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. 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). Thus, the second death is taught in conjunction with the first death, which came as a consequence of the Fall of Adam and Eve, and also with the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which redeems all of humankind from the first death through resurrection and the second death through repentance. I was taught that to be condemned to outer darkness you would have to deny Christ to his very face and that could occur . In this realm, as the name implies, there will be no light, and consequently no heat. 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. 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). . There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. 1. 4. This is serving Satan. This page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. For those who once were baptized and confirmed into Mormonism, what is your status? 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). The second possible sons of perdition are mortals. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? When I was Mormon, I was taught that in order to be sent to Outer Darkness (I'm a woman, that will be relevant in a second) you had to have an UNMISTAKABLE KnOwLeDgE of Christ, and then turn your back on God and deny him. The sinner must deal with the self-created gulf on his own, with the help of the Savior and his Atonement. The wicked are cast into outer darkness until the time of their resurrection, Alma 40:13-14. 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. 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). 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. Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. One memorable night, he instructed us about the pains of hell. He asked us to imagine being stabbed and having that initial intense pain of the insertion of the knife last for twenty years. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. Each person must reap the harvest of the seeds sown in this life. Now go take a nap and rest well! Please read, the source above, What is Official LDS Doctrine. 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). It honors and glorifies Satan. 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. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. To add an RSC website shortcut to your home screen, open the website in the Safari browser. 3:20; 10:9- 10; Eph. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. 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. 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. That night not one boy was interested in going to hell! 20:6). and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (James 3:6). 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. 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. 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. In addition, Alma defined the second death as dying as to things pertaining unto righteousness. These individuals are chained down to an everlasting destruction and are subject to the will of Satan. To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. T F Once a spirit enters Outer Darkness, there will be no leaving there. Outer Darkness. The Lord said no man knoweth So, theres probably a good reason that there is some debate and confusion on it. 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. The term "outer darkness" refers to the place to where Satan will be banished. Conclusion 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. You dont believe it is true, which is the reason why you left. (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21. 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. 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. 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. Over the 30 years in Christian ministry, I have met many former Mormons who once believed in Mormonism, but none has ever confessed that they still believe Mormonism to be true. The Nephites became so wicked, that contemplating murder was a source of happiness. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. The conclusion: You (former Mormon), despite being baptized into this church, are not a son of perdition! 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. ( 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. 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). From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. If their Prophet wrote in a journal, or said to someone in passing, or gave a talk a local school saying that, Eating toast without butter is a sin worthy of hell! that does not make it a Mormon Doctrine. 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. 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). 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. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220). Historic Christianity. New Testament [ edit] 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), s.v. 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). This objection is inconsistent since Mormonism teaches that Lucifer's demon forces, which are clearly destined for "outer darkness," make up one-third of God's "children" (Bruce R. McConkie,Mormon Doctrine, p. 195). We found these portrayals to be highly inaccurate. They believe that they are mortal men capable of mistakes just like the rest of us. . spirit prison. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 758. 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. 22:13-14, D-R.). 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. That ought to bring a sigh of relief to many who are reading this article! He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (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. 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. Jesus also referred to outer darkness in two parables he gave during the last week of his life. Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance, that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness. They did what they did with their eyes open, and were in rebellion against God. 67, LDS Church Archives. GOSH. How unfair is this scenario? They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. For example, Alma the Younger was delivered from the intensity of his hellish pain when he cried to the Lord for mercy. He also saw a pale horse with a rider whose name was Death, and Hell followed with him (Rev. Just because Hitler, Mao, and Stalin along with Judas Iscariot (as mentioned above) never became Latter-day Saints apparently provides them with a much higher privilegea life in the telestial kingdom over those who once believed but left the true fold, kicking and screaming in their continued fight against the restored church of Jesus Christ. Grant Building However, sons of perdition cannot achieve forgiveness and will be completely cast outside of the light of God. Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church. 5. This is full on rejection of God. In the rest of the article, were going to have to assume that Mormonism is true (of course, I dont think it is!) 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. The Book of Mormon also makes reference to everlasting fire (2 Ne. https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. Rev. Salvation is release from the guilt and power of sin through God's gift of grace. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. The opposition gospel twists the title of Adversary into a positive thing. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. Unless someone has rejected love, like the Nephites, I believe there is still hope that they will repent. But wait! With the sons of perdition, however, even this blessing is denied. 5:30). While Christianity affirms that many people who were created by God will perish in hell, Mormonism also espouses this . 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. 22:13). 21:8). As explained in D&C 88:11-13: 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. Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. Their theology was turned upside down! Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. 9:16; emphasis added). Who of the following is NOT eligible for Outer Darkness. 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). 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. Possibly but there is no citation there either. And as such I would qualify. 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. 5:22), as were those who failed to cast away their sins (JSM 5:34; cf. 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. 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. 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. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. Death brought a reversal of their conditions wherein the rich man in hell became a beggar, longing for a drop of water from the finger of Lazarus, who was now in heaven, or Abrahams bosom. In the parable Abraham explained the impossibility of receiving his request, because between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence (Luke 16:1926). It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. 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). (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). (p. 273). So there you go, the souls who end up in Outer Darkness are clearly apostates, or not. The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. . Clearly, when it comes to perdition and outer darkness, I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me, and anyone who speaks on the matter has a dizzying intellect. Brigham Young University 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.). The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial are kingdoms of glory. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. No Mormon since the 1890 change has had the authority to marry any man to more than one woman. lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). 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. In Mormonism, it depends. Your email address will not be published. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. 20:13). ; Mormon Temple Worship. Polygamy with tons more men than women sounds ill-thought out. The second death is spiritual and is separation from God. Followers 0. Hence, the term outer darkness. This isnt something like going out and breaking their rule of no drinking. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. 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. If you want to make the point that Mormon Prophets have said some weird stuff, I am all for it. 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. 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. Smith described these spirits who were the first to display rebellious ways: Lucifer became perdition by rebellion. They must have had a fullness of knowledge; a testimony which cannot be destroyed. You'll need to do a few things to get the most out of your ex-Mormon candle. 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). In each of the New Testament references to outer darkness, Christ declared the punishment that awaits faithless and wicked people. Hence, the very worse lot in their lives will be the telestial kingdom. 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. Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. The apostle James taught that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity . Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? In a general conference talk, Joseph Fielding Smith further explained that. To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. But what is light? Everyone but the Sons of Perdition and the devil and his devils, will overcome spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 12:22). . 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 ). In short, Outer Darkness is eternal torture. Ray L. Huntington and Terry B. kingdoms of glory. Samuel also confirms the relationship John spoke of between the second death and the wicked being cast into fire, but he adds this explanatory clause: For they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.. 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. Even the regular Wikipedia seems confused: Sons of Perdition are: The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. 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). Twenty-nine times the word hell is used with descriptive modifiers, for example, depths of hell (1 Ne. 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. 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. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). Did I really have full knowledge? And, if you havent come into relationship with the Jesus of the Bible, I encourage you to do some homework and meet Him. Some Christians have believed the lake of fire John spoke of to be a literal lake. To look closer at this possibility, lets break humans into two categories: 1) Those who have never been Mormon; 2) Those who are or once were Mormon. Circumcision. It even warns its readers to beware of the devils temptation to disbelieve the doctrine of a personal devil and that there is an actual place and/or state called hell. 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. First, LDS Church scripture uses the term outer darkness to refer to a condition in the spirit world. He was not ignorant, and therefore he became perdition, and they who followed him were sons of perdition, because he and they sinned knowingly. Hell is a state of suffering, both temporary and permanent. 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). and they were judged every man according to their works (Rev. Second, it is the permanent location of Satan and his followers and the sons of perdition, who are not redeemed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. These men and women cannot be redeemed, and will be the only ones who will suffer the second death. 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. It clarifies how using an obscure quote does not define LDS doctrines or dogmas. 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). Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. . A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. 9:4. 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. What is Outer Darkness? John did not define the second death other than to make it synonymous with the lake of fire and brimstone that awaits the wicked. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. 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. Ellipsis mine). 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). One of the messages of the Book of Mormon is that people sometimes lose the desire to repent. All missionaries are doing is trying to upgrade people to a premium plan of ruling over planets and polygamy. 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. Many of the apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alma 40. 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). 18:8), hell fire (Matt. 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. He called the Pharisees and scribes vipers and questioned, How can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt. However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. (Matt. The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. The Sons of Perdition are those who have lived as mortal men and women on the earth, have had the heavens opened to them and received a certain knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and then have rejected the Savior, "having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:34-35; see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:3133, 3637). However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). 4:32; 3 Ne. This is 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. Sons of Perdition are to be cast out with the devil and his angels into outer darkness. 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. It's not as simple as you make it out to be. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire [i.e., overcome or defeated by Christs Atonement]. . Thus the Book of Mormon does seem to contain a reference to the degrees of glory and outer darkness. . 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.
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