“There is a Kingdom for that!” A Guide to the Laws Governing the Kingdoms of Glory

Years ago someone was telling me they wanted to break various commandments, to them I replied, “There is a kingdom for that.” At the time I was being flippant, but in the years since I have realized that it was true. Every day we choose which laws/commandments we will live by. This was taught by Harold B. Lee in the April 1947 conference, “We are our own judges of the place we shall have in the eternal world. Here and now in mortality, each one of us is having the opportunity of choosing the kind of laws we elect to obey. We are now living and obeying celestial laws that will make us candidates for celestial glory, or we are living terrestrial laws that will make us candidates for either terrestrial glory or telestial law. The place we shall occupy in the eternal worlds will be determined by the obedience we yield to the laws of these various kingdoms during the time we have here in mortality upon the earth.” (CR: Apr. 1947, pp 46)

Knowing that every day we choose which laws to live, there is one glaring question? Which laws are which? What are Telestial Laws? Terrestrial laws? and most importantly Celestial Laws? President Nelson taught, “Mortal lifetime is barely a nanosecond compared with eternity. But what a crucial nanosecond it is! Consider carefully how it works: During this mortal life you get to choose which laws you are willing to obey—those of the celestial kingdom, or the terrestrial, or the telestial—and, therefore, in which kingdom of glory you will live forever. What a plan! It is a plan that completely honors your agency.” (As quoted by Dallin H. Oaks GC: Oct. 2023)

That is why I wrote this guide, I want to help outline through authoritative sources (conference quotes and scriptures) the Laws that Govern the Kingdoms of Glory. So we all can know which law is which, and then understand what our choices lead us to. (A note on the citations, everything should be linked, either to the Church website or archive. org PDFs of the old conference talks, I want this article to serve as an inspiration and home base for your own study).

Outer Darkness: Those who Commit the Unpardonable Sin.

Now, you might be a bit shocked that I am starting with Outer Darkness, Why not Celestial Kingdom? I think it is important to first understand who will go to Outer Darkness, no one you know. Seriously I mean that! Those who go to Outer Darkness are referred to as “Sons (and Daughters) of Perdition” There will be so few people who will qualify to go to Outer Darkness that they are extreme outliers. I can almost guarantee you that you don’t know someone who will qualify to be cast out for forever to Outer Darkness.

Now, what are the actual requirements? Doctrine and Covenants 76:30-49 details the state and inhabitants of Outer Darkness. Furthermore, Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “The sons of perdition are those who have had a knowledge of the truth, have known that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, have had the testimony of the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, and these things have all been revealed so that they know they are true; and then they turn against them and fight them knowingly. Sons of Perdition are to be cast out with the devil and his angels into outer darkness” (CR: April 1942, pp 27)

Now, you might be thinking, that does not sound super extreme, but I want to point out the phrase, “Things have all been revealed so they know they are true” This is referencing D&C 76:43 which says that sons and daughters of perdition “deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.” AKA They have had Christ revealed to them by the Father, then apostatize! These are not your run-of-the-mill apostates. These are those who have received ALL the ordinances of the gospel and temple AND have proven faithful enough to receive the 2nd comforter (who is Jesus Christ). And then turn against it all. Those who join the Sons of Perdition in this life are such a small group it is merely an asterisk mark in the Plan of Salvation.

So if almost no one is going to Outer Darkness, why start with it? Because, you need to understand that Jesus “saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition.” (D&C 76:43) We literally believe that Jesus Christ’s grace saves practically everyone! That means that the Latter-day Saint view of grace is so far grander, more expansive, and inclusive than the Protestant view.

A Quick Note on Judging Others:

Before I address the laws of each Kingdom, it is vital that we do not pass final judgment on people. “This person is going to this kingdom.” The purpose of knowing each of the governing laws is so that you can assess what laws you are living, and what law a certain behavior falls under. And then share that information with others. IE; the following information is to help you judge actions/behavior, not people!

Leave the people to Jesus Christ. See Dallin H. Oaks on this topic: “We must refrain from making final judgments on people because we lack the knowledge and the wisdom to do so. We would even apply the wrong standards. The world’s way is to judge competitively between winners and losers. The Lord’s way of final judgment will be to apply his perfect knowledge of the law a person has received and to judge on the basis of that person’s circumstances, motives, and actions throughout his or her entire life.” (For Dallin H. Oak’s full talk on the subject see “Final Judgment and Intermediate Judgment“)

Telestial Law: The Base and Carnal.

What is the Telestial Law? It is the carnal law. The Telestial Law is best compared to the moral code of conduct that the world says we can get away with. Of Telestial Laws we are taught: “The world … is the society of men living on the face of the earth, a society that is carnal and sensuous and evil, a society which is living, in effect, a telestial law; and there will be a not distant day when the end of the world will come, which means by definition, the destruction of the wicked.” Bruce R. McConkie (CR: Apr. 1958 pp 69)

The scriptures teach that those who go to the Telestial Kingdom are those who in this life were unrepentant liars, sorcerers, adulterers, and whoremongers (see D&C 76:103). IE, those who engage in dishonest or unchaste lives are living the Telestial Law. But also it includes those who rejected the gospel, the testimony of Jesus, the prophets, and the everlasting covenant (see D&C 76:82, 101). IE, apostate members of the Church who have rejected Christ’s Keys that HE has given to the prophets.

Of those going to the Telestial Kingdom, a prophet has taught: “In the telestial will go all those who have not been true: those who have professed and who have not performed (D&C 41:1); the liars, sorcerers, adulterers, and all who refuse to walk in ways of truth.” Joseph Fielding Smith, (CR: Apr. 1969, pp 122)

Who Goes to the Telestial Kingdom = Those Who Refuse to Repent Until Compelled

The Telestial Kingdom will be populated with those who were unrepentant at death and do not repent until they are compelled to. D&C 76:106 teaches, “These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times,” IE, These are then cast into Spirit Prison (A temporary hell) to suffer the pains of a damned soul until they repent.

Of this experience, Jesus Christ warned, “I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.” (D&C 19:15) It is vital to note that their suffering is not to atone for their sins, but it compels them to repent. ALL salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. But they refuse to repent until they are compelled by that which they suffer. Eventually, they will bend the knee, confess the tongue, and be redeemed.

Telestial and Terrestrial Kingdoms of HEAVEN and GLORY.

I have heard many people describe those going to the Telestial Kingdom (murders, rapists, adulters, lairs), and then say, “You don’t want to be with them!! Strive for Celestial Glory!” The intent might be pure, but the methods are complete trash. When someone repents, they are no longer defined by the sins. That is the ENTIRE PROMISE OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST!! This idea that it is the Telestial Kingdom of Hell is simply not true. It is a Kingdom of Heaven. It is salvation. It is glory. Of this kingdom, Joseph Smith records in D&C 76:89;109 “the glory of the telestial … surpasses all understanding” and “the inhabitants of the telestial world … were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore” This is heaven, not hell. Just because there is more the Father wants to give us does not mean this is hell.

Of the glory of the Terrestrial Kingdom Joseph Smith taught in D&C 76:91 “We saw the glory of the terrestrial which excels in all things the glory of the telestial, even in glory, and in power, and in might, and in dominion.” Dallin H. Oaks taught that the Terrestrial Kingdom is “akin to the common Christian concept of heaven.” If you ask most Christians to describe heaven they will say you are with Jesus, you are resurrected, and you are an angel, and you sing praises to Jesus. That pretty much sums up the Terrestrial Reward.

Terrestrial Law: Mainstream Christian Standards.

Terrestrial Law is best compared to the moral code of conduct that mainstream Christianity believes in. It is being honest. Chaste, and being a genuinely good person. You might’ve noticed that the Terrestrial Law is in fact the law taught by Christians, and it does in fact lead them to reach what their concept of heaven is, the Terrestrial Kingdom! If you want to help someone accept Celestial Laws first raise their vision to the Celestial Kingdom, because if you try the law before the kingdom, it does not work!

Who Goes To the Terrestrial Kingdom = The Honorable and Morally Clean (Chaste) Who Don’t Want to Make/Keep Covenants.

The Terrestrial Kingdom is populated mainly by three groups of people. Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “Into the terrestrial will go all those who are honorable, who have been morally clean, but who would not receive the [restored] gospel.” (CR: Apr. 1969, pp 122) This is the first group, those who are Christian (honorable), yet refused the restored gospel. Of this group the prophet Joseph taught in D&C 76:75 that it included those “who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.” IE, despite being good, they are unwilling to accept the restored Gospel.

The second group of people are members of the Church. Those who were “not valiant in the testimony of Jesus;” IE, those who made covenants but then wilfully chose not to keep various commandments and/or covenants. These members are not apostates who fight against the Church/Prophet, these are the members who fail to live as they know they should. In the April 2024 General Conference D. Todd Christofferson taught, ” At least some of those who will be found in the terrestrial kingdom also accept the testimony of Jesus, but they are distinguished by what they don’t do about it. Not being valiant in the witness of the Savior suggests a degree of apathy or casualness—being ‘lukewarm'”

The third group is those who lived a Telestial Law (having rejected the higher laws) in mortality. But, while suffering the pains of a damned soul, choose to repent (rather than refusing to repent until compelled at the end of the millennium). Their accepting of the gospel as taught to them in the Spirit World qualifies this group to elevate from a Telestial to a Terrestrial Reward (see D&C 76:73–74; see also D&C 138:32).

In essence, the terrestrial Kingdom will be populated with good people who know Jesus but are unwilling to know the Father.

Celestial Law: The Higher and Holier Way.

Celestial Laws are the Terrestrial Laws lived with greater depth and conviction, with the addition of making and keeping Covenants, specifically Baptism. The Celestial Law is referred to by Moroni as the “More Excellent way” (Ether 12:4, 11) To borrow a phrase from President Nelson, it is the Higher and Holier way. For example, the terrestrial version of Chastity is abstaining from action, IE not masturbating or committing adultery. The Celestial Law is that we abstain even from lusting. This is the law taught in the Sermon on the Mount. It is a Higher, Hoiler, and Valiant version of the Terrestrial Laws.

Who Goes to the Celestial Kingdom = Those who are baptized (or would be) and are valiant, or striving to be.

Within the Celestial Kingdom, there are three levels or degrees. The top is referred to as exaltation, and it will be addressed later. There is nothing revealed about the middle degree, and I won’t be speculating today. That leaves us at the bottom level or degree. The bottom level or degree is often referred to as simply the Celestial Kingdom, or the Father’s Kingdom as it is the Kingdom where God the Father resides.

There are three groups of people who will inherit the Celestial Kingdom. First, those who die before the age of accountability. IE little children who, per Mormon, are “alive in Christ” (See Moroni 8:4–23). Joseph Smith in D&C 137:10 declared, “All children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.”

The second group is those who are baptized and valiant in this life. D&C 76:51 clearly teaches this: “They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given.”

The third and final group is those who did not have the opportunity in this life to be baptized and valiant but would’ve been baptized and valiant had they been given the opportunity. Of this latter group, the Lord declared to Joseph Smith: “All 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” D&C 137:7.

It is vital to note, that these are not those who had an opportunity and rejected the gospel in mortality, these are those who did not have an opportunity in mortality but would’ve accepted it had they had the chance. What am I saying? This is NOT a doctrine for members of the church, our children, or those who are currently meeting with time missionaries. This is a clause for all those who would’ve accepted, been baptized, and valiant but due to circumstances were denied that opportunity. In the Apr. 1948 General Conference, Bruce R. McConkie issued a warning regarding the work for the dead, he taught: “In this glorious doctrine of salvation for the dead, there is a warning to the Latter-day Saints. This warning arises because the doctrine is limited to those who die without a knowledge of the gospel. It has no application to us. As far as I am concerned, as far as you are concerned, as far as all the people are concerned who have a knowledge of the gospel, now is the time and the day of our salvation.”

Being Valiant

If you are reading this article, you are almost guaranteed to belong to (or hopefully want to belong to) group 2 going to the Celestial Kingdom. Those who are baptized and valiant. So what is being valiant? We know that often the word “valiant” is the chief attribute used in describing those who live Celestial Laws and thus inherit a Celestial Reward. In the Oct. 2014 General Conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook taught: “In all things we should remember that being ‘valiant in the testimony of Jesus’ is the great dividing test between the celestial and terrestrial kingdoms. We want to be found on the celestial side of that divide.”

There are three very good talks on being valiant in the testimony of Jesus. They are “The Testimony of Jesus” By Elder D. Todd Christofferson in Apr. 2024, “Be Valiant in the Fight of Faith” by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in Oct. 1974, and “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus” By President Ezra Taft Benson in Apr. 1982. These talks give amazing insights on this subject. For the sake of this article. I will merely quote part of a paragraph from Elder Christofferson: “Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus surely includes nurturing and strengthening that testimony. True disciples do not ignore the seemingly small things that sustain and strengthen their testimony of Jesus, such as prayer, study of the scriptures, Sabbath observance, partaking of the sacrament, repentance, ministering, and worship in the house of the Lord.”

Now, you might be feeling overwhelmed, I have felt that way too! As Neal A Maxwell (in one of my top 10 favorite talks) put it, “The first thing to be said of this feeling of inadequacy is that it is normal. There is no way the Church can honestly describe where we must yet go and what we must yet do without creating a sense of immense distance. Following celestial road signs while in telestial traffic jams is not easy, especially when we are not just moving next door—or even across town.” (GC: Oct. 1976)

The important thing to remember is that being valiant is the difference between trying and falling short, and not trying. That is the essence of being Valiant! The Valiant are NOT perfect, they are not flawless, and they are not 100% at everything all the time. But they are trying. They are trying to follow Jesus, even though they are falling short. To quote Bruce R. McConkie, “Everyone in the Church who is on the straight and narrow path, who is striving and struggling and desiring to do what is right, though [he] is far from perfect in this life; if he passes out of this life while he’s on the straight and narrow, he’s going to go on to eternal reward in his Father’s kingdom” (As quoted by L. Tom Perry GC: Oct. 2006)

The best way to think of the Celestial Laws is that they are the Laws taught by the prophets and apostles, by the missionaries, and in our church services. They are the laws we covenant to live at Baptism. All those who are baptized and “striving, struggling, and desiring” to live these laws, are living them and will receive a Celestial Reward. Including those who would’ve been baptized and faithful had they had the opportunity in this life, but were not given that opportunity.

Exaltation = Becoming gods.

As mentioned previously, there are three degrees or levels within the Celestial Kingdom. The highest reward is reserved for those who inherit the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. This is referred to as Exaltation or Eternal Life. Eternal the scriptures teach us is a title of God, therefore Eternal Life is enjoying His life. It is where we literally become like our Heavenly Parents. In the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom men and women, who are sealed together, have the ability to have spirit children, to have eternal increase. We learn in D&C 132:16-17 that being sealed (married), and having the ability to have spirit children is the differentiating line between being an angel/ministering servant and being a god.

So what are the requirements to receive Eternal Life or Exaltation? Simple, D&C 131:1-4 teaches that the requirement is to make and keep the sealing covenant. Just as baptism is the gateway into the Celestial Kingdom, Celestial Marriage or the Sealing Covenant is the gateway into the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. Now, just like those with baptism, many in this life, due to no fault of their own, are denied the opportunity to enter into Celestial Marriage in this life. The same principles apply here that applied to baptism. We have been repeatedly promised by the prophets that no one who is righteous will be permanently denied the ability to make these covenants and thus enjoy exaltation. I could cite dozens of quotes on this topic, but I love how Dallin H. Oaks put it, “The Lord has promised that in the eternities no blessing will be denied his sons and daughters who keep the commandments, are true to their covenants, and desire what is right.” (GC: Oct. 1993)

Thus the entrance requirement into the Celestial Kingdom is Baptism and Valiantly keeping that covenant, and the requirement to gain Exaltation is Celestial Marriage and Valiantly keeping that covenant. Now do you see the importance of the temple marriage? Why the prophets and apostles cannot budge on Chastity and Family? Why Gender is eternal? And why the prophets for the last 30+ years have been fixated on the temple and bringing the temple blessings to the people? Because The Church focused on Exaltation, not merely salvation! And because that is our goal, that is what we teach towards, and those are the standards we uphold.

A Note About the Temple

In the temple, we engage not merely in ordinances of salvation, but in reality, we are participating in ordinances of Exaltation. With the exception of baptisms and confirmations, everything in the temple points towards exaltation. The initiatory, endowment, and sealing ordinances teach us what the Lord expects us to do. Each of these ordinances and covenants points us towards the next ordinance of exaltation. Like a pathway of exaltation, each leading to the next. The ultimate culmination of the gospel and temple is that moment when in this life, or the next, we are ‘called up’ and hear the words that all the faithful desire to hear from the Father, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

If you liked this article, you might like these other ones too!