What Happens After We Die?

[followerofemmanuel]

I was curious to know, from an LDS understanding/teaching, what happens when we die?  I have read of different levels of heaven(?).  What are the criteria for each level.  Where would someone like me end up?  I am a Christ follower who is not from the LDS tradition.  What is my standing before God? Where does baptism for the dead come in?  Is that for LDS family members only, or for all people. 
 

I have no desire to debate perspectives.  I am here to learn and seek understanding.  This is something I have been wondering about.  Maybe others think about this too?  Do you ever worry about standing before God in judgement?  Do you ever wonder if your understanding of God and truth could be wrong?

 

Perhaps this was discussed somewhere else.  If so, feel free to direct message me or post the link.

[Kenngo1969]

For clues on the LDS understanding of the afterlife, see Doctrine & Covenants Sections 76 and 138, respectively.  I often wonder about my own standing before God, as I think He expects quite a bit of me and I do wonder how well I deliver.  But all we can do is the best we can do at any given moment, trusting in the Grace of Christ to make us whole in God's eyes, whatever our imperfections may be.

[followerofemmanuel]

For clues on the LDS understanding of the afterlife, see Doctrine & Covenants Sections 76 and 138, respectively.  I often wonder about my own standing before God, as I think He expects quite a bit of me and I do wonder how well I deliver.  But all we can do is the best we can do at any given moment, trusting in the Grace of Christ to make us whole in God's eyes, whatever our imperfections may be.

Thanks Kenngo.  I don't have that book.  I have only the bible and BoM

[strappinglad]

try this. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng

Hit the sections button and go to where Kenngo69 said

Edited May 19, 2014 by strappinglad

[followerofemmanuel]

try this. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng

Hit the sections button and go to where Kenngo69 said

Thanks...I will look them up.

[Kenngo1969]

Thanks Kenngo.  I don't have that book.  I have only the bible and BoM

 

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/76?lang=eng

 

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/138?lang=eng

[JAHS]

I was curious to know, from an LDS understanding/teaching, what happens when we die?  I have read of different levels of heaven(?).  What are the criteria for each level.  Where would someone like me end up?  I am a Christ follower who is not from the LDS tradition.  What is my standing before God? Where does baptism for the dead come in?  Is that for LDS family members only, or for all people. 

 

I have no desire to debate perspectives.  I am here to learn and seek understanding.  This is something I have been wondering about.  Maybe others think about this too?  Do you ever worry about standing before God in judgement?  Do you ever wonder if your understanding of God and truth could be wrong?

 

Perhaps this was discussed somewhere else.  If so, feel free to direct message me or post the link.

In the final heavens following the resurrection and final judgment there are three kingdoms; Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. Those who are faithful members of the LDS Church hope to obtain exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom where God dwells. Most other good people of the world of other religions or no religion might end up in the Terrestrial kingdom; including some members of the Mormon faith who are not so faithful. The more evil and wicked people of the world would end up in the Telestial kingdom.

Everyone on this earth has the potential to obtain the Celestial kingdom regardless of their beliefs now. After death the spirits of those who never had the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel will get that chance in the spirit world after death and by accepting it there can still obtain the Celestial kingdom through baptism of the dead, a temple ordinance that is available for all people and not just mormon family members.

[Calm]

For the basic version read the last sections of the Gospel Principal manual, online at lds.org (go to resources, then manuals, then Sunday School manuals and go down until you find it...or wait until I or someone else gets around to posting it).

Add-on:

https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng

Specifically check out chapter 41 and the last two, but 40 and up all deal with what is to come.

Edited May 19, 2014 by calmoriah

[followerofemmanuel]

For the basic version read the last sections of the Gospel Principal manual, online at lds.org (go to resources, then manuals, then Sunday School manuals and go down until you find it...or wait until I or someone else gets around to posting it).

Add-on:

https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng

Specifically check out chapter 41 and the last two, but 40 and up all deal with what is to come.

Thanks Calmoriah.  Wow, this website has so much information.  Very helpful, thank you

[Kevin Christensen]

Also things like this:

http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1382&index=2

FWIW

Kevin Christensen

Pittsburgh, PA

[followerofemmanuel]

Also things like this:

http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1382&index=2

FWIW

Kevin Christensen

Pittsburgh, PA

Thank you Kevin  I will check it out.  I have also just started reading another thread that seems relevant to my question (I had not realized this when I posted) .."we will go where we will feel most comfortable".  Helpful thoughts there too.

[CV75]

I was curious to know, from an LDS understanding/teaching, what happens when we die?  I have read of different levels of heaven(?).  What are the criteria for each level.  Where would someone like me end up?  I am a Christ follower who is not from the LDS tradition.  What is my standing before God? Where does baptism for the dead come in?  Is that for LDS family members only, or for all people. 

 

I have no desire to debate perspectives.  I am here to learn and seek understanding.  This is something I have been wondering about.  Maybe others think about this too?  Do you ever worry about standing before God in judgement?  Do you ever wonder if your understanding of God and truth could be wrong?

 

Perhaps this was discussed somewhere else.  If so, feel free to direct message me or post the link.

Call the missionaries-they can help!

[Kenngo1969]

Call the missionaries-they can help!

UR Devious!

[CV75]

UR Devious!

he-he

[followerofemmanuel]

Call the missionaries-they can help!

 

Would it be considered weird if I asked if there are older missionaries avail to talk to?  Can you just talk and ask questions or do you have to do a set study?

[followerofemmanuel]

UR Devious!

I'm not sure how to interpret your post.  Did I ask a question that I should not have brought up here?

[Kenngo1969]

I'm not sure how to interpret your post.  Did I ask a question that I should not have brought up here?

No.  There's nothing wrong with your question.  Just my warped sense of humor.  Pay me no mind.

[Kenngo1969]

Would it be considered weird if I asked if there are older missionaries avail to talk to?  Can you just talk and ask questions or do you have to do a set study?

Usually, missionaries are assigned a set geographical area; but I don't know that there's necessarily any problem with your requesting to speak with senior missionaries.  As far as a set study is concerned, if you were to make it clear that you simply wish to have answers to your questions, I'm fairly certain that they would accommodate you in that regard, as well.

[cdowis]

You can go to mormon.org and do a live chat, where they can answer your questions, and set up additional discussions with the missionaries.

[followerofemmanuel]

You can go to mormon.org and do a live chat, where they can answer your questions, and set up additional discussions with the missionaries.

Thank you.  I will check it out.

[Storm Rider]

I was curious to know, from an LDS understanding/teaching, what happens when we die?  I have read of different levels of heaven(?).  What are the criteria for each level.  Where would someone like me end up?  I am a Christ follower who is not from the LDS tradition.  What is my standing before God? Where does baptism for the dead come in?  Is that for LDS family members only, or for all people. 

 

I have no desire to debate perspectives.  I am here to learn and seek understanding.  This is something I have been wondering about.  Maybe others think about this too?  Do you ever worry about standing before God in judgement?  Do you ever wonder if your understanding of God and truth could be wrong?

 

Perhaps this was discussed somewhere else.  If so, feel free to direct message me or post the link.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that there are specific ordinances or rites that are required for Exaltation.  A fundamental assumption and teaching is that God is infinitely merciful toward each of his children. This mortal life is a proving ground of sorts to determine which way we will lean as individuals; will we follow the promptings of the Spirit, learning eternal truths, and abiding in that light of truth or will we discard the truths we learn in favor of the satisfaction of the self, our carnal desires and unbridled passions.  

 

The role of baptism for the dead and all vicarious ordinances done in the Church's temples is to ensure that every individual that has ever lived will have the opportunity to receive all of the ordinances required fro Exaltation. 

 

What would be your relationship with God in the eyes of the Church as one who has accepted Jesus Christ and seeks to follow him? The blessings of the Atonement would be fully active in your life. You will be judged as we are all judged i.e. by the truths we learned and lived. 

 

I make the assumption that I am like everyone else i.e. that I am not unique and I experience the same feelings that others do. I don't think I worry about if my understanding of God is incorrect; my thoughts run more in the vein of seeking to know God more fully. I acknowledge that I have a single Master and though I stand before him broken, he makes me whole. I stand before him the quintessential man with all foibles, weaknesses, and shortcomings and I will be perfected through the Savior.

 

I believe that the Celestial Kingdom will be found to be filled with those of various religions or churches. I believe this because I believe that we are judged on the truth we know, that all ordinances will be completed for all, and that God is merciful.  In saying this there is also a consideration that where much if given much is required. If we learn truths and reject them we will remain culpable for our disobedience.  

 

When I served as a missionary in southern France I had the occasion to meet with an incredible man and his wife.  They were tailors; obviously diligent in their work and their life. Both had been in concentration camps during WWII. They were no longer practicing Jews.  Our second to the last meeting with them was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of my mission. This was a man that in so many ways was full of pain and had lost hope.  I know that he felt the Spirit; a strong witness that Jesus was the Christ.  When I returned to talk with him he requested that we not meet again. For whatever reason he could not bring himself to have hope.  It was a terribly sad time for both of us.   

 

This man knew; he had received a spiritual witness of certain truths, but could not follow or embrace that which he had learned at that point in his life.  Who knows what happened afterward. Just as he is/was liable for those truths learned we are each liable for the truths we learn.  More importantly, do we seek after truths; do we hunger for righteousness and holiness?  

[followerofemmanuel]

The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that there are specific ordinances or rites that are required for Exaltation.  A fundamental assumption and teaching is that God is infinitely merciful toward each of his children. This mortal life is a proving ground of sorts to determine which way we will lean as individuals; will we follow the promptings of the Spirit, learning eternal truths, and abiding in that light of truth or will we discard the truths we learn in favor of the satisfaction of the self, our carnal desires and unbridled passions.  

 

The role of baptism for the dead and all vicarious ordinances done in the Church's temples is to ensure that every individual that has ever lived will have the opportunity to receive all of the ordinances required fro Exaltation. 

 

What would be your relationship with God in the eyes of the Church as one who has accepted Jesus Christ and seeks to follow him? The blessings of the Atonement would be fully active in your life. You will be judged as we are all judged i.e. by the truths we learned and lived. 

 

I make the assumption that I am like everyone else i.e. that I am not unique and I experience the same feelings that others do. I don't think I worry about if my understanding of God is incorrect; my thoughts run more in the vein of seeking to know God more fully. I acknowledge that I have a single Master and though I stand before him broken, he makes me whole. I stand before him the quintessential man with all foibles, weaknesses, and shortcomings and I will be perfected through the Savior.

 

I believe that the Celestial Kingdom will be found to be filled with those of various religions or churches. I believe this because I believe that we are judged on the truth we know, that all ordinances will be completed for all, and that God is merciful.  In saying this there is also a consideration that where much if given much is required. If we learn truths and reject them we will remain culpable for our disobedience.  

 

When I served as a missionary in southern France I had the occasion to meet with an incredible man and his wife.  They were tailors; obviously diligent in their work and their life. Both had been in concentration camps during WWII. They were no longer practicing Jews.  Our second to the last meeting with them was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of my mission. This was a man that in so many ways was full of pain and had lost hope.  I know that he felt the Spirit; a strong witness that Jesus was the Christ.  When I returned to talk with him he requested that we not meet again. For whatever reason he could not bring himself to have hope.  It was a terribly sad time for both of us.   

 

This man knew; he had received a spiritual witness of certain truths, but could not follow or embrace that which he had learned at that point in his life.  Who knows what happened afterward. Just as he is/was liable for those truths learned we are each liable for the truths we learn.  More importantly, do we seek after truths; do we hunger for righteousness and holiness?  

Very helpful.  Thanks stormrider

 

Blessings!

[cdowis]

Raymond Moody is a nonLDS author of a couple of  books based on his study of life after death.

 

I have found in Moody's book Reflections on Life after Life  some interesting insights consistent with our doctrines.  It completely blew me away when I did a comparison with the book of Alma (Book of Mormon) description of the spirit world.  For example, the doctrine of suffering thru hell fire.

 

I heard him speak at BYU and he said that he did not know about the Mormon view of the afterlife when he wrote his book, and was very impressed when he compared it with his own research.

Edited May 25, 2014 by cdowis

[boblloyd91]

That is neat I didn't know he was aware of us.

[Kevin Christensen]

That is neat I didn't know he was aware of us.

Moody's The Light Beyond directly states that the LDS are the most prominent of the Western religions to view the NDE accounts as valid views of the after life. Moody soon found that Crowther's Life Everlasting had preceded the publication of Life after Life. His Reflections of Life After Life referred to some LDS accounts. The Light Beyond includes at least three LDS accounts. He quotes "LDS Leaders" at one point, and that turns out to be Brigham Young. He tells the Jedediah Grant NDE account, but should have included Grant's own comment to Heber C. Kimball. "Why it was just as Brigham has told us many times." Brigham's teachings on the topic came from his own experience at Winter Quarters.

When Moody went to BYU, he spoke to the Nibleys. (Both Hugh and Phyllis have had experiences.) Back then Moody commented that about half of his mail came from Utah.

I've previously mentioned my JBMS 2/1 essay on "Nigh Unto Death: NDE Research and the Book of Mormon."

FWIW

Kevin Christensen

Pittsburgh, PA