Becoming Celestial

 

 

Doctrine and Covenants 78:7 Simplified and Inspiring:

“If ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things.”

Simplified Meaning:

This verse teaches us that becoming like God requires us to become more like Him now, especially in how we treat each other. If we want to live in heaven, we must practice heavenly behavior here — like sharing, caring for the poor, and seeing each other as equals.

Heaven isn't just a reward for good behavior. It's a place for people who have become heavenly.

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Why We Shouldn’t Just “Do Things” to Get to the Celestial Kingdom:

Some people live the gospel like it’s a checklist: attend church ✔, read scriptures ✔, avoid sin ✔. But the Lord doesn’t just want us to do celestial things — He wants us to become celestial people.

Quote:

“Heaven is not a prize for the perfect but the eternal home of all who are becoming perfected in Christ.”
— Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Think of it like this: You don’t practice kindness, honesty, or love just to earn points. You do them because you're trying to become the kind of person who naturally lives in a kingdom of love, truth, and light.

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Real-Life Example:

Imagine a family that wants to adopt a child. They prepare their home with love, care, and sacrifice. The child doesn’t “earn” the home by doing chores — they grow into the family through love and relationship. Similarly, God’s Celestial Kingdom is a family — and He wants us to grow into it.

That’s why becoming equal, humble, and charitable now is so important. These aren’t just good deeds — they are the building blocks of a celestial heart.

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Another Inspiring Quote:

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to do; it is a way of becoming.”
— Bonnie L. Oscarson

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Final Thought:

We live the gospel not just to get to heaven, but because we are becoming the kind of people who belong there. We don’t just prepare for heaven — we prepare for who we will be in heaven.

“Let us become, in our hearts and minds, celestial beings — starting now.”
— President Russell M. Nelson (paraphrased idea)