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Faith, Hope, and Charity: The “Three Principal Rounds” of the Ladder of Heavenly Ascent

TitleFaith, Hope, and Charity: The “Three Principal Rounds” of the Ladder of Heavenly Ascent
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsBradshaw, Jeffrey M.
JournalInterpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
Volume39
Pagination207-260
KeywordsCharity; Faith; Hope
Abstract

This chapter argues that “the scriptural triad of faith, hope, and charity should be understood as something more than a general set of personal attributes that must be developed in order for disciples to become like Christ. Instead, as part of the ‘guarded tradition the Apostle’ [Paul] that is transmitted to readers in 1 Corinthians and elsewhere in scripture, these terms have been used to describe a distinct progression of ‘stages in a Christian’s earthly experience.’ The three stages that correlate to faith, hope, and charity were described by Joseph Smith as the ‘three principal rounds’ of a ladder of heavenly ascent. Each round marks a chief juncture in priesthood ordinances and on the pathway to eternal life.”

URLhttps://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/faith-hope-and-charity-the-three-principal-rounds-of-the-ladder-of-heavenly-ascent/