lan of Salvation to them. Life on Earth serves several purposes, the main one being that it is a "test" to determine if people are worthy to return to live with God. After completion of life on Earth, Mormons believe that the spiritual body separates from the physical one and enters the Spirit World. It is here where the person is "judged" and it is determined if he or she is worthy to live with God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, for all eternity. LDS members do not believe that if one is judged worthy, he or she is automatically placed into the familiar notion of "Heaven." This notion comes from Paul's reference to "three heavens" in II Cor. 12:1-4; however, whereas most Christian denominations believe these "three heavens" to be the sky, outer space, and God's kingdom, LDS members believe them to be three "degrees of glory." The Terrestial Kingdom is saved for those who lived honorable lives on Earth but were blinded by the "craftiness" of men and were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. The highest degree of glory, and the one LDS members strive to reach, is the Celestial Kingdom. Entrance into this Kingdom requires a temple marriage and sealing (see below); people are able to dwell in the presence of both God the Father and Jesus Christ for all eternity. Members are typically baptized at the age of eight, although the age obviously differs for those who convert later in their life. At sixteen years of age, young men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, where duties include blessing the sacrament and baptizing worthy people. Another unique belief held by LDS members is that of baptism for the dead. Along with these beliefs, LDS members adhere to a strict set of moral codes. Young men and women are strongly encouraged to be honest and chaste; all members must abstain from premarital sex, pornography, foul language and gambling. The church has no paid clergy; rather, people are called to various positions and must fulf...
