Heaven of Heavens

Reading:   Deuteronomy 10

Here lies a topic of great scholastic interest in that some versions of the Bible do not recognize the plurality of heaven.  In my relatively short research on the matter, I discovered a great article by Alice C. Linsley, Heaven or Heavens: Does it Matter?  Though I don't wholly agree with all of Linsley's context it is always interesting to read other views and her ultimate point is absolutely true - it does matter.  The plurality of heaven is vastly important and not something to be overlooked or misinterpreted.  Anyway, here is a snippet of Linsley's introduction to the plurality argument...

Three [Bible] versions speak of God creating "heaven and the earth" (Jewish Study Bible, The Orthodox Study Bible, and the New Jerusalem Bible). Three other versions speak of God creating the "heavens and the earth" (The Schocken Bible, The New International Version, and La Version Reina-Valera). It is interesting that none of these six versions includes a footnote allowing for the alternative form. The difference doesn't seem to matter to the editors of these versions, and yet it does matter! 

The plural form 'heavens' suggests a different cosmology from the singular form. Surely the distinction between heaven and heavens is important since Genesis 1 is about the creation of the cosmos.

I love the, "...creation of the cosmos" line.  Anyway, as a Latter-Day Saint (LDS), I absolutley believe in the plurality of the heavens and in the ascending degrees of glory as found and described in Doctrine and Covenants 76.  The introduction to this section is quite enlightening...

A vision given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, February 16, 1832. Prefacing the record of this vision, Joseph Smith’s history states: “Upon my return from Amherst conference, I resumed the translation of the Scriptures. From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of man had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. It appeared self-evident from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body the term ‘Heaven,’ as intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one. Accordingly, … while translating St. John’s Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following vision.” At the time this vision was given, the Prophet was translating John 5:29. 

...[verses] 50-70, The glory and reward of exalted beings in the celestial kingdom is described; 71-80, Those who will inherit the terrestrial kingdom are described; 81-113, The status of those in the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial glories is explained...

To read through section 76 and discover the magnitude of heaven and the existence of a heaven of the heavens, is quite exciting and fodder for the most scholastic of scholars.  It is a shame that so many simply ignore the text and refuse to give it the slightest perusal.

So, as I said, I believe in the plurality of heaven and therefore have no doubt as to the validity of the word "heavens," but the important thing does not rest solely on the plurality question, or the vastness of the cosmos, or the workings and wonders of the varying glories - interesting though it all may be - the important thing lies in the acknowledgement of its creator and ultimate possessor...

DEUTERONOMY 10:14

14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. 

There it is, "...heaven and the heaven of heavens," why then are the scholars squabbling?  Oh well, it mattereth not for all is His and we are but milliseconds in eternity.

~Kipling