Degrees of glory

In the theology and cosmology of Mormonism, in heaven there are three degrees of glory (alternatively, kingdoms of glory) which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling places for nearly all who have lived on earth after they are resurrected from the spirit world.

Members of the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) believe that the apostle Paul briefly described these degrees of glory in heaven in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42, and in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Joseph Smith said he received a vision with Sidney Rigdon in 1832 which enhances the understanding of heaven and is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) Section 76. According to this vision, all people will be resurrected and, at the Final Judgment, all who go to heaven will be assigned to one of three degrees of glory, called the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms. All of the remaining, believed to be a small number of individuals who commit the unpardonable sin, will not receive a kingdom of glory in heaven, but will be banished to outer darkness with Satan where they will be "sons of Perdition."