outer darkness mormon

Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. 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. 20:13). Banishment from the glory of God. 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). Source: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition. 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. Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. Jesus warned that those who mocked their brothers by saying Thou fool were in danger of hell fire (Matt. Ray L. Huntington and Terry B. To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 22:13) if it is also a place of perpetual fire (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). 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. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). In Mormonism, it depends. The word hell is mentioned twenty-three times in the New Testament: fifteen times in the Gospels, twice in the book of Acts, once each in James and 2 Peter, and four times in the book of Revelation. 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. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever. So lets turn to that bastion of all wisdom that Jeremy Runnells was blamed for not believing and turning to with questions: FAIRMormon: The church has no official position on this issue. 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. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), s.v. So apostates from the church are clearly included in this list. 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. 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]. Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. When I bring this issue up with some Latter-day Saints, I sometimes get defensive arguments. 9:16; emphasis added). 20:1315). 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. . 8:13). This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition ( Doctrines of Salvation 2:220 ). Here, like John and Samuel, Alma equated the second death with the lake of fire and brimstone. 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. However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. 22:13-14, D-R.). So a heads up, this does not include you or any one who has ever been or will be born on Earth. Into the telestial kingdom will go, according to that which is written here in this revelation, the vicious, the unclean, the ungodly (Conference Reports, April 1942, p. 27). 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. Mormon Wiki, for example has a pretty specific definition of who doesnt go there but lacks any citations: Sons of Perdition as those few souls who have been born on this earth who have been made partakers of Gods power, yet suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy God by denying the Holy Spirit after having received it, denying the Only Begotten Son and put him to an open shame. They openly and knowingly fight against God and Christ, having sided with Satan even though they had once tasted of full gospel knowledge by the power of the Holy Ghost.There are those who fear that they have committed the unpardonable sin, because they have not been faithful members of the Church. Banishment from the joys of heaven. 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 Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Unless someone has rejected love, like the Nephites, I believe there is still hope that they will repent. 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. But suppose, deep down, I do believe the church is true. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. 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. Publishing, 19871989), 4:227228. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. He is damned by mortification and is his own condemner and tormenter. 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. 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! However, I think the breakdown I have above is accurate because outer darkest is a place of permanence for the filthy. . Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. 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. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. 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. The phrases depths of hell, awful hell, sleep of hell, pains of hell, chains of hell, everlasting hell, and endless hell are all unique to the Book of Mormon. From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. 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). If he were ignorant, he could not have become perdition. The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. 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. Your email address will not be published. kingdoms of glory. The opposition gospel twists the title of Adversary into a positive thing. Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? 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. 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. GOSH. 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. 4:32; 3 Ne. 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). A) Most humans B) Satan C) His angels D) Sons of Perdition. (Selections of Doctrines of Salvation, p. 462. 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. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" This is serving Satan. 6:28), hell fire (3 Ne. Possibly but there is no citation there either. But what is light? 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. Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? 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. T F According to a church manual, those who never were Mormon could never be sent to Outer Darkness. Smith said this will be practically indescribable: The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Cain is a Son of Perdition. 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. 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. Banishment from the presence of God. Bold and italics in original). 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). He also saw a pale horse with a rider whose name was Death, and Hell followed with him (Rev. . 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. 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. These spirits never received a mortal body necessary to progress to a kingdom of glory. 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. The apostle James taught that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity . That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. 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. Alma 40. 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). 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. 4. He cried: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. This desperate cry for forgiveness through Christ brought deliverance from the pains of hell Alma had experienced because of his sins (Alma 36:1620). This is the final destination of Satan himself. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? Followers 0. Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. They are sons of perdition because, Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to open shame (D. & C. 76:35). In the parable of the wedding of the kings son, the king discovered that a guest was not properly attired in the required wedding garment, i.e., righteousness. 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. Clear as mud. Each person must reap the harvest of the seeds sown in this life. We found these portrayals to be highly inaccurate. The city of Capernaum was upbraided for its lack of faith in view of the miracles Jesus performed there. Divine Love in the Fathers Plan (Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022). 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. Any person who inherits one of the . The term second death refers to spiritual death or separation from God. 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.. - 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. . Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. They have said things much stranger and I am sure you know of them. 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. . Many of the apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 9:16), unquenchable fire (Mosiah 2:38), and hell fire (3 Ne. 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. 13:40), cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. As a young boy, I attended a two-week Christian camp. It honors and glorifies Satan. 15:29, 35; Alma 19:29; 54:7), sleep of hell (2 Ne. The sinner must deal with the self-created gulf on his own, with the help of the Savior and his Atonement. There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. 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. Provo, UT 84602 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. Thank you! 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. ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! Outer darkness is not a kingdom of glory. 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. If Lucifer had not known the effects of his rebellion, how would he ever become perdition? There are two categories for those who should be considered sons of perdition. 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. Mormons believe that there Prophets are fallible and in no way perfect. In the rest of the article, were going to have to assume that Mormonism is true (of course, I dont think it is!) . It's not as simple as you make it out to be. 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. [2] For a discussion of the New Testament words that translate hell, see The Oxford Companion to the Bible, ed. 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 page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] Which means that really, no one knows anything about this. 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. 10 reasons why a person ought to consider becoming a Christian. 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. 67, LDS Church Archives. 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). [4] Augustine, The City of God, trans. Another manual states, Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). Just one sin. 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. 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. Conclusion Learn how your comment data is processed. Ball (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2001), 7789. It occurs in a doctrinal discussion Alma conducted with his son Corianton. Latter-day Saints understand hell to be a literal place and/or stateeither the temporary hell in the spirit world where the unjust suffer in a state of torment until they are resurrected to a telestial glory (D&C 76:8185, 98112), or the permanent hell where the wicked (the sons of perdition) continue to suffer eternally after the resurrection (D&C 76:37, 4548). 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. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). Outer Darkness is the permanent location of Satan and his followers and the Sons of Perdition, who are not redeemed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 18:8), hell fire (Matt. ( 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. Because reasons. Additionally it provides helpful commentary on New Testament passages concerning hell. These pains are similar to the state of suffering experienced by the ungodly who after mortality are assigned to hell. How unfair is this scenario? Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. 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. Marcus Dods (New York: Random House, 1950), 781. 6:8). Also, the whole thing about Daughters of Perdition. 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. It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. After inspecting the intruder, the king instructed his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. Italics in original). This is not an easy thing to do unless you are choosing to do so while being fully aware that you are doing so. hell.. 14:34), awful hell (1 Ne. 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. They go too far, and the Spirit leaves themYou cant renew them to repentancyou cannot save them. (Joseph Smith Jr., King Follett Discourse). Outer Darkness. So get what they deserve. Yet how many sins and wrong choices has every humanincluding me and youmade? 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. Women or not. 23:15). It is the closest Mormon analogy to the concept of hell in most other Christian traditions. 1. 9:710, 19, 26). 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. We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22. Everyone is already going to the terrestrial kingdom by default. Clearly you dont know what is and is not doctrine, and are trying to throw shade. 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. (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) While Christianity affirms that many people who were created by God will perish in hell, Mormonism also espouses this . Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. 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. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). The filthy would be more miserable to dwell with God than to dwell in hell, Morm. 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. Yes, they were said by Prophets of their church. [1] See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21. (Matt. (see Rom. 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. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. what about that 1/3 the host of heaven who didnt follow Gods plan Joseph F. Smith was so sure qualify as Sons of Perdition were NONE of them women? This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. 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. 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. Utterly turn against god. The Book of Mormon clarifies that the lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor for the suffering of the wicked. If this is the case, the worst fate any former Latter-day Saint can anticipate is the telestial kingdom. 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. A person would have to be very wicked to know the church was true yet still fight against it! 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. (-Joseph Smith in the King Follett Discourse), There is my definition I used in my previous post. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. 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. Grant Building Temporary abode of the wicked. D&C 76 does say telestial people are the ones thrust down to hell and not redeemed until the last resurrection. 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). They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. 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. He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (Matt. Also, Joseph confuses things further by combining words typically used with Hell to describe outer darkness: A sinner has his own mind and his own mind damns him. 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. Thus, many would say I fight against the church.

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