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). 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 . This is not an easy thing to do unless you are choosing to do so while being fully aware that you are doing so. Which means that really, no one knows anything about this. 2:11). Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. The Book of Mormon speaks of only two groups who inhabit the postmortal spirit world: the righteous, who exist in a state of happiness called paradise; and the wicked, who are consigned to outer darknessthe wicked being those who have been captivated by the devil and who will be resurrected to an endless hell. 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. 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. 18:8)? 9:4. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. (You are not one of those spirits since you have a mortal body.). In Mormonism, it depends. 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. This is the choice of an individual to reject God. Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. [4] Augustine, The City of God, trans. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. . 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. Publishing, 19871989), 4:227228. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. [DS 2:225.] Again, the doctrine of the second death is woven together with other essential parts of the plan of salvation, offering the reader the big picture concerning Gods judgments. But to pass it off as a belief of an entire Church, organization and people is wrong. You are taking quotes that are not Mormon Doctrine. With the sons of perdition, however, even this blessing is denied. Historic Christianity. 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. How impossible would it be for a former Mormon (with full knowledge, even!) And remember you can be excommunicated for asking church leaders to give solid answers so trust the apologists who say to only trust the prophets on matters like this. However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. It is doubtful if even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was sufficiently enlightened to become a son of perdition (Gospel Doctrine,p. 545). 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. Joseph Fielding Smith who said that this class is composed of all who have known the power of God in this mortal life and then, having full knowledge of the power and purposes of God,rebel against him, putting Jesus Christ to open shame (Doctrines of Salvation 2:219-220. 2:8-10) Jesus' atonement provided immortality for all people. 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. 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. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). 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. [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] Only a handful of "sons of perdition" would go. 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. This isnt something like going out and breaking their rule of no drinking. Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition. 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). 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. . 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. 22:13-14, D-R.). 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. Concerning the first resurrection John observed: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years (Rev. 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? And as such I would qualify. (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? 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. Often in the scriptures it is difficult to discern which helltemporary or permanentis being spoken of, since many references to hell in the scriptures are used in a nonspecific manner to simply designate a place or state of suffering for the wicked. The Book of Mormon also makes reference to everlasting fire (2 Ne. 20:14). So I found one, by Joseph F. Smith, Thus we see that the first death which came into the world is also the last death which shall be pronounced upon the sons of perdition. 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). Brigham Young University 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. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. 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. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), s.v. . Grant Building Mormons believe that only a Son of Perdition will go to Outer Darkness, their version of most Christian religions understanding of Hell. 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. Please read, the source above, What is Official LDS Doctrine. This is the second death. 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). 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. So I thought Id get it all out there in one simple post. 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. They have wilfully (sic) made themselves servants of Satan and servants to him shall they remain forever. He wrote. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. ( 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. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. In Mormonism, it depends. Learn how your comment data is processed. 21:8; cf. Banishment from the power of God. Who will partake of it, and what is the nature of the eternal torment? Also, the whole thing about Daughters of Perdition. This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. 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. 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). 12:16), hell which hath no end (1 Ne. Additional doctrinal truth concerning the great gulf can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 138:1837). 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. 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. There are ten references to the lake of fire and brimstone in the Book of Mormon. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. 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. Ellipsis mine). Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. This is a Son of perdition. 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. Those mortals who never join the LDS Church (through baptism) cannot become sons of perdition. 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). Source: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition. When the lights were out and we were on the verge of sleep, our camp counselor took advantage of the moment and endeavored to imprint his teachings upon the minds of his captive audience. (p. 273). 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 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. But as with anything, that doesnt stop prophets from talking about it like they knew. It honors and glorifies Satan. I can give you more than plenty of examples of that. Usually, when one is going to hell, the unspoken caveat is unless they repent. 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. The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. But suppose, deep down, I do believe the church is true. WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. After the millennium, after the last great battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, Satan and his followers will be cast into Outer Darkness. ", Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Outer_darkness&oldid=1136269337, This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 15:14. It clarifies how using an obscure quote does not define LDS doctrines or dogmas. Clean and Unclean 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. Again Mormons think this is a very hard place to get into. 20:1315). 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. Thus ensued the War in Heaven, which resulted in Satan and his followers being cast out of heaven and denied the opportunity of receiving a physical body. Jesus warned that those who mocked their brothers by saying Thou fool were in danger of hell fire (Matt. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? Mormons believe that there Prophets are fallible and in no way perfect. No exact details are given. 5:30). 14:1819). Divine Love in the Fathers Plan (Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022). So a heads up, this does not include you or any one who has ever been or will be born on Earth. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? there are two answers, one is being cast out of the presence of God which would be a form of darkness and the other is complete darkness without even the spirit of God in a spiritual realm as far as the light has an end, if thats possible. To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. Even the most evil of people, including Adolph Hitler and those of his ilk, appear to have a place reserved for them in nothing less than the telestial kingdom. And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls. 20:6). 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. For many years, those who have forfeited their membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have been told by other Mormons that they were Sons of Perdition destined for Outer Darkness. One example would not be human since they were cast out of heaven with Satan before they could receive a body. Outer Darkness. 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. As a young boy, I attended a two-week Christian camp. 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. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. Alma 40. [2] For a discussion of the New Testament words that translate hell, see The Oxford Companion to the Bible, ed. 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). They must have had a fullness of knowledge; a testimony which cannot be destroyed. Twenty-nine times the word hell is used with descriptive modifiers, for example, depths of hell (1 Ne. Smith described these spirits who were the first to display rebellious ways: Lucifer became perdition by rebellion. 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. 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. Also God says no one knows in scripture, so stop asking; but He also said in scripture that He upbraideth not those who have questions and if you ask it shall be opened unto you. 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. Rev. it could be a reference for the resurrected who gain inheritance on other worlds but without the fulness of They have said things much stranger and I am sure you know of them. Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Divine Love in the Fathers Plan (Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022). 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. 2. Many of the apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. Dennis L. Largey was an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when this was published. Yes, they were said by Prophets of their church. . 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 had a sure witness of the Lord and willfully chose to follow Satan instead. (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.). 23:33). Johns announcement of death and hell releasing their dead for judgment is augmented by the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob, who taught the same doctrine but provided significantly more detail. 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. In Christianity, it is understood that anyone who denies the holy spirit goes to outer darkness, but they see it as a synonym for Hell. For example, John saw the judgment in vision and wrote that death and hell delivered up the dead . Everyone but the Sons of Perdition and the devil and his devils, will overcome spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 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. Bold and italics in original). T F It is practically impossible for those who were human to ever be sent to Outer Darkness. Required fields are marked *. Other sources used in composing this topic: http://en.fairmormon.org/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_darkness#Usage_in_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement, http://en.fairmormon.org/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Eventual_fate, http://emp.byui.edu/satterfieldb/quotes/Sons%20of%20Perdition.htm. 11:23). Delving into the interesting bits about any religion to stem from Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph F. Smith,The Second Death,inBrian H. Stuy (editor). 25:30). Your email address will not be published. To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. Marcus Dods (New York: Random House, 1950), 781. 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. 20:13). 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. 28:2223). That last part of the previous sentence is very important. 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. 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. While some apparently have taught that these spirits could be restored to a kingdom of glory, 12th President Spencer W. Kimball said this wasnt true: In the days of the restoration there apparently were those who taught that the devil and his angels and the sons of perdition should sometime be restored. Italics in original). 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. 4:32; 3 Ne. Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. Banishment into outer darkness. John the Revelator heard Christ proclaim that he possessed the keys of hell and of death (Rev. D&C 133:73 says, These shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Humans who never heard about Mormonism will not go there, as tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith said, That is a punishment that will not come to those who have never known the truth. Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first deaththat spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. 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. . and they were judged every man according to their works (Rev. Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. 5. and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (James 3:6). GOSH. 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. 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.