Mormon Beliefs

Crazy Mormon Beliefs: Levels in Heaven

Did you know that Mormons believe that there are different “levels” in heaven?  These are the Celestial kingdom, the Terrestrial kingdom and the Telestial kingdom.

The Celestial kingdom is for those who accepted Jesus, received the necessary ordinances (e.g., baptism) and followed the commandments.  The Terrestrial kingdom is for those who lived good lives but did not accept Jesus in their lifetimes.  Finally, the Telestial kingdom is for those who did not accept Jesus nor live good lives.

Some might ask whether this belief is really Biblical or not.  In 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Paul refers to these different glories and compares them to the sun, moon and stars, respectively.  In addition, Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2 says, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”  This verse is another Biblical verse referring to the different levels of heaven.

From a theological standpoint, this is not surprising either.  We will be judged according to our works and therefore, each one of us will be judged differently.  Even if two people both live good lives, they will be judged differently and therefore receive a slightly different level of glory.  Remember the “many mansions” that Jesus referred to?

Again, this “crazy Mormon belief” does not appear to be so crazy after all–it is supported specifically by the Bible, generally by the teachings of Jesus, and furthemore by modern-day revelation.

Tags: celestial kingdom, crazy mormon belief, degrees of glory, levels in heaven, telestial kingdom, terrestrial kingdom, weird mormon beliefs

Crazy Mormon Belief: More Scripture

Ok, so what’s the deal with Mormons having more scripture than the Bible? Haven’t they ever read Revelation 22:18:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

That seems pretty clear to me! But wait a second, let’s think through this for a minute. John wrote the book of Revelation that is quoted above. Many mainstream Christian scholars now acknowledge that Revelation was likely not the last book of the Bible that was written. Actually, it was probably the first one John wrote, even before the Gospel of John. Does that mean that John will have the plagues of God added to him?

I guess I should also mention that the Bible wasn’t compiled at the time John wrote that in Revelation and wouldn’t be for a long time. Does that mean that John was just writing that for the Book of Revelation and not for the entire Bible then?

Ok, so maybe this isn’t a crazy belief that the Mormons have. Of course John won’t have any plagues added to him, because YES, John was just referring to the Book of Revelation when he wrote that and not the entire Bible. Therefore, this scripture does not rule out further scripture.

Still not convinced, huh? What if we take a look at Deuteronomy 4:2:

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

When you compare that scripture with the one in Revelation, there are a lot of similarities. In fact, it sounds like the same warning. But it’s obvious to all Biblical readers that the one in Deuteronomy is referring only to that book of scripture and not the Bible up to that point (or else the rest of the Bible would be null and void).

In the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi Chapter 29, the Lord reveals:

Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles
of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

So, what are the key takeaways then? First, nothing in the Bible precludes there being additional scripture if the Lord so commands. Second, the Lord loves and has guided His children in all parts of the world, not just Jerusalem. As a result, this “crazy Mormon belief” of having additional scripture isn’t so crazy after all!

Tags: additional scripture, book of mormon, crazy mormon belief, weird mormon beliefs

Crazy Mormon Belief: Prophets Today

One of the other crazy Mormon beliefs is that they believe there is a living prophet today. Don’t they know that there are no prophets after Christ? Just look at what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Actually, what’s most interesting about these scriptures is the fact that Jesus tells his disciples how to distinguish between false prophets (”evil fruit”) and true prophets (”good fruit”). If there were to be no more prophets after Him, couldn’t He just have said, “Anybody claiming to be a prophet is lying.” But instead, He taught us how to recognize a true prophet by the good fruit he bears.

In Amos 3:7, it reads “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, it should come as no surprise that the Lord continues to speak to His children. As a loving Heavenly Father, he wants to help lead and guide His children in this tumultous world. The words of a living prophet can help us avoid the pitfalls and dangers of the world, and return safely to live with our Heavenly Father again.

In fact, I couldn’t agree more with the 19th-century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson when he boldly declared to the Harvard Divinity School, “It is my duty to say to you that the need was never greater for new revelation than now. The doctrine of inspiration is lost. Miracles, prophesy, the holy life, exist as ancient history only. Men have come to speak of revelation of somewhat long ago given and done, as if God were dead. It is the office of a true teacher to show us that God is, not was, that He speaketh, not spake.”

Tags: crazy mormon belief, modern-day prophets, prophets after jesus, revelation, weird mormon beliefs