They place themselves beyond the power of repentance and beyond the mercies of God. 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. Just one sin. 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. [4] Augustine, The City of God, trans. For example, Alma the Younger was delivered from the intensity of his hellish pain when he cried to the Lord for mercy. 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. 20:1315). The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. 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). There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. 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. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. The terms spiritual death or second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness are all synonymous with hell, and all are descriptive of both the temporary and the permanent hell. Thus, the only mortals who can possibly become sons of perdition must be Latter-day Saints who fall/fell away. 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 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). 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. 23:15). An in depth look at the Mormon doctrine of hell. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. John did not define the second death other than to make it synonymous with the lake of fire and brimstone that awaits the wicked. 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. 2:4). 9:1012, 1516). 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. [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]. To add an RSC website shortcut to your home screen, open the website in the Safari browser. 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. (2) We believe in allowing our candles to burn for a maximum of four hours at a time. 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. https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22. 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. 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). Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition. 6:28), hell fire (3 Ne. 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. 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. This is serving Satan. You'll need to do a few things to get the most out of your ex-Mormon candle. 2:11). Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church. Mormon theology ultimately portrays Outer Darkness as heaven, and Satan as the God of that realm. Mormons also believe that those on Earth with bodies can become a Son of Perdition, tho this is difficult to do. 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). The Lord said no man knoweth So, theres probably a good reason that there is some debate and confusion on it. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. (1) We believe in trimming our wicks to 1/4 between each burn. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, sons of perdition cannot achieve forgiveness and will be completely cast outside of the light of God. Another manual states, Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). Thank you! 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. Who will partake of it, and what is the nature of the eternal torment? Jesus marvelled at the faith of a centurion he met in Capernaum and proclaimed that many would come from the east and west, and [would] sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Consistently, hell is associated with fire. Just one rebellion. Banishment from the presence of God. 5:30). It also teaches that the Atonement ransoms humankind from physical death through the resurrection and from spiritual death, or hell, through repentance. ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! 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 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. 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). One must be on a high eminence to fall so low; and few in worlds history have attained such a height. One example would not be human since they were cast out of heaven with Satan before they could receive a body. In the rest of the article, were going to have to assume that Mormonism is true (of course, I dont think it is!) 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. 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. [3]. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Book of Mormon also makes reference to everlasting fire (2 Ne. Smith said this will be practically indescribable: The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. 8:13). Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. But wait! As soon as you define doctrine in a way that includes wikipedia, get back to me. They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. ", 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. What do Mormons believe happened in the pre-existence? To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. How impossible would it be for a former Mormon (with full knowledge, even!) This is a Son of perdition. So a heads up, this does not include you or any one who has ever been or will be born on Earth. 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. First, LDS Church scripture uses the term outer darkness to refer to a condition in the spirit world. Hmmm.. I doubt whether it can be found, from the revelations that are given and the facts as they exist, that there is a female in all the regions of hell. Brigham Young Journal of Discourses 8:222. That night not one boy was interested in going to hell! 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. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). 10:28). 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. Hence the saying: They will go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. About 74 B.C. 16:811)meaning to be left with those who would partake of that permanent hell reserved only for those who, as Jacob stated, are filthy still.. Each differing in Glory but all great places to go. (You are not one of those spirits since you have a mortal body.). The first death is physical death, and everyone but the devil and his angels will overcome physical death through Resurrection. 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. 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. In Mormonism, Outer darkness is described as "those who are unfaithful, those who will listen to Satan, who will lend a willing ear to his blandishments and to his allurements, when they go from this state of existence, they go into a condition where they are subject to his power. Historic Christianity. He once said that a person. https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. He called the Pharisees and scribes vipers and questioned, How can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? 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. Think along the lines of a religious leader serving God but the opposite. He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (Matt. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. Banishment from the joys of heaven. 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 ). And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire [i.e., overcome or defeated by Christs Atonement]. 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. 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. 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. There are two categories for those who should be considered sons of perdition. Alma 40. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. 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. Followers 0. 2. Please read, the source above, What is Official LDS Doctrine. That being said, I don't think it really matters at the end of the day, because if it is all real, I want to stay clear away from anyone who the Church says deserves the Celestial Kingdom. The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. 20:1314). They did what they did with their eyes open, and were in rebellion against God. We found these portrayals to be highly inaccurate. 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. 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. 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. Cain is a Son of Perdition. 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. Utterly turn against god. Mormons believe that there Prophets are fallible and in no way perfect. What is it? 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. 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. The wicked, or in this particular context, the sons of perdition who are filthy still after judgment and resurrection, are assigned to everlasting punishment (see 2 Ne. A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. . 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). Any person who inherits one of the . 9:710, 19, 26). 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. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever. Source. [2]. . The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. So get what they deserve. Yet how many sins and wrong choices has every humanincluding me and youmade? The conclusion: You (former Mormon), despite being baptized into this church, are not a son of perdition! 1:13), gates of hell (2 Ne. 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. In a general conference talk, Joseph Fielding Smith further explained that. Later in the same discourse Alma blended the doctrines of the Fall, agency, and the second death together as an admonition to keep the commandments of God (see Alma 12:3137). 13:40), cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. Even if I did, I still am not eligible for outer darkness. The filthy would be more miserable to dwell with God than to dwell in hell, Morm. 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. 14:18.) Grant Building 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. Jesus also referred to outer darkness in two parables he gave during the last week of his life. [1] The pains of hell can also be experienced in mortality (Jacob 3:11). 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. Smith described these spirits who were the first to display rebellious ways: Lucifer became perdition by rebellion. 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 . 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. Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. He was not ignorant, and therefore he became perdition, and they who followed him were sons of perdition, because he and they sinned knowingly. Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. 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. 67, LDS Church Archives. It doesnt matter because I never joined. 1:18). We believe that after the final judgment there are four places to which a person may be sent. (see Rom. 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. 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. and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (James 3:6). Now go take a nap and rest well! Those who followed Lucifer in his rebellion in the premortal life and those who in mortality sin against the Holy Ghost are sons of perdition. 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. Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). Sons of Perdition are to be cast out with the devil and his angels into outer darkness. 28:2223). Clearly you dont know what is and is not doctrine, and are trying to throw shade. 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). 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. But suppose, deep down, I do believe the church is true. But to pass it off as a belief of an entire Church, organization and people is wrong. However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. Italics in original). Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. Each person must reap the harvest of the seeds sown in this life. Return to the Crash Course Mormonism Index. He wrote. 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. Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. The ex-mortal sons of perdition will be resurrected, as will everyone else; but they will finally suffer the second death, the spiritual death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness. (Hel. Matt. ). As a young boy, I attended a two-week Christian camp. It is the closest Mormon analogy to the concept of hell in most other Christian traditions. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. 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. Usually, when one is going to hell, the unspoken caveat is unless they repent. This is the final destination of Satan himself. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. 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. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work. . What is Outer Darkness? In each of the New Testament references to outer darkness, Christ declared the punishment that awaits faithless and wicked people. This is full on rejection of God. 6:8). ; Mormon Temple Worship. 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. Thus, by the definition given by the leaders cited above, these people cannot be considered sons of perdition. Ellipsis mine). (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) 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.
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