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The Plan of Salvation, as illustrated by some within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In Mormon theology, there are three degrees of glory (alternatively, kingdoms of glory) which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth after the Spirit world.

Joseph Smith, Jr. described the afterlife based primarily upon a vision he claimed to have received together with Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832, and recorded as Doctrine and Covenants Section 76. According to this section of LDS scripture, the afterlife consists of three degrees or kingdoms of glory, called the Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Telestial Kingdom. The few who do not inherit any degree of glory (though they are resurrected) reside in a state called outer darkness, which, though not a degree of glory, is often discussed in this context. The ones who go there are known as "Sons of Perdition".

Doctrinal origin[link]

The three degrees of glory are described in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In the preface to Section 76 in the LDS edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, the following explanatory text is given:

A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832. Prefacing his record of this vision the Prophet wrote: "Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed the translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body, the term 'Heaven,' as intended for the Saints' eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one. Accordingly, while translating St. John's Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following vision." It was after the Prophet had translated John 5:29 that this vision was given.^[1]

Assignment to a particular kingdom in the resurrection is contingent upon the faith and works exhibited during mortal life. The LDS Church teaches that these different kingdoms are what Jesus was referring to when he said "[i]n my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2).^[2] Additionally, the LDS Church teaches that 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 (40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 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) speaks of these three degrees of glory, comparing them with the glory of the sun, moon, and stars.

The LDS doctrine of the three degrees of glory is also seemingly consistent with a particular reading of Revelation 22:10-11, where John says (text in parenthesis added):

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand (final judgment).
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still (telestial kingdom): and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still (outer darkness): and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still (terrestrial kingdom): and he that is holy, let him be holy still (celestial kingdom).

Celestial kingdom[link]

The celestial kingdom is the highest of three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is thought to be the "third heaven" referred to by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version of 2 Corinthians 12:2 and it is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "celestial bodies" and "glory of the sun" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41.

Inhabitants[link]

The celestial kingdom will be the residence of those who have been righteous, accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ, and made and lived up to all of the required ordinances and covenants during their mortal lives.^[3] It will also be the residence of those individuals that accepted and received the ordinances and covenants in the post-mortal spirit world.^[4] All children who die before the age of eight automatically inherit the celestial kingdom.^[5] The celestial kingdom will also be the permanent residence of God the Father and Jesus Christ.^[6]

Joseph Smith taught that "a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it."^[7] This white stone will become a Urim and Thummim (or seer stone) to the recipient.^[8]

Degrees within[link]

Joseph Smith taught that the celestial kingdom itself is subdivided into three "heavens or degrees".^[9] Only those individuals who are sealed in celestial marriage to a spouse in a temple while alive (or after death by proxy) will be permitted to enter into the highest degree of celestial kingdom.^[10] These individuals will eventually become "exalted"^[11] and will be permitted to live "the kind of life God lives" as literal gods and goddesses, as Doctrine and Covenants 132 explains.^[12] The nature of the other two degrees within the Celestial Kingdom have not been described, except to say that the people who go there will become "ministering angels".^[13]

Location[link]

Joseph Smith taught that the earth will also receive a celestial glory.^[14] Some Latter-day Saints believe that the earth will be the celestial kingdom, or at least a celestial world within the celestial kingdom for humans who lived on the earth and qualified for the celestial kingdom.^[15]

Terrestrial kingdom[link]

The terrestrial kingdom is the middle of what are believed to be three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "bodies terrestrial" and "glory of the moon" mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version translation of 1 Corinthians 15:40-41 15:40-41. The word terrestrial derives from a Latin word meaning "earthly".

According to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the terrestrial kingdom is the eternal destination in the afterlife to which some portion of humankind will be assigned following resurrection and the judgment day. The primary source of this doctrine is a vision recounted by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832, and recorded as Doctrine and Covenants Section 76.

Inhabitants[link]

According to Doctrine and Covenants section 76, those who will inhabit the terrestrial kingdom include those who lived respectably but "were blinded by the craftiness of men" and thus rejected the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ when it was presented to them during their mortal lives.^[16] It also includes persons who rejected the "testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it" in the spirit world^[17] and those who "are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus" after having received it.^[18]

Ultimately, the kingdom of glory (either the celestial or the terrestrial) received by those who accept the testimony of Jesus will be based on God's knowledge of whether they "would have received it with all their hearts" as manifested by their works and the "desire of their hearts".^[19]

Those who inherit the terrestrial kingdom "receive of the presence of the Son, but not the fulness of the Father."^[20]

Joseph Smith taught that translated beings abide in the terrestrial kingdom until they are resurrected and enter the celestial kingdom.^[21]

Telestial kingdom[link]

The telestial kingdom is the lowest of what are believed to be three heavens or heavenly kingdoms. It is said by Latter-day Saints to correspond to the "glory of the stars" mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the King James Version translation of 1 Corinthians 15:41. There are no known uses of the word prior to Joseph Smith's prophecies.

Inhabitants[link]

According to the LDS scripture, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76, those who will inhabit the telestial kingdom include those "who received not the gospel of Christ, nor the testimony of Jesus."^[22] It also includes "liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie."^[23] Because of their refusal to accept Jesus as their Savior, these individuals will remain in Spirit prison^[24] for 1000 years during the millennial reign of Christ.^[25] After the 1000 years, the individuals will be resurrected and receive an immortal physical body and be assigned to the telestial kingdom.^[26]

Joseph Smith taught that individuals in the telestial kingdom will be servants of God, but "where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end";^[27] however, they will receive the ministration of the Holy Ghost and beings from the terrestrial kingdom.^[28] Despite these limitations, in LDS theology being resident in the telestial kingdom is not an unpleasant experience: "the glory of the telestial ... surpasses all understanding".^[29]

Joseph Smith also taught that just as there are different degrees of glory within the celestial kingdom (D&C 131:1-4), there are different degrees of glory within the telestial kingdom. He stated that "as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in the telestial world."^[30] Each person's glory will vary depending on their works while on the earth.^[31]

Smith and Rigdon stated "we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore".^[32] One Latter-day Saint commentator has suggested that by implication this means that "most of the adult people who have lived from the day of Adam to the present time will go to the telestial kingdom."^[33]

Role in temple ordinances[link]

During the Endowment temple ordinance, members move between ordinance rooms. In most modern day LDS temples, moving between rooms has now been replaced with changes in lighting to represent change from one degree of glory to the next. In a few older Mormon temples (e.g. Salt Lake Temple and Manti Temple), the classic version of the endowment ceremony is still done by actors (instead of motion picture) and uses multiple rooms.

Hypothesized influence of Emanuel Swedenborg[link]

Some, including historian of Mormonism D. Michael Quinn in his book Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, have argued that various parts of the plan of salvation were influenced in part by Emanuel Swedenborg's book Heaven and Hell. In Heaven and Hell, Swedenborg wrote that "There are three heavens" that are "entirely distinct from each other."^[34] Swedenborg called the highest heaven "the Celestial Kingdom," celestial being the Latin word for heavenly. He also stated that the inhabitants of the three heavens corresponded to the "sun, moon and stars."^[34] While some historians believe Smith was familiar with Swedenborg's theology at least by 1839^{[citation needed]}, others have argued that he did not have access to the writings of Swedenborg.^[35] One of Smith's preeminent biographers has argued it is more likely that Smith and Swedenborg developed their ideas independently based on 1 Corinthians 15.^[36] This argument was more closely examined by William J. Hamblin as he explains that Quinn turned to Swedenborg as an indirect source, whose three heavens are not called "degrees of glory" and are themselves clearly derived from the Pauline passages in question. But Quinn insisted that Joseph was not influenced by the original idea from Paul (whom he certainly read), but rather by Swedenborg—whom Quinn agreed Joseph had not read, claiming instead that Joseph had heard of Swedenborg's ideas secondhand via Sibly (see pp. 217—18)^[37]. But Sibly spoke of seven archangelic degrees of glory and not of three heavens as degrees of glory in the resurrection.^[38]

See also[link]

• Empyrean
• Hell in Christian beliefs: Latter-day Saints
• Holy of Holies (Latter Day Saints)
• Ordinance room
• Plan of salvation
• Third Heaven

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 2:5–30; 10:23–25; Alma 12:24–37; 22:12–14; 42;
• Pearl of Great Price - Moses 6:47–62
• Damiani, Adhemar. "The Merciful Plan of the Great Creator", Ensign, March 2004, pp. 8–12
• Lee, Robert England. "Teaching Our Children the Plan of Salvation", Ensign, September 2001, pp. 33–39
• Gerrard, Duane B. "The Plan of Salvation: A Flight Plan for Life", Ensign, November 1997, pp. 77–78
• Scott, Richard G.. "The Joy of Living the Great Plan of Happiness", Ensign, November 1996, pp. 73–75
• Ballard, M. Russell, "Answers to Life's Questions", Ensign, May 1995, pp. 22–24
• Edwards, Judy. "Sharing Time: The Plan of Salvation Offers Me Peace", The Friend, March 1994, pp. 14–15^{[unreliable source?]}
• Oaks, Dallin H.. "The Great Plan of Happiness", Ensign, November 1993, pp. 72–75
• Maxwell, Neal A.. "The Great Plan of the Eternal God", Ensign, May 1984, pp. 21–23

Garrett Smith (born December 14, 1967 in Seattle, Washington) is a former U.S. soccer defender who played professionally in the Western Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Continental Indoor Soccer League. Since 1992, he has served as an assistant coach with the University of Portland’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. In 2003, he became the head coach of the women’s team, winning the 2005 National Championship. He was 2007 NCAA Coach of the Year.

High school and college[link]

Smith attended Nathan Hale High School where he played on the school’s soccer team while also playing with the Washington State U-19 State team. He then attended the University of Portland where he played on the men’s soccer team under Clive Charles from 1986 to 1989. Smith was a 1989 first team All-West Coast Conference and a three time All-Northwest Collegiate Soccer Conference selection. The most Notable team of that era was the 1988 team which went 22-1, their only loss being a 1-0 loss in the semi-finals to eventual NCAA champions Indiana.

Professional[link]

While still in college, Smith played a single season with the Portland Timbers of the Western Soccer League in 1989.^[1] In 1990, he signed with the Seattle Storm of the American Professional Soccer League.^[2] On November 23, 1990, he signed with the San Diego Sockers of the Major Indoor Soccer League.^[3] When his contract expired at the end of the season, Smith left professional soccer. On April 28, 1993, the Portland Pride of the Continental Indoor Soccer League drafted Smith.^[4] He retired from professional soccer after the 1995 season.

Coaching[link]

In 1992, Smith was hired by the University of Portland as an assistant coach to Clive Charles for the women’s soccer team. When Charles died from cancer in 2003, Smith was promoted to head coach, a position he holds today. In 2005, he led the team to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. In 2007, he was named the NCAA Coach of the Year. In addition to his duties as head coach for the Pilot’s women’s team, Smith has served as the university’s associate director for soccer since 2003.^[5]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Portland Pilots coaches profile
• Garrett Smith '91: Coach, Pilot Women’s Soccer, 2007 National Coach of the Year
• MISL stats

Melvin J. Ballard
edit data
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
LDS Church Apostle
January 7, 1919 (1919-01-07) – July 30, 1939 (1939-07-30)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
Reason	Death of Joseph F. Smith; reorganization of First Presidency
Reorganization at end of term	No additional apostles ordained[1]
Personal details
Born	Melvin Joseph Ballard (1873-02-09)February 9, 1873 Logan, Utah Territory, United States
Died	July 30, 1939(1939-07-30) (aged 66) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772°N 111.858°W / 40.7772; -111.858 (Salt Lake City Cemetery)
Spouse	Martha A. Jones

Melvin Joseph Ballard (February 9, 1873 – July 30, 1939) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was born in Logan, Utah Territory. His grandson, M. Russell Ballard, was also ordained an apostle.

Birth and Early Life[link]

Ballard was born at Logan, Utah to Henry Ballard and his wife, the former Margaret McNeal, on Feb. 3, 1873. His father was a native of England and had immigrated to Utah in 1852 to gather with the saints. Henry Ballard had been aboard the Saluda when it exploded at Lexington, Missouri and had been injured in that incident. Henry Ballard later served under Orrin Porter Rockwell in the Nauvoo Legion working to prevent the entry of Johnston's Army into Utah. In 1858 Henry Ballard was the first settler of Logan, and he served as bishop of the LOgan 2nd Ward from 1861-1900.^[2]

Prior to Ballard's birth, his mother had an experience that led her to believe her son would be an apostle. In his patriarchal blessing, this was reaffirmed.

Melvin Ballard attended Brigham Young College from which he graduated in 1884.

Career and early church service[link]

In June of 1896 Ballard married Martha A. Jones. The following month he left with B. H. Roberts and George D. Pyper on a mission to the large cities of the eastern United States. He was later reasigned to the Norther States Mission from which he returned in December of 1898.

In 1899 Ballard organized the Logan Knitting Factory along with Joseph E. Cardon. In 1900 he was made a counselor in the bishopric of the Logan 2nd Ward.^[3]

Mission President[link]

Ballard served for several years as president of the Northwestern States Mission of the church. While serving in this capacity he organized missionary work on some of the Native American reservations in Montana.

Apostleship[link]

When Church President Heber J. Grant was pondering whom to call to replace the vacancy caused by the death of former Church President Joseph F. Smith, he decided to call on his good friend Richard W. Young, as many suspected he would. As he met with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to announce his decision, he found himself saying that the Lord wanted Melvin J. Ballard to serve instead. He used this experience to teach about inspiration and to testify that the Lord calls the leaders in the church.^[4]

Ballard was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on January 7, 1919. He served in the Quorum until his death in Salt Lake City from leukemia.^[5] Sylvester Q. Cannon was called to fill the vacancy caused by his passing. Ballard opened up missionary work in South America in 1925 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Death[link]

He died in Salt Lake City and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

• 

  Ballard when ordained as an apostle (1919)
• 

  West view of Grave marker
• 

  East View of grave marker

Published works[link]

• Ballard, Melvin J (1966). Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness. Bookcraft. 1. 
• --- (1922). Three Degrees of Glory: A Discourse. Deseret Book Company. 2. 

Biographies by others[link]

• Hinckley, Bryant S., ed. (1949). Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard. Deseret Book Company. 3. 

External links[link]

• Melvin J. Ballard at Find a Grave

Notes[link]

1. ^ Sylvester Q. Cannon was added to the Quorum of the Twelve to take Ballard's place; however, Cannon had been ordained an apostle the year before.
2. ^ Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 419
3. ^ Jenson, Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 418-419
4. ^ Reference for last two sentences in this paragraph - Church History in the Fulness of Times, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000. 496.
5. ^ State of Utah Death Certificate

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007)