Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be,

but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Hey listeners, this is Nick from Scripture Central, and today's podcast addresses the question,

What did early Christians teach about exaltation?

In 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had a grand vision of the heavens.

This vision, not unlike other early Christian descriptions of the heavens,

would go on to be canonized as Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants. One of the most

sacred blessings promised to those who would obtain the highest heaven or the celestial kingdom

may seem foreign to many Christians today.

They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fullness and of his glory.

Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God.

Furthermore, in another revelation given to Joseph Smith, these same saints are similarly described. Then shall they be

gods because they have no end. Therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting,

because they continue. Then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them.

Then shall they be gods because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods because they have all power,

and the angels are subject unto them. The language of saints becoming gods or like God

is found within the Bible. For example, when challenged by the Pharisees who sought to stone Jesus,

they listed blasphemy as Jesus' crime. Jesus, however, responded by citing Psalm 82,

verse 6. The Jews answered him, saying, for a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy,

and because that thou being a man, makeest thyself God. Jesus answered them,

Is it not written in your law? I said,

Ye are gods. Peter taught the saints that ye might be partakers of the divine nature. And Paul taught that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

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