Telestial is a term more
uniquely Mormon, although it suggests some knowledge of the Greek behind the
Pauline text. The clearest indication of this kind is found in another revelation
later that year, which also parallels Corinthians. In this second revelation, a
series of resurrections is described, which seemingly related to the various heavenly
kingdoms. The righteous, those who “are Christ’s,” will be resurrected first
according to this account, and will join with Christ in his millennial rule.
Second will come those who are “Christ’s at his coming,” the “good men” who had
been deceived who will also return for the millennium where they “might receive
the gospel and be judged according to men in the flesh.” These groups are
clearly those previously identified as destined for the celestial and terrestrial
kingdoms, respectively. Finally “the rest of the dead” were to come forth
penitent after having been “cast down to hell and suffer[ing] the wrath of Almighty
God” for the duration of the millennium. Then will all be presented “unto the
Father, spotless.” (The parallel Corinthians account [15:23-24]—though with a
different apparent message—says in speaking of the resurrection, “Christ the
firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the
end [Greek, teleos], when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God.” As
understood by the early Mormons, therefore, “the rest” who came at “the end”
were destined for the telestial kingdom.” (D&C 88:98-99, 100-101; 76:105-7)
(Lester E. Bush, Jr., Health and Medicine Among the Latter-day Saints [New
York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1993], 18-19)
