Digital Guide: Are Mormons Christian?
Life After Death
Comparing the Differences Between Mormonism & Biblical Christianity
Life after Death
What does Christianity teach about life after death?
After death, all who believe in God’s true gospel go to heaven to live eternally with God. Unbelievers go to hell to live eternally with Satan. Our eternal fate is sealed at our physical death. There are only two eternal destinations: heaven and hell.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:42-43
What does Mormonism teach about life after death?
Mormonism teaches that all people go to spirit paradise or spirit prison, based on one’s worthiness. Spirits in these places continue to work towards exaltation. According to Mormonism, anyone who didn’t have a chance to accept Mormonism may do so in the spirit world after physical death.
Mormonism also teaches that there are multiple eternal destinations: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom and outer darkness. Only Mormons who are worthy enough during their life on earth will receive the highest destination of the celestial kingdom and become gods.
Other Mormons and non-Mormons on earth receive lower destinations. Mormons believe that only those who reject the church and persecute it go to Outer Darkness, or Mormonism’s version of hell.
The spirit world is a place of waiting, working, learning, and, for the righteous, resting from care and sorrow. Our spirits will live there until we are ready for our resurrection.
Gospel Principles, Chapter 41: The Postmortal Spirit World
Summary
Christianity
All who believe in God’s true gospel go to heaven to live eternally with God. Unbelievers go to hell to live eternally with Satan.
Mormonism
A person’s destination after death depends on their work and worthiness on earth.