What are the celestial, telestial, and terrestrial kingdoms in Mormonism?
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The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are part of the eschatology of Mormonism. These concepts were introduced by Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). According to Mormon theology, the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are different levels of glory that people will experience in the afterlife, based on their faithfulness to LDS teachings in the present life (Doctrine & Covenants 76:50–119).
The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms, reserved for those who have accepted the fullness of the gospel, participated in LDS ordinances, and lived righteously. It is a place where believers can dwell in the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ, becoming “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17, ESV).
The terrestrial kingdom is the middle level of glory, designated for those who lived honorable lives but did not fully accept the LDS gospel or did not remain faithful to its teachings. This kingdom is described as a place of great glory in the presence of Jesus Christ, but not of the fulness of God the Father. The terrestrial kingdom includes those who were blinded to the truth of Mormonism but were not evildoers.
The telestial kingdom is the lowest level of glory, reserved for those who led sinful lives, rejected the gospel, and did not repent. According to LDS doctrine, those in the telestial kingdom will receive the Holy Spirit’s ministrations but will not enjoy the presence of God the Father or Jesus Christ. They will enter this kingdom after being redeemed from “spirit prison,” or hell. The telestial kingdom is still believed to be a place of glory, surpassing anything on earth.
A place called perdition is reserved for still others who are not deemed worthy of any glory whatsoever. Those consigned to perdition are “vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity” (D&C 76:33).
In contrast, the Bible teaches there are only two destinies: eternal life with God or eternal death in the lake of fire. The idea of celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms is not found in the Bible and should be rejected.
A key biblical passage for eternal life in heaven is John 14:2–3, where Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (ESV). Jesus’ words do not give any hint of a three-tiered glory in different kingdoms.
First Corinthians 15:40–41 is often cited by Mormons to support the idea of celestial, telestial, and terrestrial kingdoms: “There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory” (NKJV). The contrast here, however, is between the earthly and heavenly states. Prior to the resurrection, we are in an earthly state; after the resurrection, we will be in a heavenly state. The temporary earthly realm will give way to the eternal heavenly realm, but there are not three eternal kingdoms.
Revelation 22 pictures the eternal state as a heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, glorious to behold. The righteous blessed are inside the city, having entered through the gates (Revelation 22:14). The wicked are outside the city gates (verse 15). Inside or outside—those are the only two places to be in eternity.
The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are part of the eschatology of Mormonism. These concepts were introduced by Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). According to Mormon theology, the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are different levels of glory that people will experience in the afterlife, based…
The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are part of the eschatology of Mormonism. These concepts were introduced by Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). According to Mormon theology, the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms are different levels of glory that people will experience in the afterlife, based…