Abraham 2:11 Salvation, even Life Eternal

Abraham 2:11
"...in thy [Abraham's] seed after thee ... shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal."

Doctrine and Covenants 88:4
"This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;"

The word 'even' in these two verses could be used and interpreted in two different ways. This allows for four different ways of interpreting the relationship between salvation, eternal life, and the glory of the celestial kingdom. I will show all four and then explain which one is supported by scripture.

The first could be interpreted two ways when it says, "the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal." It could be interpreted to mean, (1) life eternal is equal to salvation. So this can be written equally to say, 'all the families of the earth will be blessed with the blessings of salvation which is life eternal.' It could also be interpreted to mean, (2) life eternal is greater than salvation. So this can be written equally to say, 'the blessings of the gospel include the blessings of salvation, but not just the blessings of salvation, but also the blessings of life eternal.' This second interpretation implies that life eternal is not the same as salvation because it is something greater.

Now let's look at the second verse and the phrase, "eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom." It could likewise be interpreted to mean, (1) eternal life is equal to the glory of the celestial kingdom. So this can be written equally to say, 'this Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life which is the glory of the celestial kingdom.' It could also be interpreted to mean, (2) the glory of the celestial kingdom is greater than eternal life. So this can be written equally to say, 'this Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, but not just eternal life, but also the glory of the celestial kingdom.' This second interpretation implies that the glory of the celestial kingdom is not the same as eternal life because it is something greater.

Both are possible and appropriate uses of the word 'even.' So how do we know if it is the first or the second? Or could it be different in each verse? Let's explore all four possibilities.

If we use the first interpretation for both:
1) salvation = eternal life = the glory of the celestial kingdom
If we use the second interpretation for both:
2) salvation < eternal life < the glory of the celestial kingdom
If we mix it up then it could be either of the following:
3) salvation < eternal life = the glory of the celestial kingdom
4) salvation = eternal life < the glory of the celestial kingdom

If we didn't use any other scriptures to clarify the relationships of these words we would be stuck with four possible interpretations and none could be eliminated or elevated over the others. However, we do have more.

In D&C 76:81 and 88 we learn that the glory of the telestial kingdom is less than the glory of the celestial kingdom and that they are both included in salvation. So it can be written as follows:

salvation = the glory of the telestial kingdom < the glory of the celestial kingdom
Therefore:
salvation < the glory of the celestial kingdom

So a person can be saved and not be in the celestial kingdom (although the opposite is not true). Now this understanding eliminates option 1 above. The only other scripture that could be attempted to be used to show eternal life equal to the glory of the celestial kingdom is D&C 101:65, but in context it must be eliminated, leaving that relationship unclear; I will explain later. That leaves the relationship between salvation and eternal life the only one remaining to show that either 4 is the correct interpretation or the possibility of either 2 or 3.

For this I will use three scriptures:
Alma 11:40 - "these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else." Or in other words salvation only comes to those who shall have eternal life.
          salvation = eternal life
D&C 6:13 - the greatest of all the gifts of God = salvation
D&C 14:7 - the greatest of all the gifts of God = eternal life
Since, salvation = the greatest of all the gifts of God = eternal life
Therefore:
          salvation = eternal life

I will admit there are some logical flaws that were introduced as I simplified the scriptures into logic statements. But this clearly shows that option 4 is the only correct interpretation for the relationship between salvation, eternal life, and the glory of the celestial kingdom. This shows that those who were in the room when D&C 88 was received could receive not only the promise of eternal life but also the promise of glory in the celestial kingdom. Likewise, D&C 101:65 in context is referring to the time of the first resurrection. All those in the first resurrection will receive eternal life in the celestial kingdom, but this does not mean that all who receive eternal life at a different time or in a different resurrection will be in the celestial kingdom. To interpret it this way takes the verse out of context.

The flaw of the logic statements is that the glory of the celestial kingdom is not greater than eternal life and salvation but is a greater part within eternal life and salvation. There are a multitude of scriptures that could be used to show that eternal life is equal to salvation in every way but one. All requirements for eternal life are also equally requirements for salvation. All those who receive salvation or, in other words, become heirs of salvation, shall receive eternal life if they endure in their saved state to the end, which is resurrection. Then they enter the kingdom of God, all who are heirs of salvation. Yes that means that all those who are resurrected with telestial, terrestrial, and celestial glory enter the kingdom of God.

All the families of the earth will be blessed with salvation which is eternal life.