Information AboutExaltation (mormonism) |
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Exaltation or '''Eternal Progression''' is a seminal doctrinal Belief among devout members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church or Mormons) that mankind, as spirit children of their Father in Heaven, can become like, not equivalent to, Him. Although the exact meaning of this has not been defined, most Latter-day Saints speculate that this signifies they may enter the Celestial Kingdom and dwell in the Father's presence. Though Exaltation is not limited to Latter-day Saints, saving ordinances will be required of all who may enter. To enter the presence of the Father signifies that one has become a co-inheritor with Jesus thus becoming like the Father and the Son. One ordinance required of all those who hope to achieve exaltation is to be Sealed in one of the Temples of the LDS Church. One reason for Church members' commitment to perform vicarious work is their belief that those who have died without these ordinances will be denied entrance. They feel obligated to perform these ordinances for all those who have lived before them that all may enter the Celestial Kingdom of God. Exaltation is the ultimate goal of most faithful LDS Church members. LDS Church founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. , taught this doctrine in the King Follett Discourse . In , "this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." God shows Moses a vision depicting some of His vast creations including a vast number of worlds created for other people—a sampling of what God created in the past and what he will continue to do forever. Each world was prepared and peopled by God for the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of humankind. ''Immortality'' refers to personal Resurrection by which each individual can continue to enjoy a perfect, physical body forever. ''Eternal life'' refers to living in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. ''Exaltation'' refers to becoming like God both in terms of holiness or godliness and sharing in God's glory. It is commonly believed by members of the Church that, as God's children, mankind may grow through Christ to become like the Heavenly Father. The eternities will be spent in a process of eternal progression and becoming like the Savior and the Father; even to the extent of eventually creating additional worlds and people in an endless process of exalting humankind. Of all the Mormon doctrines including Polygamy , religious critics generally deem this doctrine the most offensive or even blasphemous. Some Mormons argue that even assuming mainstream Christianity's definition of God's Omnipotence and Omnibenevolence , not only does God have the power to exalt mortal man, but without the possibility there is little reason for mortality. They also point to comments made by Christ and Psalmists among others that refer to the Divine nature and potential of humans as children of God. Some Mormons also suggest that discussions of theosis by early Church fathers demonstrate that the basic Mormon concept of deification was part of the original church. SEE ALSO |