Why do Mormons/LDS think there are no requirements to get to heaven?

Question

The LDS faith teaches that almost all (except apostates like myself and murders) go to heaven. Jesus said in John 3:18, "He that believeth on Him is not condemned:but he that BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

So who believes in a free pass to heaven? I think that is the LDS church. They believe that as long as you aren't apostate of a murderer you can get to heaven- nothing else required. Christians believe as Christ taught- to escape condemnation you must have faith in Christ.

If you say people have another chance after death to come to faith why then does Christ teach in Luke 16:19-31 (the parable of the rich man and Lazarus) that after death the rich man could not escape hell and could not warn others because they had an opportunity to learn fromt he prophets in their lifetime, but rejected their teachings.

Beta- the mormons teach that the telestial kingdom is part of heaven- no? According to the D&C this is who goes there-- In Mormonism the glory of the Telestial Kingdom is compared to that of the stars. People who are sent to the Telestial Kingdom will be the last to be resurrected and cannot dwell where God and Christ live.

According to the Doctrine and Covenants those who will inherit this kingdom are those who:

Rejected the gospel, the testimony of Jesus, the prophets, and the everlasting covenant.
Were liars, adulterers, murderers, thieves, and all others who flouted God's commandments.

Answer 1

Mormons believe in multiple heavens. The Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. Those who are Mormons go to the Celestial. Those who are not Mormons (or who are Mormons but didn't live according to Celestial law) go to the Terrestrial kingdom. Those who are pretty bad go to the Telestial kingdom. Murderers & really bad people go to what they describe as "Outer Darkness," which would be like Hell. They don't go into detail as to what happens there, though.

Yet, within the Celestial Kingdom there are three levels. The only people who go to the highest level within the highest of the three Heavens are Mormons who are temple worthy & are married w/ children.

Answer 2

Uh, I think you are confused...we believe it is through Jesus Christ, the works we do on earth, faithfulness, enduring and other things, that one can obtain exaltation in the highest kingdom, which is the Celestial.
The term "heaven" can be used to describe any of the three of the Kingdoms, Telestial (the lowest), Terrestrial and Celestial (the highest). These are all "heavens", but God and Jesus Christ will only dwell in the Celestial for eternity, and there are DEFINITLY conditions for obtaining that degree of glory. Read in Doctrine & Covenants section 76, starting at about verse 50... Joseph Smith saw a vision of each of the kingdoms and gives a brief description of those who will inhabit each kingdom.

Answer 3

I don't know where you got the idea that Mormons think that. Mormons are probably the most strict of any religion. Mormons believe that everyone will have an equal opportunity to accept the gospel and obtain salvation. If you don't get the chance in this life you will have the chance in the spirit world before the judgment. That isn't a second chance, it's a first chance, and it doesn't mean you'll take it. The fact that you're dead doesn't mean you know all the mysteries of God and the Universe. If you had a first chance here and you chose not to accept it or follow it, you won't get another chance.

Many people throughout history lived in times and places where the gospel wasn't available. They're not going to Hell just because they didn't know. How fair would that be?

Answer 4

As you know, we believe there are degrees of heaven. Those that do not make it to the highest degree are condemned or damned. Their progression is limited and they are not in the presence of God. They won't be miserable, though.

Edit: That parable was given before Christ entered the spirit world. Then there was a seperation that no one could cross. Christ went and opened that seperation. 1 Peter 3:18-20

Answer 5

This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Immortality is a free gift to all that they may be resurrected. Eternal Life is life as God lives in the Celestial Kingdom. It is received based on faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and the ordinances of the gospel.

Answer 6

That is categorically false. You really should gain an understanding of LDS doctrine before you attempt to represent it to other people.

The LDS church believes that there certainly ARE requirements to get to heaven. Read about them: www.lds.org

EDIT: And you know very well that we don't consider the Telestial Kingdom "heaven" in the traditional sense of the word. So stop being deceptive.

Answer 7

i'm one in each of Jehovah's Witnesses. some data approximately me. a million. the only person that I even have ever switched over, or ought to ever convert is me. 2. i'm no longer stepping into heaven. i wish to stay constantly on a paradise earth. A reality approximately human beings as a rule a million. One examines God's be conscious and decides on the muse of that examination what they're going to for my section do. it is in accordance with what Jehovah's Witnesses do. human beings baptize toddlers nonetheless others connect businesses while they're emotionally stirred and so on., and so on,

Answer 8

I would like to point out that the parable you cited (John 16:19-31) is completely apropos to what has been revealed concerning heaven. It can be in reference to both the spirit world which exists before the judgment day, and the three degrees of Heaven as taught by LDS doctrine.

The parable does not say that the rich man was in hell as in a physical place or even in the concept of punishment, as you imply. The verses only say he was suffering torment. In the pertinence to the teaching of three-glory heaven, this is most likely his regret for not listening to the prophets when he had the chance, and therefore being unable to attain a higher glory and place with God. We are taught that those who reject the gospel, will not desire to even be in God's presence -- they will be tormented with conscience because they know they are not worthy.

The LDS teach, as you pointed out, that those who go to the lower levels are as follows:

Telestial: People who rejected Christ and God, the gospel, and everlasting covenant in life and also in death. Those who claimed to be of Christ, but rejected his testimony and prophets. Liars, sorcerers, adulterers, whoremongers, lovers of lies -- people who ultimately never repented.

They will have no place with God or Christ, but will receive only an administering of Angels. They will not be able to progress as those who gain Celestial glory. This Telestial glory is sometimes referred to as hell. (see D&C 76:84,106; 81–90; 98–106; 109–112)

Terrestrial: Those who rejected the testimony of Jesus in life, but received it after death. Honorable men that were blinded by deceitful men. Those who were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus."

They will receive the fullness of Christ, but not the Father. (I.E. they will be in the presence of Christ, but not God). They will not be able to progress as those in the Celestial Kingdom. (D&C 76:71–80, 91, 9)

Celestial (Highest Degree): Those who received the gospel and everlasting covenant, who were faithful in life and endured to the end.

They will be in the presence and receive the fullness of God, the Eternal Father. These men and women will be able to progress to become gods. (D&C 76:50–70; 76:92–96; 131:1-4)

And the key in all this, is that only the Celestial Glory receives the presence and fullness (possibility of progression) of our Heavenly Father. Those who do not receive it, I'm sure will have much regret, or torment of the conscience after the fact.

So yes, as you stated, anyone who is not a Son of Perdition (minion of Satan) will make it into some degree of heaven. But the parable is warning us that the lower degrees are not something we should ultimately place our goals in. In fact, as mentioned before, even Telestial kingdom is sometimes referred to as "hell." And progression between glories is not possible.

We should be placing our efforts in working toward the Celestial Glory, else I'm sure we will regret it later, and feel that the lower glories are as much a form of internal hell because we cannot be with God or progress.

Also, as much as you claim that you will be going to hell (Outer Darkness) -- it seems that you make this comment with bitterness born from lack of understanding.

So, I think you should understand that much of the judgments we will receive from the Lord are far beyond our comprehension and discernment at this time. There may be circumstances wherein judgment is not what we might have expected. And this is because we cannot know the inner-workings of the heart and every extraneous influence that we each encounter. And to a degree I think at times, when experiencing certain situations where our rationality is compromised, we ourselves cannot predict how we will be judged. Only God knows all of these things and understands them. Yes, we are given the criteria for each kingdom, but this is so we might better direct our courses to the highest glory. Not so that we can make judgments on who will receive which in the end.

So, don't be so quick to pass judgment. The scriptures do not necessarily say that apostates will go to outer darkness (hell). There will be those who rejected the testimony of Jesus and the gospel, that will still receive a degree of heaven; Telestial for those who always reject it, and Terrestrial for those who accept it after death. If this is true, then there must be an additional requirement for an apostate (or one who rejects the testimony and gospel), to actually become a Son of Perdition.

Sons of Perdition reject the gospel and testimony of Christ, yes. But they have done so with a sure knowledge of what they are rejecting. And they do this not necessarily because they have doubts, but because they are *intentionally* fighting against Christ. They know exactly what they are doing, and why they are doing it. They know that they have decided to be an enemy against the knowledge of and Christ himself. They are intentionally being evil people.

And there is a stark difference between a Son of Perdition and someone who has not received or lost a testimony because of doubts. Don't be so hard on yourself for having simple doubts; this does not make you an evil person. And though I don't have the capacity to judge, something gives me serious doubts that you are more than a person who simply lost their testimony about this gospel.

Answer 9

Yes everyone will be resurected and be judged. Salvation is a free gift to all because Jesus gave Himself up to be crucified. Exaltation is different though as no unclean thing can enter into His Kingdom.

Answer 10

there is no free ride-you must obey Gods laws and live your life in that order-oh and you also need to accept Jesus as your savior for he died on the cross for you and me and every other person so that we may have the chance of life eternal-if we live by the word of the BIBLE.