Degrees of glory

In Mormon theology, there are three degrees of glory (alternatively, kingdoms of glory) which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth after they are resurrected from the spirit world.

Mormons believe that Paul the Apostle briefly described these degrees of glory in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42, and in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Joseph Smith elaborated on Paul's descriptions based primarily upon a vision he received with Sidney Rigdon in 1832 and recorded as Doctrine and Covenants section 76. According to this vision, all humans will be resurrected and at the Final Judgment will be assigned to one of three degrees of glory, called the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. A small number of individuals who commit the unpardonable sin will not receive a kingdom of glory, but will be banished to outer darkness with Satan where they will be "sons of Perdition".