thiel@ut-ngp.UUCP (Stephen W. Thiel) (03/18/85)
I am not a Latter-Day Saint, but I think I might be able to shed a
little heatless light on the LDS view of salvation and heaven. I have
spoken at length with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints, and I believe I have a reasonably accurate understanding
of their basic doctrines. I ask any LDS members on the net to correct me
if I misrepresent the Church position. (Mail will suffice...I'll post the
correction if you wish.)
The position as I understand it is:
Christ died for all people, and the gift of salvation is available to
all except for the most incredibly evil. One's disposition in the
"afterlife" (my word, not theirs) is not a simple choice between
Heaven and Hell. Instead, there are at least three possible states:
(1) The Celestial Kingdom, where one dwells with the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit,
(2) The Terrestrial Kingdom, where one dwells with the Son and the
Holy Spirit, and
(3) The Telestial Kingdom, where one dwells with the Holy Spirit only.
(The word dwell is not quite the correct term; I hope the right idea is
communicated.) I do not remember the "entrance requirements" for each
of the various rewards.
A request regarding discussion of the Latter-Day Saints: Try to understand
their doctrine before condemning their religion. Don't be satisfied with
"I heard that..." or "It says in 'The Godmakers' that..." If you truly
want to understand LDS doctrine, talk to LDS members! If you've got honest
questions, they'll probably be glad to help you. Give their religion the
same respect you'd like yours to get.
Fair enough?
--
Steve Thiel
...ihnp4!ut-ngp!thiel