Degrees of glory after the resurrection

What it is: The belief affirms that, after the resurrection and judgment, there are different degrees or kingdoms of glory, not only a simple binary between heaven and condemnation.

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

Textual basis or tradition: 1 Corinthians 15 and Doctrine and Covenants 76 are the most cited bases.

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

Common objections: Critics consider the formulation distant from classical Christian eschatology and excessively dependent on post-biblical revelation.

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