Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. 9:16; emphasis added). 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). To the Church in Smyrna the Apostle John wrote: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 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. In Mormonism, it depends. What qualifies a person to be a Son of Perdition? Marcus Dods (New York: Random House, 1950), 781. While John could be referring to the sons of perdition in this passage, the specific sins he identified are characteristic of those who will suffer in hell but, after experiencing their part in the lake of fire, will be released from their torment and be resurrected to a telestial glory (see D&C 76:10312). (Matt. 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. 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). Finally, John saw that death and hell delivered up the dead to be judged according to their works, and death and hell were cast into [a] lake of fire (Rev. They go too far, and the Spirit leaves themYou cant renew them to repentancyou cannot save them. (Joseph Smith Jr., King Follett Discourse). (You are not one of those spirits since you have a mortal body.). 5:30). 8:17), and endless hell (Moro. 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. (To see his baptism for the dead record and other temple work done for him, click here.). Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. You dont believe it is true, which is the reason why you left. Here, like John and Samuel, Alma equated the second death with the lake of fire and brimstone. 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. Banishment from all progress. it could be a reference for the resurrected who gain inheritance on other worlds but without the fulness of WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. 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. They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. GOSH. 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. Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. The Book of Mormon contains six references to the second death: one reference by Jacob (Jacob 3:11), three by Alma (Alma 12:16, 32; 13:30), and two by Samuel the Lamanite (Hel. They will not have a kingdom of glory. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. 23:15). He also said,I think I am safe in saying that no man can become a Son of Perdition until he has known the light. (Joseph F. Smith,The Second Death,inBrian H. Stuy (editor), Collected Discourses: Delivered by Wilford Woodruff, his two counselors, the twelve apostles, and others, 18681898, 5 vols., (Woodland Hills, Utah: B.H.S. 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. 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. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. According to tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith. I can give you more than plenty of examples of that. Therefore the Lord used Satans evil acts to accomplish his own purposes. 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. Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition. 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.. About 74 B.C. Banishment from the glory of God. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. 22:13) if it is also a place of perpetual fire (Matt. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. 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). This page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. Banishment from the presence of God. Their theology was turned upside down! Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? 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. 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. They will live in eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels forever. 25:30). It must be emphasized that the witness described means that the person has had the heavens opened unto him and has personally seen, and even spoken with, the Savior, and then has turned against Him, bringing him to open shame. Who will partake of it, and what is the nature of the eternal torment? Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? 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. 2. Thank you! 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. 10:28). 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). . The term "outer darkness" refers to the place to where Satan will be banished. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. The filthy would be more miserable to dwell with God than to dwell in hell, Morm. They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. What is it? . But what is light? Thank you! That ought to bring a sigh of relief to many who are reading this article! Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). Cannot be saved at the last day; except W.W. Phelps who was classified as such by Joseph and then redeemed, and we should only trust prophets on the matter because they dont conflict, unless they do. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). He once said that a person. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. It is doubtful if even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was sufficiently enlightened to become a son of perdition (Gospel Doctrine,p. 545). 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 . Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). 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. In the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), "outer darkness" has two separate meanings.. 9:4. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? In each of the New Testament references to outer darkness, Christ declared the punishment that awaits faithless and wicked people. 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. 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. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" (1) We believe in trimming our wicks to 1/4 between each burn. 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. This is full on rejection of God. Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. I was taught that to be condemned to outer darkness you would have to deny Christ to his very face and that could occur . Think along the lines of a religious leader serving God but the opposite. Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. 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. ( 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. [3] Larry E. Dahl, The Concept of Hell, in Doctrines of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992), 4243. Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. Its just Scary bad. He wrote. 20:1315). 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. ", 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. 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. 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 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 ). 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. 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. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), s.v. Banishment from the power of God. [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]. 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. Mormon theology ultimately portrays Outer Darkness as heaven, and Satan as the God of that realm. It is simply his opinion. You have to be pretty bad to go to the Teresita's kingdom, and horrendous to go to outer darkness. lucifer. 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. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. (-Joseph Smith in the King Follett Discourse), There is my definition I used in my previous post. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. 20:14). The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. Some Christians have believed the lake of fire John spoke of to be a literal lake. 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). 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). 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. So apostates from the church are clearly included in this list. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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.). D&C 76 does say telestial people are the ones thrust down to hell and not redeemed until the last resurrection. (see Rom. 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. 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! Brigham Young University Professor Larry E. Dahl reported: The word hell appears sixty-two times in the text of the Book of Mormon. 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). 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. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. Are the devils before the world created sons of perdition? 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. 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. 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. 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. Each differing in Glory but all great places to go. 20:6). All missionaries are doing is trying to upgrade people to a premium plan of ruling over planets and polygamy. The punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, D&C 19:10-12. 9:710, 19, 26). Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. The views expressed . According to the Doctrine and Covenants, this will be a place that even in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth (Doctrine and Covenants 101:91; also see 133:73). It is the closest Mormon analogy to the concept of hell in most other Christian traditions. Temporary abode of the wicked. 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). 1:13), gates of hell (2 Ne. A) Most humans B) Satan C) His angels D) Sons of Perdition. 14:18.) Smith described these spirits who were the first to display rebellious ways: Lucifer became perdition by rebellion. 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. Even if I did, I still am not eligible for outer darkness. 21:8; cf. 2:8-10) Jesus' atonement provided immortality for all people. It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. For those who once were baptized and confirmed into Mormonism, what is your status? 18:8), hell fire (Matt. Yet I never was baptized and confirmed into this church. Women or not. But to pass it off as a belief of an entire Church, organization and people is wrong. Dennis L. Largey was an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when this was published. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. 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. . 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. 22:13) that awaits the wicked? In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. Additionally it provides helpful commentary on New Testament passages concerning hell. 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.. 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. 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. 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.