What does Mormonism teach about heaven and the purpose of life?
Key Points:
- Mormons believe that God and his wife had many children. God decided his children should go through a physical existence on the earth as a test. During this time they would have no memory of their spiritual pre-existence.
- After death, everyone will pass through the spirit world. Faithful Mormons will enter into a paradise while awaiting the final judgment, while everyone else will suffer in “spirit prison” during that time. There they will have an opportunity to accept the gospel.
- After judgment, most people will go to one of three levels of heaven. Only a small group called “sons of perdition” will be sent to “outer darkness” instead of some level of heaven.
- The lowest level of heaven, called the Telestial Kingdom, is generally for bad people who rejected Christ. The middle level, the Terrestrial Kingdom, is for generally good people who fell short of earning the highest heaven. Both of these kingdoms are far greater than earth, but people will still be overwhelmed with regret that they did not do better.
- Mormons who achieve perfect repentance and obedience on earth go to the Celestial Kingdom. This is the highest level of heaven, where God dwells. Only those who attain the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom, through a process called “exaltation,” will spend eternity with their families. Here, they become gods themselves, ruling over and populating their own planets just like God did before them.
- By contrast, the Bible teaches that all Christians go to live with God right away after death (Philippians 1:21-24; 2 Corinthians 5:8; John 14:2). Everyone else goes to eternal torment (Revelation 20:15; Acts 4:12; John 3:18). Only Christians are God’s children by adoption (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5). There is no second chance for salvation after death (Hebrews 9:27). Nor is there marriage or procreation in the resurrection (Matthew 22:30). Eternity is spent not becoming gods, but worshiping the one true God (Revelation 7:9-12; 22:3).
- Mormonism redefines Bible terms. In Mormonism, “saved by grace” means that everyone is granted life after death, but where they spend it depends on their performance. In the Bible, “saved by grace” means that God has freely given sinful people the guarantee of salvation from hell to live with him, even though they can do nothing to deserve it. Obedience and good works naturally follow.
Quote This:
Philippians 1:21-24 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How aware were you of Mormon teachings on pre-existence and afterlife before going through this topic? Explain.
- Read Philippians 1:21-24. What does this passage say happens after we die? How does this compare to Mormon teachings?
- Read Revelation 20:15. How does this explain the future of humanity after death compared to Mormonism?
- Read Revelation 22:3. How does this describe what heaven is like compared to Mormonism?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This topic is adapted from the ldsvideoencyclopedia YouTube channel.
