вЂњFor I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their heartsвЂќ ( Doctrine and Covenants 137:7вЂ“9).Д¬ommenting on this revelation, the Prophet Joseph said, вЂњI also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heavenвЂќ ( Doctrine and Covenants 137:10).ДЇrom another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. вЂњAlso all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom вЂњAll who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God (See Doctrine and Covenants 137:1вЂ“6.) Then the voice of the Lord came to the Prophet Joseph: He marveled when he saw his older brother Alvin there, even though Alvin had died before receiving the ordinance of baptism. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the celestial kingdom. In January 1836 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that expanded his understanding of the requirements to inherit celestial glory. For a detailed explanation of those who will inherit celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50вЂ“70 76:92вЂ“96. To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have вЂњreceived the testimony of JesusвЂќ and been вЂњmade perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own bloodвЂќ ( Doctrine and Covenants 76:51, 69). Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. It will depend on the manner in which we have вЂњreceived the testimony of JesusвЂќ ( Doctrine and Covenants 76:51 see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:74, 79, 101). The glory we inherit will depend on the depth of our conversion, expressed by our obedience to the LordвЂ™s commandments.

There are three kingdoms of glory: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The Lord taught this principle when He said, вЂњIn my FatherвЂ™s house are many mansionsвЂќ ( John 14:2). Each of us will accordingly receive an eternal dwelling place in a specific kingdom of glory. After we are resurrected, we will stand before the Lord to be judged according to our desires and actions. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected.

Death by degrees guide book