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