[Teachldsseminary] Section 76 - Kingdom hopping

[Marji]

Stephen L Richards, Church in War and Peace, 59-67. 

"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will
rise with us in the resurrection.

"And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through
his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage
in the world to come. (D. C. 130:18, 19.)

Now since intelligence is co-eternal with God and the very glory of God, it
follows logically that it is the chief investiture of man. Indeed, it is
man, for it is that part of his constitution that persists, that is eternal.
This knowing, conceiving, illuminating principle of existence lies at the
base of all our powers and potentialities. Without it there would be no
virtue and no sin. It alone gives to man his free agency, the power to
choose, to will, and to act, conscious of the effects of his decisions and
his deeds. It accounts for the place of good and evil in the world and
justifies their existence,-a philosophical problem that has baffled the
minds and the thinking of great scholars of all time.

This conception of intelligence justifies the eternal quest for knowledge.
It explains the necessity of acquiring knowledge, for it makes knowledge
essential to progression, and progression in the last analysis is salvation.
It places a terrific penalty on ignorance. It lays down a new and very
definite gospel doctrine that "it is impossible for a man to be saved in
ignorance." (D. C. 131:6.)

63 - 64These scriptures have been fully amplified by the new interpretation.
Kingdoms of eternity have been defined. Laws that govern the various
kingdoms have been set forth and entrance requirements stipulated. There are
preferential places and conditions in the hereafter, as there are here. The
highest and most desirable is the Celestial Kingdom of our God. In that
kingdom, and only there, do intelligences attain their highest state of
perfection. Only there do we have assurance of the reunion of families and
the perpetuation of family relationship and eternal increase. In that
kingdom man may ultimately become divine.

64In the mercy of God other lesser kingdoms make provision for just
compensation in the lives of men. But the lesser kingdoms are outshone by
the celestial as the sun in its brightness and glory transcends the moon and
the stars.

64Men attain these various kingdoms by election and the work of their lives.
We do not know all the conditions precedent to entrance into the lesser
kingdoms, but what is necessary to come into celestial glory has been
definitely revealed. The principles and ordinances of the gospel of Christ
are the laws of that kingdom. Faith, repentance, baptism, the laying on of
hands for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, ordination to the Priesthood,-are
all essential requirements. Why? Because God has stipulated them and because
also they are consonant with the spirit, the purpose and glory of the
kingdom.

Marji