Our Purpose on Earth
What does the Bible teach about our purpose on earth?
The Bible teaches that our purpose on earth is to know God, trust in him, and glorify him with our lives. We were created by God and, for God, made to live in a relationship with him through faith in Jesus. God blesses his people so that his name, salvation, and goodness may be known to all the earth (Psalm 67).
Our purpose begins with receiving his grace, forgiveness, and status as a child of God and continues in joyful response—worshiping God, loving others, and making his truth known. Eternal life is not something we achieve but a gift we receive through Christ. As God’s children, believers live to reflect his glory and share his saving love with the world.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
What does Mormonism teach about our purpose on earth?
Mormonism teaches that the purpose of life is to progress toward godhood. Each person is believed to be a literal spirit child of Heavenly Parents, sent to earth to gain a physical body and prove worthy through obedience. This life is viewed as a necessary step in an eternal plan of progression, leading to exaltation—becoming like God and ruling with an eternal family.
In Mormonism, the highest purpose is not to glorify God but to become like him in power, glory, and dominion. Exaltation includes the ability to create spirit offspring and rule over new worlds. Achieving this goal requires a lifetime of faithful commandment-keeping, temple ordinances, and personal worthiness. While Jesus plays a role in this plan, human effort is central to fulfilling one’s divine potential.
Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.
Joseph Smith in History of the Church (Volume 5, pages 134–135)
Why This Matters
The difference between Mormonism and biblical Christianity is not just how people try to reach God but why. The ultimate goal of Mormonism is exaltation: to become like God, to rule as gods over your own worlds. It is self-focused, wrapped in eternal progression, family legacy, and personal glory.
However, the goal of biblical Christianity is entirely different: it’s not to become God but to be with God. Forever. The highest purpose of life is not self-exaltation but the glorification of God. We are not the heroes of our story; Jesus is. He is not just the means to a better eternity; he is the treasure of eternity.
This distinction affects everything. One life is about earning and becoming. The other is about receiving and rejoicing.
Scripture References
Psalm 67:1-2
Isaiah 43:7
John 17:3
Ephesians 2:8-10
1 Peter 2:9
Matthew 28:19-20
Summary
Christianity
Our purpose is to know the only true God and to make him known—God’s glorification (John 17:3).
Mormonism
Our purpose on earth is to be tested so that you can progress to become a god—Man’s Self-glorification.