Speaking of the Celestial Kingdom and those who inherit it, He says," They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given. That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. Wherefore, all things are theirs. things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. And they shall overcome all things. These shall dwell in the presence of God and Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical."

Concerning the Terrestial kingdom, the Lord has said, "These are they who are of the Terrestrial whose glory differs from those who have received the fullness of the father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun and the firmament. Behold these are they who died without law and also they are the spirits of men kept in prison and the son visited them and preached the gospel unto them that they might be judged according men of the flesh (see 1 Peter 3:18-19 and 1 Peter 4:6). Who received not the testimony of Jesus Christ in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are they who receive of his glory but not of his fullness. These are they who receive of the presence of the son but not the fullness of the father. Wherefore they are bodies Terrestrial and not bodies Celestial and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. Wherefore they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God."

Concerning the third kingdom which is called the Telestial Kingdom, we read, "The Telestial glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differ from the glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who receive not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work and also the Telestial receive of the administering of angels, who are appointed to administer unto them, who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them, for they shall be heirs of salvation."

Most importantly, the Celestial Kingdom is not just for Mormons. That would be absurd. Those individuals that did not have the opportunity to hear and understand the gospel message in this life will receive that opportunity in the Spirit World after we leave this earth whereupon all blessings, not just some, but all, will be given to us.

This continued teaching process after this life is evident when our Savior, while on the cross, turned to the thief who asked Jesus to remember him, and said

(Luke 23:43) "43 ... Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."

You see, everyone will be judged according to their willingness to adhere to the commandments of God, and this includes everyone who is willing to accept the fullness of the gospel and keep the ordinances and commandments. Our Heavenly Father's kingdom is for all who are willing to commit to these things.

I've given you a lot more than you probably wanted to read and time and space in this e-mail do not permit me to develop this further, but I would suggest that if you would like to know exactly what we believe and why, if you wish to be led by the spirit to know the truth of all things, might I suggest that you meet with a couple of representatives of the church and have them explain to you exactly what we believe and why. When you've had a chance to hear and understand what they will teach you, you'll know whether this is worth pursuing. If you'd like to have them call on you, please send me your address and phone number and I'll have them contact you.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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