What is Exaltation in Latter-day Saint Theology?

In Latter-day Saint belief, exaltation is the highest possible state of eternal progression, allowing individuals to become like God.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from The Three Degrees of Glory in Latter-day Saint Theology

Quick take

Exaltation is the ultimate spiritual destiny for faithful Latter-day Saints.
It means living eternally with God, becoming like Him, and having eternal families.
Achieving it requires making and keeping sacred covenants, especially temple covenants.
This highest blessing is offered to all who faithfully follow Christ's teachings.

Exaltation, often called eternal life, is the ultimate goal for faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It means returning to live with God the Father and Jesus Christ, progressing to become like Them, and inheriting all the blessings They possess. It represents the highest degree of glory available in the eternities, specifically within the Celestial Kingdom.

How Exaltation is Achieved

Exaltation is not a default outcome but a journey of faith, obedience, and covenant-keeping. It requires accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, following His commandments, and receiving essential ordinances. These ordinances include baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and participating in sacred temple ordinances like the endowment and eternal marriage sealing.

Central to exaltation is the concept of eternal marriage, where a man and a woman are sealed together for time and all eternity in a temple, promising to live faithfully. This sealing allows families to continue beyond mortal life, forming an eternal unit. Other temple covenants involve promising to live righteously, serve God, and follow Jesus Christ.

The Nature of Exaltation

Those who achieve exaltation are said to inherit “all that God has.” This includes the ability to have eternal increase (spiritual posterity), to create worlds, and to exercise divine attributes like love, power, and knowledge in their fullest measure. They become “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ,” dwelling in the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom. They will live in a state of perfect joy and spiritual progression, continuing to learn and grow eternally.

For Latter-day Saints, exaltation provides profound meaning and purpose to life. It offers the hope of eternal family relationships, perfect joy, and continued growth. It reinforces the belief that humans are children of God with divine potential, encouraging a life of service, learning, and striving for righteousness. It answers fundamental questions about our origin, purpose, and destiny, offering a path back to God's presence as exalted beings.

Is exaltation the same as salvation?

While related, in Latter-day Saint theology, "salvation" often refers to being saved from sin and death through Christ's Atonement, granting resurrection and a degree of glory. "Exaltation" is a higher form of salvation, specifically the highest degree, allowing one to live eternally with God and become like Him.

Is exaltation only for married couples?

The doctrine teaches that eternal marriage between a man and a woman is essential for exaltation. However, Latter-day Saints believe that those who desire and strive for it but do not have the opportunity for temple marriage in this life (due to circumstances beyond their control) will have that opportunity in the eternities.

Can anyone achieve exaltation?

Yes, the path to exaltation is open to all who are willing to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, make and keep sacred covenants, and endure faithfully to the end. It's a gift offered by God, contingent upon our choices and efforts.

What is the difference between the Celestial Kingdom and Exaltation?

The Celestial Kingdom is the highest of the three degrees of glory. Exaltation refers to the highest *level* within the Celestial Kingdom, which is reserved for those who have entered into and kept the covenant of eternal marriage and other sacred temple covenants.

Sources

Gospel Topics: Exaltation (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-70