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What Are The Requirements For Exaltation?


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Posted

Can everyone list what's required to achieve exaltation or a fullness of joy?

If you are referring to the highest degree of glory within the celestial kingdom it means that one must be obedient to all the laws and ordinances of the gospel which include temple marriage.

Posted

Exaltation involves perfecting our character so that we become like our Father in heaven, and that involves doing what he would do, including thinking what he would think, in a situation. So that's what all of the "commandments" and other "requirements" are all about, and when we can do everything he can do we can say that we made it, so at that point we will just need to keep doing what he would do to remain exalted.

And you or anyone else can start at any point on the path to perfection when you can find any good thing to do. Just focus on what the path of perfection will lead to.

Posted

Can everyone list what's required to achieve exaltation or a fullness of joy?

 

Well, since exaltation is to be crowned with glory and to sit upon a throne, (or in other words to live as God lives and live where God lives) true exaltation would require preparing as much as we can in this life to be ready for that.  It is impossible to be completely ready, but every effort must be made I would think.

 

And of course receiving ALL the ordinances and staying faithful are required.  But I think the mindset are almost more important because as the prophets have said, if we die without an ordinance we are worthy of we will still receive it at some point and will not lose any blessing.  However, if we have all the ordinances but do nothing about becoming like God the ordinanances might not get us where we want to go.

Posted

Exaltation involves perfecting our character so that we become like our Father in heaven, and that involves doing what he would do, including thinking what he would think, in a situation. So that's what all of the "commandments" and other "requirements" are all about, and when we can do everything he can do we can say that we made it, so at that point we will just need to keep doing what he would do to remain exalted.

And you or anyone else can start at any point on the path to perfection when you can find any good thing to do. Just focus on what the path of perfection will lead to.

 

Have to watch it there I think. Jesus said to the rich kid to "give everything". Also, he led a perfect life, and spent that time doing nothing but the work.

 

If that is the true measuring stick, who can really make it?

Posted (edited)

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

― Joseph Smith Jr.

 

Yeah, um, that whole "keeping all the commandments" thing, that's gonna take a lot of practice (probably much of an Eternity's worth)! :D  (But there you have it ...)

Edited by Kenngo1969
Posted

I dunno if I can achieve it.

 

Why not?  All you have to do is your absolute best and Christ will make up the rest:

  We can alter the phraseology of the sentence, and say, “Be ye as perfect as ye can,” for that is all we can do, though it is written, be ye perfect as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. To be as perfect as we possibly can, according to our knowledge, is to be just as perfect as our Father in heaven is. He cannot be any more perfect than He knows how, any more than we. When we are doing as well as we know how in the sphere and station which we occupy here, we are justified in the justice, righteousness, mercy, and judgment that go before the Lord of heaven and earth.  - Brigham Young JOD 2:129-130

Posted

Only one person but through Him we all can.

 

 

I want to point out something here. Did you all notice that at first, the reaction was that the requirement is that we "obey the commandments" right?

 

But then someone has to ask about not being perfect before we mention the Atonement.

 

Shouldn't we really answer this question with the Atonement first in mind? Because really, we know we are not reaching perfection in this life. And by mentioning the Atonement first  and obedience next, will that really diminish the idea that we should obey the commandment less?

Posted (edited)

Can everyone list what's required to achieve exaltation or a fullness of joy?

I don't know if "everyone" can, but the Church can:

 

To be exalted, we first must place our faith in Jesus Christ and then endure in that faith to the end of our lives. Our faith in Him must be such that we repent of our sins and obey His commandments.

He commands us all to receive certain ordinances:

1. We must be baptized.

2. We must receive the laying on of hands to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

3. Brethren must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and magnify their callings in the priesthood.

4. We must receive the temple endowment.

5. We must be married for eternity, either in this life or in the next.

In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to:

1. Love God and our neighbors.

2. Keep the commandments.

3. Repent of our wrongdoings.

4. Search out our kindred dead and receive the saving ordinances of the gospel for them.

5. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.

6. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord.

7. Have family and individual prayers every day.

8. Teach the gospel to others by word and example.

9. Study the scriptures.

10. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord.

Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow His direction in our individual lives.

I'd sure like to know when the Second Anointing became ordinance non grata. :unknw:

Edited by cinepro
Posted

I want to point out something here. Did you all notice that at first, the reaction was that the requirement is that we "obey the commandments" right?

 

But then someone has to ask about not being perfect before we mention the Atonement.

 

Shouldn't we really answer this question with the Atonement first in mind? Because really, we know we are not reaching perfection in this life. And by mentioning the Atonement first  and obedience next, will that really diminish the idea that we should obey the commandment less?

 

I disagree. I think the Law is the best starting point. Until you realize how impossible it is to keep the Law the Atonement just doesn't make a lot of sense. Once you've tried and failed the Atonement becomes a vital lifeline. I find that starting with the atonement often turns into sappy sentimentality.

 

When Paul said the Law was a schoolmaster to lead people to Christ I don't think he meant just the fulfilled Law of Moses but the Laws that continued.

Posted

Can everyone list what's required to achieve exaltation or a fullness of joy?

God's judgement that you have been a good and faithful servant, and have done your absolute best.

 

You will see lots of lists of rules here, but don't get hung up on them.  God loves you and wants you to be there with him.

 

Yes you should try your hardest to do "everything on the list" but it is the trying that counts.  God is not a bean counter.

Posted

I'd sure like to know when the Second Anointing became ordinance non grata. :unknw:

Doing so assures you won't need to worry about it.  It's kind of a catch 22.

Posted

Thank you mfbukowski, I loved your part about how God loves you and wants you to be there with him.

It's true.

 

Do your very best and the atonement does the rest.  That's all a just God can require- your full devotion.

Posted

I think Christ cover the gaps but he also helps us to do our best. I don't think anyone ever does their best all the time and besides if we did then why need Christ?

Posted

I don't know if "everyone" can, but the Church can:

 

I'd sure like to know when the Second Anointing became ordinance non grata. :unknw:

 

About 1930...just ask George F. Richards.

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