As a young child convert to the LDS Church, I remember vividly learning that those who reached the highest level of heaven would receive their own planet. This teaching, often framed within the doctrine of eternal progression, was a central part of what I and many others believed and continued well into adulthood. So it was jarring to later discover that this idea has been addressed as “nondoctrinal” and not a core belief of the LDS Church—a shift that has left me questioning the transparency of the church’s evolving teachings. For those of us who grew up in the church—particularly those my age and older—we were taught in Sunday School manuals, Seminary classes, and even General Conference talks that if we lived righteously and reached the highest kingdom of heaven, we’d receive our own planet. For example, I remember a Sunday School lesson that emphasized our divine potential to become like God, with the power to create and govern worlds, as Heavenly Father does. These teachings were often framed as part of the grand plan of exaltation, giving members a sense of cosmic purpose and responsibility. It was a belief that many of us internalized as a central part of our faith and our ultimate goal.

However, during my research on LDS.org, I came across the Frequently Asked Questions section, where this concept is explicitly addressed. The FAQ, specifically in question number 12, clarifies that the idea of receiving one’s own planet is not a doctrine of the LDS Church and is not considered a core belief. (FAQ Source: Frequently Asked Questions) Instead, it characterizes such statements as speculative and not reflective of official teachings. The lack of acknowledgment for how widespread this teaching once was—and its deep impact on many members—raises questions about transparency and continuity within the church. (Manual Source: Gospel Principles Manual, 2002))

Discovering this was one of the many moments where I felt misled by the organization I had dedicated so much of my life to. It felt like gaslighting—as though the church was attempting to rewrite history by pretending this teaching was never part of its doctrine. But for those of us who were raised with this belief, the memory is clear. We didn’t imagine it. These teachings were emphasized repeatedly in various church settings, making them a memorable and foundational part of our faith.

Seven weeks ago, I shared these thoughts in a Facebook post, and the responses were quite interesting. Many people chimed in with their own experiences and perspectives, reflecting a range of emotions and interpretations. Some expressed confusion over the changes, noting they had been taught the concept of receiving their own world as a central part of their faith. Others shared personal anecdotes about how these teachings were presented to them in lessons or informal discussions, while a few dismissed the idea as speculation or misinterpretation. These varied reactions highlight the lack of clarity and consistency in how doctrine is communicated within the church, leaving members to reconcile differing narratives and grapple with feelings of trust and betrayal. I’ll share a few of the comments from active and post mormon members that stood out:

• “I feel we’ve been taught we’ll get the opportunity to build our world and life forms, but obviously, no one has gone into detail about what that means—so yeah, this is not what I would have thought the FAQ would say online. My thought is, ‘who the heck knows anyway?’ Since no one really knows what the details will be, it doesn’t mean anything one way or another to me, but it is interesting.”
• “I was raised in the church, I’m in my late 30s, and this doctrine of other worlds and becoming gods is something I used to explain to my friends who weren’t LDS. They, of course, thought it was cool—different, but cool. Now missionaries don’t know what I’m talking about when I bring this up. This is gaslighting and a perfect example of an abusive relationship, telling us this was never a doctrine when it was taught to us our entire lives.”
• “If this were just some random members speculating, how could so many of us from all over the U.S. have heard the same thing? I was also raised to believe that if we made it to the celestial kingdom, we would be given our own world or planet. My husband was also taught this and was told that he would have multiple wives to populate his planet. I wonder why they left that part out of my Young Women lessons?”
• “When I was younger, I heard members and leaders make comments like, ‘When I get my own planet, I’m not putting mosquitoes on it.’ It was always said with a bit of humor, but there was a clear underlying belief that this was part of exaltation. It’s strange to see this dismissed now as mere speculation when it was such a consistent part of church culture.”

This experience made me question what else might have changed or disappeared from the church’s teachings without acknowledgment. Such shifts not only alter the historical record but also challenge the trust that members place in the institution. When doctrine evolves without clear communication or explanation, it underscores the tension between institutional transparency and the need for faith in leadership, leaving members grappling with the implications for their own spiritual journeys. It’s one thing for an organization to evolve, but it’s another to do so without transparency, leaving members to feel confused or even betrayed.

For those who were taught this same belief, I’m curious—did you also think you’d get your own planet? How did you feel when you learned this teaching was no longer emphasized, or when you discovered other shifts in church doctrine? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.