Affirms
Eternal life with God affirmed; exaltation to godhood not required belief
Community of Christ affirms the hope of eternal life with God for the faithful. The denomination has moved away from the LDS doctrine of exaltation — the possibility of becoming gods and creating spirit children — which is no longer an official or required teaching. Eternal life is understood as fellowship with God and participation in the divine community of love, not as progression to deity.
The church's Mission Statement emphasizes 'Communities of joy, hope, love, and peace' as the foretaste of God's Kingdom, with the fullness of eternal life as the eschatological fulfillment of this communal hope.
Key Distinctions
- Heaven nature:
- eternal life with God; moving away from LDS degrees of glory
- Access timing:
- at resurrection
- Bodily resurrection:
- bodily resurrection affirmed
Scripture References
Sources
- Community of Christ Basic Beliefs
- Community of Christ Mission Statement