Do We Have Exaltation All (Or At Least Partly) Wrong?

[Ahab]

I think the thrones will be real physical thrones because in a vision in the scriptures someone saw Heavenly Father sitting on his throne with flames coming from it. I forget what verse that's from. A good comfy recliner would be nice as well. haha but I also don't think we necessarily get our own throne, but that we share God's throne and have a place by his side. Then again, the thrones could be symbolic since I also think the crowns are symbolic as well. I don't believe we'll all be walking around heaven with a physical crown on our heads.

You'll have a real, physical, what-you-will-be-able-to-call "throne" and you'll also have what a throne is intended to symbolize. And you will also have a crown, or 2 crowns, too.

The question is, how big will they be?

[VideoGameJunkie]

Hmm I wonder how often we'll be sitting in our thrones or if we'll get up and run around and explore the universe. Or if we can do both at once. D&C 132 talks about thrones, kingdoms, principalties in the plural form. Does that mean we get more than one throne and kingdom or is it implying the plural to extend to everyone?

[ERayR]

You know what my biggest fear is???  Being an adminstering angel to my deceased husband and new wife.  Oh..religion shouldn't make you feel this way!

 

Looking at it without understanding it can do that.  Remember you will not be placed in uncomfortable situations therefore your fear must be invalid.

[ERayR]

Hmm I wonder how often we'll be sitting in our thrones or if we'll get up and run around and explore the universe. Or if we can do both at once. D&C 132 talks about thrones, kingdoms, principalties in the plural form. Does that mean we get more than one throne and kingdom or is it implying the plural to extend to everyone?

 

I would say you are getting ahead of yourself.  Worry about getting there first.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Haha very wise advice ERayR. Very wise. I was just trying to better understand what I'm striving for.

[Stargazer]

Good Morning Blooit, I think this topic often carries some wild speculation from previous LDS - i.e. things such as having your own planet, etc.

Yeah, I don't want my own planet.

I want my own Universe.

Never settle for less than you're entitled!

[Jeanne]

Looking at it without understanding it can do that.  Remember you will not be placed in uncomfortable situations therefore your fear must be invalid.

Well..I just figured that it would be part of a punishment to be a servant of sort for someone that I really love.   I will quit thinking this way but I really thought that this would be how it would be...Thanks everybody!

[VideoGameJunkie]

Jeanne I agree with you. I look at those in my ward and my family who are married and wonder if I'm going to serve them for eternity if I wind up a ministering angel and not exalted. You're not alone in how you think.

[mfbukowski]

Jeanne I agree with you. I look at those in my ward and my family who are married and wonder if I'm going to serve them for eternity if I wind up a ministering angel and not exalted. You're not alone in how you think.

If you think being a ministering angel is tough, how would you like to take on Gethsemane?

 

Maybe there was a little service in doing that, ya think?    

[mfbukowski]

You'll have a real, physical, what-you-will-be-able-to-call "throne" and you'll also have what a throne is intended to symbolize. And you will also have a crown, or 2 crowns, too.

The question is, how big will they be?

No, the question is how fat my head would have to be to worry about it.

[ERayR]

Haha very wise advice ERayR. Very wise. I was just trying to better understand what I'm striving for.

 

 

That one is easy.  To be acceptable before the Lord.

[ERayR]

Well..I just figured that it would be part of a punishment to be a servant of sort for someone that I really love.   I will quit thinking this way but I really thought that this would be how it would be...Thanks everybody!

 

The Gospel is not about punishment.  It is about helping us find where we belong.

[VideoGameJunkie]

I think I think along the same lines as Jeanne in that you would spend eternity knowing you could've been exalted if you'd just done a little better and have to face being a ministering angel for eternity as a compensation. I know how wonderful being a ministering angel is, and if it was the highest we could achieve then I would want it more than anything, but there is a higher achievement and that's exaltation. Basically I don't want to spend eternity knowing I could have done better.

Edited August 22, 2014 by VideoGameJunkie

[VideoGameJunkie]

ERayR, I will take what you said to heart because it's wonderful. Finding where we belong.

[Tacenda]

I think I think along the same lines as Jeanne in that you would spend eternity knowing you could've been exalted if you'd just done a little better and have to face being a ministering angel for eternity as a compensation. I know how wonderful being a ministering angel is, and if it was the highest we could achieve then I would want it more than anything, but there is a higher achievement and that's exaltation. Basically I don't want to spend eternity knowing I could have done better.

Reading stuff like this makes me angry. You seem almost obsessed with exaltation. You need to live in the now, and love God and your neighbor with all your heart and then let the rest take care of itself. If it weren't for the church maybe you could have some peace! ETA: Ran out of posts. Sorry for this post VGJ. Cal is right, I shouldn't blame the church, sorry. You certainly don't need a demented person calling you out for trying to do your best. Edited August 23, 2014 by Tacenda

[Calm]

I highly doubt that VGJ appreciates you blaming the Church for the way he focuses on life. I too wish he could relax more and not worry so much, whether about the here and now or the future but attacking the Church will not help him to do so when it is a style of thinking...one that can probably be best overcome by learning more about the Atonement and taking the Church's teachings to heart.

[Jeanne]

It isn't religion that is making you feel that way.

In fact, nothing is "making" you feel that way.

So just stop feeling that way, why don't cha.

But it is religion making me feel this way.  Like many LDS who were born and raised in the church, It is a way of life.  It is taught to be a way of life.  You live it, you breath it, and some of us feel like we spiritually die because of it.  I feel this way because I am never going to be worthy..!   I can try and can turn around and do some do overs..but it won't be who I am!!  Does anybody understand what I am saying?  I may have lost alot of things from leaving the church..but I did gain some integrity.

[blooit]

But it is religion making me feel this way.  Like many LDS who were born and raised in the church, It is a way of life.  It is taught to be a way of life.  You live it, you breath it, and some of us feel like we spiritually die because of it.  I feel this way because I am never going to be worthy..!   I can try and can turn around and do some do overs..but it won't be who I am!!  Does anybody understand what I am saying?  I may have lost alot of things from leaving the church..but I did gain some integrity.

 

I would agree and disagree.  The culture of religion can make you feel this way... and impose guilt.  Religion... pure religion, does not.  The "downsides" to religion are the direct result of our inability as mortals to grasp what it really should be.

 

MHO of course.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Tacenda and cal, haha I do seem to have an obsession with exaltation, but that stems from my Tourettes mind. When I focus on something it becomes an obsession. When I grew up playing video games, I was more obsessed with them than I have ever been with exaltation. I will try to focus on the here and now and loving my God and my neighbors. I think I worry because it's about eternity and the result lasts forever. I'll try not to worry about it as much, and just do my best, and do what I can and let Heavenly Father sort it all out.

Edited August 23, 2014 by VideoGameJunkie

[Calm]

Obsess in the joy and try and put aside the fear.

I understand about the Tourette's which is why I keep repeating the same answer myself. I can be obsessed too with the blessings of God, i am obsessed with getting people to embrace them in joy and peace and putting aside the fear.

One of these days it will click and you will move on and maybe it will be obsessing again (maybe not though), but it will be a step forward and that is good. People progress pretty slowly in life, your Tourette's just makes your attempts to progress more obvious to others while people without it may not be moving at all due to laziness etc, but no one can tell.

Tourette's is not bad or good any more than having a loud or soft voice, it just is. It is great that you understand the effect, I hope you don't think you need to apologise for it.

Edited August 23, 2014 by calmoriah

[VideoGameJunkie]

Thanks cal! And I don't need to apologize for it. It's a part of me now, but I know it will be taken away when I die and cross the veil.

[Tacenda]

Thanks cal! And I don't need to apologize for it. It's a part of me now, but I know it will be taken away when I die and cross the veil.

Did you know Richard Paul Evans the author, has a form of Tourettes? Just wanted you to know for whatever reason that might help. Peace out!

[ERayR]

But it is religion making me feel this way.  Like many LDS who were born and raised in the church, It is a way of life.  It is taught to be a way of life.  You live it, you breath it, and some of us feel like we spiritually die because of it.  I feel this way because I am never going to be worthy..!   I can try and can turn around and do some do overs..but it won't be who I am!!  Does anybody understand what I am saying?  I may have lost alot of things from leaving the church..but I did gain some integrity.

 

I think that I have previously addressed this with you before.  Quite being tied to a checklist and just work on the two great commandments that Jesus gave.  Love God and love your neighbor as thyself. 

[ERayR]

Tacenda and cal, haha I do seem to have an obsession with exaltation, but that stems from my Tourettes mind. When I focus on something it becomes an obsession. When I grew up playing video games, I was more obsessed with them than I have ever been with exaltation. I will try to focus on the here and now and loving my God and my neighbors. I think I worry because it's about eternity and the result lasts forever. I'll try not to worry about it as much, and just do my best, and do what I can and let Heavenly Father sort it all out.

 

But the results are tailored to individual circumstances.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Thanks Tacenda! It's interesting to hear about people with Tourettes. ERayR, that is good advice you gave on not worrying about checklists. I know I worry about checklists since I'm not married yet in the temple and that's a big ol check right there.