will have a “perfect knowledge” of their wickedness or righteousness, implying that judgment will not be a surprise but a self-realization that God’s judgment is just.
- Judgment Will be Merciful and Loving: Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “We will not only be satisfied with the judgment of God; we will also be astonished and overwhelmed by His infinite grace, mercy, generosity, and love for us, His children” (General Conference, Oct. 2016). President J. Reuben Clark’s comforting insight was that God “will give us the maximum reward for our acts…. and will impose the minimum penalty which it is possible for Him to impose” (General Conference, Oct. 1953).
- Relationship Between Grace and Works: Salvation is possible only “after all we can do,” which places emphasis on personal effort and keeping covenants, while acknowledging that it is Christ’s grace that makes perfection possible. This understanding resolves the age-old debate about salvation by grace versus works. Salvation (including resurrection) is available to all through Christ’s grace. However, the degree of glory one receives is commensurate with works and desires, thus showing the importance of both divine grace and individual agency.
- Fairness Through Vicarious Work for the Dead: Restoration doctrine provides a path to salvation and exaltation for those who never had the opportunity to hear or accept the gospel. This concept is profoundly merciful, non-judgmental, and universally inclusive.
- Correct Understanding of the Resurrection: Everyone will be resurrected with an immortal body of flesh and bone. Those who achieve the celestial kingdom will have a body perfected and glorified, like the resurrected body of Jesus Christ. This contrasts with some other faith traditions where the resurrection is viewed as purely spiritual or ethereal.
- Real Purpose in the Eternities: Exaltation includes the power and opportunity to create and govern worlds and to have spirit children. This provides an eternal, active purpose that goes far beyond endless worship and simple repose sitting on a cloud and eating grapes.
Finally,
One of President Russell M. Nelson’s greatest legacies is the injunction that earthly matters are fine, but for real long-term planning, we must “think celestial” because our choices today will determine:
Where we will live throughout all eternity.The kind of body with which we will be resurrected.Those with whom we will live forever. (General Conference, Oct. 2023)
Most Christian doctrines offer only two options. The restored gospel provides for multiple possibilities and a system based on justice and mercy so complete that almost everyone inherits a kingdom of glory. The restored doctrines of judgment and of heaven/hell imply that there is a real, measurable reward for character development. It tells us exactly what to prioritize and what’s worth sacrificing for. It suggests that mortality is a classroom, not a courtroom. The goal isn’t to avoid punishment; it’s about spiritual schooling and progression to achieve the prized terminal degree.
Linnea HoyosDecember 5, 2025
Lyle, You are correct. During the Millennium, Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and there will be significant changes in the world. In terms of determining our final "resting place", the Millennium plays a role in the process of judgment and resurrection. Here's how it ties in: Resurrection: At the beginning of the Millennium, the righteous will be resurrected. This is often referred to as the "first resurrection." Those who have lived righteously will be brought forth to live with Christ during this time. Opportunity for Growth: The Millennium will be a time of learning and growth. Those who did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel or fully accept it in this life will have the chance to do so during the Millennium. This period allows for further spiritual progression and preparation for the final judgment. Final Judgment: After the Millennium, the final judgment will occur. This is when individuals will be assigned to their eternal "resting places", such as the Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial Kingdoms, based on their choices, actions, and acceptance of the gospel. The Millennium provides a unique opportunity for individuals to continue their spiritual journey and prepare for their eternal destiny. It's a time of hope and promise, emphasizing the mercy and justice of God in allowing all His children the chance to return to Him.
Craig petersenDecember 4, 2025
First comment. The identity of the learned doctor is not provided in the Orson Whitney pamphlet. The second comment about what happens during the millennium is fascinating and speculative. The celestial will be resurrected during the morning of the first resurrection, so that issue is settled. The telestial aren’t resurrected until the end of the millennium, so they remain in the spirit world. But what about the terrestrial who are resurrected sometime during the millennium-the afternoon of the first resurrection? Can they progress during the millennium to get their resurrection upgraded to a celestial status? Seems possible. Your thoughts.