This is response to a video on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madG5N1vpTA&t=2993s, comparing LDS teachings about salvation with those taught by the Book of Mormon. I agree with their conclusions about salvation as taught in the Book of Mormon, which are squarely in conflict with LDS teachings based on interpretations of other scriptures. The point of this essay is to show that if you take the Bible and the D&C for what they actually say instead of the church’s interpretation of what they say, then all the scriptures are consistent and harmonious, and rather than a conflict, they actually shed light on one another.
To see this, you are going to have to invest some time studying the scriptures and some effort in unlearning the false traditions you were taught. I am going to elaborate on this, and point you to some podcasts where some LDS scriptorians explain this in detail.
In Brief
But, if you are not willing to spend the time of the effort, then I would ask you to read the following two paragraphs, then with that in mind read 1 Peter 3, Section 29, Section 76, and Section 88, keeping these thoughts in mind.
In brief, the Book of Mormon teaches that in the final judgment a person either ends up in the Presence of God, or is cast out and endures endless torment. On the other hand, the LDS church has taught for years that in the final judgment a person inherits one of three different degrees of glory, depending on their level of works, or they inherit a kingdom of no glory.
The scriptures, when you read them with a fresh mind, free from the interpretations of men, teach that instead of four branches of decision at the final judgment, the three degrees of glory are three levels of attainment along the way to the Presence of God, through which we must all successively pass.
Where and when do we pass through these successive levels of attainment? The Telestial glory is typical of the world in which we now live in. The temple endowment teaches this. But what about this: “And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding; “? (D&C 76:89) Can anybody say that they truly understand everything about this world? The skies? The seas? The land? Our own bodies? Our own minds?
“And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world;” (D&C 76:98) The telestial glory is not one. In this world, we have all types of people, all living together, each living the law pertaining to their own particular glory. We have the honorable men of the earth (terrestrial) who were deceived by the craftiness of men (telestial), and those who are honorable, but are not deceived (celestial).
The terrestrial glory describes the earth during the Millennium. The earth will be cleansed and made fit to abide a terrestrial glory and those who are fit to abide this glory or higher will remain while those who can only abide a terrestrial glory will be removed from the planet and sent to another place of lesser glory.
Discussion
This paper and the scriptures answer two of the biggest questions in Mormonism: (1) Is there progression between kingdoms? (2) What are the qualifications for inheriting each kingdom? The answers are, respectively, “yes,” and “the qualifications are clearly spelled out in the scriptures.”
Are there different level of salvation? The Lectures on Faith define a single definition and standard of salvation.
And if we should continue our interrogation, and ask how it is that he is saved? the answer would be – because he is a just and holy being; and if he were anything different from what he is, he would not be saved;
We ask, then, where is the prototype? or where is the saved being? We conclude, as to the answer of this question there will be no dispute among those who believe the Bible, that it is Christ: all will agree in this, that he is the prototype or standard of salvation; or, in other words, that he is a saved being.
For his salvation depends on his being precisely what he is and nothing else; for if it were possible for him to change, in the least degree, so sure he would fail of salvation and lose all his dominion, power, authority and glory, which constitute salvation; for salvation consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses and in nothing else;
And no being can possess it but himself or one like him.
Thus says John, in his first epistle, third chapter, second and third verses: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Why purify themselves as he is pure? Because unless they do not they cannot be like him. — Lecture Seventh
If you don’t believe the Lectures on Faith, then how do you explain this?
D&C 76:43 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.
I remember pondering over this in Sunday School and in religion classes. What does this mean that Jesus saves everybody, except the “Sons of Perdition”? The teachers had to make up some theology on the spot by claiming that there was a difference between “salvation” and “exaltation.” This was done to reconcile Section 132 with all the rest of scripture. Section 132 offers a very unique concept of “exaltation”, which occurs nowhere else in all of scripture. “Exaltation” is not a special level of salvation. “Exaltation” simply means to be lifted up from any lower level to a higher level.
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 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. TPJS p. 348
In short, Jacob’s ladder in just like any other ladder. It goes straight up, from where you are now to the highest heaven, passing many levels along the way. It does not reach a certain level, then branch out to various destinations. When Jesus said: “My father’s house as many mansions.” The word “mansions” is mistranslated. The original word meant “dwelling place,” or place where you “abide.” There is no connotation of a permanent residence.
“Eternal” and “Everlasting” are qualities of God
In the Sacrament prayers, we address God as “O God, the Eternal Father.”
We read the following in the scriptures:
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. Gen 21:33
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deut 33:27
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6
Mos 7:35 Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.
People argue that in D&C Section 19, God is changing the definition of “eternal”, when he says:
Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore — Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment. – D&C 19:6-12
D&C 19 clarifies the term “eternal” as the word has been translated in the scriptures. In English “eternal” means “without ending or beginning”, but in Hebrew, the word is “olam”, and in Greek, the word is “eonian”. Those words mean an age, a period of time, a world, a condition of existence, an estate. And in all these cases, there is definitely a beginning and an end.
But, is this idea contrary to the Book of Mormon? Alma says he was racked with “eternal torment” which only lasted until he repented. Alma was speaking of the quality, not the duration of his torment.
My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more. (Mosiah 27:29)
But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds. And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul. And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. (Alma 36:12-19)
I don’t know what Joseph Smith was thinking. He probably had trouble comprehending what the Lord was trying to reveal, but he was really trying to undo centuries of false traditions due to mistranslations of the Bible. Just because you receive revelation doesn’t necessarily you understand what you receive or can easily put it in words. This was probably new to him also.
“Eternal punishment is God’s punishment”, means it’s the kind of punishment ordained by God. And, by the same token “Eternal life is God’s life”, or the kind of life that God lives. We say “eternal life is to know God”, but nobody can truly know God unless he IS God. Then, and only then can you live as God lives.
There is a true doctrine on these points, a doctrine unknown by many and unbelieved by more, a doctrine that is spelled out as specifically and extensively in the revealed word as are any of the other revealed truths. There is no need for uncertainty or misunderstanding. And surely if the Lord reveals a doctrine, we should seek to learn its principles and strive to apply them in our lives. This doctrine is that mortal man, while in the flesh, has it in his power to see the Lord, to stand in His presence, to feel the nail marks in His hands and feet, and to receive from Him such blessings as are reserved for only those who keep all His commandments and who are qualified for that eternal life, which includes being in His presence forever. [Forever means now and always.] Bruce R. McConkie from A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, page 492
Something in King Follett I never caught before
I know the Scriptures; I understand them. I said that no man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body. Why? Because they must commit the unpardonable sin in this world after they receive the Holy Ghost. All will suffer in the eternal world until they obey Christ himself and are exalted. Hence, the salvation of the Savior Jesus Christ was wrought out for all men to triumph over the works of the devil; if the plan did not catch them in one place, it would in another. The devil came to save the world and stood up as a savior. The contention in heaven was that Jesus contended that there would be certain souls that would be condemned and not saved, but the devil said, “I am a savior,” and that he could save them all. As the grand council gave in for Jesus Christ, the lot fell on him. So the devil rose up, rebelled against God, fell, and was thrust down, with all who put up their heads for him.
All sin shall be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Ghost, for Jesus Christ will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He has got to deny the plan of salvation; he has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it with his eyes open; he has got to receive the Holy Ghost, deny Jesus Christ when the heavens are open to him, know God, and then sin against Him. After a man has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him.
Justice of the Great Lawgiver
But while one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men, causes “His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but, “according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil,” or whether these deeds were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India. He will judge them, “not according to what they have not, but according to what they have,” those who have lived without law, will be judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law. We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right. TPJS p. 218
Jacob’s Ladder
Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder–the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them. TPJS p.304
If it is not in harmony with the scriptures, it is not true.
It’s not a gospel of affirmation, neither is it a gospel of individual choice. The gospel is all about becoming like Christ is, through faith, repentance, baptism by water, and baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. In the end, we are either like Christ and are comfortable in His Presence, or we are not.
Take this passage:
“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];” (D&C 131:2)
1. This was not a revelation. It was an item of instruction.
2. Joseph Smith did not say the bracketed phrase. It was inserted after the fact when this section was added to the D&C in 1876.
3. Two witnesses claimed to hear Joseph Smith say this. The fact is that one of them was not even present.
The notion that we have a choice in where we end up in the judgment is not true. The Telestial glory is the world in which we now live in. The temple endowment teaches this. The Terrestrial glory describes the world during the Millennium. It is a transitional state.
Joseph Smith taught that we go from glory to glory, from exaltation to exaltation. Jacob’s ladder does not lead to multiple destinations. It leads to only one place, but passes THROUGH all the others. “Exaltation” is simply ascending to a higher place. Salvation consists of one thing and one thing only: to be precisely as Christ is. The Lectures on Faith teach this. Latter-day saints should read the lectures like scripture, because they are scripture. There are also “items of instruction”, like Section 131, but unlike Section 131, they were removed because they were considered “items of instruction”.
When you understand this, the following verses are not confusing. We can read them exactly as they stand, without inventing false theology:
D&C 76:43 Who glorifies the Father, and saves ALL the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.
D&C 76:44 Wherefore, he saves ALL except them–they shall go away into everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment–
The lower degrees of glory are interim stops along the way, where every person receives the opportunity to rise as high as he will, and eventually be saved by the principle of mercy, the principle of judgment, or the principle of justice.
D&C 88:35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
John144 