Paradise vs Heaven in Mormonism
Hello! My name is Danny, and I was an active Latter-day Saint for 60 years.
If you have followed my channel, you most likely know that there are numerous differences between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity. Even though Mormonism claims to be a restoration of the ancient church of Christ, Peter, and Paul’s day – it fails to compare with the same teachings and doctrines of the ancient church captured in the written word of the Bible. We could pick any topic and put Mormonism’s definitions or interpretations side-by-side with the biblical definitions and interpretations. There will always be a contrast and distinction between the two.
Today, I decided to examine the concept of heaven and paradise. Are heaven and paradise two separate locations or are they the same place? So, when we speak of paradise are we also speaking of heaven? Do Mormonism and Biblical Christianity agree or disagree on this matter? Let’s see.
This question arises - when we consider the story about the repentant thief on the cross, who confessed his faith in Yeshua, to Yeshua - and made this sincere plea in Luke 23:42 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” How did Yeshua respond to the believing thief? Did He say, before you can come into MY kingdom - you first need to be taught the gospel, be baptized in water, receive the Holy Spirit, and prove yourself by keeping laws, ordinances, and commandments? Of course, it would be too late for the dying thief to crawl down from his cross and do all that!
Or did Yeshua say, wait till you die and go to the Spirit World where Mormon missionaries will come and teach you the Mormon gospel. If you agree with what you hear, then in 2000 years from now - a living Latter-day Saint will go to a Mormon temple to perform proxy baptism, sealings, and anointings on your behalf. Only then will you be allowed to come into MY kingdom. Now, if you know anything at all about LDS theology – that is exactly how it works – according to Mormonism.
INSTEAD, we read in Vs 43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” No prerequisites for the thief, no works required on his part - just faith and belief on the Messiah. Mormonism teaches that when the thief on the cross died, he didn’t go to heaven; he went to an intermediate place called paradise. As if it was a separate place from heaven. But I want to demonstrate using the written word of the Bible that heaven and paradise is the same destination.
We read Apostle Paul describing a vision that either he or someone else experienced. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:2 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” So, Paul could be talking about himself here – because in scripture it’s not uncommon for a writer to speak of himself in the third person. Or, he could be referring to John the Revelator, who while on the Isle of Patmos was caught up in a heavenly vision. Either way, one of them was “caught up to the third heaven.”
Paul adds in parentheses regarding this man who was caught up in the third heaven, “whether in the body, I cannot tell.” Paul admits he isn’t certain - whether the physical body was caught up to heaven; or whether the soul for a time was separated from the body and went to heaven; or whether the scene passed before his mind in a heavenly vision.
I suggest, this might have been Apostle John instead of Paul because John wrote in Revelation 4:1-2 “After this I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” So, John saw in his revelation a door opening in heaven and witnessed the Divine sitting on His throne. Was this the “third heaven” experienced by John that Paul was writing about? Or was Paul writing about his own experience? We can’t be certain.
One thing we do need to look at is Paul’s statement in the context of the Jewish culture - who divided the heavens into three heavens: Not three kingdoms or degrees of glory like in Mormonism. To the Jews - The First heaven included the sky, birds, clouds, and atmosphere. The Second heaven which is outer Space, included the sun, moon, planets, and stars. And the Third heaven which is beyond the galaxies and was supposed to be the residence of God, angels, and spirits. It was this upper “third heaven,” which is the dwelling-place of God, to which Paul or John was taken. This third heaven was the heaven where God dwelt, also referred to in Scripture as the “heaven of heavens.”
Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Notice what Paul just did here. He used “heaven” and “paradise” as synonyms. He was caught up to the third heaven where God is and he calls that place paradise. So clearly - paradise and heaven are meant to be the same place. I trust that scripture wants us to understand - that when it says paradise it also means heaven.
Another proof-text is Revelation 2:7 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” As you read in John’s vision, the “tree of life” is described - as residing in heaven or paradise. In fact, the “tree of life” is possibly none other than Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. This third heaven in New Jerusalem is paradise restored, which once existed as paradise in the original Garden of Eden.
Another reason Mormonism teaches that heaven and paradise CAN’T be the same place is because it asks - how could the thief go to heaven that day, since Christ hadn’t yet risen from the dead? The real reason is because the thief came to believe in Yeshua, and Christ’s sacrifice already applied retroactive to the moment the thief believed. Just like Abraham, who lived centuries before Yeshua - when he believed God’s promise that He would make Abraham a great nation and to be a blessing to all peoples on Earth - Abraham too was counted as righteous at that moment of confessed faith. Even though Christ had not yet been born, lived, died and resurrected. So, when Abraham died - he went to paradise. Because God can act based on the future sacrifice of Yeshua, God is not limited by time like we are. Christ’s salvation for men is in effect for the past, present, and future of the world.
Okay, now let’s compare what Mormonism does teach, and how it interprets Paul and John’s writings. This “third heaven” in Mormonism means that there are three kingdoms or three degrees of glory in the afterlife. The LDS Church Come Follow Me manual states that “The phrase ‘the third heaven’ refers to the celestial kingdom.” And the manual directs us to Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76:96-98, which lists the three kingdoms of glory in Mormon heaven.
(In a future video, I will explain and discuss these three degrees of glory or kingdoms of heaven.)
On its official website ChurchofJesusChrist.org, when you search the word “Paradise” it takes you to a heading titled Spirit World. Here it says “The postmortal spirit world is a place where the spirits of those who have died live before the Resurrection. The spirit world consists of paradise, where the righteous dwell, and spirit prison, where those who were wicked in mortality dwell.” “President Joseph F. Smith saw in a vision that immediately after Jesus Christ was crucified, He visited the righteous in the spirit world. He appointed messengers, gave them power and authority, and commissioned them to “carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men” (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:30).”
The website goes on to say, “In the spirit prison are the spirits of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. The spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles (Mormon principles) and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison. If they accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples (LDS temples), they may leave the spirit prison and dwell in paradise.” “Also, in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them either on earth or in the spirit prison. These spirits suffer in a condition known as hell. They have removed themselves from the mercy of Jesus Christ.” “After suffering for their sins, they will be allowed, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the Telestial kingdom.”
(Holding up the Bible) Then if we turn to the Bible Dictionary at the back of the LDS King James Bible, it defines the term “Paradise.” “Paradise is that part of the spirit world in which the righteous spirits who have departed from this life await the resurrection of the body. It is a condition of happiness and peace. However, the scriptures are not always consistent in the use of the word, especially in the Bible. For example, when Jesus purportedly said (doubting the word of God) to the thief on the cross, “today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), the Bible rendering is incorrect. The statement would be more accurately read, ‘Today shalt thou be with me in the world of spirits’ since the thief was not ready for paradise.” Continuing it says, “Possibly 2 Corinthians 12:4 should also not use ‘paradise’ in the sense of meaning the spirit world, as much as meaning the celestial kingdom.”
My question is that - If these writings of Luke and Apostle Paul were incorrect, as the LDS Bible Dictionary states – then why didn’t Joseph Smith correct them in his inspired version? I looked them up in the Joseph Smith Translation, and Smith made no changes to either of these biblical references. So, for some individual or committee in the scripture-writing department of the LDS Church in 1981 C.E. to change Bible passages to mean something entirely different – and even overriding their founding prophet is pretty extreme. Don’t you think? To be me it’s a case of obvious distortion of the written word of God.
Here we have an example of twisting scripture in the word of God to fit a different gospel message. Paul has a strong warning about those who would distort the gospel of Christ. He taught in Galatians 1:6-8 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Is Mormonism guilty of such thing? Does it teach “another gospel” that was given by “an angel from heaven?” In my opinion, Mormonism is a different gospel in every regard from what we have in the written word of God. But it took me six decades to figure that out. Hopefully, by watching and listening to these videos, you can benefit from the study and research I’ve put into comparing Mormonism to Biblical Christianity. And then you make your own informed decisions.
In the end, and with that aside - All I can say is that we know Apostle Paul was aware that his life was always in jeopardy during his missions of spreading the true gospel. He said in Philippians 1:20-24 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two (a predicament between the two), having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
For this great apostle - Paul’s life was centered on Christ, and death was not a fearful loss but a profound gain because it meant being in the presence of Christ. The passage reflects a perspective - where life is dedicated to Christ and His purposes - while death is seen as a highly desirable transition to a better, eternal state with God.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that being with the Lord in “heaven” IS TRULY – “paradise?”
Something to consider, my friends.
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God Bless!
Jesus and the brazen serpent
Hello! I’m Danny and I was an active member of the LDS Church for 6 decades.
In this video I want to share a favorite story about Jesus or Yeshua and His connection to an Old Testament event. It’s two stories rolled into one.
When Moses led the children of Israel through the Red Sea and during the forty years of wilderness wanderings - God was constantly teaching the Israelites lessons about Himself and about their own sinfulness.
We read in Numbers 21:4-9, that while they were in the desert, they became discouraged and frustrated with Moses and with God (Vs 4-5). They had a track record of 40 years of complaining despite God’s faithfulness. He had delivered them from Pharaoh’s army. He had provided water and protection in that barren desert. He had given them food every morning with the heaven-sent manna. But despite God’s abundant goodness, they grumbled at Him about their circumstances. So, God sent among them as a judgment - because of their sinful rebellion and unbelief - deadly snakes called (Vs 6) “fiery serpents.” That description was based on either their fiery red color or the sting of their poisonous bite from which many people died. I can’t imagine anything more terrifying than being in a field full of deadly snakes. But, realizing they had sinned, they went to Moses (Vs 7) and asked him to plead with God to eradicate the snakes.
Yahweh or Yahavah had compassion upon them and instructed Moses (Vs 8-9) to craft a serpent of brass and put it on a wooden pole for the people to see. When the poisonous snakes bit the people, they were to look upon the brazen serpent and live. God was teaching the people something about faith. It seemed illogical to think that simply looking at a bronze serpent could heal anyone from snakebite, but that is exactly what God told them to do. Of course, it worked! Those who had faith, obeyed, and looked upon the pole with the bronze serpent - were saved. Nothing else was required of them, like in man-made religion. It was simply a gift from God, which the people didn’t deserve or earn. Those who lacked faith and failed to look upon the serpent ended up dying from their own unbelief. Got it?
God could have simply removed the deadly snakes, but instead, He left the snakes and provided a remedy: Just look to the brass serpent that Moses put up on the pole and you will live. It’s important to note here that there was nothing magical or idolatrous about what God told Moses to do. Neither the serpent nor the pole had any healing power in and of itself. Rather, it was God’s power that saved and healed the Israelites. By looking at the serpent on the pole, the Israelites acknowledged their sin, repented of their rebellion, and turned to God in faith to save and heal them.
Now, you must admit that’s kind of a strange story! After all, one of God’s Ten Commandments was that His people should not make any graven images. Also, these people perhaps knew the story of the detested snake in the garden that had tempted Eve. To be clear - there is no connection between this brass serpent and that snake which Satan spoke through in the Garden of Eden. But God told Moses to make an image of a serpent and put it on a pole. This brass serpent was symbolic of the serpents God used to chastise the Israelites for their unbelief.
Bytheway, this serpent pole Moses fashioned was later carried all the way into the Promised Land. Perhaps it was kept as a reminder of God’s miraculous healing and as a warning for disobedience. Clearly it was an enduring and well-known symbol in the nation. But the serpent of brass wasn’t ever meant to be an idol to the Israelites. It was an artistic work of metal designed by the Lord. Unfortunately, years later when they reached the Promise Land this serpent on the pole did become an idol of worship to the sinful Israelites. And God hated idolatry more than anything else.
It was preserved for 700 years without the serpent being mentioned at all in the Hebrew record or Old Testament. Then we read 2 Kings 18:1-4 “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan).” King Hezekiah destroys all the pagan images that became idols to the people and demonstrated that they had no divine power. He called the metal serpent on the pole “Nehushtan” meaning it’s simply “a thing of brass.”
Now, here's the cool part! Centuries later we find Yeshua having a conversation one evening with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. In John 3, Yeshua tells Nicodemus in, order to enter the kingdom of God, he must be born again (Vs 3), meaning, born of the Spirit (Vs 5). Nicodemus thought that his righteousness would get him into the kingdom of God. But Jesus shocked him by saying (Vs 3), “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus needed the new birth. His good works and religious performances were not enough to get him into the kingdom of God. His righteous living was no cure for the snake bite of sin in his life. He was a sinner just like everyone else and he needed a Savior.
We find that Yeshua loved to refer to the Old Testament Hebrew scripture during His ministry. And, to make His point here - Yeshua draws upon, this story in Numbers 21:4-9 and relates it directly to Himself. Why? Because it was a type or foreshadowing of the coming promised Messiah - which was fulfilled in Christ’s death on the cross. Yeshua teaches Nicodemus in John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
I love this illustration - because this story brings out a distinct contrast between religion and Christianity. Religion tends to either ignore human sin and say that God is so loving that He will overlook our sin; or, it says that we can pay for our sins through our effort and good works. But biblical Christianity recognizes that God cannot overlook sin, or He would not be holy and just. And we cannot pay for our own sins, because our good deeds and self-righteousness are useless in God’s sight. It states in Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
The serpent in the desert wilderness was put on a wooden pole and “lifted, up” from the earth, which was a symbol of the curse of sin and judgment. Referencing Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Paul teaches in Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” Not hung but attached to a tree. Under Mosaic law, capital punishment was carried out by stoning. Then the body was attached to a tree to display the dead person, who came under the curse or judgment of the law. And that symbolizes OUR sinful condition. As humans, we sin, and we die - spiritually. So, Yeshua took the curse of all mankind upon Himself and was hanged on a tree or nailed to a cross and was “lifted, up.” The message is the very same today - if we look to Christ alone in faith and keep our eyes fixed on Him, we too will have eternal life.
My friends, it is the only solution for our sin!
Just as the brazen serpent on a pole brought physical life to the children of Israel, Yeshua Mashiach brought eternal life to all who trust in His atoning work on the cross. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Thus, the record of all our sins - past, present, and future, have been nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
Yeshua then shares with Nicodemus the well-known and most important declaration in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse is often considered a summary of the Christian gospel, highlighting God's love for humanity and the provision of salvation through Yeshua Mashiach. It emphasizes that God's motivation for sending His Son was out of love for the world, and that belief alone in Yeshua is the only path to eternal life.
Interestingly, today’s symbol of modern medicine is a snake twined around a pole. Notice it next time you’re in a doctor’s office or hospital.
Paul wrote this sobering statement in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The cross alone is God’s remedy for all mankind. But I have found that people have a difficult time accepting that the work of righteousness has been done for us. Just like the Israelites bitten by snakes and their sin - people today find it too simple and difficult to just look to Christ for salvation.
You don’t have to join a church. You don’t need to add your good works to what Christ has done. Yeshua paid for it all! There’s nothing for you to do, except to look unto Him in faith. Trust, in Him alone and not in any of your works. Because to trust in Yeshua plus your works, like baptism and ordinances and tithing, etc. is not 100% trusting in what Yeshua did to save you. It demonstrates that you lack faith. You don’t believe He accomplished it all for you.
Paul taught in Romans 3:24 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Let me ask you - when does addition, equal subtraction? When you add to the finished work of Christ, you are taking away and subtracting from the from fully trusting in His perfect sacrifice. It’s like kneeling at the foot of the cross and trying to offer something in addition to His perfect atonement. What an insult!
Do you know that God’s grace actually cancels out human effort? It states in Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” This is the Bible’s consistent message. 2 Timothy 1:9 speaking of Yeshua, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Can you imagine - a woman is given as a gift a masterpiece of art, a flawless Rembrandt? It is priceless! She is overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. But then as time goes by, she thinks she ought to add something to it. Thinking herself to be a “good” artist, she decides to take up her brush and paint a tiny delicate flower down in one corner of the Rembrandt. What would be your reaction to that? Is it something you would recommend she should do? What has she really done, instead? She has ruined it, destroyed it. Right! She has taken away from the masterpiece’s original value! Likewise, when we try to add even the smallest bit of our own good works to God’s perfect masterpiece of atonement – it significantly devalues it. It has the opposite effect on our salvation. Trying to keep covenants, ordinances, laws, and commandments will do nothing to improve our perfect standing with God - if you have placed your faith in Christ alone.
The cross of Christ is the only remedy for your sin. But first, you must admit that you’re a hopeless sinner. That’s a huge stumbling block for “good” people like Nicodemus and Latter-day Saints who hardly ever admit they are lost sinners. Like Nicodemus, we think – “I have my faults, but I’m not a bad person! I’m trying my best to be good person!” You see people like Catholics and Latter-day Saints in this passage of Paul’s writing, Romans 10:1-4 “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel (or LDS) is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” Let that sink in.
It is tough to admit you are FAR more sinful than you ever imagined! And to admit that you can’t do anything to save or improve yourself. Thankfully, Yeshua did it all for us. All you must do is place our trust in, Him. His salvation is by His grace (meaning - undeserved favor) through faith so that no one can claim credit for their efforts. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Again, Yeshua said in John 3:14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” Every time this phrase “lifted up” is used, it refers to the cross. John 8:28 “So Jesus said, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.’” John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:34 “The crowd then answered Him, ‘We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, “The Son of Man must be lifted up”? Who is this Son of Man?’”
There is, also a double meaning in the phrase “lifted up.” It also means “to exalt” or “lift, up in majesty.” So just as the serpent had to be lifted, up in the wilderness - so Yeshua would be despised and lifted, up on the cross. But God didn’t leave Yeshua there. God raised Yeshua from the dead and exalted Him to God’s right hand in glory. He was “lifted up” in His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation. (1 Peter 3:22–23) (Ephesians 1:20–23).
As Yeshua prays in John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” When we come to know the only true God and His Son, Yeshua Mashiach – we will look to Him alone for our salvation and accept His free, gift of eternal life.
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Keep on praising God!