376. At the final judgment we will stand before God in our resurrected bodies.
377. The dead will be judged from the books that are written on earth and in heaven.
378. Christ will judge all people.
380. The Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus from among the Jews will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
381. The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus from among the Nephites will judge the Nephites.
382. God's judgment is just: the final judgment will be just for everyone.
375. Every person who belongs to the human family must eventually stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged.
And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; (Mormon writes for the benefit of the Gentiles, the twelve tribes of Israel and the remnant of the descendants of Lehi, A.D. 363) Mormon 3:20
We are living eternal life, and our position hereafter will be the result of our lives here. Every man will be judged according to his works, and he will receive only that degree of glory that he has earned. CR1945Apr:139
quoted by Mormon
[F]or behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. . . .
43. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. (Amulek answers the lawyer Zeezrom foretelling Christ's redemption of man, the resurrection and the final judgment, about 82 B.C.) Alma 11:41,43
[T]he trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.
14. And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still. (Moroni addresses those who deny the revelations of God, A.D. 400-421) Mormon 9:13-14
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (The Apostle John sees the judgment of man at the end of the Millennium) Revelation 20:12-13
And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.
33. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. (Nephi sees in vision the things his father Lehi had seen; he sees the dividing of the wicked from the righteous; he interprets the vision to his brothers, about 600-592 B.C.) 1 Nephi 15:32-33
No consideration whatever ought to deter us from showing ourselves approved in the sight of God, according to His divine requirement. Men not unfrequently forget that they are dependent upon heaven for every blessing which they are permitted to enjoy, and that for every opportunity granted them they are to give an account. You know, brethren, that when the Master in the Savior's parable of the stewards called his servants before him he gave them several talents to improve on while he should tarry abroad for a little season, and when he returned he called for an accounting. So it is now. Our Master is absent only for a little season, and at the end of it He will call each to render an account; and where the five talents were bestowed, ten will be required; and he that has made no improvement will be cast out as an unprofitable servant, while the faithful will enjoy everlasting honors. (Written message from Kirtland, Ohio, to the brethren scattered abroad, Jan. 22, 1834) HC2:23-24
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Nephi
The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. (Jacob teaches the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:41
376. At the final judgment we will stand before God in our resurrected bodies.
The scriptures prove, that at the time of man's final judgment he will stand before the bar of God, clothed in his resurrected body, and this, irrespective of his condition of purity or guilt. AF:466
quoted by Mormon
Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
43. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. (Amulek answers the lawyer Zeezrom, foretelling Christ's redemption and resurrection of man and the final judgment, about 82 B.C.) Alma 11:42-43
And in this space between death and the resurrection of the body, the two classes of souls remain, in happiness or in misery, until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth and be reunited both spirit and body, and be brought to stand before God and be judged according to their works. This is the final judgment. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 448) DGSM:84
And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.
14. And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still. (Moroni calls upon those who do not believe in Christ to repent, A.D. 400-421) Mormon 9:13-14
quoted by Nephi
And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. (Jacob to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:22
377. The dead will be judged from the books that are written on earth and in heaven.
Out of the things which have been written in the books, this people shall be judged, according to their works. The Lord shall make a record also, and out of that shall the whole world be judged. And you men of the holy Priesthood—you Apostles, Presidents, Bishops and High Priests in Zion—will be called upon to be the judge of the people. Therefore, it is expected that you shall set the standard for them to attain to, and see that they shall live according to the spirit of the Gospel, do their duty, and keep the commandments of the Lord. You shall make a record of their acts. You shall record when they are baptized, when they are confirmed, and when they receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. . . . You shall write their works . . . but we shall judge the people, first requiring them to do their duty. CR1901Apr:72
Accordingly, men's deeds and thoughts must be recorded in heaven, and recording angels will not fail to make complete recordings of our thoughts and actions. We pay our tithing and the bishop records it in his book and gives us a receipt. But even if the entry fails to get in the ward record, we shall have full credit for the tithes we paid. There will be no omissions in the heavenly records, and they will all be available at the day of judgment. President John Taylor emphasized this:
"Man sleeps the sleep of death, but the spirit lives where the record of his deeds is kept.
"Man sleeps for a time in the grave, and by and by he rises again from the dead and goes to judgment; and then the secret thoughts of all men are revealed before him with whom we have to do; we cannot hide them: it would be in vain for a man to say, 'I did not do so and so,' the command would be, unravel and read the record which he has made of himself and let it testify in relation to these things, and all could gaze upon it." [In Journal of Discourses, 11:78-79]
At that day we may be sure that we shall receive fair judgment. The judges will have the facts as they may be played back from our own records, and our voices and the pictures of our own acts and the recordings of our thoughts will testify against and for us. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 109) TLDP:324-25
quoted by Mormon
For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men. 26. And behold, all things are written by the Father; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged.
27. And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. (The resurrected Jesus calls on the Nephites to repent in contemplation of the final judgment, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 27:25-27
Related Witnesses:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (The Apostle John sees the final judgment of man) Revelation 20:12-13
Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
11. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.
12. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it. (Nephi writes the word of the Lord regarding the witnesses of the Bible and Book of Mormon) 2 Nephi 29:10-12
So thoroughly permeated with the holy spirit is the immensity of space that every act and word and thought are recorded and transmitted everywhere, so that all who know how to read may read. Thus we make an imperishable record of our lives. To those whose lives are ordered well this is a blessed conception; but to those of wicked lives, it is most terrible. He who has the receiving apparatus, in whose hands the key is held, may read from the record of the holy spirit, an imperishable history of all that has occurred during the ages that have passed in the world's history. This solemn thought, that in the bosom of the holy spirit is recorded the whole history of the universe—our most secret thought and our faintest hope—helps man to walk steadily in the midst of the contending appeals of life. We cannot hide from the Master. (A Rational Theology, pp. 72-74) TLDP:363
378. Christ will judge all people.
quoted by John
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: . . .
27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (Jesus addresses the Jews) John 5:22,27
It is the prerogative of Jesus Christ to judge mankind, and He will do it as His own purposes, which are the purposes of His Father, may be best served. John records the words of Christ: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father." And Peter, while expounding the Gospel to the devout Gentile, Cornelius, declared concerning Jesus Christ, that "it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." AF:51
In his exalted state Christ has attained all power both in heaven and on earth so that the fulness of the godhead dwells in him; he has been exalted to the right hand of the Father, from whence, in due course, he shall come to judge all men. . . .
The Son, not the Father, is the Judge of the whole earth, but his judgment is made in accordance with the will of the Father and therefore is just. . . .
Because Jesus is the Son of Man of Holiness he has been given the power to execute judgment, to sit in judgment at the great and last day, to call all men forth in immortality to stand before his bar. (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:190) DGSM:89
recorded in Matthew
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Jesus gives the parable of the sheep and the goats; the sheep are placed on his right hand at the Lord's second coming) Matthew 25:31-33
It is written that Jesus will judge not after the sight of the eye, or after the hearing of the ear, but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. It is not because somebody has seen things, or heard anything by which a man will be judged and condemned, but it is because that record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind—that record that cannot lie—will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges. (In Tabernacle, Feb. 5, 1865, JD11:79) TLDP:324
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
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. . . . (In editorial from the Times and Seasons, recorded in the Prophet's journal, April 15, 1842) TPJS:218
And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; (Mormon writes for the benefit of the Gentiles, the twelve tribes of Israel and the remnant of the descendants of Lehi, A.D. 363) Mormon 3:20
Related Witnesses:
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Paul preaches on Mars' Hill about the unknown god) Acts 17:31
379. When the great day of judgment comes, Christ will use appointed priesthood agents to help Him judge the world.
There is another thing connected with this that we ought to understand fully in our minds, and that is that the time will come, according to the revelations of God, concerning the resurrection, that judgment will be given into the hands of men who hold that priesthood, so that what they do in the judgment will be as though done by the Father or by the Son. . . .
The great judgment that is to come will not be altogether performed by one individual sitting upon a great white throne and passing judgment upon the millions upon millions of the earth's inhabitants. God's house is a house of order, and the Lord will have agents appointed as he has now behind the veil as well as in the flesh, and when the great judgment comes, all will be judged according to their works, and the books will be opened, and the Book of Life will be scanned and the man's acts and the woman's acts upon the earth will be disclosed, and we will all confess in our souls that the judgment is just and righteous, because it will be uttered and delivered by one having authority and the seal of God will be upon it. [D&C 128:7-8CR1916Oct:21-24
When we reflect upon the statement of creatures being judged without the law, the question arises as to who are to be their judges. We may here state that Christ is called the judge of the quick and the dead, the judge of all the earth. . . .
It is also further stated that the Saints shall judge the world. Thus Christ is at the head, His apostles and disciples seem to take the next prominent part; then comes the action of the Saints, or other branches of the Priesthood, who it is stated shall judge the world. This combined Priesthood, it would appear, will hold the destiny of the human family in their hands and adjudicate in all matters pertaining to their affairs; and it would seem to be quite reasonable, if the Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem are to be the judges of the Twelve Tribes, and the Twelve Disciples on this continent are to be the judges of the descendants of Nephi, then the brother of Jared and Jared should be the judges of the Jaredites, their descendants; and further, that the First Presidency and Twelve who have officiated in our age, should operate in regard to mankind in this dispensation. (The Mediation and Atonement, pp. 155-56) TLDP:124
Related Witnesses:
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (Letter to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:2
And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you not, ye shall depart speedily from that house, and shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them.
21. And you shall be filled with joy and gladness; and know this, that in the day of judgment you shall be judges of that house, and condemn them; (Revelation at a Church conference, Jan. 25, 1832) D&C 75:20-21
380. The Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus from among the Jews will judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
recorded in Matthew
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Jesus tells the Twelve that when they sit upon twelve thrones in judgment, those who have sacrificed much will receive eternal life) Matthew 19:28
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else. (Revelation received Sept. 1830) D&C 29:12
And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. 9. And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.
10. And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood. (An angel shows Nephi a vision of the twelve disciples of Christ who were to be selected from the Nephites, between 600 and 592 B.C.) 1 Nephi 12:8-10
Yea, behold, I write unto all the ends of the earth; yea, unto you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his disciples in the land of Jerusalem.
19. And I write also unto the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem.
20. And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; (Mormon writes for the benefit of the Gentiles and the twelve tribes of Israel, A.D. 363) Mormon 3:18-20
It is also further stated that the Saints shall judge the world. Thus Christ is at the head, His Apostles and disciples seem to take the next prominent part; then comes the action of the Saints, or other branches of the Priesthood, who it is stated shall judge the world. This combined Priesthood, it would appear, will hold the destiny of the human family in their hands and adjudicate in all matters pertaining to their affairs; and it would seem to be quite reasonable. If the Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem are to be the judges of the Twelve tribes, and the Twelve Disciples on this continent are to be the judges of the descendants of Nephi, then the brother of Jared and Jared should be the judges of the Jaredites, their descendants; and further, that the First Presidency and Twelve who have officiated in our age, should operate in regard to mankind in this dispensation. (The Mediation and Atonement, pp. 155-57) TLDP:324
381. The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus from among the Nephites will judge the Nephites.
And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. 9. And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.
10. And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood. (An angel shows Nephi a vision of the twelve disciples of Christ who were to be selected from the Nephites, between 600 and 592 B.C.) 1 Nephi 12:8-10
Yea, behold, I write unto all the ends of the earth; yea, unto you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his disciples in the land of Jerusalem.
19. And I write also unto the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem.
20. And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; (Mormon writes for the benefit of the Gentiles and the twelve tribes of Israel, A.D. 363) Mormon 3:18-20
quoted by Mormon
And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. (The resurrected Jesus instructs his twelve Nephite disciples, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 27:27
382. God's judgment is just: the final judgment will be just for everyone.
quoted by Mormon
Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just. (King Mosiah proposes the appointment of righteous judges, about 92 B.C.) Mosiah 29:12
The Lord says that He is coming "to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure to his fellow man." This is in keeping with the words of Jesus: [Luke 6:37-38 is quoted].
This is perfect justice. No one can complain with any good cause if he is recompensed according to his works or if he receives the same measure that he measures to his fellow man. But do we always think of this in all our transactions? If we all do, then we are in happy condition and will not be afraid to meet the consequences of all our acts when the Lord judges us. (Gospel Truth, 1:92) TLDP:320
On the earth there are many apparent injustices, when man must judge man and when uncontrollable situations seem to bring undeserved disaster, but in the judgment of God there will be no injustice and no soul will receive any blessing, reward, and glory which he has not earned, and no soul will be punished through deprivation or otherwise for anything of which he was not guilty. (At Utah State University, Nov. 25, 1958) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 47) TLDP:321
It is written that Jesus will judge not after the sight of the eye, or after the hearing of the ear, but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. It is not because somebody has seen things, or heard anything by which a man will be judged and condemned, but it is because that record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind—that record that cannot lie—will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges. (In Tabernacle, Feb. 5, 1865, JD11:79) TLDP:324
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Nephi
Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery. (Jacob to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:46
[A]nd he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Isaiah prophesies, 740-659 B.C.) Isaiah 11:3-4
383. Every person in the final judgment will be saved in a kingdom of glory (except the sons of perdition, who are cast into outer darkness).
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
How many kingdoms there are has not been told to us; they are innumerable. The disciples of Jesus were to dwell with him. Where will the rest go? Into kingdoms prepared for them, where they will live and endure. Jesus will bring forth, by his own redemption, every son and daughter of Adam, except the sons of perdition, who will be cast into hell. Others will suffer the wrath of god—will suffer all the Lord can demand at their hands, or justice can require of them; and when they have suffered the wrath of God till the utmost farthing is paid, they will be brought out of prison. Is this dangerous doctrine to preach? Some consider it dangerous; but it is true that every person who does not sin away the day of grace, and become an angel to the Devil, will be brought forth to inherit a kingdom of glory. ("The Three Glories", in Bowery, Aug. 26, 1860, JD8:154) DBY:382
Outer darkness is something which cannot be described, except that we know that it is to be placed beyond the benign and comforting influence of the Spirit of God—banished entirely from his presence.
This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. Even the wicked of the earth who never knew the power of God, after they have paid the price of their sinning—for they must suffer the excruciating torment which sin will bring—shall at last come forth from the prison house, repentant and willing to bow the knee and acknowledge Christ, to receive some influence of the Spirit of God in the telestial kingdom. . . . (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:220-21) TLDP:636
We are living eternal life, and our position hereafter will be the result of our lives here. Every man will be judged according to his works, and he will receive only that degree of glory that he has earned. CR1945Apr:139
Related Witnesses:
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 15:40-42
And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one.
97. And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one.
98. 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; (Vision to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Feb. 16, 1832) D&C 76:96-98
384. There are three principal kingdoms, or degrees of glory, to which we are assigned after mortality.
The revelations of God have defined the following principal kingdoms or degrees of glory, as prepared through Christ for the children of men.
1. The Celestial Glory—There are some who have striven to obey all the divine commandments, who have accepted the testimony of Christ, obeyed "the laws and ordinances of the Gospel," and received the Holy Spirit; these are they who have overcome evil by godly works and who are therefore entitled to the highest glory; these belong to the Church of the Firstborn, unto whom the Father has given all things; they are made kings and priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek; they possess celestial bodies, "whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical"; they are admitted to the glorified company, crowned with exaltation in the celestial kingdom.
2. The Terrestrial Glory—We read of others who receive glory of a secondary order, differing from the highest as "the moon differs from the sun in the firmament." These are they who, though honorable, failed to comply with the requirements for exaltation, were blinded by the craftiness of men and unable to receive and obey the higher laws of God. They proved "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus," and therefore are not entitled to the fulness of glory.
3. The Telestial Glory— There is another grade, differing from the higher orders as the stars differ from the brighter orbs of the firmament; this is for those who received not the testimony of Christ, but who nevertheless, did not deny the Holy Spirit; who have led lives exempting them from the heaviest punishment, yet whose redemption will be delayed until the last resurrection. In the telestial world there are innumerable degrees comparable to the varying light of the stars. Yet all who receive of any one of these orders of glory are at last saved, and upon them Satan will finally have no claim. AF:83-84
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 15:40-42
As eternal beings we all have to stand before him to be judged; and he has provided different degrees of glory—the celestial, the terrestrial, and the telestial glories—which are provided according to certain unchangeable laws which cannot be controverted. What will he do with them? For those who are ready to listen to him and be brought under the influence of the Spirit of God and be led by the principles of revelation and the light of heaven, and who are willing to yield to obedience to his commands at all times and carry out his purposes upon the earth, and who are willing to abide a celestial law, he has prepared for them a celestial glory, that they may be with him for ever and ever. And what about the others? They are not prepared to go there any more than lead is prepared to stand the same test as gold or silver; and there they cannot go. And there is a great gulf between them. But he [God] will do with them just as well as he can. A great many of these people in the world, thousands and hundreds of millions of them, will be a great deal better off through the interposition of the Almighty that they have any idea of. But they cannot enter into the celestial kingdom of God, where God and Christ are they cannot come. (Quarterly conference, Salt Lake Stake, in Salt Lake Theatre, Jan. 6, 1879, JD20:116) TLDP:325
And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—. . . .
67. These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn. . . .
70. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
71. And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament. . . .
80. And now this is the end of the vision which we saw of the terrestrial, that the Lord commanded us to write while we were yet in the Spirit.
81. And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. . . .
96. And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one.
97. And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one.
98. 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; (Vision to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, February 16, 1832) D&C 76:50,67,70-71,80-81,96-98
There are three kingdoms of differing degrees of glory in the world to come. The telestial—which is the lowest; the terrestrial—the middle; and the celestial—the glory enjoyed by Deity. Each kingdom of glory is governed by law. (CR 1975Apr; Easter Thoughts, Ensign, May 1975, p.82)
Related Witnesses:
The three kingdoms of widely differing glories are organized on an orderly plan of gradation. We have seen that the telestial kingdom comprises several subdivisions; this also is the case, we are told, with the celestial; and, by analogy, we conclude that a similar condition prevails in the terrestrial. Thus the innumerable degrees of merit amongst mankind are provided for in an infinity of graded glories. The celestial kingdom is supremely honored by the personal ministrations of the Father and the Son. The terrestrial kingdom will be administered through the higher, without a fulness of glory. The telestial is governed through the ministrations of the terrestrial, by "angels who are appointed to minister for them." HL:83
385. At the final judgment we will be assigned to that degree of glory that we are willing to receive and able to abide.
We are living eternal life, and our position hereafter will be the result of our lives here. Every man will be judged according to his works, and he will receive only that degree of glory that he has earned. CR1945Apr:139
If a man cannot abide a celestial law, he cannot receive a celestial glory, if a man cannot abide a terrestrial law he cannot receive a terrestrial glory; and if he cannot abide a telestial law he cannot receive a telestial glory, but will have to dwell in a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. This is according to the revelations of God to us. (In Tabernacle, July 19, 1868, JD12:278) TLDP:126-27
And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
22. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
23. And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
24. And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. . . .
28. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.
29. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
30. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
31. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
32. And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.
33. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. . . .
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. (Revelation Dec. 27/28, 1832; obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories) D&C 88:21-24,28-33,35
Again, the Lord has said that according to the laws we obey here shall we receive from Him. We speak of rewards just as we speak of punishments. But rewards and punishments will come through truth by reference to what He had already revealed respecting the kingdoms or orders of glory, to this effect—If a man cannot or will not obey celestial laws, that is, live in accordance with the celestial requirements, he must not think that he is discriminated against when he is excluded from the celestial kingdom, because he could not abide it, he could not live there. If a man cannot or will not obey the terrestrial law he cannot rationally hope for a place in the terrestrial kingdom. If he cannot live the yet lower law—the telestial law—he cannot abide the glory of the telestial kingdom, and he will have to be assigned therefore to a kingdom without glory. I rejoice in the consistency and order of the Lord's plan and in His revelations to us. CR1929Oct:69
To gain the celestial kingdom, the Lord says: Ye must be "sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ," which law is the fulness of the gospel. The revealed word specifies that those who "abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom" shall obtain a terrestrial glory, and that those who "abide the law of a telestial kingdom" shall obtain a telestial glory. No such requirement is set forth for gaining a celestial glory. Instead, the revelation says that those who so obtain must be "able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom." (D&C 88:21-24In other words, salvation in the celestial kingdom will come to all who are able to live the full law of Christ, even though they did not have opportunity so to do in the course of a mortal probation. (The Mortal Messiah, 1:74) TLDP:129
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Some might suppose that it would be a great blessing to be taken and carried directly into heaven and there set down, but in reality that would be no blessing to such persons; they could not reap a full reward, could not enjoy the glory of the kingdom, and could not comprehend and abide the light thereof, but it would be to them a hell intolerable and I suppose would consume them much quicker than would hell fire. It would be no blessing to you to be carried into the celestial kingdom, and obliged to stay therein, unless you were prepared to dwell there. (In Tabernacle, March 1856; JD3:221) DBY:95; DGSM:92
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (The Apostle John sees the condition of the unjust on judgment day) Revelation 22:11-12
And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.
33. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.
34. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.
35. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. (Nephi interprets his father Lehi's dream to his brothers, between 600-592 B.C.) 1 Nephi 15:32-35
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Mormon
Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. (Amulek teaches the people this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God, 74 B.C.) Alma 34:34
quoted by Mormon
For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of God; yea, I perceive that ye are making his paths straight.
20. I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.
21. And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain in his filthiness. (Alma preaches to the people in Gideon, about 83 B.C.) Alma 7:19-21
Related Witnesses:
And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still. (Moroni addresses those who deny the revelations of God, A.D. 400-421) Mormon 9:14
quoted by Nephi
And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
16. And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire; prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end. (Jacob to the people of Nephi, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 9:15-16
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Letter to the Saints at Ephesus in Asia Minor, about A.D. 62) Ephesians 5:5
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (Paul's letter to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Author's Note: If a wicked person comes to the judgment seat unrepentant, he remains wicked and cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; hence a person who is filthy because his works in mortality were filthy must remain filthy and cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The grace of God will not save such a one; hence the need for good works consistent with accepting Jesus Christ as the Savior. Also, it is likely deathbed repentance is not sufficient, a person must undergo a process of change from filthiness to purity.
386. Our final state after this life is determined by the choices we make (during this life and in the spirit world hereafter).
Are we not the framers of our own destiny? Are we not the arbitrators of our fate? This is another part of my text, and I argue from it that it is our privilege to determine our own exaltation or degradation. It is our privilege to determine our own happiness or misery in the world to come. (Gospel Kingdom, p. 341) DGSM:31
And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.
33. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. (Revelation Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:32-33
receiving the Word of the Lord
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. (Revelation to the elders of the Church, Aug. 1, 1831) D&C 58:26-29
quoted by Mormon
And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
4. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
5. The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.
6. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
7. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
8. Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. (Alma speaks to his son Corianton, concerning the resurrection of the dead, about 73 B.C.) Alma 41:3-8
quoted by Mormon
Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.
28. If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God. (Alma speaks to his son Corianton, about 73 B.C.; mortality is a probationary time to enable man to repent and serve God) Alma 42:27-28
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The volition of the creature is free; this is a law of their existence and the Lord cannot violate his own law; were he to do that, he would cease to be God. He has placed life and death before his children, and it is for them to choose. If they choose life, they receive the blessing of life; if they choose death, they must abide the penalty. (In Bowery, Aug. 19, 1866, JD11:272) DBY:62; DGSM:31
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Paul writes to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, about A.D. 55) Galatians 6:7-9
quoted by Mormon
And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31. He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. (Samuel preaches to the Nephites, about 6 B.C.) Helaman 14:30-31
387. We receive our reward from him whom we choose to follow, whether we choose the Lord and the reward of exaltation, or the devil and the reward of damnation.
For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges. (In one year tens of thousands met death in war and were thus sent to the eternal world to reap their rewards according to their works, 87 B.C.) Alma 3:27
quoted by Mormon
Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.
42. And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works. (Alma teaches the people, about 83 B.C.) Alma 5:41-42
For those who are ready to listen to [the Lord] and be brought under the influence of the Spirit of God and be led by the principles of revelation and the light of heaven, and who are willing to yield to obedience to his commands at all times and carry out his purposes upon the earth, and who are willing to abide a celestial law, he has prepared for them a celestial glory, that they may be with him for ever and ever. And what about the others? They are not prepared to go there any more than lead is prepared to stand the same test as gold or silver; and there they cannot go. And there is a great gulf between them. But he [God] will do with them just as well as he can. A great many of these people in the world, thousands and hundreds of million of them, will be a great deal better off through the interposition of the Almighty than they have any idea of. But they cannot enter into the celestial kingdom of God, where God and Christ are they cannot come. (Quarterly conference, Salt Lake Stake, in Salt Lake Theatre, Jan. 6, 1879, JD20:116) TLDP:325
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
[God] has placed life and death before his children, and it is for them to choose. If they choose life, they receive the blessing of life; if they choose death, they must abide the penalty. This is a law which has always existed from all eternity, and will continue to exist throughout all the eternities to come. Every intelligent being must have the power of choice, and God brings forth the results of the acts of his creatures to promote his Kingdom and subserve his purposes in the salvation and exaltation of his children. (In Bowery, Aug. 19, 1866, JD11:272) DBY:62; DGSM:31
Related Witnesses:
quoted by Mormon
But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah .
33. For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 2:32-33
388. At the final judgment the wicked will be separated out from the righteous and consigned to the place prepared for the devil and his angels.
HYMNS Written by Prophets Applicable to this Topic
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season; 23. And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. . . . 26. But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth—yea, even all. 27. And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father;
28. Wherefore I will say unto them—Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. (Revelation received Sept. 1830) D&C 29:22-23,26-28
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (John sees the judgment of man at the end of the Millennium) Revelation 20:11-15
receiving the Word of the Lord
For in mine own due time will I come upon the earth in judgment, and my people shall be redeemed and shall reign with me on earth.
30. For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come.
31. For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth.
32. And he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire.
33. And the wicked shall go away into unquenchable fire, and their end no man knoweth on earth, nor ever shall know, until they come before me in judgment. (Revelation: message for the nations of the earth, Feb. 1831) D&C 43:29-33
recorded in Matthew
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. . . .
41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: . . .
46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Jesus gives the parable of the sheep and the goats; the sheep are placed on his right hand at the Lord's Second Coming) Matthew 25:31-33,41,46
Will the earth go back to the telestial order after the millennium? No, but the people on the face of the earth, many of them, will be like the Nephites who lived 200 years after the coming of Christ. They will rebel against the Lord knowingly, and the great last struggle will come, and the devil and his forces will be defeated: then the earth will die and receive its resurrection and become a celestial body. The resurrection of the wicked will take place as one of the last events before the earth dies.
After the thousand years Satan will be loosed again and will go forth again to deceive the nations. Because men are still mortal, Satan will go out to deceive them. Men will again deny the Lord, but in doing so they will act with their eyes open and because they love darkness rather than light, and so they become sons of perdition. Satan will gather his hosts, both those on the earth and the wicked dead who will eventually also be brought forth in the resurrection. Michael, the Prince, will gather his forces and the last great battle will be fought. Satan will be defeated with his hosts. Then will come the end. Satan and those who follow him will be banished into outer darkness. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:87-88) TLDP:407-08
All those who love wickedness, "who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie," shall be sent to the telestial kingdom. There is still another group composed of those who have had a testimony of divine truth, who have had the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord, or Holy Ghost, and afterwards deny the truth and put Jesus Christ to open shame. These shall be cast out into "outer darkness." They are called sons of perdition. (Man: His Origin and Destiny, pp. 50-53) TLDP:(244)243-245
Related Witnesses:
[A]nd he has other sons and daughters who do not even attain unto the telestial kingdom. They are sons of perdition out with the devil and his angels, and though the Father has grieved over them, he still has not the power to rescue and save them because he gave them free agency, and they used that in such a manner that they have shut themselves out from his presence. But he is justified. He has performed his full duty by them. . . . (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, pp. 255-57) TLDP:132
Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice, verse 4
HYMNS:21
Then heed the words of truth and light
That flow from fountains pure.
Yea, keep His law with all thy might
Till thine election's sure,
Till thou shalt hear the holy voice
Assure eternal reign,
While joy and cheer attend thy choice,
As one who shall obtain.
