Heaven and Eternal Reward

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Tony tells about his search for a church

Tony tells about his search for a church
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I have always wanted to obtain all that I could, in every aspect of my life. Through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I learned that there was more, and I wanted it.

Life Is Just a Blip in Time

Life Is Just a Blip in Time
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I was sent to this earth by my Heavenly Father to learn and grow so that I can return and live with Him. Life really is just a blip in time, which helps you live your life in a different way.

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Heaven is the place where God lives and the future home of those who follow Him.  Heavenly Father’s hope is for all of His children to return to live with Him, through the plan He provided and by the grace of the Savior Jesus Christ.

After you are resurrected, you will be judged and rewarded for the things you have done in this life.  Your loving Heavenly Father is anxious to reward all of His children according to their obedience to His commandments and their willingness to follow the Savior. 

Those who are worthy to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ become “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17) of all that the Father has.  They will return to live with Heavenly Father and with their families in His eternal glory.

Those who choose not to follow our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will receive a reward according to what they have done in this life, but they will not enjoy the glory of living in the presence of God.

Just as some of life’s sweetest joys can come through family associations, the loss of a beloved family member can be a source of deepest sorrow.  But death does not need to be the end of your relationships with cherished loved ones. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the “same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there [in eternity], only it will be coupled with eternal glory” ( Doctrine and Covenants 130:2).

Family members who accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ and follow His example can be together forever through sacred sealing ordinances performed in God’s holy temples.

After you are judged, you will live in a state of glory.  Because everyone’s works and righteous desires vary, heaven includes different kingdoms, or degrees of glory.

• Celestial kingdom—Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reside in the celestial kingdom.  If you live according to the gospel of Jesus Christ and are cleansed from sin by the Atonement, you will receive a place in this, the highest kingdom, where you will live in God’s presence and know complete joy.
• Terrestrial kingdom—People who refuse to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ but who live honorable lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom.
• Telestial kingdom—Those who continue in their sins and do not repent until after they have died, will eventually receive a place in the telestial kingdom.

Grace

It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.

Commandment

Instructions given by God to His children to prepare them for eternal life in the world to come.

Celestial Kingdom

The highest of the three degrees or kingdoms of glory in heaven, where one is in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The glory of the celestial kingdom is compared to the glory of the sun in the scriptures. See also Terrestrial Kingdom, Telestial Kingdom.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Atonement

The suffering and death of Jesus Christ, through which resurrection is provided to all mortals and eternal life is offered to those who have faith in Christ and repent of their sins.

Terrestrial Kingdom

The middle degree or kingdom of the three degrees of glory in heaven. In the scriptures, the glory of the terrestrial kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon. See also Celestial Kingdom, Telestial Kingdom.

Telestial Kingdom

The lowest of the three degrees or kingdoms of glory in heaven. The scriptures compare the glory of the telestial kingdom to the glory of the stars. See also Celestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.