Thanks for that explanation. Now I have another question. How many practicing Mormons that were born into their faith actually believe this crap or even know that it exists? If I went up to the average Mormon and asked them if they wanted to be a god of another planet what kind of reaction would I receive?
How many practicing Mormons that were born into their faith actually believe this crap or even know that it exists? If I went up to the average Mormon and asked them if they wanted to be a god of another planet what kind of reaction would I receive?
- - - - - -
Most of them know it. That is a big part of the whole ‘going to the temple’ and ‘temple marriage’ thing.
But if you asked them in THOSE words, they would equivocate (AKA ‘lying for the Lord’). They will use the terms exaltation or “Celestial Kingdom” of which Godhood is the highest level.
If you were to ask them what the point of being married for eternity was and/or what exactly exaltation entailed you are more likely to get a forthright answer.
This is ‘exaltation’ from an LDS source. A book they use in their sunday school classes from their own website.
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-59,00.html
What Is Exaltation?
Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation.
If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, just like our Heavenly Father. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give his children (see D&C 14:7).
Discussion
* What is exaltation?
Blessings of Exaltation
Our Heavenly Father is perfect. However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection. He glories in the fact that it is possible for his children to become like him. He has said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will receive special blessings. The Lord has promised, “All things are theirs” (D&C 76:59). These are some of the blessings given to exalted people:
1. They will live eternally in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (see D&C 76).
2. They will become gods.
3. They will have their righteous family members with them and will be able to have spirit children also. These spirit children will have the same relationship to them as we do to our Heavenly Father. They will be an eternal family.
4. They will receive a fulness of joy.
5. They will have everything that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have—all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge. President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The Father has promised through the Son that all that he has shall be given to those who are obedient to his commandments. They shall increase in knowledge, wisdom, and power, going from grace to grace, until the fulness of the perfect day shall burst upon them” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:36).
Discussion
* List some of the blessings that will be given to those who are exalted.
Requirements for Exaltation
The time to fulfill the requirements for exaltation is now (see Alma 34:32-34). President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “In order to obtain the exaltation we must accept the gospel and all its covenants; and take upon us the obligations which the Lord has offered; and walk in the light and understanding of the truth; and ‘live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God’ “ (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:43).
To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey his commandments.
He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:
1. We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
2. We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. We must receive the temple endowment.
4. We must be married for time and eternity.
If FR Mormons are any example; they'd recoil and say "How DARE you try to state what we believe!"
And then they'd not say a THING about it.
My father’s best friend was raised a Mormon.
And when they were in their youth my father asked him, “You believe you’ll get your own planet. All Mormons believe this. How many Mormon planets do you believe will be out there in the Universe?”
My father’s friend just gave him a shrug of his shoulders and said, “Yeah, I know. That’s what we believe. But, it doesn’t sound right, does it?”