Seems to me that a few years ago this list had a single sister on it who said she preferred being single in the Celestial Kingdom, and just being a ministering angel in God's presence. That being the case, there may be more to this than we think... Gary
Sandy and Melinda Rabinowitz wrote: > > George Cobabe wrote: > > > > There are those on this list that in the past have argued that Eternal > > Marriage is NOT essential for exaltation. Exaltation is living in the > > presence of God the Father and receiving His blessings. Yet it is > > suggested > > that to live in the Celestial Kingdom it is not necessary to have an > > Eternal > > Marriage. > > Still, it's possible to be in the Celestial Kingdom and NOT be exalted. > > I think that's where the misunderstanding among members comes in. D&C > 131 indicates that temple marriage is needed for the *highest degree* of > > the Celestial Kingdom. On the basis of that scripture, it does appear > that a single person might be able to enter at the lowest degree. > > But the lower degrees of the Celestial Kingdom represent a type of > eternal damnation. Yes, persons designated for that place can be in the > > presence of both the Father and the Son, but exaltation goes beyond > being in their presence, and means becoming as God in all things, up to > and including godhood. If you can receive a degree of Celestial Glory, > yet be unable to attain the status of godhood (being designated, for > instance, as a ministering angel), then by definition, one's progression > > stops and damnation occurs. > > Still, in practical terms, I don't know how likely it would be for a > single person to reach the lower degrees of the Celestial Kingdom. For > if someone desires to enter into the covenant, makes the needed > sacrifices, yet cannot locate a suitable companion, teachings indicate > that provision will be made later in the post-mortal existance. At the > other extreme, someone who goes out of their way to avoid temple > marriage could be judged as being rebellious or disobedient...perhaps > the judgment might even be in the direction of the Terrestrial Kingdom? > > In the middle, I suppose, are those individuals who seek to be obedient > in the Gospel in most things, yet don't care one way or the other about > temple marriage. Then they die without being sealed to a companion, > realizing too late that they should have given the matter greater > attention. They might have been exalted, but for their diligence in > seeking an eternal companion. I suspect it would be these individuals > who would become the ministering angels in the lower Celestial rhelms. > (But would there be that many?) Even so, all this would be my personal > speculation. > > All the best, > /Sandy/ > > -- > The Rabinowitz Family, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Spring Hill, Tennessee Gerald (Gary) Smith geraldsmith@ juno.com http://www.geocities.com/rameumptom ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
