Degrees of glory after the resurrection

What it is: This belief holds that after the resurrection and judgment there are different degrees or kingdoms of glory, rather than only a simple binary between heaven and condemnation.

How the tradition understands it: The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms form the best-known explanation, with exaltation understood as the highest form of heavenly life. Resurrection is universal, but the glory received varies.

Textual or traditional basis: 1 Corinthians 15 and Doctrine and Covenants 76 are the most frequently cited foundations.

Historical context: The doctrine was consolidated in the nineteenth century and became central to Latter-day Saint soteriology.

Common objections: Critics regard the formulation as distant from classical Christian eschatology and overly dependent on post-biblical revelation.

Internal variations: The overall structure is official, although more speculative details are usually avoided in simpler catechetical presentations.