Who is gonna be in the celestial kingdom?
I don’t have a specific list of names, but in D&C 76:69, we get a beautiful description of who will be in the celestial kingdom:
“These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus”.
These are just men and women who have been made perfect through our Savior’s atoning sacrifice.
Did you catch those two elements there?
People who are just, and people who rely on the Savior.
Elder Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles actually has a beautiful explanation of what being “just” is in this month’s Liahona magazine. (“Heavenly Father Wants Us Back”, July 2021)
Elder Soares teaches us that we need to:
have a testimony of Jesus,
be baptized,
and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For most people reading this, I’m going to bet that you can at least initially cross things off this list.
Here’s where the Savior steps in though.
Because we ALSO need to be washed clean of all our sins.
We need to be overcome by faith.
We need to be sealed by the holy spirit of promise.
These are much more lofty goals that will take a lifetime of striving, PLUS they are completely impossible without our Savior’s atoning sacrifice to even give us a fighting chance.
Once again, I’m learning that the Savior is at the center of it all.
So even though I originally thought these were TWO separate qualifications to enter the celestial kingdom:
Those who are just AND those who are made perfect through Jesus.
It really is the same.
We need to be just, which ultimately means relying on our Savior in all things.
Our Savior is the way to the celestial kingdom.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
6 Responses
1. Baptism: When we are baptized in water, it symbolizes our desire to be immersed completely into “divine nature.” That we might become like Christ in character and attribute and become a true son or daughter of God again! I say “again” because we all became sons and daughters of God in our first estate by this very process, but have forgotten. This is the whole meaning of the spirit of Elijah, in turning the “hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (D&C 128: 17). The “heart” is the scriptural symbol of “divine nature.” Hence baptism always implies a complete immersion into several elements that will lead us to god/God. From a mortal perspective, the first “element” is mortal birth (the womb of water) all men and women who have been born into mortality have been completely immersed in a womb of water, thus “born of water,” fulfilling the scripture [John 3:5]. The second baptism is spiritual, to be “born of the Spirit,” [John 3:6,8] which is to be baptized in “divine nature” or “born of god/God/godliness.” Hence to be “born of God” is the scriptural symbol for being immersed into “divine nature” in thought and in the words, we use, and thus our actions should be a manifestation of pure godliness if we are truly “born of God.” Every person has the potential to do this regardless of race, religion or bloodline. “For man is spirit [we are spiritual beings]. The elements [physical and spiritual] are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy; And when separated, [from godliness] man cannot receive a fulness of joy. The elements [our spirit body and physical bodies] are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of [god]God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled [through a fallen and carnal nature], God shall destroy that temple,” [meaning, the “god/God” potential in man cannot be fulfilled when man or woman has “defiled” their temple body]. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 93:33 – 35). Repentance & forgiveness [which is the divine attribute of mercy is the only way back].
I just love these snippets. They really enriched my learning.
Thanks! <3
Wow, thank you Ken for that insight!
What a wonderful experience to be baptized and get the Holy Ghost. And Jesus sacrifice on the Cross for all 9f us. Thank you Jesus????❤Amen
It really is an incredible blessing!