Thanks for joining us as we begin a two-part study about Heaven — a lively topic about which everyone has an opinion and believers want to go there someday.

But before we read the Word of God, let’s review some data. According to a November Pew Research Center survey, a whopping 73% of all U.S. adults believe in Heaven. And what happens in Heaven? Of that 73% who believe, the top five occurrences are ranked below according to the percentage who “definitely or probably agree” that the following will happen there:

Based on those thoughts, heaven seems like paradise. In fact, Jesus said that word from the cross, and the thief hanging next to him acknowledged Jesus and said:

“‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’ ” (Luke 23:42-43). Next week we will study more about what the New Testament says about Heaven.

Now, let’s turn to the Old Testament, from which I have selected a representative sample of Heaven-related passages. We begin at the beginning:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Since God created Heaven, it is reasonable to assume that He will be there and clear His schedule to meet you — if you qualify.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet..” (Psalm 8:3-6).

The writer, King David, is awestruck by the majesty of God’s Heaven and universe compared to the smaller nature of man and asks about “the son of man that you visit” who God has “crowned with glory and honor.”

All the Bible scholars reading along know that “son of man” is the term Jesus uses to describe himself as discussed in Vol. 53. However, its significance bears repeating since Psalm 8 verses 4-6 starting with “What is man…” reappear in the New Testament book of Hebrews 2: 6-8. The writer of Hebrews applies these verses to Jesus, who “as the incarnate [human] Son of God is both the representative man and the one in whom man’s appointed destiny will be fully realized” – a quote from my NIV Study Bible.

Circling back to our topic of Heaven, Jesus is absolute when He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” in John 14:6. Thus, the takeaway: Although the Heavens were created by God, in order to eternally live with God in Heaven, your point of entry is only through Jesus, according to Jesus. That said, let’s continue with how the Psalm writer (likely David) keeps emphasizing the greatness of Heaven and its Creator. Perhaps there is a lesson here for us?:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19-1). Pray about His glory the next time you see a magnificent sunrise or sunset. And remember the next verse when you are away from city lights and can see a zillion stars:

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6). And the glorification theme continues, but with a caveat:

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; ” (Psalm 103:11). A comparison with endless boundaries, and add to it a Proverb: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

From Nehemiah, we read the opening segment of a nationwide confession of sin with prayers recited by the ancient Israelites who had strayed from God. “Heaven” is evoked several times:

“Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you” (Nehemiah 9:5-6). Suggestion: If you have sins that need resolution, perhaps start with that prayer.

“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding” (Jeremiah 10:12).

All these inspiring verses make you long for Heaven and to be in Creator’s presence whose power and glory are beyond our understanding.

Join us next week when we study Heaven-related New Testament verses that differ from the Old Testament. Here is a preview compatible with some beliefs found in the aforementioned Pew Research data:

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). To that, we say, “Amen.”

Jesus is absolute when He said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” in John 14:6.

Thus, the takeaway: Although the Heavens were created by God, in order to eternally live with God in Heaven, your point of entry is only through Jesus, according to Jesus.

MormonISM has a slightly different view of the subject.

The Doctrine and Covenants

Section 76

92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;
95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. https://www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory?lang=eng (click view more)

Terrestrial Kingdom

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun” (D&C 76:77–78). Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people “who were blinded by the craftiness of men” (D&C 76:75). This group will include members of the Church who were “not valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). To learn more about those who will inherit terrestrial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–80, 91, 97.

From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom.

To be exalted in the highest degree and continue eternally in family relationships, we must enter into “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” and be true to that covenant.

In other words, temple marriage is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory. (See Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4.)

All who are worthy to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will have that opportunity, whether in this life or the next.

“the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” Where is that found??

The Doctrine and Covenants

Section 132

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded 12 July 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, and also the plurality of wives (see History of the Church, 5:501 - 7). Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

58 - 66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.

58 Now, as touching the law of the ^apriesthood, there are many things pertaining thereunto.

59 Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was ^aAaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that ^bsent me, and I have endowed him with the ^ckeys of the power of this priesthood, if he do anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not commit ^dsin, and I will justify him.

60 Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the sacrifice which I require at his hands for his transgressions, saith the Lord your God.

61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood: "if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse ^aanother, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

62 And if he have ^aten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to ^amultiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be ^bglorified.

64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

65 Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take ^aHagar to wife.

66 And now, as pertaining to this law, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen.

"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." ...“ For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."
Jesus says after the resurrection in Heaven believers are not married to others or given in marriage in the Gospel of Matthew.
Revelation teaches:
19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

In Heaven, believers are the Bride of Christ, given to none other.

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