35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body
do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou owest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed

own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of

another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the

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.
1 Corinthians 15:35-41

Ogden Kraut's "The Resurrection"

Chapter 11

THREE DEGREES OF GLORY

It has been said that the most enlightening revelation ever given to

may be Section 76 in the Doctrine and Covenants. This revelation explains
and clarifies more about man's eternal destiny than any other recorded
revelation. It could easily put an end to the strange and confusing

of men concerning heaven and hell.

Information in this chapter is divided into the following four categories:
(1) General, (2) Telestial, (3) Terrestrial, and (4) Celestial.

General

Joseph Smith: (TPJS, p. 311)

"But," says one, "I believe in one universal heaven and hell, where all

and are all alike, and equally miserable or equally happy." What! where

are huddled together--the honorable, virtuous, and murderers, and
whoremongers, when it is written that they shall be judged according to

deeds done in the body? But St. Paul informs us of three glories and three
heavens. He knew a man that was caught up to the third heavens. Now, if

doctrine of the sectarian world, that there is but one heaven, is true,
Paul, what do you tell that lie for, and say there are three? Jesus said
unto His disciples, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were

so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and I will

and receive you to myself, that where I am ye may be also."
* * * * *

[133] Brigham Young: (JD 8:154)

The sectarian world, as we call them, is a professed church of God without
the Priesthood. Sectarians have not the Priesthood; but all of them who

according to the best light and intelligence they can obtain through
faithfulness to what they believe, as taught unto them, will receive a
kingdom and glory that will far transcend all their expectations,
imaginations, or visions in their most excited moments, whether in their
falling-down power, jumping power, or squawling power. All they have ever
desired or anticipated they will receive, and far more; but they cannot
dwell with the Father and Son, unless they go through these ordeals that

ordained for the Church of the First born. The ordinances of the house of
God are expressly for the Church of the First born.
* * * * *

Brigham Young: (JD 8:152-153)

I will read a portion of the vision Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had
concerning various kingdoms that God has prepared for his subjects: (See
Sec. 92:7 Doc. and Cov., the then current edition--1860. Now Sec.
76:96-113.) I do not know that I have any particular desire to dwell upon
this any more than any other subject of the Gospel, although, this

in the abstract, occupies more of my affection, adoration, and heartfelt
gratitude to our Father and God than any other that has ever been revealed
to my knowledge, from the days of Adam to the present. * * * I can truly

that, in my estimation, no other revelation so glorious was ever given.

may read the character of the Deity as portrayed in all that has ever been
revealed, until you come to this vision, in relation to his justice, his
judgment, his power, his life, his glory, his excellence, his goodness,

mercy, and the fullness of every gift, of every trait, of every principle
inherent in the character of the Supreme Being, and it is not equal in

magnitude, in my reflections, to that which God revealed to Joseph Smith

Sidney Rigdon in the vision from which I have read. We are far advanced in
the things of the kingdom of God. To say nothing about any other principle
or doctrine that has ever been revealed, the transcending glory,

wisdom, goodness, virtue, and power that God has revealed in this vision

outweigh all the Christian tenets, doctrines, and systems they have drawn
from the Bible. No cistern, to use a figure, hewn by man, can hold water;
and every human doctrine and principle, professing to point the way of
salvation, fades away. The doctrine God has revealed here is more precious
to me, and is worth more than all the doctrines of Christendom.
* * * * *

Brigham Young: (JD 17:159)

I expect one thing will be true that Joseph said when living. A gentleman
came to see him and asked him a great many questions, and among the rest

said: "I suppose you calculate that you are just right, and that you
"Mormons" are all going to be saved and everybody else will be damned."

Joseph, "Sir, I will tell you this one thing, all the rest of the world

be damned, and I expect that most of the "Mormons" will be unless they do
better than they have done." The man did not stop for an explanation. What
Joseph meant by being damned was that people will go into the spirit world
without the Priesthood, and consequently they are under the power of

and will have to be redeemed, or else they will be forever under his

That is all there is about that.
* * * * *

John Taylor: (JD 26:133, 1883)

We are told that if we cannot abide the law of the celestial kingdom we
cannot inherit a celestial glory. Is [135] not that doctrine? Yes. "But,"
says one, "are not we all going into the celestial kingdom?" I think not,
unless we turn round and mend our ways very materially. It is only those

can abide a celestial glory and obey a celestial law that will be prepared
to enter a celestial kingdom. "Well," says another, "are the others going

be burned up?" No. "Do you expect everybody to walk according to this

law?" No, I do not. And do I expect those that do not are going into the
celestial kingdom? No, I do not. "Well, where will they go?" If they are
tolerably good men and do not do anything very bad, they will get into a
terrestrial kingdom, and if there are some that cannot abide a terrestrial
law, they may get into the telestial kingdom, or otherwise, as the case

be.
* * * * *

Parley P. Pratt: (Key to Theology, pp. 143-144)

The final state of man, though varying in almost infinite gradations and
rewards, adapted to his qualifications and deserts, and meted out in the
scale of exact justice and mercy, may be conceived or expressed under

grand heads or principal spheres, viz.: First. The Telestial, or least
heaven, typified by the stars of the firmament. Secondly. The Terrestrial,
or intermediate heaven, typified by the moon. Thirdly. The Celestial, or
third heaven, of which the sun of the firmament is typical. The
qualifications which fit and prepare intelligences for these different
spheres or rewards are an all important consideration, and well worthy of
the sincere attention of all people. These several kingdoms or degrees,

their comparative happiness, and what characters are candidates for each
degree, are revealed in a most concise, clear, lucid and beautiful manner,
in one of the visions of our great Prophet and founder.
* * * * *

[136] Joseph Fielding Smith: (Doctrines of Salvation 2:287-288)

Elder Orson Pratt many years ago in writing of the resurrection and the

of bodies which would be raised in these kingdoms said: "In every species

animals and plants, there are many resemblances in the general outlines

many specific differences characterizing the individuals of each species.

in the resurrection. There will be several classes of resurrected bodies;
some celestial, some terrestrial, some telestial, and some sons of
perdition. Each of these classes will differ from the others by prominent
and marked distinctions; yet, in each, considered by itself there will be
found many resemblances as well as distinctions." * * * Some of the
functions in the celestial body will not appear in the terrestrial body,
neither in the telestial body, and the power of procreation will be

I take it that men and women will, in these kingdoms, be just what the
so-called Christian world expects us all to be--neither man nor woman,
merely immortal beings having received the resurrection.
* * * * *

Joseph Fielding Smith: (Doctrine and Covenants 138:58-59, "Vision of
Redemption of the Dead")

The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances

the house of God, and after they have paid the penalty of their
transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to
their works, for they are heirs of salvation.
* * * * *

[137] Telestial Kingdom

Times and Seasons: (p. 84)

These are they that deny not the spirit of God, But are thrust down to

with the devil, for sins, As hypocrites, liars, whoremongers, and thieves,
And stay 'till the last resurrection begins.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:81-90, 98-112:

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

moon in the firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of

neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy

These are they who are thrust down to hell. These are they who shall not

redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even
Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work. These are they who receive
not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through

ministration of the terrestrial; And the terrestrial through the
ministration of the celestial. And also the telestial receive it of the
administering of angels who are appointed to minister for them, or who are
appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of
salvation. And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the
telestial, which surpasses all understanding; and no man knows it except

to whom God has revealed it. * * * And the glory of the telestial is one,
even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from

star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial
world; for these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas.
These are they who say they are some of one and some of another--some of
Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of
Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; But received not the

neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the
everlasting covenant. [138] Last of all, these all are they who will not

gathered with the saints, to be caught up unto the church of the

and received into the cloud. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers,
and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.

are they who suffer the wrath of God on earth. These are they who suffer

vengeance of eternal fire. These are they who are cast down to hell and
suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ
shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected

work; when he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the

spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone,
even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Then
shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of

power to reign forever and ever. But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and
the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as

stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore; and
heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and

tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; for
they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive
according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are
prepared; and they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and
Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.
* * * * *
Joseph Fielding Smith: (Doctrines of Salvation 2:297-298)

All liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers and all who love and make a lie,
shall not receive the resurrection at this time, but for a thousand years
shall be thrust down into hell where they shall suffer the wrath of God
until they pay the price of their sinning, if it is possible, by the

which they shall suffer. [139] These are the "spirits of men who are to be
judged, and are found under condemnation; And these are the rest of the
dead; and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither
again, until the end of the earth." (D. & C. 88:100-101) These are the

of the telestial world who are condemned to "suffer the wrath of God on
earth"; and who are "cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty

until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies

his feet, and shall have perfected his work." (D. & C. 76:104-106)
* * * * *

Orson Pratt: (JD 15:322)

Now let us come to still inferior glories. I have mentioned those who
inherit the glory of the stars. Who are they? They are not the heathen,

they come up higher--into the terrestrial glory. Who are they, then, who

permitted only to inherit a glory typified by the stars? They are the
general world of mankind, those who have heard the Gospel of the Son of

but have not obeyed it. They are to be punished. How long? Until Jesus has
reigned here on the earth a thousand years. How much longer? Until the
"little season" has passed away after the end of the thousand years, and
then when the final end shall come and the trump of God shall sound, and

great white throne shall appear and the heaven and the earth shall flee
away; when that time shall come, the sound of the trump shall call forth
those sleeping millions of all ages, generations and nations who have

the sound of the Gospel and have not obeyed it, but until then their

must sleep. They are not worthy of the first resurrection.
* * * * *

[140] Terrestrial Kingdom

Times and Seasons: (p. 84)

These are they that are hon'rable men of the earth; Who were blinded and
dup'd by the cunning of men: They receiv'd not the truth of the Savior at
first; But did, when they heard it in prison, again.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:71-79; 91, 97:

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. Behold, these are they who
died without law; And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison,
whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might

judged according to men in the flesh; Who received not the testimony of
Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are
honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.

are they who received of his glory, but not of his fulness. These are they
who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the
Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial,
and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun. These are they who

not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the

over the kingdom of our God. * * * And thus we saw the glory of the
terrestrial which excels in all things the glory of the telestial, even in
glory, and in power, and in might, and in dominion. * * * And the glory of
the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one.
* * * * *

[141] Cleon Skousen: (Imp. Era, July 1969, see pp. 72-75)

Verses 71-79 (of Section 76) state that if a person has an opportunity to
embrace the fullness of the gospel during earth life but postpones,
accepting it until he reaches the spirit world, then he cannot be an heir

the celestial kingdom. He drops down to the next level, the terrestrial.

course, if a person never even hears the gospel until he reaches the

world (and that has been the case with the majority of mankind), then he

accept it in the spirit world without any penalty, provided he would have
accepted it in the flesh. In due time the ordinance work will be done for
him vicariously (such as baptism for the dead referred to by Paul in 1
Corinthians 15:29), and then that person will be resurrected to the
celestial glory just as though he had accepted the gospel while in earth
life.
* * * * *

Joseph Fielding Smith: (Doctrines of Salvation 2:296-297)

Following this great event, and after the Lord and the righteous who are
caught up to meet him have descended upon the earth, there will come to

another resurrection. This may be considered as a part of the first,
although it comes later. In this resurrection will come forth those of the
terrestrial order, who were not worthy to be caught up to meet him, but

are worthy to come forth to enjoy the millennial reign.

It is written that the second angel shall sound, which is the second

"and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming;

have received their part in the prison which is prepared for them, that

might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh."

& C. 76:73-75) This other class, which will also have right to the first
resurrection, are those who are not members of the Church of the

but who have led honorable lives, although they refused to accept the
fulness of the gospel. [142] Also in this class will be numbered those who
died without law and hence are not under condemnation for a violation of

commandments of the Lord. The promise is made to them of redemption from
death in the following words: "And then shall the heathen nations be
redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first
resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them." (D. & C. 45:54) These,
too, shall partake of the mercies of the Lord and shall receive the
reuniting of spirit and body inseparably, thus becoming immortal, but not
with the fulness of the glory of God.
* * * * *

Brigham Young: (Contributor 11:87)

With your mind's eye look at the millions of them in all nations who are
doing according to the best knowledge they possess. What! the Roman
Catholics? Yes, and then every one of her daughters down to the latest
Protestant Church that has been organized. They are all doing just as well
as they can, and living according to the best light they have--a great

of them, though not all. What shall we do with them? They pass from the
world, their spirits go into the spiritual world, and their bodies go back
to their mother earth, and there sleep while their spirits are before the
Lord. Are they happy? Every son and daughter of Adam who live according to
the best light and knowledge they have, when they go into the spiritual
world, are happy in proportion to their faithfulness. For instance, take a
view of some of our late reformers; take the best specimen of reformers

we have, who are all the time full of glory and happiness and full of

to the Lord--who meet together oft to sing and pray and preach and shout

give thanks to the Lord Almighty; and in a great many instances and in a
great degree they enjoy much of a good spirit, which is the Spirit of the
Lord, or the light of Christ, which lighteth the world. Now, this may be
singular to some. What! they enjoy the Spirit of the Lord? Yes, every man
and woman, ac-[143]cording to their faith and the knowledge they have in
their possession. They enjoy the goodness of their Father in heaven. Do

receive the Spirit of the Lord? They do, and enjoy the light of it, and

in it, and rejoice in it. What will be their state hereafter? Every

Methodist that has lived up to and faithfully fulfilled the requirements

his religion, according to the best light he had, doing good to all and

to none, injuring no person upon the earth, honoring his God as far as he
knew, will have as great a heaven as he ever anticipated in the flesh, and
far greater. Every Presbyterian, and every Quaker, and every Baptist, and
every Roman Catholic member--every reformer, of whatever class or grade,
that lives according to the best light they have, and never have had an
opportunity of receiving a greater light than the one in their possession,
will have and enjoy all they live for. I am telling you the truth as it

and you may write it down if you please, and call it revelation if you

But it has been revealed before I revealed it here to-day. This is the
situation of Christendom after death. You may go among the Pagans, or

all the nations there are, and they have their religion, their sacraments
and ceremonies, which are as sacred to them as ours are to us; they are

as precious and dear to them, though we call them heathen. They are
idolatrous worshippers; yet their religion is as sacred to them as ours is
to us. If they live according to the best light they have in their

God is God over all and the Father of us all; we are all the workmanship

His hands; and if they are ignorant, filled with superstition, and have

traditions of the fathers interwoven like a mantle around and over them,
that they cannot see any light, so will they be judged; and if they have
lived according to what they did possess, so they will receive hereafter.
And will it be glory? you may inquire. Yes. Glory, glory, glory to our
merciful Father in heaven; for the least glory is so great and so

that it is altogether beyond mortal perception.
* * * * *

[144] Orson Pratt: (JD 15:322)

But how about these terrestrials, can they come up into the celestial? No,
their intelligence and knowledge have not prepared and adapted them to

with those who reign in celestial glory, consequently they cannot even be
angels in that glory. They have not obeyed the law that pertains to that
glory, and hence they could not abide it. But will there be blessings
administered to them by those who dwell in celestial glory? Yes, angels

be sent forth from the celestial world to minister to those who inherit

glory of the moon, bearing messages of joy and peace and of all that which
is calculated to exalt, to redeem and ennoble those who have been
resurrected into a terrestrial glory. They can receive the Spirit of the
Lord there, and the ministration of angels there.
* * * * *

Celestial Kingdom

Times and Seasons: (p. 84)

They are they, of the church of the first born of God,-And unto whose

he committeth all things; For they hold the keys of the kingdom of heav'n,
And reign with the Savior, as priests, and as kings.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-70; 92-96

And again we bear record--for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony

the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the
resurrection of the just--They are they who received the testimony of

and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial,
being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the

which he has given--That by keeping the commandments they might [145] be
washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by

laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;
and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise,
which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They

they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands

Father has given all things--They are they who are priests and kings, who
have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the

High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch,
which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is
written, they are gods, even the sons of God--Wherefore, all things are
theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all

theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. And they shall overcome
all things. Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory

God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet. These shall dwell in the
presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he
shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign

the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first
resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of

just. These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of

living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the
general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn. These are they
whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of
all.
These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of
the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the
shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial,

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. * * * [146]
And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all
things--where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and

Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory
forever and ever. They who dwell in his presence are the church of the
Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known,

received of his fulness and of his grace; And he makes them equal in

and in might, and in dominion. And the glory of the celestial is one, even
as the glory of the sun is one.
* * * * *

Joseph Smith: ("Vision of the Celestial Kingdom", D.H.C. 2:380-381; TPJS,

107; D. & C. 137:1-10)

The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of

and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell. I saw the
transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom

enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing

of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful
streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with

I saw Father Adam and Abraham, and my father and my mother, my brother,
Alvin, that has long since slept, and marvelled how it was that he had
obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this
life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time,

had not been baptized for the remission of sins. Thus came the Voice of

Lord unto me, saying--All who have died without a knowledge of this

who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be
heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth
without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their

shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men
according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts. [147]

I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of
accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.
* * * * *

Joseph Fielding Smith: (Doctrines of Salvation 2:296)

In modern revelation given to the Church, the Lord has made known more in
relation to this glorious event. There shall be at least two classes which
shall have the privilege of the resurrection at this time: First, those

"shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever"; (D.

C. 76:62) and second, honorable men, those who belong to the terrestrial
kingdom as well as those of the celestial kingdom. At the time of the

of Christ, "They who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for

graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in

midst of the pillar of heaven--They are Christ's, the first fruits, they

shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their
graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of
the sounding of the trump of the angel of God." (D. & C. 88:97-98) These

the just, "whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the
judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus

mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement

the shedding of his own blood." (D. & C. 76:68-69)
* * * * *

Parley P. Pratt: (Key to Theology, pp. 168-170)

To contemplate man in his true light, we must, as it were, forget that

is in his path; we must look upon him as an eternal, ever-living being,
possessing spirit, flesh and bones, with all the mental and physical

and all the affections and sympathies which characterize [148] him in this
world. Or, rather, all his natural affections and sympathies will be
purified, exalted and immeasurably increased. Let the candidate for
celestial glory forget, for a moment, the groveling sphere of his present
existence, and make the effort to contemplate himself in the light of
eternity, in the higher spheres of his progressive existence, beyond the
grave, a pure spirit, free from sin and guile, enlightened in the school

heaven, by observation and experience, and association with the highest
order of intelligences, for thousands of years, and clothed with immortal
flesh, in all the vigor, freshness and beauty of eternal youth, alike free
from pain, disease, death, and the corroding effects of time, looking back
through the vista of far distant years, and contemplating his former

amid the sorrows and pains of mortal life, his passage through the dark
valley of death and his sojourn in the spirit world, as we now contemplate

transient dream, or a night of sleep, from which we have awakened, renewed
and refreshed, to enter again upon the realities of life. O candidates for
celestial glory! Would your joys be full in the countless years of

without forming the connections, the relationship, the kindred ties which
concentrate in the domestic circle, and branch forth, and bud and blossom,
and bear the fruits of eternal increase? * * * Or, would you, like your
heavenly Father, prompted by eternal benevolence and charity, wish to fill
countless millions of worlds with your begotten sons and daughters, and to
bring them through all the gradations of progressive being, to inherit
immortal bodies and eternal mansions in your several dominions? If such be
your aspirations, remember that this present probation is the world of
preparation for joys eternal. This is the place where family organization

first formed for eternity, and where the kindred sympathies, relationships
and affections take root, spring forth, shoot upward, bud, blossom and

fruit to ripen and mature in eternal ages.
* * * * *

[149] Orson Pratt: (The Seer, p. 37)

The celestial beings who dwell in the Heaven from which we came, having

raised from the grave in a former world, and having been filled with all

fulness of these eternal attributes, are called Gods, because the fulness

God dwells in each. Both the males and the females enjoy this fulness. The
celestial vegetables and fruits which grow out of the soil of this

Heaven, constitute the food of the Gods. This food differs from the food
derived from the vegetables of a fallen world; the latter are converted

blood, which, circulating in the veins and arteries, produces flesh and
bones of a mortal nature, having a constant tendency to decay; while the
former, or celestial vegetables, are, when digested in the stomach,
converted into a fluid, which, in its nature, is spiritual, and which,
circulating in the veins and arteries of the celestial male and female,
preserves their tabernacles from decay and death. Earthly vegetables form
blood, and blood forms flesh and bones; celestial vegetables, when

form a spiritual fluid which gives immortality and eternal life to the
organization in which it flows. Fallen beings beget children whose bodies
are constituted of flesh and bones, being formed out of the blood
circulating in the veins of the parents. Celestial beings beget children,
composed of the fluid which circulates in their veins, which is spiritual;
therefore, their children must be spirits, and not flesh and bones. This

the origin of our spiritual organization in heaven. The spirits of all
mankind, destined for this earth, were begotten by a father, and born of a
mother in Heaven, long anterior to the formation of this world. The
personages of the father and mother of our spirits, had a beginning to

organization, but the fulness of truth (which is God) that dwells in them,
had no beginning; being "from everlasting to everlasting." (Psalm 90:2)
* * * * *

[150] Orson Pratt: (JD 19:176)

The Saints then will be resurrected, and they will also be the inhabitants
of this globe. They are singing about it in heaven, while their bodies are
sleeping in the grave. Read the 5th chapter of John's Revelations, that

give you an idea what the Saints of heaven anticipate. The words of the

song which John heard them sing, were: "Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us

God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue and people and nation.

hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the
earth!" How plain! "We shall reign on the earth!" They hope for it; they
sing about it; they expect it, just as much as we hope to go with them,

mingle with them, and just as much as we have faith that we will, when we
lay our bodies down in the grave, go to our former abode where we once

to the mansions prepared, and that we will join with the heavenly hosts.

will not forget the earth; it is our native abode; but instead of

it, we will join with them in their new song, and with them we will look
forward with joyful anticipation to the day when we shall return to reign

the earth, having been made kings and priests unto our God.
* * * * *

Brigham Young: (JD 15:137)

And when our spirits receive our bodies, and through our faithfulness we

worthy to be crowned, we will then receive authority to produce both

and body. But these keys we cannot receive in the flesh. Herein, brethren,
you can perceive that we have not finished, and cannot finish our work,
while we live here, no more than Jesus did while he was in the flesh. We
cannot receive, while in the flesh, the keys to form and fashion kingdoms
and to organize matter, for they are beyond our capacity and calling,

this world. In the resurrection, men who have been faithful and [151]
diligent in all things in the flesh, have kept their first and second
estate, and worthy to be crowned Gods, even the sons of God, will be
ordained to organize matter.
* * * * *

Doctrine and Covenants: 131:1-4

In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to
obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood
(meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage); and if he does

he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of

kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
* * * * *

Cleon Skousen: (Imp. Era, July 1969, see pp. 72-75)

Modern revelation has further disclosed that the celestial kingdom is
divided into three heavens or degrees. (D. & C. 131:1) To attain the

degree, one must be married for time and eternity by the power of God's

priesthood. (D. & C. 131:2-3) Only those who qualify for this highest
discipline enjoy a continuing family relationship in the eternal worlds.

& C. 132:19) And only those who qualify for this level will have the
privilege of being tutored to follow in the footsteps of the Father and
share in his infinite power. (D. & C. 132:20) To these the Father says he
will give "all things." Then the scripture adds, "They are they who are
priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory. . .

Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God." (D. &

76:55-56, 58)
* * * * *

Orson Pratt: (JD 21:292)

But here arises another question,--one of the greatest importance to the
children of men of all generations, and that is, are there any marriages
that God will recognize which he is not the author of? In other words,
sup-[152]posing that two persons in the Roman Catholic church, in the

church, in any Protestant church, or two persons that do not belong to any
religious denomination, are married by a minister, by a justice of the
peace, by any person professing to have authority among men, to celebrate
the marriage ceremony--have they any claim upon each other when death
separates them? According to their own covenants they do not. The minister
only married them till death should them part. When death comes along and
separates these two persons, their marriage covenant has expired; it has

out, it is at an end. But, inquires one, will not the Lord permit them to
live together as husband and wife, after the resurrection? Why should he?

he had joined them together, according to the marriage ceremony that was
administered to the first pair of immortality, then they could claim each
other, after the resurrection; but inasmuch as the ceremony was performed

an uninspired man, not sent of God, and having no power to seal on earth
that it should be sealed in heaven, of course their marriage covenant
expires; that is the eternal end of their association. Now, the Latter-day
Saints are not willing to go according to the tradition of the sectarian
denominations of the earth; but we desire this great, this important
ceremony to be performed so that it may be enduring, so that it never

have an end, but last while eternal ages shall last.
* * * * *

Brigham Young: (JD 16:166)

Now, where a man in this Church says, "I don't want but one wife, I will
live my religion with one," he will perhaps be saved in the celestial
kingdom; but when he gets there he will not find himself in possession of
any wife at all. He has had a talent that he has hid up. He will come
forward and say, "Here is that which thou gavest me, I have not wasted it,
and here is the one talent," and he will not enjoy it, but it will be

and given to those who have improved the talents they received, and he

find himself without any wife, and he will remain [153] single forever and
ever. But if the woman is determined not to enter into a plural marriage,
that woman when she comes forth will have the privilege of living in

blessedness through all eternity.
* * * * *

Charles W. Penrose: (JD 25:227)

. . . but shall wed under the everlasting covenant and have their wives
given them of the Lord and sealed to them by an holy ordinance revealed

heaven, in a holy place prepared for the purpose--sealed for time and all
eternity, so that death shall not be able to break the bond of union; that
though death may separate them for a little season, when they come up in

resurrection, there will be no need to marry or give in marriage, because
they were married on the earth by authority of God Almighty for time and

eternity, ...
* * * * *

Orson Pratt: (JD 15:252)

Another question. Having been married for eternity, we die and our spirits
go into celestial paradise. We come forth in the morning of the first
resurrection as immortal males and immortal females. Our wives, married to
us for eternity, come forth, and they are ours by virtue of that which God
has pronounced upon them through those whom he has appointed, and to whom

has given authority. We have a legal claim upon them at the resurrection.
But here comes forth a person that is married outside. She comes up

a husband, he without a wife, or any claim upon any of the blessings. Here
is the difference between these two classes of beings. One dwells as an
angel, without any power to increase their species, family or dominions,
without the power to beget sons and daughters. This class will be angels.
Perhaps many of them will be worthy of obtaining a degree of power, glory,
and happiness, but not a fullness. Why? Because they have not come up to
[154] that position of their Father and their God. He has power to beget

bring forth sons and daughters in the spirit world; and after he has

forth millions and millions of spirits, he has power to organize worlds,

send these spirits into these worlds to take temporal bodies to prepare

in turn to be redeemed and become Gods, or in other words, the sons of

growing up like their father, possessing all his attributes, and

their species through all eternity. Here then is the difference between
these two classes of beings--one having lost what they might have obtained
and enjoyed if they had had faith in God and been willing to obey his
commandments. But the others are worthy, as the Apostle Paul has said, to
obtain a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while the others
will be angels or servants, to go and come at the bidding of those who are
more exalted.
* * * * *

Joseph Smith: (TPJS, p. 312)

Gods have an ascendancy over the angels, who are ministering servants. In
the resurrection, some are raised to be angels, others are raised to

Gods.
* * * * *

Orson Pratt: (JD 15:319)

. . . I wish more particularly to inquire concerning the nature of this
higher state of glory called celestial. Will there be any difference among
those who are redeemed into that glory? There will, in some respects. They
will all be equal in the enjoyment of some blessings, and so far their

will be the same, but yet in some respects there will be a difference.

who will inherit a portion of that glory will have no families; they will

deprived of that blessing to all ages of eternity, while others will

an exaltation and kingdom, and will have wives, children, dominion,
greatness and power far above those I first referred to. [155] Now why
should there be this distinction in the celestial kingdom, and what is the
cause of it? It is because certain persons who have obeyed the Gospel have
become careless and indifferent in regard to securing that high exaltation
which was within their reach. God has revealed to this people what is
needful for an exaltation in his kingdom. He has revealed to us that
marriage is destined for eternity as well as time,--that the marriage
covenant between male and female must be entered into in this life, and

ordinance performed here by those whom God has appointed and ordained to
hold the keys and authority to seal on earth that it may be sealed in
heaven; for in heaven there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, no
such thing can be attended to there. Now persons among the Latter-day

who do not enter into this covenant of marriage but prefer to lead a

life cannot enjoy all that fullness of exaltation which will be possessed

those who have had this covenant sealed upon them. They might not have
forfeited the blessing of celestial glory altogether, but they have
forfeited the right to have wives by which only they could have a

in the eternal worlds. Who will be the subjects in the kingdom which they
will rule who are exalted in the celestial kingdom of our God? Will they
reign over their neighbors' children? Oh no. Over whom then will they

Their own children, their own posterity will be the citizens of their
kingdoms; in other words, the patriarchal order will prevail there to the
endless ages of eternity, and the children of each patriarch will be his
while eternal ages roll on.
* * * * *

Franklin D. Richards: (JD 25:233-235)

He <Christ> taught the doctrine of the resurrection, saying that He was

resurrection and the life, and that the day will come when all they that

in their graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth. It was because

taught this doctrine that the Sadducees sought to entangle and confuse Him
concerning this principle by bringing up the case of the woman who married

man and he [156] died without any children; then because he died childless
she married his brother, which was according to the law of Moses. He also
died without children, and so on, each of the brothers marrying her, until
the seven brothers had her to wife, and last of all the woman died also.
These Sadducees did not believe in any resurrection, and they thought to

very crafty with the Savior, so they put the question squarely to Him:
"Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for
they all had her." They evidently thought they had caught the Savior then;
but He replied to them saying: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor
the power of God." Now, who was He talking to? He was speaking to those
Sadducees who denied there being any resurrection; who lived
contemporaneously with the seven men and this woman who had lived and died
among them. He was talking to a race of people to whom John the Baptist

come, and many had received his testimony; but these had not. * * * It was
to this class of people, who were living under these circumstances, that

makes the answer saying, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor

given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Luke the
Evangelist, stating this case in his 20th chapter, says: "The children of
this world marry and are given in marriage, but they which shall be
accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage; neither can t