And since we know that prophets speaking define it, this is the definition we should use. 22:13) if it is also a place of perpetual fire (Matt. You not only need to have been a Mormon, but you have to have full knowledge that this is the restored church of God and still fought against it. 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. Consistently, hell is associated with fire. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. Many of the apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is doubtful if even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was sufficiently enlightened to become a son of perdition (Gospel Doctrine,p. 545). At the end of the twenty years, the knife would be withdrawn and again stabbed into us, with the resulting excruciating pain lasting another twenty years; this process would then be repeated for all eternity. King Benjamin defined the cause of this great torment: Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. Just one rebellion. kingdoms of glory. Yet I never was baptized and confirmed into this church. Your email address will not be published. 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. As explained in D&C 88:11-13: The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. (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.). 2:8-10) Jesus' atonement provided immortality for all people. Additional doctrinal truth concerning the great gulf can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 138:1837). It honors and glorifies Satan. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In my last post, I claimed that I might be a candidate for outer darkness. For most, outer darkness, the lake of fire, and the second death have an end, but for the sons of perdition these states continue eternally. 23:33). They have said things much stranger and I am sure you know of them. Ellipsis mine). and they were judged every man according to their works (Rev. As Joseph Fielding Smith put it, those mortals who fit into this nebulous category of sons of perdition will suffer permanently while the worst of the worst sinners will suffer only temporarily before receiving a kingdom of glory. Usually, when one is going to hell, the unspoken caveat is unless they repent. Their theology was turned upside down! Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). Joseph Fielding Smith and Bruce R. McConkie have rejected the idea that those in perdition can ultimately be redeemed, which contradicts Brighams speculations. [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] For those who once were baptized and confirmed into Mormonism, what is your status? it could be a reference for the resurrected who gain inheritance on other worlds but without the fulness of 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. Think along the lines of a religious leader serving God but the opposite. Historic Christianity. The apostle James taught that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity . They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. Just one sin. 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. The Bible teaches that there is a devil and a hell, but the place of hell in the plan of salvation is taught best by the Book of Mormon. That Satan rebelled against Christ and God the Father and was cast out with all of Satans followers and will not receive a body. lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. Its just Scary bad. Everyone is already going to the terrestrial kingdom by default. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220). One of these guests, however, appeared without the proper wedding attire. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? 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. 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). No exact details are given. Following this introduction will be a discussion of the usage of these termsfirst in the New Testament, then in the Book of Mormon. . To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. The question is, what exactly does full knowledge entail? It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is the final destination of Satan himself. [3]. Please read, the source above, What is Official LDS Doctrine. Yet I an certainly exempt from outer darkness, no questions asked. However, sons of perdition cannot achieve forgiveness and will be completely cast outside of the light of God. I wonder if the language is tripping people up here. Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. The Book of Mormon also teaches that by coming unto Christ, one can escape the pains of hell experienced in this life. As a young boy, I attended a two-week Christian camp. The Book of Mormon provides another testament concerning the existence of hell, and explains how one can escape the chains of hell in this life, and an everlasting hell in the next life, through application of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Banishment from the presence of God. 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). I did cite sources spoken from the pulpit by a prophet. 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). 5:30). . Thirty-three times it stands alone, without modifiers or explanation of what it means, as in And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell (Alma 30:60). So lets turn to that bastion of all wisdom that Jeremy Runnells was blamed for not believing and turning to with questions: FAIRMormon: The church has no official position on this issue. There are three references that connect the judgment with a lake of fire and brimstone, and two references to a lake of fire. However, the use of the word fire in connection with judgment and the torment of the wicked is widespread throughout the Gospels. 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 . [1] See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Hence, the very worse lot in their lives will be the telestial kingdom. 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. John identified specific sins that would lead to the lake of fire and brimstone: 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. For example, John saw the judgment in vision and wrote that death and hell delivered up the dead . Banishment from the glory of God. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. This analysis will first briefly review what we know from the teachings of the Restoration about hell, second death, the lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Horror Short Film "Outer Darkness" | ALTER | Online Premiere 31,262 views Mar 31, 2022 Subscribe to ALTER on YouTube: https://goo.gl/LnXRC3 .more .more 1K Dislike Share Save Description. Polygamy with tons more men than women sounds ill-thought out. The "authority" to marry a man to one wife is not the same as the "authority" to marry a man to more than one wife. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. Utterly turn against god. 67, LDS Church Archives. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. The phrases depths of hell, awful hell, sleep of hell, pains of hell, chains of hell, everlasting hell, and endless hell are all unique to the Book of Mormon. 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. 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. 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. 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. (Joseph F. Smith,The Second Death,inBrian H. Stuy (editor), Collected Discourses: Delivered by Wilford Woodruff, his two counselors, the twelve apostles, and others, 18681898, 5 vols., (Woodland Hills, Utah: B.H.S. Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? ( 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. I was taught that to be condemned to outer darkness you would have to deny Christ to his very face and that could occur . We probably do not want to know how horrible it is just like in this life, some things that are so horrible that happen (especially to children) wed rather not know about it, if possible. Everyone but the Sons of Perdition and the devil and his devils, will overcome spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. Because reasons. 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. lucifer. The third use occurs in the parable of the talents: "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). 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. 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. [1] The pains of hell can also be experienced in mortality (Jacob 3:11). Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. This is full on rejection of God. In this state of torment Alma remembered his fathers teachings about Jesus Christ and his redemptive mission. 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. He had a sure witness of the Lord and willfully chose to follow Satan instead. 18:8), hell fire (Matt. 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. Articles 1 - 7 will help your candle last longer and perform its best. 13:40), cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 12:22). Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. Mormons believe that only a Son of Perdition will go to Outer Darkness, their version of most Christian religions understanding of Hell. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. But wait! 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, 78, 98 ). [2] For a discussion of the New Testament words that translate hell, see The Oxford Companion to the Bible, ed. The righteousness of some (Abraham or Lazarus) cannot erase the consequences of anothers sins (the rich man). This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. Ah yes, well with clarity like that, why would Jeremy ever doubt them and ask for official sources! 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. Johns references to the second death testify of its existence but do not offer any explanatory information that instructs those readers who do not already understand the doctrine. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? Here, like John and Samuel, Alma equated the second death with the lake of fire and brimstone. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. 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. John the Revelator heard Christ proclaim that he possessed the keys of hell and of death (Rev. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. Thus, many would say I fight against the church. Conclusion (p. 273). 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. Sons of Perdition are to be cast out with the devil and his angels into 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 (Ibid.). In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a son of perdition is a person who will not take part in the glory of God in the afterlife. In the D&C, the definition of those who go to Outer Darkness is stated as: the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows; Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof;Nevertheless, I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but straightway shut it up again; Wherefore, the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation (D&C 76:45-48). Wilford Woodruff in a meeting with the apostles, 1893 D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, 1997) p. 795. Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. This is the second death. No Mormon since the 1890 change has had the authority to marry any man to more than one woman. Required fields are marked *. 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. 4:32; 3 Ne. In the parable of the talents, the returning lord instructed that the wicked and slothful servant who hid his talent in the earth be cast into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 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). Bold and italics in original). 1:13), gates of hell (2 Ne. With the sons of perdition, however, even this blessing is denied. It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. 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. Who of the following is NOT eligible for Outer Darkness. GOSH. 20:14). Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will. [1], Other views include those of Zane C. Hodges who controversially suggested that it represents a place for those who make it to heaven based on their faith, but have failed to perform good works during their time on the earth.[2].