A common misinterpretation in the LDS Church about kingdoms in heaven comes from 1 Corinthians 15:40,41. It reads, “there are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.” (1 Corinthians 15:40,41) They read these verses and see them as three kingdoms in heaven. The Celestial glory, the Terrestrial glory, and the Telestial glory. They add in Telestial glory because of the Joseph Smith Translation. In Joseph Smith’s revision of the King James Bible, verse 41 was changed. It reads, “also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial and bodies telestial; but the glory of the celestial one, and the terrestrial another, and the telestial another.” (1 Corinthians 15:40 – JST) Adding “Telestial” to this verse alters its meaning and misleads Mormons into accepting a new doctrine.
The Bible tells a different story. Terrestrial bodies are our earthly, corruptible bodies, while Celestial bodies are resurrected bodies that will never die. This is spoken of as we continue reading the verses in this chapter. Paul wrote, “so also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Our earthly bodies are corruptible. They feel pain and sorrow, while ultimately dying. However, in the resurrection, we are raised to incorruption and a glorious body. This means there is no more sorrow, pain, or death while in our resurrected bodies. This is because we were raised to eternal life, while the wicked were not.
But how do I tackle the sun, moon, stars piece in 1 Corinthians 15:41? This understanding comes from the book of Daniel. It reads, “and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2,3) Daniel makes a point that our resurrected bodies have different forms of light coming off of them. This is dependent upon what we did in this life. For example, “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament”. We will shine, but not as bright as those “that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” This illustrates the varying degrees of glory that will be reflected in our resurrected forms. This is much like the moon, stars, and sun, when compared to their light.
In conclusion, Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:40-44 about our earthly (Terrestrial) and resurrected bodies (Celestial) in heaven. Our new bodies will vary in light that comes off of them, which is like the moon, stars, and sun. Thankfully, Daniel was able to clear up what the differences of light mean when it comes to our bodies. I love how he mentioned the type of light different people will get compared to others also. Daniel said this also, “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”. This means that the righteous will have eternal bodies, while the wicked will face a second death, lacking everlasting life. This means that something happens to their bodies, which is the second death. John said, “but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) The bodies of the wicked will die a second time in the lake of fire. The words of the Bible are true and I believe every word. Amen.
