Throughout the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, the principle of exaltation is taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, His Apostles, and His Prophets. We will discuss the true meaning of the sayings of Jesus and His Apostles appertaining thereto.
The most cited scripture relating to exaltation is Romans 8:16-17. Here Paul states a universal fact - that all are children of God. He states therein, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." The Prophet Joseph Smith explained what verse 17 actually means. He said, "What is it [to be heirs of God]? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before" ("King Follett Sermon", Ensign, April 1971). Even Jesus stated such glorious doctrines. He admonished His followers, both on the American Continent and in Israel, to be perfect as He and His Father are (see 3 Nephi 12:48 and Matt 5:48).
John the Revelator also taught this doctrine in his Epistles. He said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). This Apostle tells us that we shall see Christ as a God, and as such, if we keep the commandments of God found only in His Church, we will be like him - that is, a God.
In a vision givin to President Lorenzo Snow in 1840 in Nauvoo, Illinois,
The Spirit of the Lord rested mightily upon me—the eyes of my understanding were opened, and I saw as clear as the sun at noon-day, with wonder and astonishment, the pathway of God and man. I formed the following couplet which expresses the revelation, as it was shown to me . . . : As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be. I felt this to be a sacred communication" (LeRoi C. Snow, Improvement Era, June 1919, p. 656).
Additionally, President Snow prophesied that "the time will come when some . . . through their faithfulness to the gospel, will progress and develop in knowledge, intelligence and power, in future eternities, until they shall be able to go out into space where there is unorganized matter and call together the necessary elements, and through their knowledge of and control over the laws and powers of nature, to organize matter into worlds on which their posterity may dwell, and over which they shall rule as gods” (LeRoi C. Snow, Improvement Era, June 1919, 658–59).
I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on the face of the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that is goes hand in hand with the Bible in testifying of Jesus the Christ, our Savior. I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of the Lord today, and that he receives revelation from the Lord to lead His Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!
In a vision givin to President Lorenzo Snow in 1840 in Nauvoo, Illinois,
The Spirit of the Lord rested mightily upon me—the eyes of my understanding were opened, and I saw as clear as the sun at noon-day, with wonder and astonishment, the pathway of God and man. I formed the following couplet which expresses the revelation, as it was shown to me . . . : As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be. I felt this to be a sacred communication" (LeRoi C. Snow, Improvement Era, June 1919, p. 656).
Additionally, President Snow prophesied that "the time will come when some . . . through their faithfulness to the gospel, will progress and develop in knowledge, intelligence and power, in future eternities, until they shall be able to go out into space where there is unorganized matter and call together the necessary elements, and through their knowledge of and control over the laws and powers of nature, to organize matter into worlds on which their posterity may dwell, and over which they shall rule as gods” (LeRoi C. Snow, Improvement Era, June 1919, 658–59).
I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on the face of the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that is goes hand in hand with the Bible in testifying of Jesus the Christ, our Savior. I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of the Lord today, and that he receives revelation from the Lord to lead His Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!
1 comment:
The promise of eternal life is sure because of the Lord God's infinite eternal atonement based on Revelation 3:21 that says:"To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me on my Throne, even as I overcame and set down with my Father in His Throne."
Exaltation is the same as Godhood and Eternal Life, Lives and Increase.
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