Spirit Paradise and Spirit Prison

Latter-day Saints believe that when a person dies, he or she goes to either paradise or spirit prison. People who have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and made and kept the necessary covenants while on earth go to paradise. People who have not accepted and lived the gospel, either because they did not live it, rejected it, or did not have the opportunity to hear it, go to spirit prison. Paradise and spirit prison are active places. Spirits from paradise go to teach other spirits the gospel. Spirits in spirit prison can accept the gospel of Christ, and their ordinances (religious ceremonies) can be done vicariously for them by people on earth.

Paradise and spirit prison aren’t permanent. Jesus Christ will return to the earth, and all the people whose spirits are in paradise or spirit prison will be resurrected (reunited with their perfected physical bodies). Eventually, all people who have lived, do live, or will live on earth will be judged by Jesus Christ, and then “receive an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory.” [1]

Kingdoms of Glory

Latter-day Saints believe that heaven is split into three degrees or kingdoms: the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingdoms. We also believe in perdition, a kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory. The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that “the glory we inherit will depend on the depth of our conversion, expressed by obedience to the Lord’s commandments. It will depend on the manner in which we have ‘received the testimony of Jesus’ (Doctrine and Covenants 76:51).” [1] Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus taught the principle of kingdoms of glory in John 14:2 when He said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions,” and that the prophet Joseph Smith received further revelation about the kingdoms of glory. Joseph Smith’s revelation is recorded in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

• Celestial Kingdom. The celestial is the highest of the three degrees of glory, and is where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. People who inherit this kingdom of glory will dwell forever in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate goal: to inherit celestial glory. The Doctrine and Covenants states that people who inherit the celestial kingdom are “just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” who “received the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:51, 69). A person cannot reach the celestial kingdom through works alone; the grace of Jesus Christ is also necessary. Latter-day Saints also believe that to inherit celestial glory, one must have made all of the necessary covenants (promises with God) and performed the ordinances that He has commanded. These include the baptismal covenant and other sacred temple covenants, including marriage.

• Terrestrial Kingdom. The Church of Jesus Christ teaches: “Individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people ‘who were blinded by the craftiness of men’ (D&C 76:75).” Included in this group are members of The Church of Jesus Christ who were less valiant in following the Savior, and individuals who rejected the gospel in mortality but accepted it in the spirit world. Individuals who did not have the opportunity to receive the gospel on earth but accept it in the spirit world will not inherit this kingdom; they can still inherit the celestial kingdom.

• Telestial Kingdom. The telestial kingdom is for people who “received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:82). They rejected the gospel and did not accept Jesus Christ.

• Perdition. Perdition is not a kingdom of glory and is reserved only for people who accepted the fulness of the gospel and then willfully rejected their knowledge. There will not be many individuals who meet the requirements to be sent to perdition.

Works and Grace

Jesus Christ will judge all of us according to our actions, and then we will go to a kingdom to dwell eternally. It is up to us to do all we can in this life to reach the celestial kingdom; but not one person, except the Savior, can reach the celestial kingdom alone. Latter-day Saints believe in the importance of both works and grace; we need both to reach celestial glory.

The Importance of Faith

Latter-day Saints have a lot of additional revelation about heaven, which is very comforting, especially upon the death of a loved one. It is comforting to know that our ancestors can dwell in the same glory we can and that the gospel of Jesus Christ includes everyone. It is also humbling to realize that we cannot attain our goal of celestial glory without the grace of our Savior.

However, with all that Latter-day Saints know about heaven and life after death, there is and will always be some uncertainty. What can be frightening about life after death is that it is unknown, and we can be unsure of exactly what it will be like. We may be uncertain how complicated family relationships might be worked out, or unsure of what our family members are doing on the other side of the veil.

I believe that these worries, while they may be legitimate, needn’t worry us right now. Heavenly Father is ultimately in charge and with His perfect knowledge and understanding will work everything out. I believe that we know enough to help us get back to Heavenly Father. Sure, there are things about heaven we don’t know. But that’s okay, because if we knew everything right now, we wouldn’t need faith.

megan

Megan is a graduate of BYU-Idaho and recently married member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is a writer and avid reader, and loves music, hiking, and her family.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle and leader of The Church of Jesus Christ, stated concerning the Second Coming of Christ:

Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during a millennium of righteousness and peace. (2) At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. (3) No one knows the time of His coming, but (4) the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and to be prepared for it. (“Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign, May 2004).

When Will He Come?

Matthew 24:36 says of the Second Coming: “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Only Heavenly Father knows when the Second Coming will happen; not even the angels know when. Neither Latter-day Saint prophets nor members predict the day of the Second Coming. We know that it will happen, but not exactly when. However, the scriptures have given us some signs of the Second Coming so we can know when it’s getting closer.

What Are the Signs of His Coming?

Matthew 24 gives many signs of Jesus’ Second Coming. Some of these signs include: false Christs who will deceive many; wars, and rumors of wars; famines, pestilences, and earthquakes; abundant iniquity; and the love of many growing cold. Other less discouraging signs include: the restoration of Jesus Christ’s gospel; the gospel being preached to all the world; the coming of Elijah (see Malachi 4:5–6); and the building of a city called the New Jerusalem (see 3 Nephi 21:23–25).

Some of these signs have already been fulfilled, while others are yet to be fulfilled. For example, the coming of Elijah as prophesied in Malachi has been fulfilled with the appearance of Elijah to Joseph Smith in April 1836 (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). Some signs, such as wars, famine, and earthquakes, could be said to be fulfilled, but they are also continuing to be fulfilled. It’s often difficult to put checkmarks beside each sign of the Second Coming.

What are the Prophecies of His Coming?

Isaiah prophesied that “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6); that “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). In Acts, after Jesus ascended into heaven, two angels came to the apostles and said: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). This foretells the day when the Savior will come to earth again. These and many other prophesies in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and from our own day, prophesy of the day when Jesus will come again. 

What Will Happen When He Comes?

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Latter-day Saints take this to mean that all those who have died who were righteous will be resurrected first. All people who are on earth at the Second Coming will be caught up into heaven, while the wicked will be destroyed (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The earth will be cleansed with fire, and then Christ will rule and reign on the earth for a thousand years, a period known as the Millennium. Isaiah prophesied of the Millennium, speaking of a time when “a king shall reign in righteousness” and “my people shall dwell in peaceable habitation” (Isaiah 32:1, 18). The Millennium will be a wonderful time, when there will be no wickedness or evil on the earth, and we will dwell in peace and love.

Preparing for the Second Coming

For many people, reading the signs and prophecies of the Second Coming can be a bit frightening. While some of the signs of the Second Coming are wonderful, many speak of destruction and desolation. It can be easy to be frightened of what the future holds, especially as the world grows more evil and dark. However, prophets have promised us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). If we are following the Savior, we have nothing to fear from the Second Coming. In fact, for the righteous, the Second Coming and Millennium will be joyful and wonderful. Even as the world becomes more evil, the gospel is continuing to spread across the globe, bringing light and happiness to thousands. We must do all we can to prepare ourselves both spiritually and physically for the Second Coming, knowing that if we are prepared, we need not fear, but should rejoice.

megan

Megan is a graduate of BYU-Idaho and recently married member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is a writer and avid reader, and loves music, hiking, and her family.

What is a Prophet?

A prophet is God’s authorized mouthpiece to the world to bear witness of Jesus Christ’s divine Sonship and Messiahship, to proclaim God’s commandments to mankind, to call for repentance, and to explain how mankind can keep God’s commandments. God follows a pattern for revealing truth to His children through providing a prophet, scriptures, and the Holy Ghost to confirm truth.

A prophet is a revelator. He receives revelations from the Lord. These revelations have to do with the prophet’s stewardship. An example of prophetic stewardship can be found in the ministry of John the Baptist. He was a revelator, called to serve as a forerunner to the ministering Christ, to lead people to Him. He received his knowledge of Christ mostly through revelation. He preached and served in a very small area of Judea, within the confines of his calling and stewardship. Later, the Apostle Paul was given a stewardship to preach to the Gentiles. This he did, and he received revelation according to that realm of service. Much of what prophets teach is of a practical nature, geared to the current condition of the people they serve. This is why the world always needs prophets, and why God has chosen to send prophets to modern society. Said the ancient prophet Amos: “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). 1

Relationship Between the Latter-day Saints and the Modern Prophet

Latter-day Saints (Mormons) believe that God has called and does speak to a prophet today. That man is Thomas S. Monson.  Mormons do not worship Thomas S. Monson, but do respect his prophetic calling and honor his life of goodness and service.

In the capacity of prophet, President Monson calls the world to repentance, expounds the commandments, and testifies of Jesus Christ.  Every six months, the Church convenes a General Conference where President Monson and others who serve as special witnesses of Jesus Christ give pertinent guidance and reproof. The Church broadcasts General Conference worldwide via satellite and internet and encourages members of the Church, as well as friends of other faiths, to receive the Church leaders’ messages of Mormon belief and doctrine.

Latter-day Saints consider these General Conference messages to be the word of God.

Some people may wonder if Latter-day Saints consider every word spoken by the President of the Church to be the binding word of God.

In 2007 the Church posted the following on www.lds.org:

Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency …and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles… counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture…, official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted. 2

Are Mormon Prophets Infallible?

Michael R Ash discussed this question in his excellent article “The Problem of Fundamentalism”:

“I make no claim of infallibility,” said President Spencer W. Kimball. 3 “We make no claim of infallibility or perfection in the prophets, seers, and revelators,” said Elder James E. Faust. Elder George Q. Cannon taught, “the First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility.” 4

Some members have trouble accepting the fact that prophets have human weaknesses and can make mistakes. Prophets are not fax machines for the Word of God. Like all humans they must interpret and convey impressions through imperfect and incomplete human language and understanding. As Brigham Young once explained, there “isn’t a single revelation” given “that is perfect in its fulness.” God speaks “to us in a manner to meet our capacities.” 5

 

We must realize that prophets are just one of the many tools God utilizes in His plan to lead us back home. Prophets have the keys to the priesthood and can receive revelation and instruction for the entire Church. God’s ultimate plan, however, is that we, individually, come to Him through personal sacrifice, humility, obedience, and prayer, so that we may receive personal communication from on high.

Prophets and apostles—as mortal men—are not exempt from making errors. They are also entitled to their own opinions on areas where we have not received solid revelatory answers, and they are as free as all members to speculate on issues of history and science. The Lord assures us, however, that if we are living lives that allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and speak to us, if we are seeking God’s guidance through our actions, thoughts, and desires, if we pray always, accept Christ’s atonement and conform to His will, then we can receive our own revelation confirming those expedient teachings pertinent to our salvation. 6

Brigham Young, 2^nd president of The Church of Jesus Christ declared,

I am … afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates. 7

Personal Responsibility of Each Latter-day Saint

Ultimately, each Latter-day Saint individually approaches the throne of God to plead for the Grace of Jesus Christ’s Atonement to be efficacious in his or her behalf. The way is straight. The path made clear because God provides a prophet, scriptures and the Holy Ghost.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. As I prayed and asked God for His confirmation, I felt a peace and joy in my mind and heart. My question dissipated and I felt a surety that President Monson is God’s chosen prophet on the earth today. I have prayed to know how to apply his messages in my life and the Lord has directed me in ways specific to my strengths and weaknesses. For instance, President Monson exhorted everyone to seek out the lonely in effort to love our neighbors as ourselves. As I prayed about how to follow that guidance, I felt impressed to spend more time with several widows in our area. Those visits blessed my life and I felt closer to the Savior as I followed the prophet’s counsel.

Have you wondered if God has called a prophet today as in ancient times? I invite you to contact missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, listen to their message, and pray to God to know for yourself if there is a living prophet on the earth today!

marc

One day a few years ago, after taking care of matters at the office, I felt a strong impression to visit an aged widow who was a patient at a senior care center in Salt Lake City. I drove there directly.

When I went to her room, I found it empty. I asked an attendant concerning her whereabouts and was directed to a lounge area. There I found this sweet widow visiting with her sister and another friend. We had a pleasant conversation together.

As we were talking, a man came to the door of the room to obtain a can of soda from the vending machine. He glanced at me and said, “Why, you are Tom Monson.”

“Yes,” I replied. “And you look like a Hemingway.”

He acknowledged that he was Stephen Hemingway, the son of Alfred Eugene Hemingway, who had served as my counselor when I was a bishop many years ago and whom I called Gene. Stephen told me that his father was there in the same facility and was near death. Gene had been calling my name, and the family had wanted to contact me but had been unable to find a telephone number for me.

I excused myself immediately and went with Stephen up to the room of my former counselor, where others of his children were also gathered, his wife having passed away some years previous. The family members regarded my meeting Stephen in the lounge area as a response by our Heavenly Father to their great desire that I would see their father before he died and answer his call. I also felt that this was the case, for if Stephen had not entered the room in which I was visiting at precisely the time he did, I would not have known that Gene was even in that facility.

We gave a blessing to him. A spirit of peace prevailed. We had a lovely visit, after which I left.

The following morning a phone call revealed that Gene Hemingway had passed away—just 20 minutes after he had received the blessing from his son and me. [1]

Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit has enabled Prophet Thomas S. Monson to offer a lifetime of service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The article in which this experience was recounted is called “Peace, Be Still,” and it is meant to demonstrate that the Lord is mindful of us every minute of our lives.  He knows us—every thought and molecule.  He usually blesses us through His servants, whom He prompts to bring us comfort through the Holy Ghost.  In this case, He sent a message through the Holy Ghost to President Monson, in order to bless the life of his old friend as he passed from mortality.

The Holy Ghost is sometimes called the Comforter, and he can offer us peace in the most trying of circumstances—Gene Hemingway’s family was blessed with peace at their loved one’s passing through this experience.  They were assured and comforted by God’s tender mercies specific to their trial and at the moment they needed them.

In some cases, instead of prompting one of God’s servants to minister to our needs, the Savior, through the Holy Ghost, does it Himself.  In the same article is a story of a girl who lost her brother to death.  On the anniversary of his passing, she nearly suffocated with grief.  She called upon the Savior in mighty prayer.  She longed for comfort.

I asked my Father in Heaven to please heal my heart. The pain was too much for me to deal with alone.  Then a feeling of peace, comfort, and love swept over my entire body. I felt as though God had wrapped His arms around me and was protecting me from the intense pain I had felt. I still missed my brother, but I was able to see with different eyes. There was so much for me to learn from this experience. I know the Lord’s love and peace are available. We need only to partake. [1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpYagtCon2s&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y9H0fpxXY4&feature=youtu.be

Gale

Gale is a former fibro and CMP sufferer. She hopes this information will help other sufferers on their journey to good health.

Thomas S. Monson, the current Mormon prophet, gave an address to members of the Mormon Church in 1985, when he was an apostle. (Mormons have a prophet who is assisted by two counselors and also a quorum of twelve apostles who fill the same role as Jesus’ apostles.)

Read: Thomas S. Monson, “Come, Learn of Me”, Ensign, Dec. 1985, 46

The title of the talk is taken from Matthew, chapter 11 in the New Testament:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

The story of the Mormon Church began with a Bible and a teenage boy’s desire to know which church to join. Joseph Smith was fourteen when he read in James 1:5:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” This scripture led him to pray in the woods near his home to find out what church to join. God instructed him not to join any of them, because none had the complete truth. When he was grown, God would send an angel to prepare him for the restoration of the gospel.

Since that time, Mormons have strongly emphasized the importance of the Bible and other scriptures. Children as young as eighteen months are taught scripture stories in church, with older children receiving more serious scripture training. Teens receive, in addition to Sunday School, a weekday religion class that focuses on one book of scripture a year for the four years of high school. Two of those years are spent on the Bible. College students receive, in addition to their Sunday School curriculum, a college-level course taken during the school year which allows them to study the scriptures in great detail. Sunday school classes for ages eight and up rotate on a four-year cycle, with two years being devoted to the Bible.

Mormon families are also taught to study the scriptures at home during daily scripture study and individuals are asked to study the scriptures on their own each day as well. In all, most Mormons are reading the scriptures several times each day in personal study, family study, and church classes.

For Thomas Monson, the scriptures are an important part of his faith. “The words of truth and inspiration found in our four standard works are prized possessions to me. I never tire of reading them. I am lifted spiritually whenever I search the scriptures. These holy words of truth and love give guidance to my life and point the way to eternal perfection.”

The Mormon prophet enjoys using examples of great Biblical heroes in his many religious talks. He holds them up as examples for Mormons to follow in their own lives.

For example, in 1987, he talked to Mormons about following the example of David in his battle against Goliath.

The battle for our souls is no less important that the battle fought by David. The enemy is no less formidable, the help of Almighty God no farther away. What will our action be? Like David of old, “our cause is just.” We have been placed upon earth not to fail or fall victim to temptation’s snare, but rather to succeed. Our giant, our Goliath, must be conquered” (Thomas S. Monson, “Meeting Your Goliath“, Ensign, Jan. 1987, 2).

President Monson likes to remind Mormons to remember the past and the many sacrifices that occurred so we could have the Bible in our hands. He speaks often of early Protestant reformers and their role, which was so critical to the beginnings of his own religion, even though Mormons, while Christian, are not Protestants:

“Space will not allow a detailed discussion here of the many individuals whose efforts have made the scriptures available to us. Were there space, we could explore the contributions of such chosen prophets as Moses, who brought us in written form the inspired writings of earth’s earliest times. We would think of Jewish leaders who preserved the records of Israel. We would remember the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ whose testaments of His divine ministry on earth were so carefully kept. We would recall the sacrifices of Reformation leaders who, in some instances, gave their very lives to assure that common people could read the Bible.

In another talk, he said:

In due time honest men with yearning hearts, at the peril of their very lives, attempted to establish points of reference, that they might find the true way. The day of the Reformation was dawning, but the path ahead was difficult. Persecutions would be severe, personal sacrifice overwhelming, and the cost beyond calculation. The reformers were pioneers, blazing wilderness trails in a desperate search for those lost points of reference that they felt would lead mankind back to the truth Jesus taught.

Wycliffe, Luther, Hus, Zwingli, Knox, Calvin, and Tyndale all pioneered during the period of the Reformation. Significant was the declaration of Tyndale to his critics: “I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the scripture than thou doest.”

Such were the teachings and lives of the great reformers. Their deeds were heroic, their contributions many, their sacrifices great—but they did not restore the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Of the reformers, one could ask: “Was their sacrifice in vain? Was their struggle futile?” I answer with a reasoned no. The Holy Bible was now within the grasp of the people. Each person could better find his or her way. Oh, if only all could read and all could understand! But some could read, and others could hear, and all had access to God through prayer” (Thomas S. Monson, “Led by Spiritual Pioneers”, Ensign, Aug. 2006, 2–8).

Mormons teach their members to be grateful to all those of any faith who helped bring us the scriptures because they are a critical part of our religion. Mormons turn to the scriptures to understand God’s relationship with man, to learn what God wants us to do, and to find comfort and inspiration. In the Bible, we learn how God ran His church in early times—apostles, prophets, priests, elders, and so forth—and can find the earliest models for their own structure.

Thomas S. Monson, having come from the printing industry, was instrumental in creating the award-winning Mormon edition of the Bible. This is a King James translation, but with footnotes and reference material that integrated the four books of the Mormon canon. It made it easier for a Mormon who reads a scripture in the Bible to quickly research to find out what the Book of Mormon says on the same subject, for instance and to be certain they are completely understanding the scriptures.

Just as the printing press made it easier for the first Bibles to be made available to more people, the development of computer technology made it much more possible for this six-year project to progress at a comparatively rapid pace.

President Monson noted many instances of miracles which helped the books come forth without error.

The Lord opened many doors at various times of need as the work progressed, and quiet miracles occurred to keep it moving. During the printing process, I witnessed such divine help, for I was the recipient. At the printing plant of the Cambridge University Press in Cambridge, England, I was shown the long battery of presses on which the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James version of the Bible was being printed. The work had been declared proofread and proofread, again and again, and pronounced free from error. As I walked along the press line, pausing briefly at the delivery end of each press, I removed from one a printed sheet. My eyes observed a horizontal rule that had been misplaced, making the text confusing to the reader. The press was stopped. The error was corrected. I paused to thank my Heavenly Father, and a warm feeling came over me. I learned that day the meaning of the poet’s words: “The smile of God’s approval is the greatest of all gifts.

The new edition of the Bible was a carefully carried out process. Three high level church leaders were put in charge of the  project, including President Monson, who was not yet president of the Church. He brought to the project administrative skills and his background in the printing industry. Boyd K. Packer, coming from the Mormon’s education department, brought an understanding of what teachers needed from the book and also an understanding of the needs to keep the final purchase price low. Elder McConkie had an unusually strong understanding of scriptures.

In addition, other specialists were brought in, including people who knew Greek and Hebrew and some who were experts in Mormon scripture.

Cambridge University Press, which had been printing Bibles since the 1600s, was interested in working on this project with the Mormons and they were selected, despite the great distance between the press and Salt Lake City, Utah. It was the largest printing project they had ever undertaken, but the effort won them a major award for best typesetting project in England.

The final project contained LDS specific footnotes, chapter summaries specific to Mormon teachings with cross-references as needed, maps, a concordance and a Bible dictionary. The work continued through several administrations. Today it is the standard Bible used in all Mormon classes, allowing teachers to send students to specific pages and to ensure all students have the same information available to them as they study in class or at home.

For a more detailed history of the history of the LDS edition of the Bible, see Wm. James Mortimer, “The Coming Forth of the LDS Editions of Scripture“, Ensign, Aug. 1983, 35.