Book of Mormon Gospel Topics - Latter Day Saints

Degrees in Celestial Glory

LDS Summary:

The LDS introduced a doctrine of exhaltation that there are three degrees within Celestial Glory and added the stipulations that Melchizedek priesthood is required and that polygamy was required to attain the highest of the degrees

RLDS Summary:

The RLDS maintained that anyone who met the conditions of Celestial Glory would attain Celestial Glory (no stipulations of Melchizedek priesthood or marriage status)

Scripture Comparison: Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree that God does not make allowance for any sin
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
LDS D&C Section 105 31 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;	RLDS D&C Section 1 5f for I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

Scripture Comparison

Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree on the conditions for Celestial Glory

Receive the testimony of Jesus
Believe on His name and be baptized by immersion
Receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS D&C Section 76
50 And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—
51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;
53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. 54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.
58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—
59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. 60 And they shall overcome all things.
62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.
77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.
78 Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.
81 And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.
86 These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial;
87 And the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial.
88 And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation.
92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;
95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.

RLDS D&C Section 76
5a And again, we bear record for we saw and heard; and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who come forth in the resurrection of the just:
5b They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name, and were baptized after the manner of his burial-being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given, that by keeping the commandments, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins-
5c and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power,
5d and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.
5e They are they who are the church of the Firstborn;
5h Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God; wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come; all are theirs, and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's; and they shall overcome all things;
5j these shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.
5r these are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
6b These are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fullness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun of the firmament.
6f these are they who receive of the presence of the Son but not of the fullness of the Father; wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun;
7a And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament:
7f these are they who receive not of his fullness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial, and the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial; and also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels, who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them, for they shall be heirs of salvation.
7i And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things-where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever, before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence and give him glory forever and ever.
7j They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen and know as they are known, having received of his fullness and of his grace; and he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.

Scripture Comparison

Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree that to inherit the Celestial Kingdom, you must fill the measure of your creation and do not transgress the law (sin)

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS D&C Section 88
18 Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
19 For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
20 That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.
21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—

RLDS D&C Section 85
4c Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God, the Father,
4d that bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created; and for this intent are they sanctified.
5a And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom or that of a telestial kingdom.
5b For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory; and he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory; he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore, he is not meet for a kingdom of glory.
5c Therefore, he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
6a And again, verily, I say unto you, The earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation and transgresseth not the law.

Scripture Comparison

Both the LDS and RLDS Doctrine and Covenants agree that to inherit the Celestial Kingdom, you must impart of your substance to the poor

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS D&C Section 105
2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

RLDS D&C Section 102
2a Behold, I say unto you, Were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now;
2b but behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I require at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh Saints, to the poor and afflicted among them, and are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom.
2c And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise, I cannot receive her unto myself;

January 21, 1836

Vision received by Joseph Smith, Jr. after ordaining Joseph Smith, Sr., Patriarch of the church provides additional criteria for the celestial kingdom

Those who did not receive the Gospel but would have received it in their hearts
Children who die before the age of accountability (sin is not imputed to them)

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS Church History, Vol. 2, Chapter 27, page 381
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying--

Revelation.

All who have died without a knowledge of this Gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.

RLDS Church History, Vol. 2, Chapter 1, page 16
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying:-

All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.

And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven....

April, 1842

Joseph Smith, Jr. made remarks to the Female Relief Society that charity and benevolence are criteria for entering the Celestial Kingdom

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS Church History, Vol. 4, Chapter 35, page 605
This is a charitable Society, and according to your natures; it is natural for females to have feelings of charity and benevolence. You are now placed in a situation in which you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms.

If you live up to these principles, how great and glorious will be your reward in the celestial kingdom! If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. Females, if they are pure and innocent, can come in the presence of God; for what is more pleasing to God than innocence; you must be innocent, or you cannot come up before God: if we would come before God, we must keep ourselves pure, as He is pure.

This passage is not in the RLDS Church History.

TBD - purported to be May 16-17, 1843

Note: Verse 6 contradicts Joseph Smith's vision on January 21, 1836 that those that "died without a knowledge of this Gospel" are heirs to the Celestial Kingdom.

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS D&C Section 131
1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood.
6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;
8 We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter.

Note: The RLDS does not have any equivalent to LDS D&C Section 131

November 25, 1843

Joseph Smith, Jr. states that spiritual wifery prevents a person from entering into the Celestial Kingdom

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

LDS Church History, Vol. 6, Chapter 4, page 82
I was present with several of the Twelve, and gave an address tending to do away with every evil, and exhorting them to practice virtue and holiness before the Lord; told them that the Church had not received any permission from me to commit fornication, adultery, or any corrupt action; but my every word and action has been to the contrary. If a man commit adultery, he cannot receive the celestial kingdom of God. Even if he is saved in any kingdom, it cannot be the celestial kingdom. I did think that the many examples that have been made manifest, such as John C. Bennett's and others, were sufficient to show the fallacy of such a course of conduct.

This passage is not in the RLDS Church History.

April 6, 1853

President B. Young

Note: Joseph Smith, Jr. was ordained an Elder on April 4, 1830 and High Priest in June, 1831. He was never ordained as an apostle.

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 134
I speak thus to show you the order of the Priesthood. We will now commence with the Apostleship, where Joseph commenced. Joseph was ordained an Apostle—that you can read and understand. After he was ordained to this office, then he had the right to organize and build up the kingdom of God, for he had committed unto him the keys of the Priesthood, which is after the order of Melchizedek—the High Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God. And this, remember, by being ordained an Apostle.

Could he have built up the Kingdom of God, without first being an Apostle? No, he never could. The keys of the eternal Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God, are comprehended by being an Apostle.

September 24, 1856

This is the first time that William Clay's diary for May 16-17, 1843 is published

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Deseret News, September 24, 1856, page 1, column 1
Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant, and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power and authority of the holy priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die, that is, that they will not have any children after the resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority of the priesthood in this life, and continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost, will continue to increase and have children in the celestial glory. The unpardonable sin is to shed innocent blood, or be accessory thereto; all other sins will be visited with judgment in the flesh, and the spirit being delivered to the buffetings of Satan until the day of the Lord Jesus.

The way I know in whom to confide, God tell me in whom I may place confidence. In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood, and if he does not he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.

January 1, 1860

William Marks, Zenos H. Gurley, Wiliam H. Blair, Publishing Committee, refer to the wording of the LDS D&C 131 in their rebuke of the principle. This is the inaugural edition of the publication and the most important topic they had to publish.

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Latter Day Saints Herald, Vol. 1, No. 1, page 1
And again: that false claimants to the Presidency of the Church may be rebuked, and their iniquity disclosed, by showing forth the "Order" of the Priesthood—the promises of God to those who are "heirs according to the FLESH," and by presenting "the Law of Christ," by which ALL must be "sanctified" who abide a celestial glory. See Doc. and Cov. sec. vii, par. 5th. [LDS 88:21-24, RLDS 85:5a-5c]

July 28, 1861

LDS President Brigham Young had the opportunity here to describe the "three heavens or degrees" of Celestial Glory, but did not

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, page 139
By-and-by, when the Lord sends forth his servants and his angels to gather them, they will be brought home to Zion and be taught the peaceable things of the kingdom; and those that abide a celestial law will receive a celestial glory, and those that can abide the next law in order can abide the glory pertaining to it, and so on. Were I to enumerate thousands of different degrees of glory and kingdoms, I probably should overenumerate the kingdoms God has prepared and will prepare for the people according to their capacities, endowments, and what they can receive and arrive to.

October 7, 1869

Elder Orson Pratt states that free agency does not exist in the terrestial and telestial kingdoms (God intervenes between people)

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, page 186
We read in the revelations of God that there are various classes of beings in the eternal worlds. There are some who are kings, priests, and Gods, others that are angels; and also among them are the orders denominated celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. God, however, according to the faith of the Latter-day Saints, has ordained that the highest order and class of beings that should exist in the eternal worlds should exist in the capacity of husbands and wives, and that they alone should have the privilege of propagating their species—intelligent immortal beings. Now it is wise, no doubt, in the Great Creator to thus limit this great and heavenly principle to those who have arrived or come to the highest state of exaltation, excellency, wisdom, knowledge, power, glory, and faithfulness, to dwell in His presence, that they by this means shall be prepared to bring up their spirit offspring in all pure and holy principles in the eternal worlds, in order that they may be made happy. Consequently, He does not entrust this privilege of multiplying spirits with the terrestrial or telestial, or the lower order of beings there, nor with angels. But why not? Because they have not proved themselves worthy of this great privilege. We might reason, of the eternal worlds, as some of the enemies of polygamy may reason of this state of existence, and say that there are just as many males as females there, some celestial, some terrestrial, and some telestial; and why not have all these paired off, two by two? Because God administers His gifts and His blessings to those who are most faithful, giving them more bountifully to the faithful, and taking away from the unfaithful that with which they had been entrusted, and which they had not improved upon. That is the order of God in the eternal worlds, and if such an order exists there, it may in a degree exist here.

October 9, 1869

Elder George Q. Cannon makes the first discernible statement about "increase" associated with Celestial glory as stated in LDS D&C 131

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, page 207
Hence we were told by brother Pratt that there are degrees of glory, and that the faithful man may receive the power of God—the greatest He has ever bestowed upon man—namely, the power of procreation. It is a godlike power, but how it is abused! How men debase themselves and the other sex by its unlawful and improper exercise! We were told there is a glory to which alone that power will be accorded in the life to come.

January 19, 1873

Elder Orson Pratt only mentions the three glories - nothing about any degrees in the Celestial Glory

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 15, page 313
Among the peculiarities which God has revealed directly to the Latter-day Saints may be mentioned the various degrees of happiness and glory which exist in the eternal world, also the various degrees of punishment upon the different classes of individuals. Formerly, before we became Latter-day Saints, we were instructed by our fathers and mothers, and by the ministers whom we heard, that there were but two places in the eternal worlds, one or the other of which was intended for all the human family; that all that happened to miss heaven would be sent to the other place, which they called hell.

We read in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians something about the different glories connected with the resurrection of the dead. We are told in the reasoning of Paul that when people come forth from the dead, some will inherit one glory and some another; and these glories are typified by the various creations which the Lord had made. Paul says, “there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, and that as one star differs from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead.”

We are also told in the Scriptures that there is a great variety of punishments as well as glories—these punishments differing in nature according to the works of the children of men. For instance we read of some persons who are to be punished for sins they have committed without any chance of forgiveness either in this world or in the world to come. This plainly indicates to us that certain classes of sins cannot be forgiven in that world, while other classes of sins may be forgiven on certain conditions.

Now if there is to be a variety of punishments as well as a variety of glories, there must be a variety of places of punishment. It would look inconsistent to us, even here in this life, to see a person guilty of but a small crime against the laws of our country thrust into the same dungeon with the murderer. It would be unjust, for instance, according to our notions, for a person who has committed but a trifling offense against the law to be thrust into the darkest and deepest dungeon along with him who has shed innocent blood.

August 31, 1873

President Brigham Young makes reference to plural marriage in the Celestial Kingdom and "bringing worlds into existence" - both reference what will become LDS D&C Section 131

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 16, pages 166-167, August 31, 1873
If we could make every man upon the earth get him a wife, live righteously and serve God, we would not be under the necessity, perhaps, of taking more than one wife. But they will not do this; the people of God, therefore, have been commanded to take more wives. The women are entitled to salvation if they live according to the word that is given to them; and if their husbands are good men, and they are obedient to them, they are entitled to certain blessings, and they will have the privilege of receiving certain blessings that they cannot receive unless they are sealed to men who will be exalted. Now, where a man in this Church says, “I don't want but one wife, I will live my religion with one,” he will perhaps be saved in the celestial kingdom; but when he gets there he will not find himself in possession of any wife at all. He has had a talent that he has hid up. He will come forward and say, “Here is that which thou gavest me, I have not wasted it, and here is the one talent,” and he will not enjoy it, but it will be taken and given to those who have improved the talents they received, and he will find himself without any wife, and he will remain single forever and ever. But if the woman is determined not to enter into a plural-marriage, that woman when she comes forth will have the privilege of living in single blessedness through all eternity. Well, that is very good, a very nice place to be a minister to the wants of others. I recollect a sister conversing with Joseph Smith on this subject. She told him: “Now, don't talk to me; when I get into the celestial kingdom, if I ever do get there, I shall request the privilege of being a ministering angel; that is the labor that I wish to perform. I don't want any companion in that world; and if the Lord will make me a ministering angel, it is all I want.” Joseph said, “Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not know what you will want.” He then said to me: “Here, brother Brigham, you seal this lady to me.” I sealed her to him. This was my own sister according to the flesh. Now, sisters, do not say, “I do not want a husband when I get up in the resurrection.” You do not know what you will want. I tell this so that you can get the idea. If in the resurrection you really want to be single and alone, and live so forever and ever, and be made servants, while others receive the highest order of intelligence and are bringing worlds into existence, you can have the privilege. They who will be exalted cannot perform all the labor, they must have servants and you can be servants to them.

July 11, 1875

Orson Pratt only mentions the "highest glory" and mentions that marriage ends at death

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 18, page 51
If people do not get baptized here in this life, they will have no chance to be baptized there. And Jesus says, that if you are not born of the water and of the spirit, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, that is, into the highest kingdom, the highest glory, the third heaven; you cannot enter there, consequently you must not put off baptism until the resurrection day, and say you will attend to it then, for that will be too late for baptism, and also for marriage.

1876 Orson Pratt only mentions the "highest glory" and mentions that marriage ends at death
LDS	RLDS / Restoration
Note: LDS Section 131 was added to the LDS D&C in 1876

June 13, 1880

Elder Orson Pratt again only mentions the three glories - not anything about three degrees within the Celestial glory

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 21, page 257
Our Father who dwells in yonder heavens, and his Son Jesus Christ, inhabit the highest degree of glory in eternity. They are possessed of all the fullness of glory. They have a fullness of happiness, a fullness of power, a fullness of intelligence, light and truth, and they bear rule over all other kingdoms of inferior glory, of inferior happiness, and of inferior power. Their glory is like that of the sun, or at least, the sun being the most conspicuous body with which we are immediately acquainted, in regard to its glory, it is referred to as being typical of the highest degree of glory in the heavens. The Gospel is intended to exalt the children of men to that same degree of glory, where our Father and where his Son reside.

1953

RLDS President Israel A. Smith

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Who Is Entitled to Celestial Glory, Saints Herald, Vol. 100, 1953
Like some other speculative questions we encounter occasionally, we are of the opinion that there is no violent disagreement between Section 76 and this "voice of the Lord" statement—in fact no disagreement that cannot be harmonized within reason. But if there is, our course is clear: Section 76 must prevail over the other. Having said this, we wish to say that an analysis of the "voice of the Lord" in 1836 discloses the significant fact that whether those who had theretofore died would be permitted or those who live afterward would be admitted to celestial glory, in both cases, the judgment of the Lord would be on the basis—first and primarily and fundamentally—on "works" and "according to the desire of their hearts," that is, an acceptance of God's plan.

February 26, 1962

LDS President Hugh B. Brown indicated that multiple order or grades exist within the Glories

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Mormonism
The following address was delivered by President Hugh B. Brown, counselor in the First Presidency, on Monday, Feb. 26, 1962, to the students at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa.

...Mormonism affirms on the basis of direct revelation from God, that graded degrees of glory are prepared for the souls of men, and that these comprise in decreasing order the Celestial, the Terrestrial, and the Telestial kingdoms of glory, within each of which are orders or grades innumerable...

Current LDS website

Note: The current LDS website on the "three degrees of Glory" does not describe anything about the "three degrees" - the reference to Moses 1:39 is not even a specific reference to the Celestial Glory

LDS

RLDS / Restoration

Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: The Three Degrees of Glory
We do not know much about who will inherit two of the three degrees within the celestial kingdom. However, much has been said about the highest level in the celestial kingdom, or exaltation, because that is where the Father wants all of His children to live (see Moses 1:39).
Moses 1:39 [RLDS D&C Section 22:23b] For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Latter Day Saints - What do they Truly Believe (about Degrees of Glory)?

Degrees in Celestial Glory

LDS Summary:

RLDS Summary:

Scripture Comparison:

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RLDS / Restoration

Scripture Comparison

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Scripture Comparison

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January 21, 1836

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April, 1842

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RLDS / Restoration

TBD - purported to be May 16-17, 1843

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RLDS / Restoration

November 25, 1843

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RLDS / Restoration

April 6, 1853

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RLDS / Restoration

September 24, 1856

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January 1, 1860

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July 28, 1861

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October 7, 1869

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October 9, 1869

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January 19, 1873

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August 31, 1873

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July 11, 1875

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RLDS / Restoration

1876

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RLDS / Restoration

June 13, 1880

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RLDS / Restoration

1953

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RLDS / Restoration

February 26, 1962

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RLDS / Restoration

Current LDS website

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RLDS / Restoration