2. They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. 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. You have to be pretty bad to go to the Teresita's kingdom, and horrendous to go to outer darkness. However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. 14:18.) Bold and italics in original). In short, Outer Darkness is eternal torture. 9:16), unquenchable fire (Mosiah 2:38), and hell fire (3 Ne. Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. Everyone but the Sons of Perdition and the devil and his devils, will overcome spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Learn how your comment data is processed. How unfair is this scenario? 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.. 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. 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 . to become a son of perdition? What is the Book of Mormons contribution to our understanding of the New Testaments teachings concerning hell, or that lake of fire John calls the second death (Rev. It is impossible for those who never joined Mormonism to become sons of perdition. 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. Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21). 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you! 8:13). 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. They have said things much stranger and I am sure you know of them. 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. How impossible would it be for a former Mormon (with full knowledge, even!) 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). 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. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked. 12:22; Morm. 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. 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. The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. So there you go, the souls who end up in Outer Darkness are clearly apostates, or not. 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. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" 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). . What qualifies a person to be a Son of Perdition? Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. 2:4). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. 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. . Outer darkness is not a kingdom of glory. 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. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. T F It is practically impossible for those who were human to ever be sent to Outer Darkness. A lot of people wanted a source on that. 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. What is the Mormon plan of salvation? Hence, the term outer darkness. 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. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Church Leaders and the Scriptures, [original title When Are the Writings or Sermons of Church Leaders Entitled to the Claim of Scripture?] Immortality and Eternal Life: Reflections from the Writings and Messages of President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Vol, 2, (1969-70): 221; address to Seminary and Institute Teachers, BYU (7 July 1954); reproduced in Church News (31 July 1954); also reprinted in Dialogue 12/2 (Summer 1979): 6881.). 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). 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.). I wonder if the language is tripping people up here. has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358). 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. 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. Clearly fire is used as a metaphor for sufferingnot a literal fire but a state of misery. The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. This is not an easy thing to do unless you are choosing to do so while being fully aware that you are doing so. However, I think the breakdown I have above is accurate because outer darkest is a place of permanence for the filthy. They did what they did with their eyes open, and were in rebellion against God. 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. The views expressed . The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. so we will be able to realistically discuss the likelihood that a person who left the church could ever end up in Outer Darkness. Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. 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. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. It occurs in a doctrinal discussion Alma conducted with his son Corianton. Source: https://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf. Meanwhile, sixth President Joseph F. Smith, also taught that a full knowledge of the truth is necessary, adding that not even Judas Iscariotthe betrayer of Jesuswill be destined for Outer Darkness: It is probable that only personages who have acquired similar full knowledge, who willfully and deliberately deny the truth, when they know it to be the truth, can commit the unpardonable sin and become sons of perdition. Consistently, hell is associated with fire. For example, Alma the Younger was delivered from the intensity of his hellish pain when he cried to the Lord for mercy. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. Big Love's episode "Outer Darkness" Summary: It is not our intention to discuss details of the portrayal of the temple ceremony here. Clear as mud. 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. Cain is a Son of Perdition. 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. 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). 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. Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. When the lights were out and we were on the verge of sleep, our camp counselor took advantage of the moment and endeavored to imprint his teachings upon the minds of his captive audience. So why dont we get outer darkness too? Outer Darkness. Oh yes they did: after a man has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for himlike many of the apostates of Christof the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? ). One of these guests, however, appeared without the proper wedding attire. 9:1012, 1516). 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. Alma 40. 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. kingdoms of glory. 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. 15:2830). This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. 10:28). In the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), "outer darkness" has two separate meanings.. I can give you more than plenty of examples of that. Banishment from the joys of heaven. The first death is physical death, and everyone but the devil and his angels will overcome physical death through Resurrection. Also God says no one knows in scripture, so stop asking; but He also said in scripture that He upbraideth not those who have questions and if you ask it shall be opened unto you. 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). You dont believe it is true, which is the reason why you left. Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. 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. Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. These are they who do two very specific things. 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. 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. Serve Satan. 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. Hell is a state of suffering, both temporary and permanent. There are two categories for those who should be considered sons of perdition. 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. Even the regular Wikipedia seems confused: Sons of Perdition are: The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. Yes, they were said by Prophets of their church. Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. . Although this is an obvious scare tactic, this accusation is not true according to important LDS leaders. 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. Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to Gods justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption (Alma 12:13,1618). In Outer Darkness, there is endless lamentation and no divine presence. In Mormonism, it depends. 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. Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? 9:710, 19, 26). Any person who inherits one of the .