Heaven or Planet?

[curtishouse]

Hey everybody,

I'm having a little difficulty understanding the process after our death here on earth. The way I understand it, and please correct me if I'm wrong in any way, is that we die and are then given the chance to hear the Gospel if we haven't already.

After that, according to our works (and I'm assuming relationship with Christ), we go to one of three Heavens, correct?

Well I've heard that y'all believe that if we are good enough, we can achieve Godness and become Gods of our own planet. When exactly does that occur? Also please could you cite your sources from the Bible, BofM, D&C, or The Pearl of Great Price. I'm just trying to get this all straight because it seems like a pretty big thing to understand correctly. Thanks!

[pam]

Heyyyyy one question at a time here. lol

[curtishouse]

Originally Posted by pam

Heyyyyy one question at a time here. lol

Heyyyyy Pam...No need to hurry on this thread...If you're focusing on an awesome response in the other thread, by all means start there I hope you got some sleep.

[pam]

I'm having a little difficulty understanding the process after our death here on earth. The way I understand it, and please correct me if I'm wrong in any way, is that we die and are then given the chance to hear the Gospel if we haven't already.

This would be correct. We believe that to receive one of the highest degrees of glory that we must be baptized by one who has the authority to do this.

That being said, we also believe that when the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live on. All go to a place called the spirit world. Here those that have never had the opportunity to learn of Christ and His plan have that opportunity. Here they also have the opportunity to accept or reject this plan.

That's where our temples come into play. Those worthy can enter the temple to do baptisms by proxy for those that have passed on.

[tubaloth]

Originally Posted by curtishouse

The way I understand it, and please correct me if I'm wrong in any way, is that we die and are then given the chance to hear the Gospel if we haven't already.

Yep, Pam explained this very well.

After that, according to our works (and I'm assuming relationship with Christ), we go to one of three Heavens, correct?

For the most part yes. But Three Heavens can be confusing (to lds). There are three Kingdoms of Glory, but also in the Celestial Kingdom (the best Kingdom) there are also three levels. So I kind of view the phrase by Paul talking about the Celestail Kingdom having three levels.

Well I've heard that y'all believe that if we are good enough, we can achieve Godness and become Gods of our own planet. When exactly does that occur?

If it does occur its not for a long long time. Its not until after you die, are judged and gain recived the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom. You have to get to that point, after that we don't know how long.

Also please could you cite your sources from the Bible, BofM, D&C, or The Pearl of Great Price.

There are hints in different scriptures of us becoming Like God. How far you take that likeness can be inturptrated differently. The main section I know talks about this is Section 132 of the D&C. Its a tough section even for LDS members to understand (Its talking about Eternal Marrage, how really how that works given different laws people try to follow).

I didn't fully understand it until I read some commentary on it that helped point out the different sections. Its also kind of tough because it does talk about Poglamy. Thats not really what the section is about, its about eternal marrage.

[bytebear]

Topical Guide: Man, Potential to Become like Heavenly Father

[Misshalfway]

Becoming gods and getting our own planets. Again....deep doctrinal water here. Murky water.

I think it might be important to understand that these ideas are NOT what we focus on in our Sunday school lessons. We focus rather on the highest degree of the celestial kingdom and living correctly and giving our lives to Christ so that those blessings can be ours. There are some scriptures that start to explain the nature of the best blessings. But the scriptural descriptions aren't detailed enough for any of us to answer the question specifically. We know a little. We know it will be really cool and beyond our current ability to comprehend.

Romans 8:17 Talks about becoming joint heirs with Christ. How can that be? Many other NT scriptures talk about receiving an inheritance....an inheritance to sit down with God and inherit His very kingdom. And apparently that inheritance will also be a fullness of joy. We are also taught that there are many mansions - apparently enough for anyone who would choose to come to Christ and become perfected in him and that they will be crowned with glory.


D&C Section 132 teaches that in this state of exhaltation that "Then they shall become gods, because they have no end." The reference to "gods" is given with a little g. And all the other kingdoms have progression within them but not eternal progression. Their limits are set. So, really becoming a "god" is NOT taking over the power of the almighty, but to receive the inheritance which is explained in part to us as not having an end. Damnation by definition is that progression of something or someone is stopped permanently. So heaven is eternal progression and damnation is not being able to progress. Becoming a god is more like being crowned by the king. Well done my good and faithful servant and all that. The Father wants to give his children all that he has. I think when we say 'become a god" it alarms people. But if Father's inheritance is understood as godhood or eternal progression or continuing on, then maybe the term wouldn't be so alarming. I hope.

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by curtishouse

Well I've heard that y'all believe that if we are good enough, we can achieve Godness and become Gods of our own planet. !

I think President Hinckley tried to avoid the adding of further layers to this speculation when he said that "we don't really know much about that".

[curtishouse]

Originally Posted by pam

This would be correct. We believe that to receive one of the highest degrees of glory that we must be baptized by one who has the authority to do this.

Okay I'm following you on that.

That being said, we also believe that when the physical body dies, the spirit continues to live on. All go to a place called the spirit world. Here those that have never had the opportunity to learn of Christ and His plan have that opportunity. Here they also have the opportunity to accept or reject this plan.

I understand that as well. You'd have to be pretty stubborn to reject the Gospel at that point! LOL

That's where our temples come into play. Those worthy can enter the temple to do baptisms by proxy for those that have passed on.

How does one know if they're worthy or not?

[pam]

There is a worthiness interview that the Bishop will give a person. The only way into a temple even to do the baptisms requires what we call a temple recommend. There is a set of questions the Bishop asks to determine worthiness.