One of the most enticing doctrines of the Mormon Church is the lure of being a forever family.
According to Mormonism, worthy members of the
LDS Church may be sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife
in an LDS temple and worthy parents may seal their children to
themselves so that they will be a forever family. But, according to
Mormon doctrine, this is not even remotely possible.
Problem #1
The first problem is the fact that forever families are only possible
in the highest Mormon heaven (the celestial kingdom). But, only worthy
Mormons are allowed to enter the celestial heaven so any family
members not worthy enough to enter the celestial glory will be damned
or stuck in a lower heaven. Eternal families are only possible if all
of the family members are worthy enough.
Problem #2
But, even if every family member is found to be worthy enough to enter
the Celestial kingdom there is another significant problem which is
called, in Mormonism, the law of eternal progression.
But, even if every family member is found to be worthy enough to enter
the Celestial kingdom there is another significant problem which is
called, in Mormonism, the law of eternal progression.
Eternal progression means that all worthy married couples will eventually
become Gods and Goddesses of their own worlds (just as the LDS
Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother are a God and Goddess of their own
worlds).
become Gods and Goddesses of their own worlds (just as the LDS
Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother are a God and Goddess of their own
worlds).
So, if this doctrine is true, worthy Mormon families will be
scattered all over the universe on their own worlds. The family unit
cannot and will not exist in the celestial kingdom.
scattered all over the universe on their own worlds. The family unit
cannot and will not exist in the celestial kingdom.
According to Biblical doctrine, all true Christians have a much more realistic opportunity to be together as a family forever. Because all true believers in Jesus are adopted into God's family which means that every person in our earthly family who accepts Jesus as Lord and
Savior will be together for all eternity in the presence of God in His
family.
Amen!
Blessings,
Chip
Chip, I'm so excited for the blog! What a cool resource for everyone. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteHi Chip,
ReplyDeleteJust a couple of misunderstandings you seem to have. It is true that to be an 'eternal family' you must be in the celestial kingdom however it does not say anywhere that relationships with family members who are not in the celestial kingdom end. Whether a person in the celestial kingdom can visit a family member in a different kingdom or not is not revealed. We have the scriptures but there are still many mysteries that God has not revealed. To say that the scriptures contain absolutely everything about heaven and earth is simply an absurd. I could give you questions about heaven that is impossible for you to know the answer, unless it was revealed to you.
You say,
"So, if this doctrine is true, worthy Mormon families will be
scattered all over the universe on their own worlds. The family unit
cannot and will not exist in the celestial kingdom."
Now I have a family here on earth but they are scattered all over the world. Some in my country, some overseas, yet we are a family. I don't see them everyday but i can phone them or travel great distances to see them. Could it be the very same way for eternal families? My son lives 2 states away from me. he is still my son, I still love him, I talk to him and can go and see him sometimes.
Can you see my point Chip?
I don't doubt you are sincere in your desire to 'expose' mormonism, but I would suggest you really find out about it first and understand the issues you raise before jumping to false conclusions. We are all brothers and sisters and hopefully the truth is important to each of us.
ReplyDeleteI have come across probably every objection to the teachings of the mormon church and have always found answers to the objections. Purely on an academic basis, I know the Church is true. I also have many spiritual witnesses that it is.
Thank you for your comment. Chip will respond soon.
ReplyDeleteHello Mick, I am kind of new to this blogging stuff, so if this response is a little late in coming I apologize, I will try to pay closer attention in the future.
ReplyDeleteI think you miss my point. Every Mormon that I talk with (including the LDS missionaries) will say, "Don't you want to live with your family for all eternity? If you join the Mormon church and have your family sealed to you in an LDS Temple, you will live with your family forever." But as I investigated this idea I discovered that LDS families will, most likely, not live together for all eternity, they will, as I said in my blog, be scattered all over the universe in different kingdoms(if they are not all worthy of celestial glory) or live on different planets(if they are worthy and reach exaltation). So, my point is that the idea of forever families is very misleading.
In regard to your response, I would love to see where a General Authority teaches the things you said. Where does a General Authority of the LDS church teach that forever families means you won't actually live together but rather you will just get together once in a while for family BBQs?
I have to say though that my biggest problem with the LDS Doctrine of Eternal Families is not the idea that we can live together in heaven for all eternity, because Christianity teaches that all who place their trust in Jesus will live together as a family in heaven. All who trust in Jesus will live in God's eternal family forever. And, since all of my children have accepted Jesus as their own personal Savior, my whole family will literally live together for all eternity. My biggest problem with the LDS notion of eternal families is that Godhood is directly associated with this doctrine. Worthy LDS men and women who attain exaltation through their LDS temple ordinances will one day be "Just Like God", and will become God's and Goddesses of their own world(s). This doctrine is very problematic for me. And, here's why...
Continued below in next response...
Continued from above comment...
ReplyDeleteThe only person in the Bible that thought or taught it was possible to become Gods, just like the Most High God, was Lucifer/Satan. The Bible teaches that Lucifer's original sin was a desire to be "like the Most High" God (read Isaiah 14:12-15). I want you to notice that the passage does not say Lucifer wanted to replace God as God, it only says he wanted to "be like the Most High". And, for this desire, Lucifer was judged and condemned "to the lowest depths of the pit" or hell.
This was the exact same sin that the Serpent(or Satan)tempted Eve with in the Garden of Eden. The Serpent told Eve, if you eat the forbidden fruit,"you will be like God". But, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit they were judged by God and curses were placed upon them for their disobedience. Twice in Genesis 3:11 & 17, the LORD God said to Adam and Eve, "you have eaten from the tree which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it."
It is interesting to me that the LDS Church does not believe Adam and Eve made a sinful choice in the Garden of Eden when they ate the forbidden fruit. According to the official teachings of the LDS Church "Great Blessings Resulted From The Transgression... Some people believe that Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all mankind" (Gospel Principles, chapter 6, The Fall of Adam and Eve). Here is my question, when is it ever right to disobey God? And, when does God ever place curses on someone for making a good choice?
Did the Serpent actually persuade Adam and Eve to make the right choice? Jesus said in John 8:44 that the devil was a "murderer from the beginning... there is no truth in him... he is a liar" and the father of lies. So did the Serpent really speak truth to Eve? Even the Book of Mormon (if you believe this is inspired scripture) says the devil, "persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one" (Moroni 7:17). So, how in the world can it be perceived that the devil persuaded Eve to do something good as the LDS Church teaches?
We see this false doctrine again demonstrated by Satan in the temptation in the wilderness when he tried to get Jesus to bow down and worship him. But, as Jesus rightly replied, "Away with you Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."
I fear for all LDS people who have the desire to reach "exaltation" so they can be "just like God" and become "God's and Goddesses" of their own worlds. If Lucifer was condemned to the lowest depths of the pit for this desire, God would be unfair to judge humans who have this same desire any differently. I leave you with one question in regard to Eternal Marriage/Families... If this doctrine is an ordinance of Jesus Christ's Gospel, where did Jesus teach this doctrine? Think about it, if the gospel ordinance of Eternal Marriage is an important part of Jesus Christ's gospel, he should have taught it to his disciples. But, I can find no mention of it in the Bible or the Book of Mormon, both of which, according to the LDS Church contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel. If Jesus did not teach this doctrine, where did it come from?
Well to hit a few points it sais in the bible and the book of Abraham (Pear of Great Price) that satan wanted all the glory and worship for him self. He wanted the glory of Gods plan to fall upon him self. Then Jesus said if we was the savior glory will be to him forever. And there are two other books in which we bleive in. The Docterine and Covenants has Jesus giving revalation to the Prophet saying that eternal marriage is important and is the only way to get to the most high kingdom. And god commanded people in Mathew and Alma to be perfect even as the father.
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