I asked my dear sweet friends (who were so kind to put up with all my questions) if there was anything else they wanted to know about Mormons. Here's what they asked:
Do you believe in the 7 layers of Heaven?
Not exactly, We believe in three different kingdoms in Heaven, also known as the three degrees of glory.
Through the Atonement of Christ EVERYONE will be resurrected. After we are resurrected we will stand before the Lord to be judged. We will each be assigned to a kingdom of glory. Christ taught this in John 14:2.
The celestial kingdom is the highest kingdom. Those assigned to this kingdom with live forever in the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. To live in this kingdom you much have a testimony of Jesus Christ. You must also live you life in accordance with the commandments he taught. You must also receive all the ordinances of salvation and repent of your sins.
Children who die before they reach the age of accountability (age 8) will automatically be saved in the celestial kingdom. People who lived on the earth without having the opportunity to learn of Jesus Christ will be taught in Heaven. Then they will be given the chance to accept him as their Savior. They will be judged by their actions and the intents of their hearts.
The next kingdom is the terrestrial kingdom. If the celestial kingdom is the sun, the terrestrial kingdom is the moon. Here you have the presence of the Son, but not the fullness of the Father. People who are assigned to this kingdom are generally good, honorable people who were "blinded by the craftiness of men." This group will contain members of the Church who were not valiant in their testimony of Jesus Christ. It will also contain those who rejected the gospel on earth, but received in it Heaven.
Next, the telestial kingdom. Continueing with the sun and moon analogy, this kingdom is the stars. People in this kingdom did not accept Jesus or his Gospel on earth or in Heaven.
Do you believe there are only a certain number of people allowed into Heaven gates?
Absolutely not. Nothing would make our Father in Heaven happier than to have all his children return to His presence. I have a very hard time with this teaching in other religions.
Do you believe that works and witnessing are what get you closer to God (in the 7 layers of Heaven?)
Christ's atonement gives us all the gift of Resurrection and eternal life. His atonement is also what allows us the opportunity to repent of our sins. Without it none of us would make it back to the Father.
However, this life is a testing period. We are proving to our Father that we will obey (or not obey) of our own free will and choice. I like to think of it this way: a person who is not willing to live the commandments here on earth would not be comfortable living in the presence of God for eternity. They will be assigned to a kingdom where they are comfortable.
Would you disown your children if they do not grow up to believe the way that you do? Or if they should partake in activities or lifestyles that do not mesh with the Mormon church?
This is a personal question. I can imagine there are people of any religion who would disown a child based on their life choices. However, this is NOT what our church teaches. I can't see myself ever disowning a child. We teach love and acceptance. Not acceptance of all behaviors/activities/lifestyles, but acceptance of all people. We try to separate the person from their actions. I firmly believe that religion is a personal choice. It should never be forced on anyone. When my children are grown they will be able to make their own decisions in life, including religion.
And my favorite question:
Is it true that when a missionary comes to your door and you ask them to do a chore or something that they are obligated to do it?
No, a missionary is not obligated to do anything you ask them to do. BUT, I imagine they would want to serve you as long as the request was within reason and not against mission rules. Missionaries do a lot of service during their two years. If it is something Christ would do, an LDS missionary would likely do it too. They would do it out of love, not obligation.
Any other questions?
Source: True to the Faith
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