In Mormonism, the concept of divinity centers around an idea of "exaltation" and "eternal progression": the idea that mortals themselves may become gods and goddesses in the afterlife, be rulers of their own heavenly kingdoms, have spirit children, and increase in power and glory forever as a result of their posterity. Mormons understand that there are many gods and goddesses in the cosmos, including a Heavenly Mother. However, the three persons of the Christian Trinity (God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost) are to be the only objects of worship.
Exaltation and eternal progression[edit]
In Mormonism, the goal of each adherent is to achieve "exaltation" via the atonement of Jesus, as a result of which they inherit all the attributes of God the Father, including godhood. Mormons believe that these people will become gods and goddesses in the afterlife, and will have "all power, glory, dominion, and knowledge".[6] Moreover, Mormons teach that exalted people will live with their earthly families and also "have spirit children".[7] Their posterity will continue to grow forever.
According to the belief, exaltation is available only to those who have earned the highest "degree" of the celestial kingdom.[8] As prerequisites for this "greatest gift of God",[9] adherents believe that either in this life or the afterlife, they must become "perfect" and they must participate in all the required ceremonies. Though not necessary, their exaltation can be "sealed upon them" by the Holy Ghost via the Second Anointing. One of the key qualifications for exaltation is being united in a celestial marriage to an opposite-sex partner via the ordinance of sealing,[10][11] either in person or by proxy after they have died. In the 19th century, some leaders of the LDS Church taught* that participation in plural marriage was also a requirement of exaltation.[12] The LDS Church abandoned the practice over a century ago and teaches that only a single celestial marriage is required for exaltation.[13]
* it's in the Scriptures: D&C 132:16-25
Some modern LDS Church leaders have taught that there are people living on other earths. For instance, apostle Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) wrote:
"We are not the only people that the Lord has created. We have brothers and sisters on other earths. They look like us because they, too, are the children of God and were created in his image, for they are also his offspring."[40]
and
"...the great universe of stars has multiplied beyond the comprehension of men. Evidently each of these great systems is governed by divine law; with divine presiding Gods, for it would be unreasonable to assume that each was not so governed."[41]
Apostle Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) wrote, "we do not know how many inhabited worlds there are, or where they are. But certainly we are not alone."[42]