What's This Stuff About Getting My Own Planet?

[Stargazer]

What else are you going to do for the next gazillion years? I don't think having one's own planet is going to be everyone's cup of tea, and ultimately there may be only a small fraction of mankind who ever become capable of such a thing, but on the other hand somebody has to occupy the estimated 40 billion planets out there that have suns and are thus capable of supporting life. (The "40 billion" number I got from a popular science magazine.)

 

I thought this was an amusing response, but my isn't this looking at what you know about the world and what you know about this universe and yourself and selling yourself and the Father's desires for you very very short?  

 

Here's the thing, and this is to the OP poster as well, what part of Romans 8:17 don't you get?

 

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

If you receive exaltation, you will be an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ!  This is not a planet-sized inheritance!  This isn't even a Universe-sized inheritance!  If we will be glorified with Christ, do you think this is a mere planet?  What, Jesus gets a planet, and so do you?  That's just plain nuts.

 

Seeing through a glass, darkly, myself, I do conceive that there is more behind the mind-blowing concept of Rom. 8:17.  You look at Hubble Space Telescope images containing literally trillions of galaxies, and you look at only part of Father's creations.  We can't number His creations, because we can't see them all.

 

If you stop straining at gnats and swallowing camels you will see that your mind can only begin to conceive what Father has in store for you, if you are willing to receive it.

 

1 John 3:2 - 

 

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

If you can get your head out of your ignorance, stop staring at the ground in front of your feet as if it were all there is to see, and start looking beyond your own mind, then through the Spirit you just might begin to comprehend that there are depths to yourself and the Universe that you do not (and perhaps cannot at this time) comprehend -- but understand that they are there.  Seek for an understanding of your potential, and for all that God has planned for you, if you will but look UP.

 

DC 121:33 -

 

33 How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.

 

But if you remain willfully ignorant, then instead of receiving this knowledge, you will instead be found holding up an open umbrella and rejecting what is available to you.

[mormonnewb]

I find it interesting that non-LDS Christians believe God created this planet, was born a helpless baby on this planet, grew to manhood on this planet, died on this planet, was raised from the dead on this planet, and will one day reign personally as king of this planet -- yet for some reason they seem to find it goofy to believe other planets will be populated and ruled over by heavenly beings who are joint heirs with Christ, crowned as kings, and seated with Him on thrones of eternal power.

I can't disagree with your logic (I don't even want to try). However, your statement is a far cry from the website statement, which basically says, "Do we get our own planets? Beats me!" Why can't the church be as "loud and proud" as you are?

Are we concerned that the other Christians will make fun of us? Because, if so, I'll let you in on a little secret -- they already do. Not as much as we think they do, but I doubt very seriously that the few anti-Mormons are won over by our moderation in regards to exaltation. And the vast majority of the Christians are more focused on more meaty issues like, "Can you guys have caffeine or not?"

[Tacenda]

I can't disagree with your logic (I don't even want to try). However, your statement is a far cry from the website statement, which basically says, "Do we get our own planets? Beats me!" Why can't the church be as "loud and proud" as you are?

Are we concerned that the other Christians will make fun of us? Because, if so, I'll let you in on a little secret -- they already do. Not as much as we think they do, but I doubt very seriously that the few anti-Mormons are won over by our moderation in regards to exaltation. And the vast majority of the Christians are more focused on more meaty issues like, "Can you guys have caffeine or not?"

I wonder if we are the absolute only religion that thinks they will have their own planet/galaxy. Maybe there are several religions/faiths that can progress. Let the mind comprehend that. Would one only be allowed Godhood as a member of our church or can other faiths obtain it, like the Catholics that believe in a true church and a PH? Now try getting your head around that. Is that a possibility, could there be other vehicles? ETA: sorry Mormonnewb, I think I meant to quote Stargazer. Edited December 16, 2013 by Tacenda

[thesometimesaint]

I wonder if we are the absolute only religion that thinks they will have their own planet/galaxy. Maybe there are several religions/faiths that can progress. Let the mind comprehend that. Would one only be allowed Godhood as a member of our church or can other faiths obtain it, like the Catholics that believe in a true church and a PH? Now try getting your head around that. Is that a possibility, could there be other vehicles? ETA: sorry Mormonnewb, I think I meant to quote Stargazer.

 

You are thinking way too small. We will become joint heirs of God. We will sit on his throne and be crowned with a crown of Glory and Righteousness. We will have everything God has. We will be like God, a God in our own right, but always a servant of God.

 

No there is no other vehicle. No other earthly religion has what we offer. Not Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, what have you. We are it. The only ones whom will become Gods are Mormons. We freely offer that opportunity to all; to come unto Christ; to be like him. NO ONE will be denied that opportunity. Unfortunately not everyone, including some Mormons, will accept the opportunity. 

Edited December 16, 2013 by thesometimesaint

[Bernard Gui]

If it involves getting to play in God's workshop, count me in.

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1312/p1769716276metsavainio.jpg

"Man is the child of God, formed in the divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God."

Joseph F. Smith

John R. Winder

Anthon H. Lund

First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

November 1909

[Bernard Gui]

You are thinking way too small. We will become joint heirs of God. We will sit on his throne and be crowned with a crown of Glory and Righteousness. We will have everything God has. We will be like God, a God in our own right, but always a servant of God.

 

No there is no other vehicle. No other earthly religion has what we offer. Not Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, what have you. We are it. The only ones whom will become Gods are Mormons. We freely offer that opportunity to all; to come unto Christ; to be like him. NO ONE will be denied that opportunity. Unfortunately not everyone, including some Mormons, will accept the opportunity.

What you said.

[Scott Lloyd]

Upon hearing about my conversion to Mormonism, a Protestant friend skeptically asked me, "So have you picked out your own planet yet?" I jokingly told him that my planet was being custom-built on a lot in the Delta Quadrant but I was still waiting for a couple of inspector approvals before it could be completed.

When he pressed me to explain about exaltation, I had to admit that I really knew very little about it. In fact, what little I know about it, I've learned on the Bloggernacle. It certainly isn't something that I've heard an apostle speak about in GC over the last three years.

Is exaltation still an important part of our theology? If so, is it only taught in seminary or primary or the days I miss Sunday school? It seems that I've missed a major part of the Gospel. Have I not been paying attention or does this fall in the "milk before meat category"? And if the latter, who do I show that my back molars have come in and that I'm ready for solid food?

To me, exaltation entails becoming one with Christ and His other faithful disciples as He is one with the Father. This is taught in the Bible (John 17) and is sustained in the Book of Mormon.

 

The "get-your-own-planet" thing is supposition and conjecture that has persisted among some people over the years and is a thing that anti-Mormons delight to pick up on and ridicule.

 

I do know that the faithful are promised that they will inherit thrones and dominions and receive endless posterity, but I don't see that as meaning that we will ever function apart from and in an autonomous way from God, our Eternal Father. That's not the way Jesus Christ functions, and He is our model. Again, we become one with Christ as He is one with the Father. If we remain faithful, we become joint-heirs with Christ of all the Father has, just as Paul taught.

Edited December 16, 2013 by Scott Lloyd

[Storm Rider]

I wonder if we are the absolute only religion that thinks they will have their own planet/galaxy. Maybe there are several religions/faiths that can progress. Let the mind comprehend that. Would one only be allowed Godhood as a member of our church or can other faiths obtain it, like the Catholics that believe in a true church and a PH? Now try getting your head around that. Is that a possibility, could there be other vehicles? ETA: sorry Mormonnewb, I think I meant to quote Stargazer.

 

The Church teaches that all, i.e. members of all faiths, will be able to achieve Exaltation. Remember that the purpose of the temple is to ensure that all of God's children have the opportunity to enter his presence. Further, it is the atonement of Christ that makes this all possible for us as well as for all others.  The issue is how well do we live the truths that we have been given. 

 

The teachings on Theosis by the Orthodox Church have some wonderful ways of describing what it means to be one with Christ. Divinization as taught by the Catholic Church also has a great deal of truth to be learned. 

[teddyaware]

Agreed. Like I said in my first post in this thread, that deification is so central to the Bible's (especially the New Testament's) message that its rejection amounts to a rejection of many portions of the Bible itself, Christ's divinity, atoning sacrifice, and the nature of the Father.

Yes, the New Testament is just filled with the doctrine of deification. The fact that so many non-LDS don't see what's plainly revealed there shows the text of the Bible alone isn't enough to correctly interpret the text. Living prophets, modern scripture, continuous revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost are the keys of knowledge that make the obvious New Testament doctrine of deification much more obvious. 

[teddyaware]

I can't disagree with your logic (I don't even want to try). However, your statement is a far cry from the website statement, which basically says, "Do we get our own planets? Beats me!" Why can't the church be as "loud and proud" as you are?

Are we concerned that the other Christians will make fun of us? Because, if so, I'll let you in on a little secret -- they already do. Not as much as we think they do, but I doubt very seriously that the few anti-Mormons are won over by our moderation in regards to exaltation. And the vast majority of the Christians are more focused on more meaty issues like, "Can you guys have caffeine or not?"

 

I don't thinks it's necessary to talk about men and women becoming gods and goddesses all the time. Everybody knows it anyway, and we're having enough difficulty learning to live the gospel basics without speculating on what it's going to be like to be like God. After all, by merely discussing what the scriptures and the prophets have to say about the Father and the Son we learn much of what God is like and what it's like to be like God.

[Stone holm]

I don't thinks it's necessary to talk about men and women becoming gods and goddesses all the time. Everybody knows it anyway, and we're having enough difficulty learning to live the gospel basics without speculating on what it's going to be like to be like God. After all, by merely discussing what the scriptures and the prophets have to say about the Father and the Son we learn much of what God is like and what it's like to be like God.

You might be surprised then by what people don't know, and apparently are less likely to know if the Church keeps posting partial truth news releases like that.

[mormonnewb]

I don't thinks it's necessary to talk about men and women becoming gods and goddesses all the time. Everybody knows it anyway, and we're having enough difficulty learning to live the gospel basics without speculating on what it's going to be like to be like God. After all, by merely discussing what the scriptures and the prophets have to say about the Father and the Son we learn much of what God is like and what it's like to be like God.

I wish it were true, but EVERYBODY doesn't already know it. I only heard about it after spending HUNDREDS of hours listening to podcasts and reading boards like this one. In fact, my first introduction to the topic was on an anti-Mormon site. Milk before meat is plausible but not milk INSTEAD of meat. And, by the way, given the varied interpretations of exaltation on this thread, perhaps I'm not the only one who could use a refresher course.

As I see it, the concept of eternal progression is one of the big "selling points" of Mormonism. The view of a Heavenly Father who wants His children to reach their maximum potential is imminently logical and heart warming. I think even more so than "families can be together forever." After all, we live in a society where half of all marriages end in failure; and the other half end in divorce. For most of our neighbors, eternal marriage seems like more of a threat. Yet, we have no problem with telling anyone who will listen about it. Yet, when it comes time to explain the over-arching principle of progression, we get shy?

[thesometimesaint]

The Church teaches that all, i.e. members of all faiths, will be able to achieve Exaltation. Remember that the purpose of the temple is to ensure that all of God's children have the opportunity to enter his presence. Further, it is the atonement of Christ that makes this all possible for us as well as for all others.  The issue is how well do we live the truths that we have been given. 

 

The teachings on Theosis by the Orthodox Church have some wonderful ways of describing what it means to be one with Christ. Divinization as taught by the Catholic Church also has a great deal of truth to be learned. 

 

There are good people in every religion. However if they do not accept LDS baptism, and all other ordinances, including those of the Temple. They must do so in this life or before The Judgement in the next. They can not be exalted. The Lord takes EVERYTHING into account including what we have done with what knowledge we have. No one will be excluded for not hearing and fulling understanding the Restored Gospel. But accept it you/they must.

[Stone holm]

I wish it were true, but EVERYBODY doesn't already know it. I only heard about it after spending HUNDREDS of hours listening to podcasts and reading boards like this one. In fact, my first introduction to the topic was on an anti-Mormon site. Milk before meat is plausible but not milk INSTEAD of meat. And, by the way, given the varied interpretations of exaltation on this thread, perhaps I'm not the only one who could use a refresher course.

As I see it, the concept of eternal progression is one of the big "selling points" of Mormonism. The view of a Heavenly Father who wants His children to reach their maximum potential is imminently logical and heart warming. I think even more so than "families can be together forever." After all, we live in a society where half of all marriages end in failure; and the other half end in divorce. For most of our neighbors, eternal marriage seems like more of a threat. Yet, we have no problem with telling anyone who will listen about it. Yet, when it comes time to explain the over-arching principle of progression, we get shy?

We have become more shy about it since we started to try and convince the Evangelicals that we are Christian, like Pres Hinckley said we are just like you but have more reading material. Not sure why we feel compelled to look like we believe the same as mainline Chritianity when people are fleeing it in droves, but that is above my spiritual pay grade .

[thesometimesaint]

We have become more shy about it since we started to try and convince the Evangelicals that we are Christian, like Pres Hinckley said we are just like you but have more reading material. Not sure why we feel compelled to look like we believe the same as mainline Chritianity when people are fleeing it in droves, but that is above my spiritual pay grade .

 

The argument is that only certain Evangelicals get to decide who is Christian and who is not. SEE the story(joke) about the man about to jump off of a bridge.

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!" Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

[cinepro]

Is exaltation still an important part of our theology? If so, is it only taught in seminary or primary or the days I miss Sunday school? It seems that I've missed a major part of the Gospel. Have I not been paying attention or does this fall in the "milk before meat category"? And if the latter, who do I show that my back molars have come in and that I'm ready for solid food?

D&C 84:

36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

The Father hath planets populated with His spirit children.

You do the math.

[mormonnewb]

The argument is that only certain Evangelicals get to decide who is Christian and who is not. SEE the story(joke) about the man about to jump off of a bridge.

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!" Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

I LOVE that joke! One truth to be taken from it is that many so-called Christians can't accept ANY deviation from their beliefs. Given that, why are we even trying to get them to see us as one of them? This is particularly curious considering that we also don't consider them as part of the family of Christ either (according to a few posts on this thread, they seem to be more like third cousins ... twice removed.

That being said, I want to thank you all for entertaining my query. I learned that exaltation is like just about every other aspect of our theology -- subject to varying interpretations and rife for hours of endless debate ... just like I like it

[thesometimesaint]

They can call a petunia an onion for all that it really matters. But petunia might object.

[pmccombs1]

You are thinking way too small. We will become joint heirs of God. We will sit on his throne and be crowned with a crown of Glory and Righteousness. We will have everything God has. We will be like God, a God in our own right, but always a servant of God.

 

No there is no other vehicle. No other earthly religion has what we offer. Not Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, what have you. We are it. The only ones whom will become Gods are Mormons. We freely offer that opportunity to all; to come unto Christ; to be like him. NO ONE will be denied that opportunity. Unfortunately not everyone, including some Mormons, will accept the opportunity. 

 

Yes, only the Mormons have it, unless you consider the New Age hippies with all of their talk about transcending consciousness to become God, or maybe the Hindus who believe that one can overcome the cycle of samsara and become Brahma, or perhaps the Roman Catholic religion with its divine and mystical union with God in which we can "[appear] to be God Himself, and have all that God Himself has..." (John of the Cross), or the theosis of the Eastern Orthodox....

 

It seems that we are not unique in the idea of becoming God after all.  I think what sets Mormons apart from most other religions is the question of ousia.  What will our nature be when we finally become God? Mormonism says it's a lot like now, only much better.  Other religions say it's nothing at all the same.  On one extreme, there is the Buddhist idea that achieving "godhood" entails a complete loss of the self. On the other extreme is the Mormon idea where achieving godhood is a perfect continuation of the self.  I think you will find that notions of ousia among, say, the Catholics, are not so close to the Buddhist annihilation of the self that you may think.

 

So there are plenty of vehicles for becoming God or gods, depending on what tickles your fancy. Not everyone in this world is particularly thrilled by the Mormon view of exaltation.

Edited December 16, 2013 by pmccombs1

[thesometimesaint]

I've never maintained that Catholics and Hindu's are the same. IIRC Catholics don't believe they will pass through multiple incarnations as different animals until they reach the state of Brahman. Now whether or not any particular religion is ultimately correct is a matter of religion. As I tell my atheist friends if they are correct. None of us will know it after we die.

[Calm]

I wish it were true, but EVERYBODY doesn't already know it. I only heard about it after spending HUNDREDS of hours listening to podcasts and reading boards like this one. In fact, my first introduction to the topic was on an anti-Mormon site. Milk before meat is plausible but not milk INSTEAD of meat. And, by the way, given the varied interpretations of exaltation on this thread, perhaps I'm not the only one who could use a refresher course.

As I see it, the concept of eternal progression is one of the big "selling points" of Mormonism. The view of a Heavenly Father who wants His children to reach their maximum potential is imminently logical and heart warming. I think even more so than "families can be together forever." After all, we live in a society where half of all marriages end in failure; and the other half end in divorce. For most of our neighbors, eternal marriage seems like more of a threat. Yet, we have no problem with telling anyone who will listen about it. Yet, when it comes time to explain the over-arching principle of progression, we get shy?

The second missionary lesson teaches the principle of exaltation and states that we will live the life that Heavenly Father lives. It also mentions "eternal progression" though perhaps this may be missed if the person isn't getting all the details.

In what way do you think that lesson can be improved?

http://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/what-do-i-study-and-teach/lesson-2-the-plan-of-salvation?lang=eng

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Only one planet? I heard it was at least a galaxy or maybe even a universe.

[Stone holm]

Only one planet? I heard it was at least a galaxy or maybe even a universe.

 

Yeah my wife and I got in a debate yesterday after Church about whether Our Heavenly Father created the universe, or whether His Creations "worlds without end" are contained within this universe.  That appears to depend upon where Kolob is.  So "only one planet", maybe a universe.  I tend to believe that Kolob is within this Universe and therefore Heavenly Father's worlds without end are in the same universe as His siblings and His parents, ad infinitum.  Oh how I love angels dancing on pinheads!

[bdouglas]

 

I thought this was an amusing response, but my isn't this looking at what you know about the world and what you know about this universe and yourself and selling yourself and the Father's desires for you very very short?  

 

Here's the thing, and this is to the OP poster as well, what part of Romans 8:17 don't you get?

 

 

If you receive exaltation, you will be an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ!  This is not a planet-sized inheritance!  This isn't even a Universe-sized inheritance!  If we will be glorified with Christ, do you think this is a mere planet?  What, Jesus gets a planet, and so do you?  That's just plain nuts.

 

Seeing through a glass, darkly, myself, I do conceive that there is more behind the mind-blowing concept of Rom. 8:17.  You look at Hubble Space Telescope images containing literally trillions of galaxies, and you look at only part of Father's creations.  We can't number His creations, because we can't see them all.

 

If you stop straining at gnats and swallowing camels you will see that your mind can only begin to conceive what Father has in store for you, if you are willing to receive it.

 

1 John 3:2 - 

 

 

If you can get your head out of your ignorance, stop staring at the ground in front of your feet as if it were all there is to see, and start looking beyond your own mind, then through the Spirit you just might begin to comprehend that there are depths to yourself and the Universe that you do not (and perhaps cannot at this time) comprehend -- but understand that they are there.  Seek for an understanding of your potential, and for all that God has planned for you, if you will but look UP.

 

DC 121:33 -

 

But if you remain willfully ignorant, then instead of receiving this knowledge, you will instead be found holding up an open umbrella and rejecting what is available to you.

 

I like your thinking!

[Stone holm]

Where in that verse does it say we get our own planet?  Saying that you'll be a god doesn't necessarily equate to getting a planet.

 

Umh, what is it that a god does?  Saying some is going to become a god, but not organize planets and produce spirit children is sort of like saying someone is a plumber when all they do all day is sing in a choir.  What does Heavenly Father do?  He brings to pass the eternal life of men.  How does He do it, He creates worlds and populates them with His spirit children.  We will be doing the same.  Somebody ought to put this to the song "What does the fox say"  -- Kind of "What does the god do"