The following question has been asked to numerous LDS youth across the nation. We are interested in how you would respond to it. Here is the question:
If you died and were judged today, which eternal kingdom do you think you would go to?
a) Celestial
b) Terrestrial
c) Telestial
If you are like most youth we have polled, you probably said that you would go to the Terrestrial kingdom. A matter of fact, about half of the respondents to this question say that they will go the Terrestrial kingdom. Why is this so? Anthony Sweat, co-author of WHY?, addresses this question in his recently released book I’m Not Perfect. Can I Still go to Heaven? Writing about the fact that about 50% LDS youth think they’ll go to the Terrestrial kingdom, Anthony says:
“These numbers are disheartening to me because the youth who took these surveys are actively engaged in the gospel: regularly attending church and mutual, serving in church callings, and enrolling in programs like seminary and Especially for Youth. These teenagers are the kind of kids who consistently read their scriptures, pray, and try their best to keep the commandments and do what is right. Yet half don’t think they are celestial material. Why is this so?
The most common answer I hear from these youth goes something like this: ‘Well, I have sins and I’m not perfect, so I don’t think I am good enough to go to the celestial kingdom. But I don’t think I’m so terrible that I will go the telestial kingdom either. So I think I will end up somewhere in the middle, in the terrestrial kingdom.’ This answer—and I used to be guilty of it myself— reveals some confusion about what is really required of those who will inherit the celestial kingdom. Most unsettling, this line of terrestrial thinking demonstrates a possible misunderstanding about the fundamental role of Jesus Christ’s atonement and His divine ability to save God’s children. The purposes of this book are to help clarify some of these doctrinal misunderstandings, and to provide the hope we can all have for the celestial kingdom because of the atonement of Jesus Christ.”
The format of this book is an engaging hypothetical gospel classroom with fictional students. Click here to read a sample chapter from the book.
We are interested in your thoughts as well. Why do you think so many LDS youth, and we assume LDS adults as well, don’t think that they’ll make it to the celestial kingdom? Leave a comment and let us know what your experience has been and what has helped you.
Anthony says: “It is my most sincere desire that through the discussion in I’m Not Perfect…Can I Still go to Heaven? we can all better understand what is truly required to inherit the celestial kingdom, and find hope in the heart of the Gospel that will take us there: the atonement of Jesus Christ”
Click here to see the book on Deseret Book’s website.
If only perfect people go to heaven, nobody will be there…well, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost will be there. And if they’re it, it’s going to be a very lonely place.
Truth is that imperfect people are made perfect through Christ. Not today, very probably not tomorrow, but at some point, those who believe in Christ and exercise faith in Him…those who strive diligently, will be made perfect in Him. Read 2 Nephi 31 and 32. Even more to the point is 3 Nephi 9:13-14.
I also recommend Robinson’s “Believing Christ” and “Following Christ”.
When reading this post, I believed I would be sent to the Terrestrial Kingdom. Most likely because I hadn’t read my scriptures this morning. I think most people believe they can’t make it to the celestial kingdom because they’ve made so many mistakes. Just recently I learned of the Atonement, how it isn’t only for “Big” sins, and it isn’t only for Sunday. It’s every day. When you say your prayers at night, you can confess to the Lord, “I screwed up today.” The beauty of the Atonement is the simplicity of the Atonement.
Another reason, that has proven difficult, is to act upon the promptings you receive. I have found that the very first thought that comes to my mind, is the one I should follow. Sometimes, I ignore it because I’m too afraid of what others may think, but the sweet whisperings of the Spirit guiding me have kept me from trouble beyond measure. When I ignore my promptings, something less than desirable immediately happens and I think to myself, “Why didn’t you listen?”
As we begin to become like Christ “denying [ ourselves ] of all ungodliness,” (Moroni 10:32) more and more we will “not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16)
I know that as we use that Atonement everyday, and we learn to listen and follow that promptings of the Spirit, we will gain “confidence… in the presence of God.” (D&C 121:45)
This is a great book. I enjoyed reading it and I gained a greater understanding of the atonement and the Saviors role in our salvation. It uses scriptures and quotes by general authorities to offer a clear understanding of who will go where and how we can all get there through the Savior. A+++
I just recently got the book and am in the middle of reading it. It is one of the most spiritually uplifting books I have ever read (besides the Book of Mormon). It really gives a clear message on the requirements to the kingdoms of heaven and shows that we think it is harder to get into the celestial kingdom than it really is.