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‍Chapter 12b

Plan of Salvation: Post Mortal Life -

Part 2

Welcome to the Mormon Mann YouTube channel. I am Kendall, the Mormon Mann.

This is the 2nd video on the topic of the Plan of Salvation: The Post Mortal Life, Chapter 12b.

In the previous video, (Chapter 12a) we explored the existence of multiple heavens—such as the Kingdom of God, Paradise and the Spirit Prison.

We also discussed how Christ went and visited the spirits in the Spirit Prison and began teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ, like baptism can be performed by proxy. Thus allowing the spirits to enter into the Kingdom of God.

If you have not watched that video yet, I recommend you starting theree, as it lays the foundation for what we’ll cover today.

New Heavens and a New Earth

Referring back to the beginning of the first video, Chapter 12a, and the topic of multiple heavens, once the earth as we know it ends, and Christ comes, He changes the heavens and the earth. 

These are just two passages that clearly state that the “heavens” will change!

2 Peter 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

(Side note…based on that last verse…I won’t be investing in any big boat!)

Understanding “Glory”

To talk about man’s rewards in one of these new heavens, one must understand the reward of “glory.” 

Webster’s New World dictionary defines glory as:

1. Great honor or fame

2. Adoration 

3. Great splendor, prosperity 

4. Heavenly bliss[1]

From this definition, it includes:

1. The “honor” given to a person

2. Great splendor and/or prosperity given to a person

3. “Heavenly bliss” which can be concluded as a place in heaven where all this honor and glory is given to a person. 

While studying the scriptures, one can read that there are varying decrees or levels of glory. 

It is important to understand that while reading these passages, “glory” is often given to a person as a reward…for his/her works.

Glory on Earth

In the following passages, the earth reflects a level of God’s glory:

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Matthew 4:8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Being human beings on this earth currently is, according to these passages, we are partaking of a level of God’s “glory.” 

Referring back to Chapter 11: The Plan of Salvation – the Pre-Mortal Life, the “Pre-mortal Existence” is where there was a war in heaven over the plan of salvation. 

Those who chose Lucifer’s plan were kicked out of the kingdom of God, and those who chose Christ’s plan were rewarded…were rewarded with the opportunity to come to the earth and receive a body of flesh and bone. 

In simpler terms, for choosing Christ’s plan, we are being rewarded with a level of Heavenly Father’s glory.

Christ’s Glory

As we continue in the scriptures there are more levels and degrees of glory.

For everything that Christ did for us, he was “rewarded” or  “crowned” with “glory.” Paul spoke of this in his letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 2:6,7

6. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him?  Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 

7. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 

Noting that there is a higher degree of “glory” than here on earth, the apostle Paul taught that Christ was “received up into glory” which was Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Continuing on the subject of Christ’s reward, Peter speaks of it as “the excellent glory.”

2 Peter 1:17

For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Different Degrees of Glory

Having Heavenly Father’s kingdom, where He resides, being the “excellent glory,” strongly infers that there may be other levels of glory that are not so “excellent.” Where a person who did not obey Heavenly Father’s will, will possibly go.

In speaking in terms of “man’s rewards” for following Heavenly Father’s commandments, receiving a certain level of “glory” is definitely one of the rewards.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withheld from them that walk uprightly.

In speaking of a righteous people, Jeremiah talked about those righteous people “changing their glory” because they changed the gods they believed in.

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

This passage of Jeremiah’s introduces the concept of different levels of “glory” that is man’s reward for our obedience here on earth. 

Paul follows with a passage that describes our bodies after the resurrection and the varying types of degrees of “glory” that our bodies will be.

1 Corinthians 15:40-43

40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestial is another.

41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 

42. So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

It is important to carefully read the entire 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians because it is all about the resurrection and what happens after this life. 

Resurrected Bodies and Glory

This concept of our resurrected bodies receiving a “glory” status is confirmed in Paul’s writings to the Philippians.

Philippians 3:20, 21

20. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Paul is specific when he tells how “our vile body” will “be fashioned” like Christ’s “glorious” body. 

From these passages it is evident that our bodies will have the form of one of several basic types of glory. 

1. The first being a Celestial body fashioned like Christ’s glorious body similar to the sun. 

2. Then a second type being a Terrestrial body with a glory similar to the moon. 

3. The third type being a Telestial body with the glory similar to the stars. 

Each differs in brightness and honor.

Resurrected Bodies and Glory

To continue on the subject of “glory” and our bodies, the teachings of Joseph Smith will be explained in detail with support from the Bible. 

The first is a celestial glory, like the sun. 

Question:  Could this glory be the “excellent glory” spoken of by Peter?

2 Peter 1:17

For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

From Glory to Glory

Other scriptures talking about the “glory” that man may receive are as follows.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Colossians 1:26-28

26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

What is Paul talking about?

Glory is not just a destination—it is central to eternal progression.

Crown of Glory

1 Peter 5:1

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

1 Peter 5:4

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

This reinforces that glory is a reward tied to faithfulness.

Joseph Smith’s Teachings on the Three Glories

Joseph Smith taught that there are three primary degrees of glory:

1. Celestial Glory (Sun)

• Highest glory

• Presence of the Father and the Son

• Likely corresponds to the “excellent glory”

2. Terrestrial Glory (Moon)

• Honorable people who were not fully faithful

• Receive the presence of Christ, but not the fullness of the Father

3. Telestial Glory (Stars)

• Those who rejected the gospel in mortality

• Receive a lesser glory after suffering and repentance

The second and third “glories,” the “terrestrial” and “telestial glories,” are compared to like the moon and the stars in brightness. 

They are definitely not as “glorious” as the “Celestial glory” or the “excellent glory”. 

They do qualify for what the prophet Jeremiah was speaking of when he talked about his people having “changed their glory for that which doth not profit.”

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Key Doctrine

Even the lowest glory is still a form of reward.

This is a crucial idea:

God rewards all people according to their works.

Christ Teaches Joseph Smith the Degrees of Glory

Joseph Smith’s teaching on the different degrees of glories were actual revelations from Jesus Christ that Joseph Smith received on February 16, 1832.

The first is a detailed explanation of who goes to the “excellent glory” or the Celestial Kingdom of God and what blessings they will receive for their works.

These revelations to Joseph Smith are found in the LDS book, The Doctrine and Covenants, Chapter 76, versus 50-70.

I will only quote a few of the versus. I recommend you look up this book and read this entire chapter 76.

The Celestial Glory

D&C 76:50-70

50. And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—

51. They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

62. These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. 

63. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.

64. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. 

70. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.

The Telestial Glory

The next portion of this vision was about the “glory of the terrestrial world” and those who go there and the blessing that they will receive for their obedience and works.

These are in Doctrine and Covenants 76:71-80. Again, I will only quote a few of the versus.

D&C 76:71-80

71. And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fullness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.

75. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.

76. These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fullness. 

77. These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father.

78. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.

79. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.

Notice verse 77. The good Christians that belief in Christ will get what they believe that they will get. They will receive the presence of the Son.

The Telestial Glory

The last portion of this vision is about the “glory of the stars” or the Telestial Kingdom.

These verses are found in the Doctrine and Covenants 76:81-113. I will only quote a few of them.

D&C 76:81-113

81. And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. 

82. There are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus.

84. These are they who are thrust down to hell.

85. These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work.

103. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.  

104. These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. 

Biblical Support for the Different Kingdoms of God.

The “celestial,” “terrestrial,” and “telestial glories” are the rewards for most of the children of God who have been born on this earth. 

When we receive one of these “glories,” we will then have a resurrected body that matches the “glory” for which we earned. 

Read the apostle Paul’s teachings on our resurrected bodies again:

1 Corinthians 15:40-43

40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestial is another. 

41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 

42. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

Final Judgment

The judgment of Christ is a simple doctrine in the Bible.

The first judgement is when Jesus Christ comes in all His glory. 

Many righteous people, who have died, will be raised on the morning of the first resurrection to live through the thousand-year period known as the millennium. 

The main judgment will take place at the end of the thousand-year millennium.

The following scriptures depict this final judgment not as a mean and cruel type of judgment where Christ cast all the wicked into hell.

In this final judgment, the actually location of hell…actually ends.

Rev 20:12,13

12. and I saw the dead, small and great, stand before god; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Notice here, that “hell delivered up the dead which were in them.”

Joseph Smith taught that “hell” ends here.

Christ Rewards All

This final judgment is a judgment of love and kindness where Christ will be handing out our “rewards” for the work that we did here on earth. 

John the Beloved spoke of Christ giving out rewards according to the work done by us.

These rewards are given to everyman, even the people who are sent to the “Spirit Prison” or “hell,”

Revelations 22:12

And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give everyman according as his work shall be.

Matthew also spoke of Christ giving out rewards according to our works.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Universal Acknowledgment of Christ

Question:  How, at the final judgment, can Christ give out rewards, when there were many wicked people who lived on the earth?

The answer is that all people who have lived on the earth will have received the gospel of Jesus Christ either here on earth or in the “spirit paradise” or “spirit prison,” and will have confessed that Jesus Christ is the Lord.

Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Telestial Kingdom as a Reward

Question:  How can the major sinners, whoremongers, murderers, liars and etc. be given a “reward” when they will be sent to the telestial kingdom where they will not have the presence of Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ?

The answer is that the “telestial kingdom” is a better place than earth is now. 

The “telestial kingdom” will be a place similar to the Garden of Eden where there is no sin. 

Then, if the major sinners receive a better place or kingdom than what we are experiencing now, it is a reward!

Key Question

The major question that we have to ask ourselves is:

Since, eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, do we want to wait until the “spirit prison” or the “spirit paradise” to accept this gospel, or do we want to do it now, while we have a chance to do many great works?

The way each one of us answers this question, will determine the “reward” or “glory” that we will receive.

Why Wait?

Why delay until:

• Spirit Prison

• After death

When you can act now?

The Central Question

What kind of glory do you want?

• Glory like the sun?

• Glory like the moon?

• Glory like the stars?

That decision is yours.

Joseph Smith’s Religious Training

It must be mentioned here that Joseph Smith did not get any formal religious training that prepared him for organizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this organization, Joseph Smith established these teachings in the first few years that it existed. 

Since that time in the 1830’s, these basic doctrines in this chapter have stood the test of time and have not changed. They are his “fruits!”

In teaching such controversial doctrine, a true prophet would have biblical support for the doctrine. 

The Biblical Support Chart

Is the following topic supported in the Bible? Yes or No

1. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching on the existence of multiple heavens? Yes

(Psm 33:6; 102:25; Heb 1:10; Psm 104:2; Isa 40:22; 55:9; Joel 2:30; 2 Cor 12:2)

2. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching on Paradise?  Yes

(Luke 23:42,43)

3. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching on the spirit prison? Yes

(1 Pet 3:18-20; 4:6; Isa 24:21-22)

4. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching on the location of Paradise and Prison being a separate location from the kingdom of God? Yes

(Luke 23:42,43; John 20:7; Luke 16:19-31)

5. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that Jesus Christ went to the Spirit World to preach the gospel? Yes

(John5:25,28,29; 1 Pet 3:18-20; 1 Pet 4:6)

6. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that all who are in the spirit world (paradise and prison) will be judged by Jesus Christ? Yes

(Rev 20:12,13; Rev 22:12; 1 Pet 1:17; Rom 14:10; Matt 16:27)

7. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that the people in the spirit world can accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive the ordinances required to enter into the kingdom of God? Yes

(John 5:25,28,29; John 3:5; Isa 42:6,7; Isa 61:1; Isa 49:6; 49:9,10; Zech 9:9,11; Heb 11:40; Mal 4:5,6; 1 Cor 15:29; Rom 14:9; 1 Cor 15:19)

8. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that there will be new heavens? Yes

(Isa 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1)

9. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that God deals in “glory” as to His kingdom and rewards? Yes

(Isa 6:3; Matt 4:8; Psm 8:4-8; Heb 2:6-10; Matt 6:13; 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:17)

10. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that we will receive a “glory” depending on our works here in this life? Yes

(Psm 62:7; 84:11; Prov 4:9; Jer 2:11; 1 Cor 15:40,41; Phil 3:20,21)

11. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching of the existence of a Celestial glory being the highest glory man can receive? Yes

(2 Pet 1:17; 2 Cor 3:7-11; 2 Cor 4:17; Col 1:26-28; 1 Pet 5:1; 5:4; 5:10; Jer 2:11)

12. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s teaching that Jesus Christ will be our judge? Yes

(Luke 12:4,5; Rev 20:12,13; Jer 9:24; Rev 22:12; Matt 16:27)

We have here in these two videos on the Post Mortal Life twelve teachings of Joseph Smith that are all supported in the Bible!

Final Thoughts

These two videos shed a lot of light on the following scriptures:

Matthew 10: 41

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

In Jesus Christ’s revelation to Joseph Smith, Christ revealed what the rewards are from following a prophet.

1. Receiving an “Excellent Glory” in the Celestial Kingdom

2. Living eternity in the presence of our Heavenly Father

3. Living eternity in the presence of His son Jesus Christ!

Christ’s rewards for following a righteous man are:

1. Receiving a glory equal to the moon in the Terrestrial Kingdom

2. Living eternity in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Warning and Discernment

Again, from Christ’s own warning about false prophets:

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

The Plan of Salvation that Joseph Smith has revealed is sweet fruit!

Only a true prophet of God could have put together this true path to the Celestial Kingdom.

Galatians 1:8

8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Joseph Smith is definitely not cursed in preaching a Plan of Salvation that is actually the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, fully supported by Christ’s and His apostles teachings.

Having gone through the Plan of Salvation the following diagram shows the entire plan of salvation. 

The map now includes the addition of the Spirit World where Paradise and the Spirit Prison is located.  It then depicts the final resurrection and judgment day where all men and women will be judged according to their faith and works during mortality.

Closing Transition

In the next chapter, Chapter 13a The Plan of Salvation – Mortal Life, we will learn the purpose of this mortal life. 

A very beautiful passage will be introduced that explains the “purpose of God.”  The reality of that passage is staggering! 

To be able to know why God exists and what He does—is very humbling in one way but very exhilarating in another way!

Having just learned that we will receive a “glory” according to our faith and works on this earth, we will learn that if we just do the requirements in the next chapter, we will be able to receive the “excellent glory” which will give us the opportunity to live in that “excellent glory” with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our earthly family who, hopefully, we have grown to know and love.
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[1] Webster’s New World Compact School and Office Dictionary, Cleveland & New York, 1988, page 184.