The time has finally come to discuss what will happen after this life.
I hope that this is something that's important to you. You probably already have some personal ideas (whether with light thoughts or strong convictions) about where you will be after you die. Quite frankly, I'd be shocked to learn that you haven't given this topic any thought whatsoever.
This is one of life's greatest questions!!
Traditionally, Christians believe in a Final Judgment, which will determine whether we go to Heaven or Hell. Then, the idea goes, we will spend the rest of eternity in whichever of the two we find ourselves.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches something different. Part of the reason I like what I'm about to share with you is because it's interesting. Part of the reason I like it is because it portrays a much more loving God than the traditional Heaven/Hell view. The main reason I "like" it is because I know that it is true, and that it is a part of God's Plan, which I have been laying out for you for the past while (on that note: I apologize for such a lengthy gap between posts).
Here's what happens:
When we die we go to one of two places: Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison. Now, they sound pretty synonymous with Heaven and Hell, right? That's because they are, but the story does not end there, nor are they exactly how we typically think about them.
Those who have accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have lived it will enter Spirit Paradise. Those who have not will enter Spirit Prison.
In Spirit Prison, those who have not had the opportunity to receive The Gospel of Jesus Christ during their lives, will be taught by those in Spirit Paradise. This is God's wonderful safeguard against the fact that some of His children will simply not know about their Saviour. Of course a man in North Korea is never going to hear about Jesus. How could he? Should he be denied salvation because he did not accept Jesus as his Saviour because he never had the chance to know Him? How cruel and unjust of a God would our Father have to be to rule in that way? This place, Paradise and Prison, is how Our Father ensures that none of His children go without the wonderful opportunity to know Christ.
After a time we will be resurrected. Recall our post about The Atonement of Jesus Christ, where he made it possible for us to be reunited with our bodies. Well, now is the time (not literally now, but in this narrative, haha). After being in Spirit Paradise (or Prison) for some time, we will all be resurrected and brought to the bar of Final Judgment.
There are scriptures that discuss the Twelve Disciples of Jesus Christ each judging one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. There is the obvious notion that either God or Christ will be our judge. There is also, amongst many members of the church, the idea that we will be our own judges and that we will only be able to be truly honest with our verdict. In any case, we will be judged, and then we will go to our final destination.
There are three places where we may go. Those three places are The Three Degrees of Glory: The Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingdoms.
The Celestial Kingdom:
This is the most glorious and wonderful of the three kingdoms. Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost reside here. Those who enter here will be with their families for all of time and eternity. This is a place of great joy! It is a place where we learn and progress. The symbol of the Celestial Kingdom is the sun. 1 Cor. 15:40-41
The Terrestrial Kingdom:
We understand that in this kingdom Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost will visit. It is probably not such a terrible place. It's just that if we live here we won't be with our families, or with our Eternal Father. I'm not sure how the logistics work, but I do know that the Celestial Kingdom is the only place we can have eternal families. While those here will probably continue to learn a little bit, their progress is limited. They cannot surpass the bounds of this Kingdom to enter the next. The symbol of the Terrestrial Kingdom in the moon. (same reference as the link above)
The Telestial Kingdom:
Here, only The Holy Ghost will visit. Those who live here will be alone. I do not know if there is any type of progress or learning here. This Kingdom's symbol is the stars. (same reference)
Note that there is no horrible place of fire and torture where people will be punished. Even the third, and lowest, of the kingdoms is a "degree of glory" it's just that the degree of its glory is like comparing the light of distant stars to that of our sun (see now a small part of the meaning of those symbols?).
God wants all of His children to be happy, and the best way for them to have that is to return to live with Him. If someone does not return to His presence they will miss out on that incredible, eternal blessing, but they will not be eternally tortured and tormented.
A good, mortal father, will teach his children that their actions have consequences, and he will often do so by removing blessings as a result of poor behaviour. The purpose of this is to teach, not to torment. At the end of our lives, when the test has been done, when we have finished our trial (whether successfully or not), what would the purpose of punishment be? Eternal punishment would not teach children to obey. It would only teach them that God must hate them. This is a ridiculous notion. God loves his children. So He allows them to suffer some things so that they may learn. But an everlasting punishment at the end of our lives would not serve that purpose. It would be meaningless and cruel.
God wants each and every one of us to have joy!! This is His plan. He has designed the perfect plan. I know that the things I've shared in this post are true. I know that we can each go to the Celestial Kingdom and be with our families and our Heavenly Father for all of time and eternity. We need only live The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
check out mormon.org if you have any questions.
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In my next post I want to discuss the purpose of progress in The Celestial Kingdom. If we have made it to "Heaven" what more could we possibly do?
