Mormons look forward to an eternity–a Heaven–characterized as a sort of divine extension of their lives on earth. Calling mortal marriage “a laboratory for godhood,” the LDS Achieving a Celestial Marriage Student Manual states,
“In the relationship of husband and wife and parent and child we begin to approach the divine calling of godhood. Our Heavenly Father and mother live in an exalted state because they achieved a celestial marriage. As we achieve a like marriage we shall become as they are and begin the creation of worlds for our own spirit children.” (page 1; “laboratory for godhood” quote can be found on page 65.)
With such a “noble goal” in mind (page 1), Mormons envision Heaven as a very busy place of raising children and creating worlds. Latter-day Saints have no trouble recognizing that Mormonism’s concept of Heaven is very different from the Christian concept; but Mormons seem to only know a cartoon representation of the Christian Heaven–and delight to make fun of it. Consider a few statements from Mormons who have posted comments here at Mormon Coffee over the years:
“Aaron, what is your take on daily eternal fun or activities, of course you could come watch us LDS create stuff,… in fact [in the Christian Heaven] there would be no progression except deciding what cloud you would pick for that particular time and space. Interesting concept, nothing to do but sit, sing and praise…I would hard[ly] say that either I or [another LDS commenter] think being with God will be boring, but picking out clouds, remembering to bring you harp, and not forgetting the many verses you will be singing for time and eternity, hmmm, you say fun, I say boring.”
“If all you plan to do in heaven is worship God, won’t you get tired of that at some point? You must really like harp music to accept that particular role for eternity.”
“Evangelical doctrine, as I have come to understand it, does not teach anything beyond Grace, Heaven, and Hell. His grace and purpose means to bring about much more than what evangelical doctrine suggests, which so far I have learned that we float around on clouds after this life and just sing praises to God. To me, that’s bubble-gum.”
Biblically speaking, we don’t know a lot of details regarding the believers’ eternity in Heaven, but we do know this:
“The heavenly future all believers anticipate is the fulfillment of God’s purpose in creating the universe. It will include worship of the type revealed in the Book of Revelation (7:10; 11:16-18; 15:2-4). Worship will involve rehearsing God’s glorious acts (19:1-2). In addition to ascription of worth, worship will involve service – unspecified works done in obedience to God and for God (22:6)…In contrast to present suffering, God promises believers that they will reign with Christ in heavenly glory (2 Tim. 2:12; see Matt. 19:28; Rev. 20:4, 6). In heaven, believers will have fellowship with God and with each other in a perfect environment (Heb. 12:22-23).” (Bradford A. Mullen, “Heaven, Heavens, Heavenlies,” Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)
The biblical depiction of Heaven is inadequate in Mormon circles. For whatever reason, Mormons seem to think the eternal worship and praise of God in song equates with boredom and bubble-gum. Isn’t this surprising in light of the Latter-day Saints’ own scripture, Mormon 7:7 in the Book of Mormon?
“And he [Jesus] have brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.” (Mormon 7:7)
Nevertheless, latter-day revelation of Mormon prophets teaches that Heaven, to be Heaven, must include a continuation of the family unit, the achievement of godhood, and the creation of worlds; sort of a “be all that you can be” mindset. As a Christian, my eternal focus is not on me, but on God. Even if Heaven was nothing but singing ceaseless praise to Him, that would be more than enough for me.
Rick B –October 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm–[I was saying LDS teach they will be married in heaven. Married as in, your married here on earth and when you die you and your wife will be still husband and wife in heaven. ]
Thank you for the clarification.
fred
falcon –October 30, 2011 at 1:25 pm–[Ah the classic Mormon kiss-off. Your tactic is pretty transparent. As to people teaching things that you don’t teach, help us out.]
No kiss-off, just putting out the idea that there is a lot of information out here that says your accepted conclusions are wrong. As Zig Ziggler says, it will do you more good if you want to find it yourself.
fred
falcon –October 30, 2011 at 1:53 pm–[Of course there are prophets and God speaks to His prophets today]
Please let me know who he or they are so I can study their words from God.
fred
Here is something to read.
Question
Since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be “the only true Church,” does this mean that the LDS believe that everyone else will be damned?
And, since the Church teaches that the dead will have the opportunity to hear the gospel preached to them, doesn’t this imply that the witness given to those “after death” will be so compelling that virtually everyone will become “a Mormon”?
Answer
Leaders of the Church have long taught that a kingdom of glory and salvation is granted to almost everyone, save perhaps those who fully follow Satan as “sons of perdition.”[1]
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught:
For Latter-day Saints, being “saved” can also mean being saved or delivered from the second death (meaning the final spiritual death) by assurance of a kingdom of glory in the world to come (see 1 Corinthians 15:40–42). Just as the Resurrection is universal, we affirm that every person who ever lived upon the face of the earth—except for a very few—is assured of salvation in this sense…The prophet Brigham Young taught that doctrine when he declared that “every person who does not sin away the day of grace, and become an angel to the Devil, will be brought forth to inherit a kingdom of glory” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 288). This meaning of saved ennobles the whole human race through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In this sense of the word, all should answer: “Yes, I have been saved. Glory to God for the gospel and gift and grace of His Son!”[2]
read the rest at;
http://en.fairmormon.org/Salvation_of_non-members
fred
Pingback: From the Mailbag (Eternal Marriage) | Mormon Coffee