What is LIfe After Death Like?

[_Jersey Girl]

From the OP:

What do you think your life will be like after you die?

I keep looking at the thread title and then the first question contained in the OP. And part of me wants to say...

Why do you think there is life after life? No, you didn't read that wrong. We know that we have life, we know that we will die....and yet you ask, what we think our "life" will be like after we "die".

I must be going crazy.

Would it be wrong to answer in this way?

I think my life after I die will be death?

Yes, I am going crazy. Catch me on another day and I might have a different answer.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Charity...

I think Roger responded to this very appropriately but...

I think most of your post depends on a level of understanding far below what we will all have when we know everything. We get so arrogant that our minds can understand what it is like to have all knowledge (which we can't even approach) that we think we know how things will be. We just plain old don't. And can't in this life.

I, too, am a convert, not sealed to my parents. Sealed to a husband and children. I am sure that my parents and I will be together. This life isn't all there is.

I'm NOT the one describing heaven and telling people what they need to do to get in, how it will be, what we will become, how we will look, who will be the judge, etc. etc. etc.

In other words, the LDS CHURCH is the one who is arrogant based on YOUR statement... you seem to be saying that the LDS leaders/scriptures etc., have a level of understanding far below what we will have. Yes, I agree with this, if there is an afterlife! (smile)

So, lets see, as a ten year old child, sitting in primary class when "families can be together forever" is sung, and it becomes clear that only families who are sealed will be together... and leaders tell you that you will not be with your family unless they all convert and are sealed to you, well, glad it worked for you. :-) Personally I think it is a cruel story to tell children.

So, you believe you will be with your family forever.... I assume you think those not currently sealed to you will all "make it" to the CKHL, yourself included. Good for you. There are others who are not quite as "perfect"/righteous/wonderful, with less "perfect" family members. I guess they are the ones who will not be with their family members who do not believe in Joseph Smith. You and your family must be some of the chosen!


~dancer~

[_Jersey Girl]

Hi charity,

Having admitted in a previous post that I'm approaching the brink of insanity, I hope you don't mind my asking you some questions based on the following, written by you:

I have considered this. I have considered the way I feel when my children do things that cause them a lot of pain and hardship. And when I am conteplating that, along with the sorrow for their pain is the awful guilt that maybe I did not teach them correctly and that I am in some measure responsible for their actions.

In the Celestial Kingdom there will be no mistakes in raising, no errors in parenting. The eternal justice will be that everyone makes their choices in complete knowledge. I think that must be how our Heavenly Parents handle that.

What choices? Choices between what and what? Doesn't your statement imply a choice where, depending on the choice, the outcome is positive or negative?

How is that perfect?

[Tator]

I think you've hit the nail on the head...well, a bit off center, but close. I think "tough love" plays a big part in the eternal scheme of things. I doubt that heavenly parents feel any joy in seeing that some of their kids don't want to return back home or come to family reunions.

The interesting thing in Mormon theology though, is that there appears to be some kind of allowance for heavenly influence/connection with all of Heavenly Father's children who are spread out amongst the various kingdoms of glory.

First, "heavenly influence" is a dodgey way of responding to the issue I brought up, MG. "Heavenly Influence", in the LDS theology, obviously refers to the presence of the Savior or the Holy Ghost for those in the lower kingdoms. Only those in the CK will be able to be in the presence of HF.

"Some of their kids don't want to return back home" is baloney. Mormon scriptures make it plain that those who are sincere and decent people, yet were mislead - religiously - by men will be consigned to the terrestrial kingdom. These people never expressed a desire to "not want to return back home". They didn't believe the right thing.

D&C 76

71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the cmoon differs from the sun in the firmament.
72 Behold, these are they who died without law;
73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;
74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.
75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.
76 These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.
77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.

If Mormonism is correct, I will be eternally divided not only from my family but from my Heavenly Parents, as well, in the next life. I am not expressing a desire to "not return home". I don't believe the right thing.

But at least you admit that being eternal parents in the Mormon theology is hardly a joyful task, one that people would normally associate with "heaven".

[_charity]

Hi Charity...

I think Roger responded to this very appropriately but...

I think most of your post depends on a level of understanding far below what we will all have when we know everything. We get so arrogant that our minds can understand what it is like to have all knowledge (which we can't even approach) that we think we know how things will be. We just plain old don't. And can't in this life.

I, too, am a convert, not sealed to my parents. Sealed to a husband and children. I am sure that my parents and I will be together. This life isn't all there is.

I'm NOT the one describing heaven and telling people what they need to do to get in, how it will be, what we will become, how we will look, who will be the judge, etc. etc. etc.

In other words, the LDS CHURCH is the one who is arrogant based on YOUR statement... you seem to be saying that the LDS leaders/scriptures etc., have a level of understanding far below what we will have. Yes, I agree with this, if there is an afterlife! (smile)

So, lets see, as a ten year old child, sitting in primary class when "families can be together forever" is sung, and it becomes clear that only families who are sealed will be together... and leaders tell you that you will not be with your family unless they all convert and are sealed to you, well, glad it worked for you. :-) Personally I think it is a cruel story to tell children.

So, you believe you will be with your family forever.... I assume you think those not currently sealed to you will all "make it" to the CKHL, yourself included. Good for you. There are others who are not quite as "perfect"/righteous/wonderful, with less "perfect" family members. I guess they are the ones who will not be with their family members who do not believe in Joseph Smith. You and your family must be some of the chosen!


~dancer~

The gospel is a gospel of hope. We don't preach perfect in this life. There was only one perfect, remember. When we talk about family, I have every hope that they will be with me. Those who didn't have the Gospel preached in power here will have the opportunity to accept it on the other side. And they will.

This is a serious question: What if your idea of what you absolutely have to have to be happy, conflicts with what another person decides they have to have? For isntance, the work of the Celestial Kingdom will be to be engaged continually in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And suppose that is what I need to be absolutely happy and I need all my family members to be doing that, too, or else I can't be happy. What happens if there are some of my family who need NOT to be engaged continually. . etc... So, I can't be with them and be happy, but if I force them to do what I want so we can all be together, then they can't be happy.

I think the mercy and love of God has a solution. I just don't know what it is.

[_charity]

Hi charity,

Having admitted in a previous post that I'm approaching the brink of insanity, I hope you don't mind my asking you some questions based on the following, written by you:

I have considered this. I have considered the way I feel when my children do things that cause them a lot of pain and hardship. And when I am conteplating that, along with the sorrow for their pain is the awful guilt that maybe I did not teach them correctly and that I am in some measure responsible for their actions.

In the Celestial Kingdom there will be no mistakes in raising, no errors in parenting. The eternal justice will be that everyone makes their choices in complete knowledge. I think that must be how our Heavenly Parents handle that.

What choices? Choices between what and what? Doesn't your statement imply a choice where, depending on the choice, the outcome is positive or negative?

How is that perfect?

Choice between being obedient and not being obedient. It all boils down to that one choice. There is only one positive outcome. And that outcome will be the best possible outcome and individual can have. Whatever it is.

[_charity]

First, "heavenly influence" is a dodgey way of responding to the issue I brought up, MG. "Heavenly Influence", in the LDS theology, obviously refers to the presence of the Savior or the Holy Ghost for those in the lower kingdoms. Only those in the CK will be able to be in the presence of HF.

"Some of their kids don't want to return back home" is baloney. Mormon scriptures make it plain that those who are sincere and decent people, yet were mislead - religiously - by men will be consigned to the terrestrial kingdom. These people never expressed a desire to "not want to return back home". They didn't believe the right thing.
77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.

If Mormonism is correct, I will be eternally divided not only from my family but from my Heavenly Parents, as well, in the next life. I am not expressing a desire to "not return home". I don't believe the right thing.

But at least you admit that being eternal parents in the Mormon theology is hardly a joyful task, one that people would normally associate with "heaven".[/quote]

A person has to reject the testimony to be held accountable. And that is choice against some measure of light. Denying the niggling conscience that says, "wait a minute, there is something here."

[_beastie]

74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.

75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.

So are these the people who have made a "choice against some measure of light?"

Honorable men who received the testimony of Jesus afterward?

[_Tori]

Hi Charity...

I think Roger responded to this very appropriately but...

I think most of your post depends on a level of understanding far below what we will all have when we know everything. We get so arrogant that our minds can understand what it is like to have all knowledge (which we can't even approach) that we think we know how things will be. We just plain old don't. And can't in this life.

I, too, am a convert, not sealed to my parents. Sealed to a husband and children. I am sure that my parents and I will be together. This life isn't all there is.

I'm NOT the one describing heaven and telling people what they need to do to get in, how it will be, what we will become, how we will look, who will be the judge, etc. etc. etc.

In other words, the LDS CHURCH is the one who is arrogant based on YOUR statement... you seem to be saying that the LDS leaders/scriptures etc., have a level of understanding far below what we will have. Yes, I agree with this, if there is an afterlife! (smile)

So, lets see, as a ten year old child, sitting in primary class when "families can be together forever" is sung, and it becomes clear that only families who are sealed will be together... and leaders tell you that you will not be with your family unless they all convert and are sealed to you, well, glad it worked for you. :-) Personally I think it is a cruel story to tell children.

So, you believe you will be with your family forever.... I assume you think those not currently sealed to you will all "make it" to the CKHL, yourself included. Good for you. There are others who are not quite as "perfect"/righteous/wonderful, with less "perfect" family members. I guess they are the ones who will not be with their family members who do not believe in Joseph Smith. You and your family must be some of the chosen!


~dancer~

I couldn't agree with you more, TD! My kids have expressed their fears about Heaven after Primary lessons and YW lessons that tell them (in so many words) that they will not be together because their family is not sealed. After their sister died, that fear went into over-drive.

I can't believe that I fell for that story. That I had to be married in the Temple in order to be with my loved ones in the afterlife. Think about how really ridiculous that sounds. A secret ritual, to see your children after you die.

I don't believe that one 'iota'. Not even a little bit. Of course, we will see them, be with them....if there is an Afterlife. Why would God keep anyone away from the people they love most? The one thing in life that is really pure, is True Love. Pure, true love can never be severed. So if there is a Heaven and we are hangin' around there......I'll be with my daughter, I'm sure of it.

[_beastie]

And that is choice against some measure of light. Denying the niggling conscience that says, "wait a minute, there is something here."

I'm sorry, I just have to comment again.

If a child of mine made a mistake, even one that they couldn't admit and deal with, - like "denying the niggline conscience" - I would still not cut them out of my life. And if I were in some system that forced me to do so, I would consider it hell.

I know Mormons take some measure of pride in their theology that, on the surface, seems less cruel that the EV God waiting to burn Mormons in hell. But it is only on the surface that it is less cruel.