Youll never regret it. ; Mormon Temple Worship. Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). I said: I dont know and he said, How can I find outI just called Spencer Kimball and he told me he didnt know either. In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. Banishment from all progress. 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. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. 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. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? 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. 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. Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. 9:1012, 1516). 14:18.) Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. It is doubtful if even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was sufficiently enlightened to become a son of perdition (Gospel Doctrine,p. 545). They are the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. lucifer. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. Now go take a nap and rest well! In this state of torment Alma remembered his fathers teachings about Jesus Christ and his redemptive mission. 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. 23:33). Thus the Book of Mormon does seem to contain a reference to the degrees of glory and outer darkness. These spirits never received a mortal body necessary to progress to a kingdom of glory. 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). 2. (-Joseph Smith in the King Follett Discourse), There is my definition I used in my previous post. In the Latter Day Saint movement, "outer darkness" can refer to hell (the place where the spirits of the wicked reside after death but before the resurrection)[3] or to the place where the sons of perdition will reside. Provo, UT 84602 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). . It occurs in a doctrinal discussion Alma conducted with his son Corianton. . 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. See Michael Hicks, Joseph Smith, W.W. Phelps, and the Poetic Paraphrase of The Vision, Journal of Mormon History 20 (Fall 1994) 2: 63-84 for discussion of authorship of this poem.). This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. This is a Son of perdition. With the sons of perdition, however, even this blessing is denied. This is serving Satan. What do Mormons believe happened in the pre-existence? The opposition gospel twists the title of Adversary into a positive thing. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. 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. Jesus disciples were told not to fear those who could kill the body but to fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. [1] The pains of hell can also be experienced in mortality (Jacob 3:11). Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? The Nephites became so wicked, that contemplating murder was a source of happiness. 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. You quoted a website (Wikipedia) which is not doctrine and another website (FAIRMormon) which directly says it is not doctrine. Brigham Young University Professor Larry E. Dahl reported: The word hell appears sixty-two times in the text of the Book of Mormon. (Selections of Doctrines of Salvation, p. 462. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. Lets go to modern revelation: that there would be no daughters of perdition. Joseph F. Smith Stan Larsen, ed., A Ministry of Meetings: The Diaries of Rudger Clawson, (Salt Lake City, Utah: Smith Associates and Signature Books, 1993) p. 560, Somebody called me up on the telephone and asked if there were daughters of perdition. 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). Bad as they may suffer, and awful as their punishment may be, they are not among that group which is to suffer the eternal death and banishment from all influence concerning the power of God (Conference Reports, October 1958, 21). Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. so we will be able to realistically discuss the likelihood that a person who left the church could ever end up in Outer Darkness. 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. 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). What is it? Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all menThe righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrectionAll things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection. lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). Polygamy with tons more men than women sounds ill-thought out. 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. and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell (James 3:6). 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. A person would have to be very wicked to know the church was true yet still fight against it! Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? (1) We believe in trimming our wicks to 1/4 between each burn. 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. 5. 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 ). [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] The Book of Mormon clarifies that the lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor for the suffering of the wicked. Even if I did, I still am not eligible for outer darkness. Articles 1 - 7 will help your candle last longer and perform its best. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? 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. Ball (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2001), 7789. Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? 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. 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. 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. 1:18). Because reasons. The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial are kingdoms of glory. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. How impossible would it be for a former Mormon (with full knowledge, even!) 4. Unless someone has rejected love, like the Nephites, I believe there is still hope that they will repent. Historic Christianity. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220). Even the regular Wikipedia seems confused: Sons of Perdition are: The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. Outer Darkness. 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). This is the second death. . This is full on rejection of God. . Banishment from the glory of God. Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. I wonder if the language is tripping people up here. 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. 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. This is in contrast to the VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, who will receive a kingdom of glory after the Final Judgment, and enter into one of three degrees of glory after the resurrection: celestial, terrestrial, or telestial kingdoms. 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work. 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. Jesus warned that those who mocked their brothers by saying Thou fool were in danger of hell fire (Matt. 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. What is Outer Darkness? 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. According to Smith: It is very clear in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:30-37, that the only persons who will be completely overcome by this dreadful fate are the sons of perdition who go with the devil and his angels into outer darkness. (Answers to Gospel Questions 5:107-108). 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. FAIRMormon says on this page even: When any man, except the President of the Church, undertakes to proclaim one unsettled doctrine, as among two or more doctrines in dispute, as the settled doctrine of the Church, we may know that he is not moved upon by the Holy Ghost, unless he is acting under the direction and by the authority of the President. 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. 10:28). Source: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition. But as with anything, that doesnt stop prophets from talking about it like they knew. Their theology was turned upside down! The Book of Mormon also teaches that by coming unto Christ, one can escape the pains of hell experienced in this life. 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. Big Love's episode "Outer Darkness" Summary: It is not our intention to discuss details of the portrayal of the temple ceremony here. Divine Love in the Fathers Plan (Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022). 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. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 195456), 31.; Bruce R. McConkie, Seven Deadly Heresies, 1 June 1980, BYU Marriot Center.). 9:710, 19, 26). [4] Augustine, The City of God, trans. https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. The righteousness of some (Abraham or Lazarus) cannot erase the consequences of anothers sins (the rich man). A representation of the tree degrees of glory and outer darkness. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. 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. Thus, many would say I fight against the church. 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. You'll need to do a few things to get the most out of your ex-Mormon candle. 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. That night not one boy was interested in going to hell! Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. Gregory A. Boyd, Paul R. Eddy Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology pp285 2009 "For example, how can hell be a place of outer darkness (Matt. 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. Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21). 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). 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? Circumcision. Mormon theology ultimately portrays Outer Darkness as heaven, and Satan as the God of that realm. These men and women cannot be redeemed, and will be the only ones who will suffer the second death. 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). 18:8)? The term second death refers to spiritual death or separation from God. 1. 3:12), the tares are gathered and burned in the fire (Matt. Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Why Practically NobodyIncluding You, Former MormonWill Ever End up In Outer Darkness, Divine Love in the Fathers Plan (Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022). 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. 801-422-6975. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. 3:20; 10:9- 10; Eph. 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. Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. Alma 40. Just one sin. 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. Those mortals who never join the LDS Church (through baptism) cannot become sons of perdition. 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. There are ten references to the lake of fire and brimstone in the Book of Mormon. The sinner must deal with the self-created gulf on his own, with the help of the Savior and his Atonement. 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 . Usually, when one is going to hell, the unspoken caveat is unless they repent. Utterly turn against god. 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. 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. kingdoms of glory. (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) 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). 21:8; see also 19:20). Does this description of God make it sound as if he is just (at least according to an LDS context)? Outer Darkness. 20:6). Thus, by the definition given by the leaders cited above, these people cannot be considered sons of perdition. We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. 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). 2:11). What is the Mormon plan of salvation? However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. [2]. 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. 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. Some Christians have believed the lake of fire John spoke of to be a literal lake. 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. ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! 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. 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. 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. 20:1315). The views expressed . It also teaches that the Atonement ransoms humankind from physical death through the resurrection and from spiritual death, or hell, through repentance. hell.. 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. T F It is practically impossible for those who were human to ever be sent to Outer Darkness. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The manual Gospel Principles sheds additional light: There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). (To see his baptism for the dead record and other temple work done for him, click here.). So, in conclusion, I would have a hard time believing that you or billions of souls as you put will qualify for perdition even while taking Mormon beliefs into account. Ah yes, well with clarity like that, why would Jeremy ever doubt them and ask for official sources! (Matt. Did I really have full knowledge? Following this introduction will be a discussion of the usage of these termsfirst in the New Testament, then in the Book of Mormon. If you want to make the point that Mormon Prophets have said some weird stuff, I am all for it. . 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. 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. Therefore the Lord used Satans evil acts to accomplish his own purposes. However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. They believe that they are mortal men capable of mistakes just like the rest of us. By taking 2 Nephi 2:25 to its logical conclusion, we learn that Satan also fell that men might be, and that they might have joy! 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. 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. 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. 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. John did not define the second death other than to make it synonymous with the lake of fire and brimstone that awaits the wicked. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. 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. 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. Outer darkness is a place reserved for the Devil, his angels, and the sons of perdition. It is an eternal destination, a place where very few (if any) human beings will ever be sent.