Exaltation

Exaltation is eternal life - the kind of life God lives. Our Heavenly Father's plan enables us to return to live with Him forever as exalted beings, ultimately becoming gods ourselves, if we follow His plan for His children. Central to His plan is the atonement of Jesus Christ. Exaltation is only possible through the merciful grace of Christ's infinite atonement.

The atonement of Christ is the greatest gift ever given to mankind, and the most important single event in human history. During the atoning sacrifice of our loving Savior, he suffered the punishment for all of the sins of mankind. Because of this payment to the demands of the eternal law of justice, the atonement of Jesus Christ provides a way so that men and women may repent of all their sins and become "perfect in Christ." Exaltation means becoming perfect even as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are perfect, not through our own power or ability but through the power and authority that Jesus Christ has been given by Heavenly Father.

Exalted beings receive a fulness of joy, love, knowledge and power, and live in eternal family relationships. They dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and rejoice with them in everlasting celestial life.

John the Revelator saw visions of the end of the world and of the glories of exaltation. He wrote of the Savior's promises to the faithful in the following passages:

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (New Testament | Revelation 3:12)

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (New Testament | Revelation 3:20 - 21)

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (New Testament | Revelation 21:7)

It is impossible for mortal man to understand the feelings of joy and love that exalted beings will have, but Mormons believe that all men and women ought to make every possible effort to study Christ's teachings, follow his example, and prepare themselves to live as John also describes:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (New Testament | 1 John 3:2 - 3)