WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. No exact details are given. 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. 18:8), hell fire (Matt. For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord. The New Testament testifies that there is an actual place identified as hell into which people can be cast, as in the case of the wicked, and from which they can lift up their eyes, as in the case of the rich man, and from which they can be delivered, as in the case of King David. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. The second possible sons of perdition are mortals. Do Mormons Believe in Hell? - Truth in Love Ministry 8:1112). Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. 11:23). He was not ignorant, and therefore he became perdition, and they who followed him were sons of perdition, because he and they sinned knowingly. Just one sin. 22:13-14, D-R.). Utterly turn against god. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). 14:1519). What qualifies a person to be a Son of Perdition? 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 wicked are cast into outer darkness until the time of their resurrection, Alma 40:13-14. Publishing, 19871989), 4:227228. D&C 76 does say telestial people are the ones thrust down to hell and not redeemed until the last resurrection. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" Outer Darkness - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. . Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. Mormons believe that only a Son of Perdition will go to Outer Darkness, their version of most Christian religions understanding of Hell. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the tormented rich man in hell . To qualify, a person would not only have to leave the Mormon church but also vehemently speak against it. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. Yet I an certainly exempt from outer darkness, no questions asked. Hence the saying: They will go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. 34:3435; note Almas repetitive use of the word state in Alma 40:1112; see also D&C 101:9091; 133:7073). Smith told a general conference audience: I think I am safe in saying that no man can become a Son of Perdition until he has known the light. 3:20; 10:9- 10; Eph. What is the Book of Mormons contribution to our understanding of the New Testaments teachings concerning hell, or that lake of fire John calls the second death (Rev. Dennis L. Largey, Hell Second Death, Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and Outer Darkness, inThe Book of Mormon and the Message of the Four Gospels, ed. 14:1819). 21:8; see also 19:20). Nephis words can thus be applied to Jesus parable: the reason the rich man could not cross the great gulf to Abrahams bosom, or the reason the wicked could not join the Saints of God at the tree of life, is because the justice of God does not permit it. Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (James 3:6). The term second death refers to spiritual death or separation from God. In revealing Satans tactics, Nephi wrote: And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is noneand thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Consistently, hell is associated with fire. The question is, what exactly does full knowledge entail? The Book of Mormon contains six references to the second death: one reference by Jacob (Jacob 3:11), three by Alma (Alma 12:16, 32; 13:30), and two by Samuel the Lamanite (Hel. Provo, UT 84602 T F According to a church manual, those who never were Mormon could never be sent to Outer Darkness. The second death is spiritual and is separation from God. it could be a reference for the resurrected who gain inheritance on other worlds but without the fulness of Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 195456), 31.; Bruce R. McConkie, Seven Deadly Heresies, 1 June 1980, BYU Marriot Center.). Oh yes they did: after a man has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for himlike many of the apostates of Christof the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So, if you are directly listing to Satan, like Cain, and actively turning away from God, like Cain, then you can become a Son of Perdition. In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. Severe punishment for eternity, reserved for Satan and his demons as well as the sons of perdition, those humans who once embraced Mormonism and left to fight against the faith, even though they knew Mormonism was true. The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. 16:18). This is in contrast to the VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, who will receive a kingdom of glory after the Final Judgment, and enter into one of three degrees of glory after the resurrection: celestial, terrestrial, or telestial kingdoms. 28:2223). (Elder Bruce R. McConkie Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). They once held membership in the church (through baptism/confirmation); They had full knowledge of their apostasy from the true and restored church of Jesus Christ; They continue to fight against the LDS Church despite their knowledge. Banishment from all progress. 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. In this realm, as the name implies, there will be no light, and consequently no heat. . But what is light? Outer darkness is a eternal place of torment reserved for those who are sons of perdition. According to LDS scripture, this will be a place that where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth (Doctrine and Covenants 101:91; also see 133:73). But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. Clean and Unclean The Book of Mormon discusses with great clarity the ultimate punishment reserved exclusively for the sons of perdition, or those who are filthy still (2 Ne. Everyone is already going to the terrestrial kingdom by default. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. 1. 801-422-6975. Unfortunately, Apple's iOS doesn't support home screen shortcuts in the Chrome browser. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work 1:13), gates of hell (2 Ne. 12:22). Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. Source. A) Most humans B) Satan C) His angels D) Sons of Perdition. Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. Just one rebellion. Italics in original). [3]. The LDS version of the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon help us to understand that the word black is actually a Hebrew idiom, meaning gloomy, dejected, or spiritual darkness, and has nothing to do with skin tone. 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. Are the Three Degrees of Glory Mentioned in the Book of Mormon? Yes 25:30). Cain is a Son of Perdition. . 10:28). 14:18.) Thus, the only mortals who can possibly become sons of perdition must be Latter-day Saints who fall/fell away. But the children of the kingdom [i.e., covenant breakers] shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (Matt. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. 12:22; Morm. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 758. Mormon Hell, Sons of Perdition and Outer Darkness - YouTube Those mortals who did join the LDS Church in this lifetime must fit the following criteria to be classified as a son of perdition, with a destiny to outer darkness. A) Never had a body B) Did evil things in this world C) Never joined the LDS Church D) All of the above are true. What do Mormons believe happened in the pre-existence? He once said that a person. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. 1:18). So I thought Id get it all out there in one simple post. He is damned by mortification and is his own condemner and tormenter. There are possible characteristics of a son of perdition. According to the churchs website: The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. 67, LDS Church Archives. Who will partake of it, and what is the nature of the eternal torment? Even the wicked of the earth who never knew the power of God, after they have paid the price of their sinningfor they must suffer the excruciating torment which sins will bringshall at last come forth from the prison house. Its just Scary bad. Articles 1 - 7 will help your candle last longer and perform its best. You are taking quotes that are not Mormon Doctrine. Who of the following is NOT eligible for Outer Darkness. So why dont we get outer darkness too? Meanwhile, sixth President Joseph F. Smith, also taught that a full knowledge of the truth is necessary, adding that not even Judas Iscariotthe betrayer of Jesuswill be destined for Outer Darkness: It is probable that only personages who have acquired similar full knowledge, who willfully and deliberately deny the truth, when they know it to be the truth, can commit the unpardonable sin and become sons of perdition. . 20:13). Thus the Book of Mormon does seem to contain a reference to the degrees of glory and outer darkness. Ah yes, well with clarity like that, why would Jeremy ever doubt them and ask for official sources! (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Church Leaders and the Scriptures, [original title When Are the Writings or Sermons of Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Scripture?] Immortality and Eternal Life: Reflections from the Writings and Messages of President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Vol, 2, (1969-70): 221; address to Seminary and Institute Teachers, BYU (7 July 1954); reproduced in Church News (31 July 1954); also reprinted in Dialogue 12/2 (Summer 1979): 6881.). 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 . They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. It is the closest Mormon analogy to the concept of hell in most other Christian traditions. Grant Building Thus, by the definition given by the leaders cited above, these people cannot be considered sons of perdition. The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. In the Bible, the phrases lake of fire and lake of fire and brimstone, describing the fate of the wicked, are unique to the book of Revelation. According to the Doctrine and Covenants, this will be a place that even in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth (Doctrine and Covenants 101:91; also see 133:73). Alma 40. Outer darkness is a eternal place of torment reserved for those who are "sons of perdition." According to LDS scripture, this will be a place that "where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:91; also see 133:73). So a heads up, this does not include you or any one who has ever been or will be born on Earth. And, if you havent come into relationship with the Jesus of the Bible, I encourage you to do some homework and meet Him. 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. We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. Youll never regret it. Did I really have full knowledge? You quoted a website (Wikipedia) which is not doctrine and another website (FAIRMormon) which directly says it is not doctrine. On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter spoke of the promise David had received that his soul would not be left in hell (Acts 2:27). Alma 40 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Crash Course Mormonism: Outer Darkness - Mormonism Research Ministry Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. This page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. (p. 273). 9:1012, 1516). 5:30). Becoming a son of Perdition is hard therefore going to outer darkness is hard. Heaven and Hell - Mormonism Research Ministry Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. 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. 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. 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. Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all menThe righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrectionAll things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection. How unfair is this scenario? It honors and glorifies Satan. 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. Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. In this state of torment Alma remembered his fathers teachings about Jesus Christ and his redemptive mission. 3:12), the tares are gathered and burned in the fire (Matt. 15:2830). Jesus also referred to outer darkness in two parables he gave during the last week of his life. John did not define the second death other than to make it synonymous with the lake of fire and brimstone that awaits the wicked. The term "outer darkness" refers to the place to where Satan will be banished. 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. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? See Michael Hicks, Joseph Smith, W.W. Phelps, and the Poetic Paraphrase of The Vision, Journal of Mormon History 20 (Fall 1994) 2: 63-84 for discussion of authorship of this poem.). However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. Even Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler will get nothing less than the telestial kingdom since he was never baptized/confirmed into the church; work was done in proxy for him in the London, England temple several decades ago. [DS 2:225.] The first three are referred to as the three degrees of glory, often compared to the sun, the moon, and the stars (D&C 76:70 . Banishment from the presence of God. outer darkness - LDS Thought This is the final destination of Satan himself. It is, therefore, important to examine carefully the context of each reference. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. 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. They are the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. This is the choice of an individual to reject God. For example, John saw the judgment in vision and wrote that death and hell delivered up the dead . This is not an easy thing to do unless you are choosing to do so while being fully aware that you are doing so. Banishment from the power of God. 6:8). The manual Gospel Principles sheds additional light: There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. These spirits never received a mortal body necessary to progress to a kingdom of glory. so we will be able to realistically discuss the likelihood that a person who left the church could ever end up in Outer Darkness. The sinner must deal with the self-created gulf on his own, with the help of the Savior and his Atonement. Yet I never was baptized and confirmed into this church. With the exception of those who left the church and later rejoined, every other former Mormon left the church because they believed it is not true. You have to be pretty bad to go to the Teresita's kingdom, and horrendous to go to outer darkness. 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 (Doctrines of Salvation2:220). So only a prophet can put the matter to rest well, thats nice that Brigham said there were no women, Joseph F. said there were no women, but Wilford Woodruff said there was no debate and there must be women. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. Chapter 40. It is true that the only mortals who had once been members are eligible to become sons of perdition, a fact that may worry some former Mormons who wonder if they might be destined for outer darkness. 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. There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. GOSH. Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. The prophet Alma described the disposition of those in outer darkness: And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evilfor behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their houseand these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil (Alma 40:13; cf. to become a son of perdition? [1] See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Outer darkness is not a kingdom of glory. In contrast, Book of Mormon references to the second death are embedded in sermons that teach it in context with other essential elements of the plan of salvation. These men and women cannot be redeemed, and will be the only ones who will suffer the second death. Which means that really, no one knows anything about this. Joseph restated that anyone who apostatized from the church was a son of perdition in a poem for W.W. Phelps, Sons of Perdition as those who are ever lost, and can never return to the presence of God, the poem declared that such is the torment apostates receive. (Joseph Smith, The Answer to W.W. Phelps, Esq. I can give you more than plenty of examples of that. 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. While John could be referring to the sons of perdition in this passage, the specific sins he identified are characteristic of those who will suffer in hell but, after experiencing their part in the lake of fire, will be released from their torment and be resurrected to a telestial glory (see D&C 76:10312). 9:4. 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? Conclusion The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Mormon Wiki, for example has a pretty specific definition of who doesnt go there but lacks any citations: Sons of Perdition as those few souls who have been born on this earth who have been made partakers of Gods power, yet suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy God by denying the Holy Spirit after having received it, denying the Only Begotten Son and put him to an open shame. They openly and knowingly fight against God and Christ, having sided with Satan even though they had once tasted of full gospel knowledge by the power of the Holy Ghost.There are those who fear that they have committed the unpardonable sin, because they have not been faithful members of the Church. Whats interesting is that there are many former Mormons who still believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God and have a testimony of the Spirit of the Lord. However, their faith no longer is in the Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. They must have had a fullness of knowledge; a testimony which cannot be destroyed. In each of the New Testament references to outer darkness, Christ declared the punishment that awaits faithless and wicked people. Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. Jesus proclaimed to Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against the rock upon which He would build the Church (Matt. Sons of Perdition are to be cast out with the devil and his angels into outer darkness. [2] For a discussion of the New Testament words that translate hell, see The Oxford Companion to the Bible, ed. Many of the apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Why practically nobody-including you, former Mormon-will ever end up in Through his Atonement, Resurrection, and ministry in the spirit world, Christ provided a bridge by which repentant souls could cross the gulf from hell to spiritual freedom. 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. (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) 6:28), hell fire (3 Ne. We believe that after the final judgment there are four places to which a person may be sent. 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. One example would not be human since they were cast out of heaven with Satan before they could receive a body. Another manual states, Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). Source: https://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. Does this description of God make it sound as if he is just (at least according to an LDS context)? After inspecting the intruder, the king instructed his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Return to the Crash Course Mormonism Index. The Book of Mormon does not teach the doctrinal truth that hell will end for the majority of those who suffer in the spirit prison prior to being resurrected and entering the telestial kingdom; however, this truth is clearly taught in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 76:3638, 106). https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. 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. [1] The pains of hell can also be experienced in mortality (Jacob 3:11). 2:11). 8:13). Pingback: The Shunning Key by bwv549 - Mormon Bandwagon, A Son of Perdition is: As used in the New Testament, hell is an English word which is translated from two Greek words: hades (used ten times) and geenna (twelve times). 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. In Outer Darkness, there is endless lamentation and no divine presence. For example: everlasting fire (Matt. Rev. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? Nephis commentary to his brothers concerning his fathers dream of the tree of life adds interesting insight into the possible meaning of the great gulf Jesus referred to: And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. 5:22), as were those who failed to cast away their sins (JSM 5:34; cf. (Matt. What is it? . A church manual reports, 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). Hell - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints It's not as simple as you make it out to be. King Benjamin and Alma also use the word as to preface their reference to a lake of fire and brimstone (see Mosiah 3:27; Alma 12:17). Temporary abode of the wicked. 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.