Seminary
1 Corinthians 15:32–54

1 Corinthians 15:32–54

Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial Bodies

Profile of a Young Woman in bright sunlight.

Why is it worth it to follow Jesus Christ even if others appear to find happiness in sin? Paul explained one of the reasons by teaching the Corinthians about different degrees of glory in the Resurrection. This lesson can help you strive to be worthy of a celestial resurrection through Jesus Christ.

Future blessings in God’s plan

  • If you knew that your teacher was going to reward everyone who wore a certain color today, would that have affected your choice of clothing?

  • Would you be upset if you learned about it after it was too late? Why or why not?

Because Heavenly Father loves us, He has told us what happens after this life and which choices will lead to happiness or regret. As you study the scriptures today, look for truths that can motivate you to make choices that lead to eternal happiness.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Complete the following drawing activity and answer the following questions in your study journal.

Draw a simple illustration or diagram of what you already know about God’s plan of salvation. Include where we were before birth, life on earth, and what happens after death. As you draw, be sure to reflect on the role of Jesus Christ throughout our Father’s plan.

  • How can understanding Heavenly Father’s plan for us after death affect decisions you make in mortality?

  • How is Jesus Christ central to the plan?

In 1 Corinthians 15:1–29, the Apostle Paul corrected the false belief that “there [would] be no resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:13). He then warned the Corinthians not to be deceived by the attitude of people who say, “Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32), which expresses the false belief that there is no life after death and, therefore, what we do in this life doesn’t matter.

Another false belief is that, regardless of our choices, God will grant everyone the blessings of eternal life (see 2 Nephi 28:8; Alma 1:4).

  • How might the false beliefs that there is no life after death or that God will grant everyone the blessings of eternal life affect our decisions and attitudes? Why?

Doctrinal Mastery icon (blue). Image is of an open book. 1 Corinthians 15:40–42 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will learn more about this doctrinal mastery passage in the next lesson.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:40–42, looking for Paul’s teachings about resurrection in Heavenly Father’s plan. It is helpful to know that the Joseph Smith Translation of 1 Corinthians 15:40 also refers to telestial bodies.

  • Why is it important to know the truth that in Heavenly Father’s plan, there are different degrees of glory for resurrected bodies?

Degrees of glory

Illustration of the three degrees of glory. A sun, moon and stars are pictured. Stick figures underneath show varying degrees of shining rays.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Complete the following activity in your study journal.

Revelation through modern prophets provides additional insights into Paul’s teachings. Study Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–52, 62–64, 69–70, 71–76, 81–85; 88:21–24 and read the following statement by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018). Look for answers to the three questions that follow the statement.

Official portrait of President Thomas S. Monson, 2008.

As the result of Christ’s victory over the grave, we shall all be resurrected. This is the redemption of the soul. Paul wrote: “There are … celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (1 Corinthians 15:40).

It is the celestial glory which we seek. It is in the presence of God we desire to dwell. It is a forever family in which we want membership. Such blessings are earned through a lifetime of striving, seeking, repenting, and finally succeeding.

(Thomas S. Monson, “The Race of Life,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 93)

  • What is the Savior’s role in our journey toward celestial glory?

  • What do we need to do to receive celestial glory?

  • Why is receiving celestial glory rather than terrestrial or telestial glory worth the effort?

Ponder where you see yourself on the path to the celestial kingdom. Are you relying on the Savior to help you live in such a way that you can receive these blessings?

Can we really achieve celestial glory?

Some people feel discouraged when they realize how far they are from living celestial lives on earth. Read what Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about our eternal progress, or watch the video “God among Us,” from time code 5:01 to 6:58, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

15:44

God among Us

Elder Uchtdorf teaches us to have hope, not be discouraged, and see the ways in which God is among us.

Official portrait of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2006. Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, 3 February 2008. Made official portrait in 2008 replacing portrait taken in 2004.

My heart overflows with gratitude for my Heavenly Father. I realize that He has not doomed His children to stumble through mortality without hope for a bright and eternal future. He has provided instructions that reveal the way back to Him. And at the center of it all is His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for us. …

We are all infants compared to the beings of glory and grandeur we are designed to become. No mortal being advances from crawling to walking to running without frequent stumbles, bumps, and bruises. That is how we learn.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8–9)

  • What does Elder Uchtdorf’s statement help you understand about Heavenly Father?

  • How does that influence your feelings toward Him and your relationship with Him?

  • What do you feel prompted to do because of what you learned today?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

What if we strive to live faithfully in this life but are still imperfect when we die?

The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) explained:

Half-length frontal portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Joseph’s head is turned to the side in a three-quarter view, right hand on hip and his left hand holds sheets of papers. He is depicted wearing a dark brown suit and a white shirt and tie.

When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268)

What does “It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:42) mean?

Paul compared the mortal body to a seed that is imperfect, or corrupt (see 1 Corinthians 15:37–38, 42). After we die and are buried (sown or planted), we will one day rise from the grave like a plant growing out of the earth. Our resurrected bodies will no longer be corrupt, but will be perfected through the power of God.

Who will receive celestial glory?

The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have “received the testimony of Jesus” and been “made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. For a detailed explanation of those who will inherit celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–70; 76:92–96.

(Gospel Topics, “Kingdoms of Glory,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)