Mormons and Gnosticism

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by bytebear

I am only going to disagree in what we emphasize over what Jesus and the apostles emphasized. They continually emphasize baptism as the gate to salvation (exaltation). Today we know more about the blessings of the temple. But being endowed and sealed do not change your state of being. I think the "higher levels" of the celestial kingdom is not the emphasis of the Gospel, although I think we in the church tend to think it ism. So, it's semantics. but the single, unendowed member is just as saved as the temple married member. Both will live in the presence of God.

But living in the presence of God does not denote exaltation. D&C 132 notes that exaltation means living the kind of life God lives: being a God. This requires being sealed for eternity, because God's work is to expand his kingdoms and dominions, having children and grandchildren (which a single person cannot do).

Is the baptized person in the Celestial Kingdom a glorified being? Of course. But that is still different than exalted.

Jesus and his apostles emphasized baptism as the gate. But it wasn't everything. In another thread, we've discussed the secret teachings of Jesus (in the Secret Book of Mark), where there is a higher level of teaching given to the chosen initiates. Just because it isn't in the Bible, does not mean it wasn't taught.

And it has been restored, and is discussed in modern scripture. The BoM has the endowment interlaced throughout it. D&C 131 and 132 definitely state the requirement for exaltation.

D&C 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.

D&C 132:

6 And as pertaining to the new and aeverlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my bglory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. 7 And verily I say unto you, that the aconditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, boaths, cvows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and dsealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is eanointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by frevelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this gpower (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this hpower in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the ikeys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.....

15 Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world. 16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.

That last verse is the clencher. Without the temple sealing, they are without exaltation. No mistaking the wording there.

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by Moksha

After I read the opening of the first line I thought this might be Book of Mormon text. It is from the Pistis Sophia of the Christian Gnostics.

Moksha, in your highlighting the phrase, "It came to pass...", are you not suggesting a new textual apparatus for determining the correctness of the scriptures? It would seem that in your taxonomy, the greater the frequency of "It came to pass.." the more good the scripture would become.

You have taken great strides in setting up a questionable pun with this scholastic effort. Now take your meds.