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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 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:

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".

Contents

Hypothesized influence of Emanuel Swedenborg

Notes

References

See also

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. 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.

Notes

1. History of the Church 1: 245—252
2. http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.3933737ad2ff28132eb22a86942826a0/?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=265&sourceId=d1ef9daac5d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

References

See also

★ Plan of salvation