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PrevPrevious EpisodeJohn Taylor’s 1886 Revelation on Polygamy (Part 2 of 8)
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Mormon Fundamentalist Theology (Part 3 of 8)

Table of Contents: Mormon Fundamentalist Theology (Part 3 of 8)

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What are some of the differences between LDS theology and that of Mormon fundamentalist theology? Lindsay Hansen Park will answer that question, and we’ll talk about how many wives a man must have in order to inherit the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom.

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Lindsay:  Within Mormon doctrine and still on lds.org, the top level is called the Celestial Kingdom.  To get to the Celestial Kingdom, you have to have gone through the temple.  You have to have a sealing ordinance.  There are certain things you have to do. That’s why I say we’re a works doctrine. Mormons are very much about earning our way into heaven. Nobody likes to say that, but that is absolutely why people don’t think we’re Christians. I mean, grace is such a–this is why I think it’s different.

GT:  I would caveat that, because I think Evangelicals and Catholics are very different. Now, Catholics don’t think we [Mormons] are going to heaven, certainly, but evangelicals drive me crazy. I’ll just say that.

Lindsay:  Well, Mormons drive them crazy.

GT:  I probably just ticked off all of my Evangelical listeners right now.

Lindsay:  I think [with] Evangelicals, what’s hard is we know what they’re about.  We know that they don’t respect us. They don’t think that we’re saved.

GT:  What I’m saying is the whole grace-works [issue], I don’t want to call that Christian. I want to call that Evangelical, because you’ve got–you’re born again…

Lindsay:  That’s fair.

GT:  I would argue that was the whole difference between Luther and Catholicism. It was this whole idea about grace and works. I don’t want to turn this into a grace and works [discussion,] because to me, it’s two sides of the same coin.

Lindsay:  Mormonism is very Calvinist.  Let’s just say this. For you to get in the highest degrees of [heaven], it is like a special order. There are secret tokens, handshakes, signs, wording, behaviors, things like that. So within the Celestial Kingdom are three degrees.  You can go to lds.org. Look it up. It’s still on our site.

Lindsay:  Now, in the old frontier doctrine, when this was really discussed and believed, it was widely believed and preached that the highest [level of Celestial Kingdom] was for the polygamous families, and then you sort of went down from there. Now in fundamentalist circles, I’d say it’s a sacred doctrine. It’s sort of a taboo to talk about still, but they believe the Celestial Kingdom is only for polygamists and to get in the top level you have to have seven wives, five in the middle, three in the bottom.

Do you agree or disagree with our discussion about grace and works?  Did you know about the number of wives needed to get into the Celestial Kingdom? Check out our conversation….

Mormon fundamentalist theology - Mormon Fundamentalist Theology (Part 3 of 8) - Mormon History Podcast
Of course fundamentalist Mormons believe you need to have multiple wives to get into the Celestial Kingdom. But how many wives are needed?

Don’t miss our other conversations with Lindsay!

390: John Taylor’s 1886 Revelation

389: “More Than One Way to Mormon”

 

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • How Polygamy Shapes Modern Mormons (Part 8 of 8)
  • How LDS Empowered Warren Jeffs (Part 7 of 8)
  • Rulon Jeffs LDS & FLDS Background (Part 6 of 8)
  • 2nd Manifesto Polygamy (Part 5 of 8)
  • Early 20th Century Polygamy & Reed Smoot (Part 4 of 8)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Lindsay Hansen Park
  • Theology: Mormon Scripture, Polygamy, Theology
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, fundamentalist Mormon theology, GT Podcast, How many wives for celestial kingdom, iTunes

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeJohn Taylor’s 1886 Revelation on Polygamy (Part 2 of 8)
Next ExpisodeEarly 20th Century Polygamy & Reed Smoot (Part 4 of 8)Next
  • Date: April 19, 2020
  • Guest: Lindsay Hansen Park
  • Theology: Mormon Scripture, Polygamy, Theology
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Church History, fundamentalist Mormon theology, GT Podcast, How many wives for celestial kingdom, iTunes
  • Posted By: RickB

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Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

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