Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. . It is simply his opinion. . Salvation is release from the guilt and power of sin through God's gift of grace. Just one rebellion. Do Mormons Believe in Hell? - Truth in Love Ministry The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. Thank you! Jacob taught that the lake of fire is not a literal fire but a figurative representation of torment: And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end (2 Ne. The sinner must deal with the self-created gulf on his own, with the help of the Savior and his Atonement. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. They are sons of perdition because, Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to open shame (D. & C. 76:35). Big Love's episode "Outer Darkness" Summary: It is not our intention to discuss details of the portrayal of the temple ceremony here. He had a sure witness of the Lord and willfully chose to follow Satan instead. Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death (Hel. First, it is another name for spirit prison, a temporary place in the postmortal world for those who died without a knowledge of the truth or those who were disobedient in mortality. The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. But unofficial prophets speaking at BYU or in their own books say no, except Brigham in the Journal of Discourses which is unofficial. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. Pingback: The Shunning Key by bwv549 - Mormon Bandwagon, A Son of Perdition is: Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? Hence the saying: They will go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thus, the only mortals who can possibly become sons of perdition must be Latter-day Saints who fall/fell away. Satan and his followers are beings of spirit who were denied bodies and cast out of heaven during pre-mortal existence (see Plan of Salvation). The Book of Mormon teaches that only through the Atonement of Christ can one escape the damnation of hell. Jacob testified that without the infinite atonement all mankind would be forever subject to the awful monster, death and hell, and thus would become like the devil and his angels (2 Ne. Delving into the interesting bits about any religion to stem from Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph F. Smith,The Second Death,inBrian H. Stuy (editor). In Mormonism, it depends. By taking 2 Nephi 2:25 to its logical conclusion, we learn that Satan also fell that men might be, and that they might have joy! The apostle James taught that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity . The use of the term exterior darkness is in Jesus' parable of the wedding feast (also known as the parable of the marriage of the king's son). We found these portrayals to be highly inaccurate. Plagiarism and The Globe a comparative analysis, The Shunning Key by bwv549 - Mormon Bandwagon, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism), https://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf, https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22, LDS Church and Same Sex Marriage Timeline, The Pump LDS film and the original source, Ethan Smith, Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Solomon Spaulding connections. Dennis L. Largey was an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when this was published. And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever (Mosiah 3:2427; emphasis added). A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. Outer Darkness. According to Smith: It is very clear in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:30-37, that the only persons who will be completely overcome by this dreadful fate are the sons of perdition who go with the devil and his angels into outer darkness. (Answers to Gospel Questions 5:107-108). Sons of perdition include (1) those who followed Satan and were cast out of heaven for rebellion during premortality and (2) those who were permitted to be born to this world with physical bodies but then served Satan and turned utterly against God. First of all, to become a son of perdition, you need to have been baptized into the church, then turned from the religion in order to fight against it, all the while knowing it is true. Latter-day Saints understand hell to be a literal place and/or stateeither the temporary hell in the spirit world where the unjust suffer in a state of torment until they are resurrected to a telestial glory (D&C 76:8185, 98112), or the permanent hell where the wicked (the sons of perdition) continue to suffer eternally after the resurrection (D&C 76:37, 4548). 12:22). Hell is a state of suffering, both temporary and permanent. Clearly you dont know what is and is not doctrine, and are trying to throw shade. It is, therefore, important to examine carefully the context of each reference. Meanwhile, I have known many who could be considered fighters against the church, including those who became involved in what could be considered anti-Mormon activities. 22:13). For those born in this life, the person must be a former member who knew Mormonism was true but still rebelled and went against the truth while still knowing it was true. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220). The question is, what exactly does full knowledge entail? Ah yes, well with clarity like that, why would Jeremy ever doubt them and ask for official sources! 15:2830). You are taking quotes that are not Mormon Doctrine. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. Twenty-nine times the word hell is used with descriptive modifiers, for example, depths of hell (1 Ne. 18:8)? Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 195456), 31.; Bruce R. McConkie, Seven Deadly Heresies, 1 June 1980, BYU Marriot Center.). While Christianity affirms that many people who were created by God will perish in hell, Mormonism also espouses this . Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. To qualify, a person would not only have to leave the Mormon church but also vehemently speak against it. In the parable of the wedding of the kings son, the king discovered that a guest was not properly attired in the required wedding garment, i.e., righteousness. Provo, UT 84602 Women or not. Those who followed Lucifer in his rebellion in the premortal life and those who in mortality sin against the Holy Ghost are sons of perdition. I was taught that to be condemned to outer darkness you would have to deny Christ to his very face and that could occur . Smith taught: The sons of perdition are those who have had a knowledge of the truth, have known that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, have had the testimony of the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, and these things have all been revealed so that they know they are true; and then they turn against them and fight them knowingly. Banishment from the joys of heaven. These are they who do two very specific things. Those mortals who never join the LDS Church (through baptism) cannot become sons of perdition. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. ; Mormon Temple Worship. 11:3940; 18:13), pains of hell (Jacob 3:1112; Alma 14:6; 26:13; 36:13), chains of hell (Alma 5:7, 910; 12:11; 13:30; 26:14), child of hell (Alma 11:23; 54:11), powers of hell (Alma 48:17), everlasting hell (Hel. 20:1314). One example would not be human since they were cast out of heaven with Satan before they could receive a body. Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). Which means that really, no one knows anything about this. However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. 34:3435; note Almas repetitive use of the word state in Alma 40:1112; see also D&C 101:9091; 133:7073). Alma the Younger contributed even more insight on the second death when he gave the wicked people of Ammonihah a detailed description of the fate of those who harden their hearts against the word of God: Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned. 14:1819). 9:16; emphasis added). The ExMo Candle Co. - lighting outer darkness together He wrote. Historic Christianity. Hmmm.. I doubt whether it can be found, from the revelations that are given and the facts as they exist, that there is a female in all the regions of hell. Brigham Young Journal of Discourses 8:222. Temporary abode of the wicked. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. If you want to make the point that Mormon Prophets have said some weird stuff, I am all for it. The phrase first occurs in Jesus' comment concerning the faith of the Centurion of Capernaum: And I say to thee that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In my last post, I claimed that I might be a candidate for outer darkness. The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. In each New Testament passage that speaks of hell (the word hades is neutralneither a place of punishment nor reward but the place of departed spirits) the context associates it with suffering and punishment. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. Hence, the term outer darkness. Both Luther, who taught soul sleep till the resurrection of the dead, and Calvin, who taught the immortal soul, considered the "outer darkness" references in Matthew to refer to the last judgment. The Book of Mormon teaches that after death, the spirits of those who "chose evil works rather than good" in mortality will be "cast out . It must be emphasized that the witness described means that the person has had the heavens opened unto him and has personally seen, and even spoken with, the Savior, and then has turned against Him, bringing him to open shame. Required fields are marked *. Therefore the Lord used Satans evil acts to accomplish his own purposes. 16:18). Requirements for Outer Darkness : r/exmormon - reddit.com (-Joseph Smith in the King Follett Discourse), There is my definition I used in my previous post. He is damned by mortification and is his own condemner and tormenter. He called the Pharisees and scribes vipers and questioned, How can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt. Matt. To become a son of perdition one must sin against the Holy Ghost, but before that is possible, one must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Religion 324 and 325, 2001, p. 161). 10:28). He wrote: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev. Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. The righteousness of some (Abraham or Lazarus) cannot erase the consequences of anothers sins (the rich man). The latter meaning is a place where the glory of God is completely absent, and is the place where Satan and his angels will reside. When I bring this issue up with some Latter-day Saints, I sometimes get defensive arguments. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. Smith said this will be practically indescribable: The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. The Book of Mormon also teaches that by coming unto Christ, one can escape the pains of hell experienced in this life. Why practically nobody-including you, former Mormon-will ever end up in In Peters second general epistle to the Church, he taught concerning the angels who had sinned, saying that God cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness (2 Pet. Even if a person had once been a Latter-day Saint, Kimball said it still was practically impossible for a human to become a son of perdition: The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123) (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual Religion 324 and 325, p. 161). A lot of people wanted a source on that. Outer darkness is something which cannot be described, except that we know that it is to be placed beyond the benign and comforting influence of the Spirit of God-banished entirely from his presence. In Jesus parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus contrasted the afterlife state of the lowly Lazarus with that of the self-absorbed rich man. 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. . Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List, You continue to fight against the true church, Those spirits who rebelled against God in the preexistence are the original sons of perdition. ( Miracle of Forgiveness 129-30) The Lord Will Judge For persons not to receive forgiveness neither in this world nor in the world to come does not mean that they will be cast into outer darkness, for the sin of murder can be pardoned even though it is unforgivable. In harmony with this doctrinal truth that death and hell will deliver up the spirits and bodies of their captives, King David received the promise that his soul would not be left in hell (see Ps. (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. Into the telestial kingdom will go, according to that which is written here in this revelation, the vicious, the unclean, the ungodly (Conference Reports, April 1942, p. 27). The apostle John saw the final judgment and wrote of the destiny of the wicked: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. Heaven and Hell - Mormonism Research Ministry King Benjamin also taught that the fiery suffering was a state of misery one encounters when viewing ones sinfulness: They shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. As with anything in Mormon doctrine, theres a lot of confusion, contradictory information and just all around ignoring a topic that should be as simple as asking a question and getting an answer. While many Latter-day Saints bristle at the doctrine of hell (i.e., How could a loving God send His children to such a place?), they may have not considered the fact that these spirits were never given the chance to have a physical body because of the wrong choice they made in the preexistence. Your email address will not be published. The second death is a second separation from God, not because of Adams transgression (the first death) but because of ones own failure to repent of personal sin. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end (1 Ne. 21:8; see also 19:20). [3] Larry E. Dahl, The Concept of Hell, in Doctrines of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992), 4243. It is taught that, in the pre-mortal life, they chose to follow a plan proposed by Satan, rather than that presented by God the Father. 20:1315). But wait! Finally, John saw that death and hell delivered up the dead to be judged according to their works, and death and hell were cast into [a] lake of fire (Rev. For many are called, but few are chosen." Whether Christians have believed hell to be literal or figurative, the New Testament metaphor of an unquenchable lake of fire has conjured up for believers in the Bible harsh images of souls consigned to never-ending punishment as recompense for their evil deeds done while on earth. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment (Mosiah 2:3839). Clearly fire is used as a metaphor for sufferingnot a literal fire but a state of misery. He also said,I think I am safe in saying that no man can become a Son of Perdition until he has known the light. 25:30). Through baptism and confirmation by priesthood authority, you became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, 2004, p. 21, So, even if you attended LDS Church services, sang the hymns, and even partook of the weekly sacrament, yet you were never baptized and confirmed into the faith, you can never become a son of perdition. (To see his baptism for the dead record and other temple work done for him, click here.). Jesus marvelled at the faith of a centurion he met in Capernaum and proclaimed that many would come from the east and west, and [would] sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 23:15). What do Mormons believe happened in the pre-existence? These pains are similar to the state of suffering experienced by the ungodly who after mortality are assigned to hell. The sons of perdition are those who have had a knowledge of the truth, have known that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, have had the testimony of the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, and these things have all been revealed so that they know they are true; and then they turn against them and fight them knowingly (Conference Reports, April 1942, p. 27. There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. In the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), "outer darkness" has two separate meanings.. Bold and italics in original). 15:29, 35; Alma 19:29; 54:7), sleep of hell (2 Ne. This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. Jesus proclaimed to Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against the rock upon which He would build the Church (Matt. Clear as mud. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. Outer darkness is not a kingdom of glory. The Three Most Abominable Sins | Religious Studies Center lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). Gregory A. Boyd, Paul R. Eddy Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology pp285 2009 "For example, how can hell be a place of outer darkness (Matt. Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. 1. The manual Gospel Principles sheds additional light: There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. The first death is physical death, and everyone but the devil and his angels will overcome physical death through Resurrection. 8:1112). [1] See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. He once said that a person. 5:22), as were those who failed to cast away their sins (JSM 5:34; cf. Outer Darkness, I always heard, was reserved for a handful of suckers like Cain and Judas who saw God and/or Jesus and were still rebellious. Mormonism and popular media/"Big Love" and the temple - FAIR Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. 20:6). All missionaries are doing is trying to upgrade people to a premium plan of ruling over planets and polygamy. Because of the resurrection, the body and spirit of the wicked are restoredthe body from the grave and the spirit from hell to be judged. has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358). Unfortunately, Apple's iOS doesn't support home screen shortcuts in the Chrome browser. (Matt. Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. and they were judged every man according to their works (Rev. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. Yet I an certainly exempt from outer darkness, no questions asked. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 758. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the tormented rich man in hell . Hell Second Death, Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and Outer Darkness Yet what kind of devious person would it be who knew full well that Mormonism was trueincluding the historicity of theBook of Mormon,the authenticity of the restored churchs leadership that began withJoseph Smith,and the accuracy of theFirst Visioneventand then fight against these truths? outer darkness. 20:14). You quoted a website (Wikipedia) which is not doctrine and another website (FAIRMormon) which directly says it is not doctrine. 67, LDS Church Archives. The city of Capernaum was upbraided for its lack of faith in view of the miracles Jesus performed there. In this parable, a king arranged a wedding for his son, but the normal guests did not come; therefore, the king sent his servants to gather guests from off the street. Okay so clearly we have billions of souls who qualify as perdition and go to outer darkness according to one prophet in his personal books and not officially speaking as a prophet. They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. That night not one boy was interested in going to hell! Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. 13:42), the fire that never shall be quenched (Mark 9:45), where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48), and cast into the fire (Luke 3:9). There was a movement a few years ago to have people deny the holy spirit on Youtube, where many a youtuber claimed they would now go to Outer Darkness. What is the Mormon plan of salvation? [2]. [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] There are two categories for those who should be considered sons of perdition. The second possible sons of perdition are mortals. However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. This isnt something like going out and breaking their rule of no drinking. You dont believe it is true, which is the reason why you left. 1:13), gates of hell (2 Ne. So the prophet, meeting with apostles is clear on this, there are women. And the definition contains all of the pre-mortal spirits who followed Lucifer, which would imply that God created a lot more male spirits than women spirits and maybe thats why there was a war in Heaven. In each of the New Testament references to outer darkness, Christ declared the punishment that awaits faithless and wicked people. To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. Who will partake of it, and what is the nature of the eternal torment? Woman must atone for sins committed by the volition of her own choice, but she will never become an angel to the devil, and sin so far as to place herself beyond the reach of mercy. Brigham Young Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. 22:13-14, D-R.). Latter Day Saint beliefs on hell are connected with the movement's doctrines of the plan of salvation, the degrees of glory and the telestial kingdom. 12:16), hell which hath no end (1 Ne. Thus, many would say I fight against the church. Generally, the outer darkness is thought to be hell; however, many Christians associate the outer darkness more generally as a place of separation from God or from the metaphorical "wedding banquet" that Jesus is expected to have upon his Second Coming. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? Those in this second group will be resurrected from the dead but will not be redeemed from the second (spiritual) death and cannot dwell in a kingdom of glory (D&C 88:32, 35). 9:16) after the final judgment. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. . I have no fear of hell fire, that doesnt exist, but the torment and disappointment of the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstoneso is the torment of man. Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. Outer darkness is something which cannot be described, except that it is to be placed beyond the benign and comforting influence of the Spirit of Godbanished entirely from his presence. https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of God, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore, mercy could have claim on them no more forever. Again Mormons think this is a very hard place to get into. St. Augustine wrote: Hell, which also is called a lake of fire and brimstone, will be material fire, and will torment the bodies of the damned, whether men or devilsthe solid bodies of the one, aerial bodies of the others; or if only men have bodies as well as souls, yet the evil spirits, though without bodies, shall be so connected with the bodily fires as to receive pain without imparting life. Brigham Young University Professor Larry E. Dahl reported: The word hell appears sixty-two times in the text of the Book of Mormon. the man was silent (Matt 22:12); therefore, the king said: "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 2. Thank you! . Is outer darkness reserved for apostate LDS? - Ask Gramps Return to the Crash Course Mormonism Index. What qualifies a person to be a Son of Perdition? And as such I would qualify. 8 - 14 are for safety. No exact details are given. 9:16), unquenchable fire (Mosiah 2:38), and hell fire (3 Ne. Because of their disobedience, these spirits ended up not receiving bodies, a necessary ingredient to progress to mortality and be qualified for one of the three kingdoms of glory.
