What is Heaven and Hell? 

The Mormon Church teaches that at the end of history, each of us will be sorted into one of several different eternal resting places. 

Mormon “Degrees of Glory”

The Celestial Kingdom is compared to the glory of the sun, and is the reward for those who lived a life faithfully devoted to the teachings of the LDS Church, children who died before reaching an age of accountability, and all those who died without ever having knowledge of the Mormon gospel. 

This “celestial glory” is further divided into three tiers. The highest is reserved only for those who have attained the highest levels of godliness and have been married and sealed in a Mormon Temple.

The Terrestrial Kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon, and is reserved for those who died rejecting Jesus but while in Spirit Prison received a testimony of Him, those who died without the law, and those who were not valiant in their testimony of Jesus.

The Telestial Kingdom is compared to the glory of the stars, and is the eternal resting place of those who lie and those who love lies, of adulterers and sorcerers, and those who rejected the Mormon prophets and did not receive a testimony even while in Spirit Prison.

As for those who once had a testimony and later rejected the teachings of the church, they will be sent to “outer darkness” along with Satan and the Demons.

What does the Bible Teach?

Scripture teaches something much simpler. There are only two possible options for us in eternity: to dwell forever with God and fellow saints in Heaven, or to be condemned to the eternal “lake of fire”, called Hell.

The Bible tells us that in the end there will be a time of final judgement. The book of Revelation says,

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” (Revelation 20:11–12)

The Bible describes only two possible outcomes of God’s Judgement: We will either go to the New Heavens & New Earth (Revelation 21-22), or we’ll be sent to the “Lake of Fire” which is called the “Second Death” or “Hell” (Revelation 20:14-15).

What is the “lake of fire”? 

Jesus described Hell as an eternal fire designed for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). It is a place into which Satan will inevitably be cast, where he will be “tormented day and night, forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10). 

But Hell is also the place where unrepentant sinners will go. Revelation 21 says

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

Jesus often warns people about the real danger of “that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:50). The Second Death is a place of eternal (Revelation 14:11), unceasing torment (Isaiah 66:24). 2 Thessalonians says of those who will go to Hell,

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

The Bible is crystal clear about who will end up in Hell:  Those who do not have their names written in the book of life, by believing in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins. The Bible says If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15).

The Bible teaches that many people will go there! Jesus says that very few will enter the “narrow” gate leading to heaven, but that most people will enter the “wide” gate leading to everlasting destruction (Matthew 7:13–14). Jesus even taught that once a person goes to hell, it will be impossible for him to get out (Hebrews 9:27).

Hell is eternal conscious torment.

What is Heaven?

Christians call the “New Heavens and New Earth” Heaven, and it is where

“…the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Every single person who has ever been saved by faith in Jesus will dwell together in The New Heavens and New Earth, where “the throne of God and of the Lamb” are (Revelation 22:1). People from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9), will “worship God, and see his face” (Revelation 22:3-4).

There will not be three separate groups of people going to three separate “heavens,” but every single Christian will forever dwell together, with God.

So who gets to go to Heaven?

Everyone that believes in Jesus will not experience the second death, but will have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus once said

“whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).

Gaining entrance into heaven is not a reward based on one’s baptism, membership in a particular church, or any good work that could be performed. Instead, it is based solely on what Jesus did for His people.

So what happens after final judgement?

It’s serious, yet simple. Those who do not believe in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins will spend eternity away from God in Hell, and all those who do believe will dwell with God, forever. 

“Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)