Exaltation (Mormonism)

Exaltation or eternal progression is a belief among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that mankind, as spirit children of their Father in Heaven, can become like him.

Exaltation is the highest goal of a Mormon, to become as God is. The highest goal is to learn to become like God, who is perfect in attributes and perfections. (Joseph Smith, King Follette Discourse)Exaltation means to live the life that God lives and to obtain the co-equal position of godhood. It is the same as eternal life which is to live God's life who is Eternal Man. Exaltation includes having the power, dominion, and the power of eternal increase or having eternal children just like our Father in heaven. Although the exact meaning of this has not been defined, most Latter-day Saints speculate that this signifies they may enter the Celestial Kingdom and dwell in God the Father's presence. In the Doctrine & Covenants is found a scripture that describes those who are exalted will become gods. Though Exaltation is not limited to Latter-day Saints, saving ordinances are believed to be prerequisite for all who enter the Celestial Kingdom. To enter the presence of the Father signifies that one has become a co-inheritor with Jesus thus becoming like the Father and the Son.

Ordinances

According to LDS beliefs, certain ordinances, such as baptism, are required of all those who hope to obtain exaltation. Yet millions have lived and died throughout the earth's history without having received these saving ordinances. LDS believe that these required ordinances are available to all; both the living and those who have passed from mortality. LDS doctrine teaches that all individuals will have an equitable and fair opportunity to hear the 'fullness of the gospel' taught in this life, or in the life to come, and will subsequently have the opportunity to either accept the message of Jesus Christ and His gospel, or reject it.

These ordinances are done in the Temple which is God's university. We are taught to become kings and queens in God's kingdom through performing the ordinances of exaltation such as the endowment. Celestial Marriage is also part of the requirements of being exalted. It means we are married for eternity with our wives. The fullness of the gospel is the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel. Latter-day Saint members are committed to performing these required, sacred ordinances vicariously in behalf of those who have died without the opportunity of hearing the gospel or perform the saving ordinances. They feel obligated to perform these ordinances for all mankind who have lived before them, that all may have an equal opportunity to receive the blessings of the Celestial Kingdom if they choose to do so through their faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ. It is their belief that those who have died without these ordinances need them in order to progress beyond this life. Acceptance of these ordinances by those who have died is entirely voluntary in (the Spirit world or paradise), and in no way takes away the agency of those individuals. Should an individual who is in the Spirit world and has the saving ordinances performed for them subsequently reject them, it would be as if these ordinances were never performed. It is believed that some will accept them, and others will reject them.

Different kingdoms

Those who reject the saving ordinances are still believed to have the opportunity to inherit a kingdom of glory distinct from, and of less glory, than the Celestial Kingdom: either the Terrestrial Kingdom or the Telestial Kingdom

Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom is the ultimate goal of faithful LDS Church members.

In a Mormon scripture, the book of Moses 1:39, God tells Moses, "this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." God shows Moses a vision depicting some of His vast creations including a vast number of worlds created for other people—a sampling of what God created in the past and what he will continue to do forever. Each world was prepared and peopled by God for the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of all of this children. Immortality refers to personal resurrection by which each individual can continue to enjoy a perfect, physical body forever. Exaltation refers to living in the presence of God and Jesus Christ; to becoming like God both in terms of holiness or godliness and sharing in God's glory.[1]

It is commonly believed by members of the Church that, as God's children, mankind may, through the merits and mercy accorded all through the Atonement of Christ, become like God the Father. As Paul taught the Romans, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)" The eternities will be spent in a process of eternal progression becoming more like the Father.

Latter-day Saints posit that not only does God have the power to exalt mortal man, but without the possibility, there is little reason for mortality. They also point to comments made by Christ and Psalmists among others that refer to the Divine nature and potential of humans as children of God. They include passages in the Book of Revelation that describe the joint heirship with Christ of those who overcome by faith in Jesus Christ. Some Latter-day Saints also suggest that discussions of theosis by Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church Fathers demonstrate that some basic concept of deification, possibly parallel to the LDS concept, was indeed part of the original Christian church.

See also

• Mormonism and Christianity
• Theosis
• Salvation

Notes

References