Mormonism: The Earth will Become Celestialized

In Section 43 of the Doctrine & Covenants, the Lord explained that after the Millennium, the earth will be consumed by fire. This is before the earth will become Celestialized.

For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come.

For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth.

And he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the earth shall pass away so as by fire. (Doctrine & Covenants 43:30-32)

This destruction by fire will happen after the Millennium, and the earth will become a celestial world.

Therefore, it [the earth] must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;

For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified.

And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law— (D&C 88:18-20, 25)

Apparently that destruction by fire is part of, perhaps a prelude to, the earth becoming a celestial world. After the earth has become a celestial world, it will not be composed of mortal matter and will not be governed by the mortal laws being discovered by scientists.

Science has an interesting parallel with this. Scientific American, in an article called The Sun Will Eventually Engulf Earth--Maybe, discussed the possibility that as the sun slowly expands as it ages, it will eventually engulf the earth, causing the earth to literally be engulfed by fire. Scientists expect this destruction of the earth will occur in billions of years. The scriptures don't say when the Millennium will occur and when the earth will be destroyed by fire. I doubt, though, that many theologians think the Millennium will occur in a billion years from now. Thus, there is an interesting parallel between science and Mormonism about the earth being consumed by fire but probably a large discrepancy as to when that event will occur.