Doctrine & Theology
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Degrees of Glory

Is heaven a single undifferentiated reward, or does Paul already teach more than one glory in the resurrection?

Bible

The Bible answers

Bible · 1 Corinthians 15:40–41

KJV + NRSVUE

King James Version

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 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.

NRSVUE

There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory.

Bible · John 14:2

KJV + NRSVUE

Many mansions. Jesus was not describing a studio apartment.

King James Version

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

NRSVUE

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Book of Mormon

Also restored

Doctrine and Covenants 76:96–98

And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one. And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one. 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;

Doctrine and Covenants 137:7–8

All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, 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 hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

Ancient witnesses

Dead Sea Scrolls and related extra-biblical texts that illuminate the same pattern the Restoration restores.

1 Enoch and Pauline “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2)

Paul knew a man caught up to the third heaven. Jewish apocalypses, including 1 Enoch, already mapped multiple heavens and graded destinies for the righteous and the wicked.

A single, flat heaven is the later popular picture. Ancient Jews and the apostle Paul lived in a graded cosmos. Degrees of glory are that biblical map restored, with the crucial Restoration addition that almost all of God’s children inherit a kingdom of glory through Christ—hell as endless torture of ordinary sinners is not the Restoration’s last word.

Faithful answers

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Gospel Topics

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Section 76 answers the question Joseph and Sidney asked while reading John 5. The vision is Christ-centered: all kingdoms are kingdoms of a Savior who ransomed the world. The celestial is the presence of the Father; other glories are real mercy, not consolation prizes invented to soften hell.

There are three kingdoms of glory. The Lord has revealed that all people will be resurrected and will inherit a kingdom of glory according to their faith in Jesus Christ and their works, except those few who deny the Holy Ghost after receiving it.

  • Paul’s sun, moon, and stars are the same image D&C 76 uses. That is exegesis, not free invention.
  • John 14:2’s many mansions already refuses a one-room heaven.
  • The Restoration is more generous than much of historic Christianity: most of humanity is saved in a kingdom of glory.
  • Exaltation in the highest degree still requires covenant, Christ, and becoming like Him—not cheap universalism.
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