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The destination, and the doctrine that makes it a family matter

Exaltation

Salvation and exaltation are not synonyms in Latter-day Saint usage. The first is nearly universal; the second is the highest degree of the celestial glory, conditional on the new and everlasting covenant — which is why exaltation is filed under family rather than under individual reward.

20 min2 sections

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Salvation and exaltation

DiagramThe degrees of glory
D&C 76 · 1 Corinthians 15:40–42CelestialThose who received thetestimony of Jesus, werebaptized, and overcame byfaithD&C 76:50–70TerrestrialHonourable people who wereblinded by the craftiness ofmen; those who received thegospel after deathD&C 76:71–80TelestialThose who received not thegospel, nor the testimony ofJesus — after suffering fortheir own sinsD&C 76:81–90Beyond the three, D&C 76:31–38 describes perdition — and says how few it applies to.The Vision replaced a two-outcome heaven with a graded one, in February 1832.

Sun, moon and stars — Paul's figures, given a doctrinal reading in the vision of February 1832.

D&C 76 · 1 Corinthians 15:40–42

SalvationExaltation
Who receives itNearly everyone — resurrection and a kingdom of gloryThose who receive the ordinances and keep the covenants
What it isRescue from death and hellThe highest degree of the celestial glory; eternal life
ConditionsChrist's atonement, universally appliedFaith, repentance, ordinances, and enduring in the covenant
Key texts1 Corinthians 15:22; D&C 76:43D&C 131:1–4; D&C 132:19–20; Moses 1:39
D&C 131:1–4dc

1In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;

2And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];

3And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

4He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.

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Why it is a family doctrine

Latter-day Saint soteriology does not permit a person to be exalted alone. D&C 128:15 states it structurally — 'they without us cannot be made perfect, neither can we without our dead' — and D&C 131 makes the highest degree conditional on a covenant that by definition involves another person. Whatever exaltation is, it is not a solitary achievement.

Principle

Exaltation is the highest degree of the celestial glory, conditional on covenant, and it is by design not achievable alone.

D&C 131:1–4 · D&C 132:19–20 · D&C 128:15 · Moses 1:39

What this topic holds

  1. Salvation is nearly universal; exaltation is conditional on the ordinances and covenants.

    D&C 76:43 · D&C 131:1–4

  2. God judges according to works and according to the desire of the heart.

    D&C 137:9 · Alma 41:3

Check your reading

3 questions

  1. 01What is the difference between salvation and exaltation in Latter-day Saint usage?

  2. 02Why is exaltation described as a family doctrine?

  3. 03What does D&C 137:9 add to the criteria of judgment?

Where to go next

Chains

Lessons

Topics

Sources

  1. Gospel Topics, "Exaltation"
  2. D&C 76; D&C 131; D&C 132; D&C 137 — The primary texts.