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. 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: According to Latter Day Saint belief, Mormon is the name of the compiler of the book of scripture known as the Book of Mormon. ... Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Doctrine and Covenants The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes abbreviated and cited as D&C) is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. ...

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 Mormon church say that these different kingdom is what Jesus was referring to when he said "[i]n my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2).^[2]

The three degrees are (in descending order):

• The celestial kingdom. Its glory is compared to the sun.
• The terrestrial kingdom. Its glory is compared to the moon.
• The telestial kingdom. Its glory is compared to the stars.

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 only ones who go there are known as "Sons of Perdition". The Celestial Kingdom refers to a division of heaven and was coined by the controversial Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg in his 1758 book entitled Heaven and Hell. ... The Plan of Salvation, as illustrated by some within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not doctrinal) According to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Terrestrial Kingdom is an eternal status in the afterlife to which some portion of humankind... The Telestial Kingdom is an eternal status in the afterlife to which some portion of humankind will be assigned following resurrection and the judgment day, according to the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... In Christianity, the outer darkness (often capitalized as Outer Darkness) is a place referred to three times in the Gospel of Matthew (8:12, 22:13, and 25:30) into which a person may be cast out, and where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Generally, the outer darkness... Son of Perdition can be found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and John 17:12 and is a name commonly associated with the Antichrist and the biblical term of the Devils Advocate mentioned in 1 and 2 John. ...

Hypothesized influence of Emanuel Swedenborg

Some, including LDS historian D. Michael Quinn, have argued that the concept of the three degrees of glory was taken by Joseph Smith from Emanuel Swedenborg's book Heaven and Hell. Swedenborg's book describes various doctrines that are distinct to the Mormon view of the afterlife.^{[citation needed]} In his book Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, Quinn presents evidence that the book was available to Smith, and that he discussed it with his contemporaries prior to his introduction of the doctrine into Mormonism.^{[citation needed]} This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Emanuel Swedenborg, 75, holding the manuscript of Apocalypsis Revelata (1766). ... Heaven and Hell is the common English title of a book written by mystic Emanuel Swedenborg in Latin, published in 1758. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Notes

This article or section is missing citations and/or footnotes. This article or section contains insufficiently sourced phrases. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. You may improve the article or discuss this issue on its talk page. Help on using footnotes is available. History of the Church (cited as HC) (originally entitled History of Joseph Smith; later entitled History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; nicknamed Documentary History of the Church or DHC) is a seven-volume work of history outlining the early history of The Church of Jesus... Image File history File links Information. ...

References

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See also

• Plan of salvation