Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Viking Kitty/ZOT ping list!. . . don't be shy.
Posted on 04/03/2011 8:11:07 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
Apostle Orson Pratt had to admit that the Bible and Book of Mormon did not lend much support to the doctrine of three degrees of glory: "Then again, what could we learn from either the Bible or Book of Mormon in regard to three glories—the celestial, the terrestrial and the telestial glories? What did we know concerning those that should inhabit these various worlds of glory? Nothing at all" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 20, p. 70).
The Mormon church uses the statement made by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:40 to try to prove there are three degrees of glory: "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another."
The first thing that should be noted about this verse is that it does not use the word "telestial"; this is a word that was made up by Joseph Smith. Bruce R. McConkie, who is now an Apostle, maintains that "The fact that some of these are telestial bodies has been lost from the King James Version of the Bible" (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 777).
Apostle McConkie and other Mormon writers are, of course, unable to furnish any evidence that this has been deleted from the Bible or even that "telestial" is an actual word.
The second thing that should be noted is the meaning of the words "celestial" and "terrestrial." The American College Dictionary tells us that the meaning of celestial is "pertaining to the spiritual or invisible heaven; heavenly..." The word terrestrial means "pertaining to, consisting of, or representing the earth...." So we see that the word celestial simply means "heavenly" and the word terrestrial means "earthly." In Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible, the original Greek words are rendered as "heavenly" and "earthly" instead of "celestial" and "terrestrial": "... and there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but one is the glory of the heavenly and another that of the earthly...."
The third thing that should be noted concerning this verse is the context it appears in. A careful examination of the context, verses 35-54, reveals that Paul was comparing our earthly body with the body we shall receive in the resurrection; he was not speaking of three kingdoms in heaven. All of us now have a terrestrial or earthly body, but in the resurrection we shall have a celestial or heavenly body. Verse 44 makes it clear that Paul was speaking of the difference between the body we now have and the body we shall receive in the resurrection: "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
Therefore, we see that the doctrine of three degrees of glory cannot be supported from the Bible, nor can it be supported from the Book of Mormon. Both books condemn this teaching.
BUT. that won't stop our FRiends from pushing the concept.
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Viking Kitty/ZOT ping list!. . . don't be shy.
Christian charity can only stretch so far.
misnomer
When one grows in the ways of the Lord, Jesus Christ they learn the differents...
1 Cor. 13: 8
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
GMTA ;0)
Seems all of you are making this a zot thread in the continuing fallen world tradition....
I pray that many will soon want to be more like Jesus!
Lots of “tuggin’ on Superman’s cape and spittin’ into the wind” goin’ on ‘round here.
When both cheeks are red and smarting, but the slaps continue with no sign of abatement, then a teaching moment has arrived. In this case, it’s a repeat remedial course. Hopefully our unrepentant repeat student will learn something valuable in regards to acceptable social discourse on a family site.
I’m still stymied on that.
***
Why you really are not interested...
Yea! He’s gone.
1Co 15:41 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.
The term 'stretch' doesn't come close. If one reads in context (the preceding verses) the discussion is of one's earthly body vs. his celestial body.
“Religious hate is unamerican.”
Joseph Smith was unAmerican then. He hated all other churches.
Jesus? Yeshua Ben Joseph? Yeshua Ha’Mashiach? Adonai Tzva’Ot? YHVH?! The only One worthy to unseal the scroll? The Lamb? Is this who you’re referring to?
What I see is a giant X and I thought that was funny as the answer to the other poster.
Was that what you posted is my computer not seeing it correctly?
Good luck with that around here...
Ones personal degree of charity should not be confused with the Lord?
1 Cor. 13: 8
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
It was disappointing to see the “word” embraced by so many of the world.
John 14
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Thanks in advance if you answered svcw’s question in post 122.
That is my understanding and I just had it explained by some real nice missionary boys the same way.
I suspect you mean should I pray on it I’d have my answer. Yet the Holy Spirit works in many ways, one of which is through our fellow man to enlighten us. And this you seem reluctant to do. That’s too bad. One would think one would gladly tell of his beliefs and their foundation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.