The Doctrine of Exaltation in Latter-day Saint Theology

Understanding the highest form of salvation and eternal progression taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 2, 2026

Branched from Polygamy in Early Mormonism: Theology and Westward Migration

Quick take

Exaltation is the highest state of salvation in Latter-day Saint theology.
It involves becoming like God, sharing in divine attributes, and experiencing eternal progression.
Key requirements include faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and keeping sacred temple covenants.
It emphasizes eternal families and provides purpose for a covenant-keeping life.

In Latter-day Saint (LDS) theology, Exaltation refers to the highest state of salvation and eternal progression available to individuals. It represents becoming like God, inheriting His attributes, and continuing to create and preside over spirit families throughout eternity. It is the ultimate goal for faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Path to Becoming Like God

Exaltation is not automatically granted but is achieved through a lifelong process of faith, obedience, and covenant keeping. Latter-day Saints believe this path was laid out by Jesus Christ and is accessed through His Atonement. Key steps include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sins, being baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Beyond these initial steps, individuals must make and keep sacred covenants, particularly those offered in temples. These include promises related to obedience, sacrifice, chastity, and consecration. The most significant temple covenant for exaltation is eternal marriage, where a man and a woman are sealed together for time and all eternity, allowing their family relationships to continue beyond death.

The Promise of Eternal Increase

A core aspect of exaltation is the promise of "eternal increase" or "eternal lives." This refers to the ability for exalted individuals, as spirit parents, to have spirit children in the eternities, much as God the Father is believed to have spirit children who eventually come to Earth. This concept underscores the eternal nature of family and the idea of continuing divine creativity and progression.

The Doctrine of Exaltation provides a profound sense of purpose and direction for Latter-day Saints. It offers a hopeful vision of eternal progression, where individuals can continuously learn, grow, and develop divine attributes. It emphasizes the eternal nature of family relationships, making temple marriage and family life central to their spiritual journey. This doctrine motivates members to live righteously, keep their covenants, and strive for a deeper relationship with God, believing that their efforts lead to the greatest possible blessings in the eternities.

Key Requirements for Exaltation

Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement
Repentance of sins
Baptism by immersion
Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
Making and keeping sacred temple covenants
Entering into and honoring eternal marriage covenants
Enduring to the end in righteousness

Is Exaltation the same as salvation?

In Latter-day Saint theology, 'salvation' can refer broadly to being saved from sin and death through Christ's Atonement, which applies to all who repent. Exaltation, however, is a higher, more specific form of salvation, reserved for those who make and keep all necessary covenants, including temple ordinances and eternal marriage, allowing them to become like God and inherit eternal life.

Does everyone get Exaltation?

No. While all people will be resurrected and enter a kingdom of glory (a form of salvation), Exaltation is reserved for those who choose to follow God's full plan, make and keep all sacred covenants, and live righteously. It requires personal agency and sustained effort.

What does 'becoming like God' mean?

It means developing divine attributes such as love, mercy, knowledge, and power, and eventually being able to create and govern worlds, and to have spirit offspring, continuing the divine pattern of family. It does not imply becoming an equal to God the Father, but rather becoming a joint-heir with Christ, sharing in the Father's glory and blessings.

How does this doctrine relate to early Latter-day Saint polygamy?

Historically, in the early days of the Church, particularly during the period of plural marriage, the concept of 'eternal increase' was sometimes linked to having a multitude of spirit children through plural wives. However, the modern doctrine of exaltation, as practiced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, focuses on monogamous eternal marriage as the covenant path to eternal progression and the ability to have eternal increase.