The Earth Abideth the Law of a Celestial Kingdom

My nine-year-old son recently asked me where heaven will be and if we will get to stay on the earth after we die. He is not one who likes change very much—he still claims to be upset with me for moving from our previous home five years ago—and so he told me he wants to stay here on earth after he dies. Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants actually answers his question. The Lord revealed, “And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father; That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified…. And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it” (v17-20, 25-26). The earth will be “sanctified” after the Section Coming and be prepared for its celestial glory when even the Father will come to the earth. Those who are celestial will possess the earth “forever and ever” and this is the intent for which the earth was created—to become perfected and be the place of the celestial kingdom.

               Other scriptures also allude to the fact that the earth will be the place of the celestial kingdom. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). This statement was probably a quotation from the earlier statement of the psalmist: “But the meek shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:11). In our dispensation the Lord spoke of the poor who would rejoice at the coming of the Savior in these words: “And their generations shall inherit the earth from generation to generation, forever and ever. And now I make an end of speaking unto you” (Doctrine and Covenants 56:20). They will inherit the earth forever. In another revelation the Savior alluded to the same thing as He promised the righteous a place on the earth: “And I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts. And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:19-20). Here again He promised that the earth would be possessed by the righteous in eternity. In the 10^th Article of Faith the Prophet Joseph also alluded to this fact when he stated, “Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” Christ will come to the earth and it will become a place of glory.  

               Before the righteous will inherit the earth in glory, though, the earth must be made new. John saw this in his vision: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1). Moroni testified of the same future event: “And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new” (Ether 13:9). In our dispensation the Lord confirmed the same thing: “And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:23). Luke confirmed that indeed the righteous will dwell there in this new earth: “For verily there shall be new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (JST Luke 17:39). There are many details we don’t know about that this new earth will be like, but these scriptures confirm that if we are faithful we will one day inherit the earth as the celestial kingdom and enjoy there both the glorious presence of the Father and the Son. My son need not worry about having to leave the earth to go to heaven—it will indeed be right here!