in response to your comment, #130:

The LDS conception of Heaven and Hell doesn’t make Heaven more inclusive, it just makes Hell all inclusive and with nicer levels above. This is certainly true from a Christian perspective.

From a Christian perspective, Heaven is the presence of God. So only the Celestial Kingdom would count. From a Christian perspective, Christ saves us all the way to the Father and we share in all the inheritance of the Son. So only the top-most level of the Celestial Kingdom would count.

From an LDS perspective, only the Celestial Kingdom and really only the top-most level of it counts because… well, just ask any LDS “Do you want to be in the Terrestrial Kingdom?” Their answer will always be “no.” Why?

Because LDS know that everything below the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom is a form of damnation, mostly referred to as “limitation” or something like that. Unless you are on your way to godhood and eternal progression and fruitfulness then you are limited and damned.

Just because the Terrestrial and Telestial are comfortable doesn’t make them any less the real LDS Hell.

PS-since one of the moderators has confirmed repentance as stopping the sin and the Book of Mormon says you have to repent, then no one is going to be in the Celestial Kingdom, let alone the top-most level. So Hell, even the nice levels, is going to be completely full, and God the Father is going to be awfully disappointed.

Joseph spoke to the Angel Moroni (not Gabriel) about the plates. When he was done translating them, he gave the plates back to Moroni. Joseph, as a prophet, also explained and clarified many biblical passages and conveyed revelations from God in his own right. However, just because he testified or prophesied of himself doesn’t make him inaccurate. After all, the Savior testified of Himself, too.

The true proof, however, won’t be found in archaeological relics, ancient artifacts, or even angelic visitations. The only way to find the truth of spiritual principals is through the Holy Spirit. If you read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or any other text, then humbly ask God for yourself if it’s true or not, and if you sincerely listen for the answer, He’ll let you know. (See James 1:5)

Yes, Jesus Christ is the only way to God and to salvation and exaltation (eternal life with God and redeemed loved ones). That is truly the short answer, James, though it’s brevity is not meant in any way to diminish the sincerity of your question. It’s a powerful, right question which we are grateful, again, that you posed.

It may seem comfortable to believe that all roads lead to God, but depending on how you mean that, that is not the case. There is to be one faith, one baptism, and there is one kingdom of God. That said, I’d like to make one clarification, and perhaps we can say this much in regard to those taking other roads: Everyone who follows the light within them, to the extent that they understand and receive it, they will automatically progress in their knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. Those practicing other faiths, living according to the light they have, will continue to receive light that they can act upon or not act upon. If they continue to act upon it, it will lead them to Christ and to His gospel, His Church, and His fulness.

Ultimately, though, that means that the truly honest seekers will find Jesus Christ, for as He said, He is the “Way, the truth, and the life.” Salvation comes by none other. The reason this is the case, and that it is true, is because Jesus is uniquely the Son of God, fore-ordained and chosen to become the Savior and Redeemer of the World. Were He just a wise man or sage, He would not be able to make any such claim about being the Author of our salvation, but He is more than that! He is the literal Son of God, the Redeemer of the World, the resurrected Being who is now glorified at the right hand of God. He came to earth willingly, as Son of God, to suffer and die for our sins and to satisfy justice which was imposed through each of our sins and fallen activities. That atoning sacrifice allows Him to offer us entrance to the kingdom of God through repentance and the mercy He can offer us. Justice was satisfied once and for all through His infinite sacrifice. Only that sacrifice could open the door back to God”s presence. Nothing short of that would do.

It’s true, we can come to know something of God through the light of Christ and living decent lives, but we will never know Him fully unless we come to know, accept, and follow Jesus Christ whom He sent. As is written, “Now this is life eternal: that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

I hope this begins to answer your question, and look forward to continuing the conversation, or answering additional questions, if you have them. God bless you in your walk today.

Is belief in Jesus the only way to heaven? (personally I believe that all roads lead to God).

Thank you,
JLH