My View Of The Celestial Kingdom (General Post)

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MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM

Latter-Day Saints expect that somehow they will enter the celestial kingdom and exaltation. However, I've never seen a clear description of either of those. I've built a fair description of these, from the scriptures, reading a lot of books, and a lot of inspiration from the Lord through the Holy Ghost.

We understand from D&C 76 that there are 3 degrees of glory. These are likened to the brightness (glory) of the stars, moon, and sun. However, these descriptions don't provide the feelings that are inherent to each.

I had a dream or vision one time, showing me the difference between terrestrial and celestial glory. Terrestrial was beautiful, as described in books. However, there was a feeling of being confined to a single world. High in the atmosphere, the world died out. There was not nearly the feeling of purity that I saw in the celestial.

The celestial was not only beautiful. It was like a well-coordinated artwork, with everything harmonizing with everything else. The colors of the butterflies harmonized with the architecture of the buildings (a different impression a long time ago). There was a feeling of infinite. The kingdom stretched forever. There was an overwhelming feeling of purity, like you wanted to touch it, but were afraid to for fear of contaminating it.  However, you qualify because of the Lord's atonement.

I have read a description of the holy city in a Mathew Brown book (The Gateway Of Heaven, or Symbols in Stone). Flower gardens were exquisitely arranged. Streets were wide and straight. Houses were arranged in square blocks, with a wall around the block and watchtowers in the four corners.

To understand the celestial, we have to stretch our imagination. We think of love with only a mathematical line of attributes, just the attribute of how strong it is. If we stretch, and think of love as a two-dimensional rainbow of attributes, we have a better idea. Love can be also of animals, plants, architecture, art, and much else of what we see. Love is connected with beauty, harmony, peace, and harmony.

I understand that according to the principle of work, there is no magic way to qualify for exaltation. You cannot just show your face at the resurrection and expect to be exalted just because you have your temple ordinances done and did a good job on earth.

Just as doing any job on earth requires education, training, and the right mental attitude, so it is with exaltation. That is the work of the temple. By paying attention to every little symbol and detail, the Spirit gives us ideas and understanding of the celestial. Every time someone opens their mouth or wiggles, there is a lesson. We understand how gods think and look at their environment.

The other aspect of the temple is its ability to purify us. Our character gradually changes. We don't notice it at first, until we think about it. I used to plug sparrows with the .22 rifle or BB gun. My attention was on accuracy. Now I feel pain at hurting anyone or anything in any way. I am quick to apologize.

We do the best we can while on earth, based on our ability and understanding. We push as hard as we can, knowing there will be constant obstacles. When we die, we are on the straight and narrow path. Then, according to Joseph McConkie in stake conference, we cannot fall off the path while in the spirit world. Our spirit world time is for finishing the job we started on earth.