Posted on 09/09/2010 12:12:33 PM PDT by greyfoxx39
When we lived with our Heavenly Father, He explained a plan for our progression. We could become like Him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from Him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Father’s commandments even though we were no longer in His presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience.
From the scriptures we learn that there are three kingdoms of glory in heaven. The Apostle Paul mentioned that he knew a man who was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). Paul named two of the kingdoms in heaven: the celestial and the terrestrial (see 1 Corinthians 15:40–42). The celestial is the highest, and the terrestrial is second. Through latter-day revelation we learn that the third kingdom is the telestial kingdom (see D&C 76:81). We also learn that there are three heavens or degrees within the celestial kingdom (see D&C 131:1).
• What is exaltation?
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7).
• What are some blessings that will be given to those who are exalted?
Our Heavenly Father is perfect, and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him. His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:
1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:62).
2. They will become gods (see D&C 132:20–23).
3. They will be united eternally with their righteous family members and will be able to have eternal increase.
4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge (see D&C 132:19–20). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to His commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:36; italics in original).
The time to fulfill the requirements for exaltation is now (see Alma 34:32–34). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and the understanding of the truth; and ‘live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God’” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).
To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments.
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:
1. We must be baptized.
2. We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.
4. We must receive the temple endowment.
5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next.
In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to:
1. Love God and our neighbors.
2. Keep the commandments.
3. Repent of our wrongdoings.
4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.
5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.
6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.
7. Have family and individual prayers every day.
8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.
9. Study the scriptures.
10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.
Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow His direction in our individual lives.
• How do ordinances and covenants prepare us for exaltation?
• How does faith in Jesus Christ help us obey the commandments?
• Why must we learn to follow the direction of the Holy Ghost to become exalted?
• What happens when we have endured to the end in faithful discipleship to Christ?
The Lord has said, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “If we will continue in God; that is, keep his commandments, worship him and live his truth; then the time will come when we shall be bathed in the fulness of truth, which shall grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil [died] before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).
Joseph Smith taught: “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. … He was once a man like us; … God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345–46).
Our Heavenly Father knows our trials, our weaknesses, and our sins. He has compassion and mercy on us. He wants us to succeed even as He did.
Imagine what joy each of us will have when we return to our Heavenly Father if we can say: “Father, I lived according to Thy will. I have been faithful and have kept Thy commandments. I am happy to be home again.” Then we will hear Him say, “Well done … ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).
• Review Matthew 25:23. Think about how you would feel if you heard the Lord say these words to you.
For teachers: When you give class members or family members time to ponder gospel truths, reflect on their lives, or think about their love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, you give them an opportunity to be taught by the Holy Ghost.
• D&C 132:3–4, 16–26, 37 (pertaining to exaltation)
• D&C 131:1–4 (eternal marriage is key to exaltation)
• D&C 76:59–70 (blessings of celestial glory explained)
• D&C 84:20–21 (the power of godliness is manifest through priesthood ordinances)
Mormon "Gospel Principles" lesson 2009
On all threads, but particularly “open” threads, posters must never “make it personal.” Reading minds and attributing motives are forms of “making it personal.” Making a thread “about” another Freeper is “making it personal.”
When in doubt, review your use of the pronoun “you” before hitting “enter.”
Like the Smoky Backroom, the conversation may be offensive to some.
Thin-skinned posters will be booted from “open” threads because in the town square, they are the disrupters.
http://www.freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/
Thin-skinned (emotional, whiney or mercurial temper) posters are the disruptors on open threads.
Ping
I personally see Mitt as a fine person. I voted for him in the primary but the health care he advocated is similar to the disaster Obama has in the works - nationwide. I have not heard Mitt, admit the health care he passed and the voluminous debt it continues to accrue as being a huge mistake.
This is theology being taught by mormons to the membership in 2009.
Romney, being a temple "worthy" mormon is expected to hold these precepts as his personal beliefs.
If your opinion is that this info will lead to Romney votes, I have to disagree.
“If your opinion is that this info will lead to Romney votes, I have to disagree.”
So the purpose of your thread to reject Mitt because of his Mormon beliefs?
I'm not sure that is much better than the white washing of Mormonism. I believe that Mitt is a sharp guy and possible to convert him to Christianity. I just don't want the Mike Huckster approach of constantly highlighting Mitt's religion as the focal point.
Our country is in dire straights. At some point we will have to unite as conservatives ... I suggest you stick to the issues. Sure highlight the Mormonism is not Christian but let's not make the indirect focus.
When it comes to ISLAM, absolutely make the focus because it VIOLATES our way of life and there is NO tolerance with Islam for other beliefs.
Yep, their belief that they will become Gods in black and white. And the list of things they MUST do to get to the ‘real’ Heaven (Celestial Kingdom and exaltation).
Not salvation by grace they way Christians mean it, in any way shape and form.
Good post, grey.
It is odd that you attack Governor Huckabee so, yet defend Mitt Romney so.
Why would the 60 something, extremely powerful Mormon, and ex Stake President and Bishop, Mitt Romney convert? Mitt's family has always been powerful within Mormonism, and they immigrated to Nauvoo, Ill. in 1841 to serve Joseph Smith, after being converted in England in 1839.
Great you are reading some classroom material! Be sure to read it all! Congratulations!
So this appears to be saying that without the help of some higher up lds person you can not receive the Holy Spirit. So when the lds talk about their 'relationship' with the holy ghost, what they are saying is that this only occurs with the permission of some 'higher' level lds.
Oh, I agree. Read the material......then the fraud of lds becomes evident.
In my experience with Mormonism there is a difference between the “Holy Spirit,” and the “gift of the Holy Ghost” which can only be conferred upon another by one holding the proper priesthood authority within the LDS Church.
Just another example of Mormon doublespeak and hijacking Christianity’s terms.
Yep.
Couple of things, First if God was a man, how is it that the very first words of the Bible state: In the beginning God...
Second, Satan was thrown from heaven for trying to make himself equal to God. How then could we possibly become God when attempting that very act will make us equal with Satan?
"Every day
and in every way,
I'm getting better and better!"
Oh, no!
Because, as a MORMON, he is ALLOWING the PR machine of SLC to create the FALSE impression that MORMONism is just a BETTER form of Christianity.
It's the DECEPTION that rules him out.
Seriously? (Ok, really good questions, if and when you get a reasoned reply ping me)
Will do.
I’d never be good enough for that religion. I’d end up making a mistake somewhere along the line and end up on the wrong side of right.
I need to rely on Jesus having done it all. I just trust that He paid the price for my sins and by the grace of God I have been promised eternal life with Him.
Nothing "indirect" about my focus. It appears that you have introduced this particular "focus" into the thread. Why?
If I had wanted the focus to be on Romney, I would have so stated. Since there are several mormon-centered threads running, it was a good spot to post directly from the official LDS site, the theology that is being taught to members.
There are many, many folks who have no idea that mormonism is far from being a Christian religion, and the PR machine of the Salt Lake leadership is working very diligently to try to convince others that being a "normal, nice person" equates with being a Christian....just ain't so.
Nor will you, Glen Beck will explain it all, when, not if, he endorses Mitt.
Only since 1967.
Amen brother (or sister) as the case may be. Stick with that and you and I will meet in Heaven.
You've got that right and nothing could further the cause for Mormonism than having one siting in the White House.
I'll never vote for Romney and his religion is only one of the reasons why.
But, Christians still have access to the information if they so desire.
chuckle.
Oh, LOL...I missed that the first time through!
and you KNOW that when YOU foul ANTIs post ANYTHING Headquarters has published; it turns into the most TWISTED, DECEPTIVE stuff imaginable!!)I doubt the thread wil garner many posts...there’s nothing in the article that can be debated by mormons, since it’s all their theology right from the Presidency in SLC.
There you go again - bashing us MORMONS!
and you KNOW that when YOU foul ANTIs post ANYTHING Headquarters has published; it turns into the most TWISTED, DECEPTIVE stuff imaginable!!)
We have no issue whatsoever with posting actual articles or sections from manuals like this etc. They are out there for all to see.
The issues I have are with the multitude of posts that typically follow up, that misrepresent and twist and of course the strawman arguments that you could set your watch by that always show up.
So I will continue to provide sources for folks to look into the “claims” made by the anti-gang.
Perhaps I shouldn’t complain about the poor behavior of anti-Mormons. It might be helping people find the church more than hurting. hmmmmm....
You always have the opportunity to provide counter arguments to the posts that you describe as misrepresentation. However, comparing Christian belief from Biblical sources to the claims made in these articles that depend on the veracity of Joseph Smith and his ilk is a hard row to hoe.
I can't remember seeing any posts from you that actually present Christian belief vs. mormon belief with the accompanying Bible sources.
Since you approve of the content of this article, this would be a wonderful opportunity to disprove our information by posting actual Biblical versea and links. Sorry, but mormon scriptural sources are not valid in discussing the beliefs of Christianity.
We eagerly await your first attempt.
The issues I have are with the multitude of posts that typically follow up, that misrepresent and twist and of course the strawman arguments that you could set your watch by that always show up.
- - - - -
Go ahead, point some out...I DARE YOU. You cannot because your statement is incorrect.
And we will continue to wait, grey. He cannot do the impossible.
I'm sorry; but there is NOTHING we ANTIs can do to stop MORMONs from doing this!
Christian belief vs. mormon belief
That would be like comparing Fruit to Apples. Makes no sense sorry.
Sorry, but mormon scriptural sources are not valid in discussing the beliefs of Christianity.
Sorry, but yes they are. You should check out some of my links sometime.
Perhaps I shouldn’t complain about the poor THEOLOGY of MORMONism. It might be helping people find JESUS more than hurting. hmmmmm....
No; you should post some and we'll 'debate' right here and NOW!
Actually supporting their assertions...
And PD, we won't even require you to give us "backpay" for all the other unsusbataited accusations you have posted lo these many weeks...
Despite them knowing full well GF, as well as the rest of us have crawled those links for years.
They are best source for information about the fallacies and false doctrines of the LDS as you demonstrate here daily...
Lets see, book of abraham - 'translated' by smith from an egyptian papyrus prior to the full discovery of the rosetta stone. Since, it has been proven that the scroll smith used ACTUALLY contained a pagan burial prayer for Horus, an egyptian priest, and its translation has absolutely NOTHING to do with the contents of the book of abraham.
A proven fake - along with the rest of his works.
Despite them knowing full well GF, as well as the rest of us have crawled those links for years.
Ha! What’s been done for years is the regurgitated propaganda the anti-Mormon gang here posts daily. All of it addressed at the links provided.
Undecided readers,
As an ex Mormon-basher, I invite everyone to read all of the multitude of Anti-Mormon attack threads and/or comments on this board and then do some research on your own from more than one side of the “issues”.
Is what all these Mormon attack squad people parrot day in and and day out on these boards true? Don’t take their word for it. Find out for yourself. Put forth some effort. You do want the truth right? Prove it.
Read both sides. Talk to both sides. Not just mine. Not just theirs. Make up your own mind.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. The vast majority of the issues brought up can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ I have found but here’s more.
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Lets see, book of abraham - ‘translated’ by smith from an egyptian papyrus prior to the full discovery of the rosetta stone. Since, it has been proven that the scroll smith used ACTUALLY contained a pagan burial prayer for Horus, an egyptian priest, and its translation has absolutely NOTHING to do with the contents of the book of abraham.
A proven fake - along with the rest of his works.
Thanks for continuing to prove my point. It is appreciated.
Ya mean LDS.ORG, FAIRLDS.ORG etc. are nothing but regurgitated propaganda!?!?!...
GOOD FOR YOU PD!
You finally have brought some honesty to your postings!
Next we can work on that "former basher" bit
(psssst... Just between you and me PD, a little helpful 'heads up" if you will, you may actually want to READ what is posted here before you again inadvertently call your own doctrine "regurgitated propaganda".
Perhaps if you cut back on all these unsubstantiated accusations and assertions, shut down the Mormon training for a second or two, and focused it would be helpful)
And you have not been whisked away to SLC or BYU yet?
This is Hugh and Series!
Ah, thank you for acknowledging that the boa is a fraud paragon. This places you about half-way to your RLDS/CoC bretheren. This is especially true since none of your links prove the boa to be authentic.
“Not salvation by grace they (sic) way Christians mean it, in any way shape and form.”
You obviously do not know what Mormons believe. We Mormons believe that without the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we are all lost. That is my definition of being saved by grace. Unmerited favor. A free gift.
When I used to be a Baptist, I always had a problem with the “once saved always saved” message - meaning you just repeat a few words and “get saved” or “born again” and then you live like the devil the rest of your life and expect to get to Heaven. Ya think?
Seems to me that Heavenly Father has been perfectly clear about admonishing us to keep the Commandments.
Anyway, the main issue is that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior who took upon Himself all the sins of the world to save us from our sins and to make it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father.
I don’t know why you guys continue to trash Mormons with all your silly nonsense. Your fruit stinks to High Heaven.
“I’d never be good enough for that religion. “
That’s exactly what I told the LDS Missionaries on our first lesson. I said, “Go ahead and do your thing, but I’ll tell you right now, I will never be good enough to be a Mormon.” You see, I thought, like you, that you have to be perfect or something. Ha!! That is funny to me since NONE of us is good enough. We ALL fall short of the glory of God.
Here’s how I look at it: The Church is perfect but the people are not. I got a kick out of a Pentecostal preacher who said to us (that was when I was a Pentecostal): “If you ever find the perfect church PLEASE don’t join it because you’ll wreck it.” He made me laugh!!
I love your humble comments and I love you.
Is that the LdS slogan or motto?
>>“I’d never be good enough for that religion.<<
Well bless you! I was thinking after I made that comment and another thought came to me.
Part of what Jesus didn’t want to happen was that men would try to earn Salvation or even a better place in heaven then when they died they would think that God owed them. Not good to try to put God in a position of indebtedness it seems to me.
>>Is that the LdS slogan or motto?<<
LOL Don’t ask me. I’m not Mormon nor have I ever been.
I figured as much by the post she was addressing.
;^)
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