What are the requirements to reach the 2nd level of the Celestial Kingdom?

Question

 

Hey Gramps,

I know that baptism is the only thing required for entry into the celestial kingdom. I also know that sealing to a spouse is required to reach the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. But what about the second degree? Is an endowment required to reach the second degree, and what is the difference b/w 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees?

Thanks for the work you do!

Aaron

 

Answer

 

Aaron,

If you’ve spent time around Latter-day Saint teachings, you’ve probably heard people casually talk about “levels” within the Celestial Kingdom—sometimes described as first, second, and third. It’s a natural question to ask: What do I need to do to reach the second level? The interesting thing is that the answer isn’t as straightforward as many expect.

In fact, LDS doctrine doesn’t lay out a clearly defined set of requirements for what people call the “second level” of the Celestial Kingdom. That might feel a little unsatisfying at first, but it actually opens the door to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of how eternal progression works.

The idea of different degrees of glory comes primarily from Doctrine and Covenants section 76, a revelation given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. In that vision, they describe three main kingdoms of glory: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. A key passage explains who inherits the Celestial Kingdom:

“They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized… and received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands” (Doctrine & Covenants 76:51–52)

That gives a foundational picture: Celestial glory is for those who truly accept and follow Jesus Christ through covenant discipleship.

Later, another revelation adds an important detail:

“In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees” 
“In order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [new and everlasting covenant of marriage]” (Doctrine & Covenants 131:1-2)

Notice what’s happening here. The scriptures clearly define the requirement for the highest degree, often referred to as exaltation. But they don’t spell out detailed requirements for the other degrees. That silence is actually meaningful—it keeps the focus on the fullness of what God offers.

Another important passage reinforces how central eternal marriage is to exaltation:

“If a man marry a wife by my word… it shall be of full force when they are out of the world… and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms… a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” (Doctrine & Covenants 132:19)

This is one of the clearest scriptural descriptions of what distinguishes the highest degree: eternal family relationships and ongoing increase.

When people refer to the “second level,” they’re usually talking about individuals who receive Celestial glory but do not obtain the fullness of exaltation. In simple terms, they are still in the highest kingdom—still experiencing incredible glory—but without certain blessings tied specifically to eternal marriage.

At the same time, scripture consistently reminds us that salvation and glory are rooted in Jesus Christ’s grace, not just our checklist of actions. For example:

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39)

That verse shifts the perspective. God’s goal isn’t to sort people into tiers—it’s to bring them as far as they are willing to go.

And that connects with another powerful New Testament teaching:

“In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2)

Latter-day Saints often see this as consistent with the idea of varying degrees of glory—different eternal outcomes suited to different levels of acceptance and readiness.

One more scripture that adds depth to this discussion is:

“That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:2)

This reinforces that relationships—and who we are becoming—matter deeply in eternity. It’s not just about where we end up, but what kind of life we’re prepared to live there.

Taken together, these scriptures paint a pretty consistent picture. They clearly outline the requirements for entering the Celestial Kingdom and for receiving exaltation, but they leave the in-between details less defined. That’s likely intentional. The emphasis is on inviting us upward, not encouraging us to aim for a middle tier.

So while people may talk about a “second level,” the restored gospel doesn’t give a checklist for it. Instead, it invites us to accept all the ordinances, make and keep covenants, and become the kind of people who can receive everything God is willing to give.

And honestly, that’s a much bigger and more hopeful vision than just trying to figure out the minimum requirement.

Gramps