Exaltation vs Eternal Life

This post was spawned from the following question:

If Eternal Life is the greatest of God's gifts (as D&C 14:7 says), what does that make Exaltation?

My first thoughts about this question cause me to think: If it is the greatest gift then it is would seem to me to be the top glory of the Celestial Kingdom because how can you get better than that. If it is living in God the Father's presence then it is the same as living in the Celestial kingdom. If it is simply living in God's presence then it is synonymous with salvation or(aka) any of the kingdoms in the kingdom of God.

Exaltation was not clearly defined in my mind either. I've heard that the endowment and sealing ordinances are exalting ordinances whereas baptism is a saving ordinance, well, the only saving ordinance. But given Elder Nelson's definition from April 2008, the sealing ordinance is the only exalting ordinance (my interpretation of his definition). Although, we can't receive it without the other two.

The strict definition of the word exaltation - enhancement, elevation (french late 14th century) - it would mean anything above the bottom, so endowment and sealing is fitting. Even partial endowment would still fit. Whereas full enhancement and elevation must include receiving and being faithful to the sealing covenants.

In the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, eternal life is equivalent to salvation (see Alma 11:40 and Mosiah 15:24). In fact, after spending a moment looking at all verses that use the term 'eternal life', I would say that all scriptures, even those in the Doctrine and Covenants, are equating eternal life to salvation. Some may look at a verse or two in D&C and see only celestial kingdom referred to, but I don't.

My conclusion: In scripture, eternal life is equivalent to salvation. Exaltation, in my view, is anything above the bottom of salvation, and therefore, not synonymous with the scriptural usage of the term eternal life. Full exaltation is the top glory of the celestial kingdom. What is used and defined in scripture may differ from usage of the same term by members in the church today. So try to pay attention to the intended use of the person using the terms. They may be used as equivalent terms today.

Here is my response to the assumption that Eternal Life includes being in the presence of God the Father and/or Christ only but not those who inherit Telestial glory:

I respectfully disagree with this assumption. Those in the Telestial Kingdom will be in the presence of God. Therefore, they are saved and heirs of salvation. Nothing defines Eternal life as being in the presence of God the Father or Christ - it says, in the presence of God - this includes the Holy Ghost.

The assumption that baptism is required to enter the Celestial Kingdom is correct. But the assumption that it is not also necessary for the other degrees of glory is incorrect. Baptism is required for salvation. That includes all degree of glory.

All exalted beings are saved beings but not all saved beings are exalted beings. However, all saved beings have Eternal Life and everyone that inherits Eternal Life are saved.

Those who receive and obey the baptismal covenant are heirs of salvation which includes any of the three degrees of glory in the Kingdom of God. Those who receive and obey all of the endowment covenants are heirs of Celestial glory and will live in the presence of God the Father. Those who receive and obey the sealing covenant are heirs of the top glory of the Celestial Kingdom. If you want to know which covenants need to be received and obeyed to go to the Telestial Kingdom I suggest going to the temple a few more times with that question in mind.