Realms of glory
The kingdoms of glory are an important theological teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as " Mormons "). The teaching bears a striking resemblance to some of the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg , which had gained some popularity in the USA in the early 19th century; in detail, however, it is an independent one. At or in front of some Mormon temples , e.g. B. at the Frankfurt Temple , they are symbolized by the sun , moon and stars .
Biblical basis
The Church first refers to a remark made by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians , chapter 15 verses 40 to 42, which reads: “The shine of the sun is different from the shine of the moon, different from the shine of the stars: then the stars also differ in their brilliance. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. ” These verses, along with other statements in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, are interpreted to mean that there is a physical resurrection according to which every person becomes one of three kingdoms at the Last Judgment be assigned to glory according to his conduct in the time of mortality. It is emphasized, however, that although man must do his part to achieve the highest glory, without the grace of God and without the atonement of Jesus Christ, man is not at all capable of attaining even the slightest glory, yes, he would not be resurrected (without the Atonement) (see Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9: 6–13)
Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants speaks in the greatest detail about what prerequisites according to this doctrine lead to what glory and what the individual glories mean . There is important information about eternal marriage in section 132 of this book.
Celestial realm
The Celestial Kingdom , compared to the shine of the sun, is the abode of God the Father and Jesus Christ. It is divided into several degrees. The highest degree means living in full communion with God the Father as a family. In this state, man and woman, as gods, would produce spirit children for whom they in turn could create worlds. Only the attainment of this highest glory is called Eternal Life , see: Exaltation (Mormonism) .
This highest degree of glory, an eternal family with ever increasing numbers, could only be attained by those who have been baptized by the authority of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, who received their endowment in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and who there, also by priesthood authority, were sealed together as spouses for ever. Let them be those who have remained faithful and strong in keeping the commandments and as witnesses to Jesus Christ. This highest degree of glory is closed to those who have not willingly entered into marriage. He or she will act as a “serving angel ” in the celestial kingdom when the other requirements are met. It follows that the celestial kingdom is thus divided into several glories.
Who had not been baptized by the authority of the priesthood can, representative received this vital ordinance after his death (see baptism for the dead ), as well as the talent and the marriage siege development . Whoever had no opportunity to marry, or whose marriage was broken through no fault of his own, would have an opportunity for eternal marriage after mortality, provided that his lifestyle was appropriate. However, according to Mormon doctrine, how this type of partner search takes place after death has not been clarified in detail.
Terrestrial realm
The Terrestrial Kingdom , which, contrary to its Latin stem "Terra", is compared with the glory of the moon and not the earth , is visited by Jesus Christ personally, but the "fullness of the Father" is closed to the residents. All righteous people would be found there, but who would have rejected the testimony of Jesus Christ in earth life, by which is meant those who have consciously not joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this realm, no multiplication and partnerships as well as marriages between the residents are possible.
Telestial realm
In the Telestial Realm , compared to the glory of the stars, let the influence of the Holy Spirit rule . Jesus Christ won't go there. Bad people (for example blasphemers, murderers or adulterers) would be found in this kingdom. Their resurrection will not take place until the end of the millennium, the millennial reign of Jesus Christ . Until then, they would be turned over to " Satan for chastening" and would have to suffer in hell until they have paid for their sins. However, the glory of the Telestial Kingdom is still one “that is beyond understanding”.
Extreme darkness
In the Mormomentum, the severity of a sin depends on the sinner's level of religious knowledge. Very few people would therefore not attain a kingdom of glory at all, they would be thrown into the "utter darkness" with Satan. These are called "sons of perdition". Become a son of perdition someone who through the power of the Holy Spirit has attained full certainty that Jesus is the Son of God and the Redeemer, and who willingly and knowingly deny and fight this circumstance and everything that goes with it . However, according to Mormon beliefs, this sin requires so much knowledge that most cannot commit it. Examples of this are Satan and Cain . Although David sinned against the Holy Spirit against his better knowledge, by committing adultery with Urija's wife and then having her murdered, he was saved from eternal damnation in the utter darkness because he conscientiously repented of his sins to God with tears have. In a perfect theocracy , as it existed in Moses ' lifetime, blood atonement could also save the sinner from the uttermost darkness, which is currently of no importance for the Mormons, as this does not exist today. If a serious sinner, like a murderer, does not have the level of knowledge that would be required for his offense to be considered a sin against the Holy Spirit, he will ultimately receive forgiveness in the sense that he will enter the Telestial Kingdom, but not in the sense that Eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom is granted to him.
According to Mormon theology, it is not clear whether there can be daughters of perdition.
Alternative names
Today in the church in the German language the above terms are used. These were taken directly from the English names introduced by Joseph Smith . The terms “celestial” and “terrestrial” are again taken from Latin and literally mean “heavenly” or “earthly”. The word "telestial", however, is not attested outside of Mormonism and its literal translation is unknown. In the past, the German-speaking church members also used the terms "Heavenly Glory", "Earthly Glory" and "Underground Glory".
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Art. "Telestial Kingdom", in: Bruce R. McConkie : Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., Salt Lake City 1966.
- ^ Spencer W. Kimball : The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123.
- ↑ Kimball: The Miracle of Forgiveness.
- ↑ McConkie to Thomas B. McAffee, October 18, 1978. , shields-research.org.
- ^ Art. "Murderers", in: McConkie: Mormon Doctrine.