Youll never regret it. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List, You continue to fight against the true church, Those spirits who rebelled against God in the preexistence are the original sons of perdition. Again Mormons think this is a very hard place to get into. This page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. 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. 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). 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. To look closer at this possibility, lets break humans into two categories: 1) Those who have never been Mormon; 2) Those who are or once were Mormon. 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. To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. 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 Mormonism, it depends. 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. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). It also adds insight that, when blended with other essential doctrines, offers a more complete understanding of the plan of salvation. Hence, the term outer darkness. 18:8), hell fire (Matt. 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.. Hence, the very worse lot in their lives will be the telestial kingdom. The Lord said no man knoweth So, theres probably a good reason that there is some debate and confusion on it. Add an RSC shortcut to this device's Homescreen, In the menu, scroll past any icons and tap. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. 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. 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. Followers 0. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993), s.v. Clearly fire is used as a metaphor for sufferingnot a literal fire but a state of misery. 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. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. As used in the New Testament, hell is an English word which is translated from two Greek words: hades (used ten times) and geenna (twelve times). No exact details are given. The righteousness of some (Abraham or Lazarus) cannot erase the consequences of anothers sins (the rich man). . Each person must reap the harvest of the seeds sown in this life. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. [2]. And remember you can be excommunicated for asking church leaders to give solid answers so trust the apologists who say to only trust the prophets on matters like this. What is Outer Darkness? They knew better but still chose wrong, one told me. To add an RSC website shortcut to your home screen, open the website in the Safari browser. 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. They will not have access to the Holy Ghost or Heavenly Father or Jesus. kingdoms of glory. The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. Everyone is already going to the terrestrial kingdom by default. lucifer. (Matt. In a general conference talk, Joseph Fielding Smith further explained that. You quoted a website (Wikipedia) which is not doctrine and another website (FAIRMormon) which directly says it is not doctrine. Chapter 40. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. . . So we can clearly state no women are Sons of Perdition in 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). Cain is a Son of Perdition. King Benjamin and Alma also use the word as to preface their reference to a lake of fire and brimstone (see Mosiah 3:27; Alma 12:17). 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. But wait! 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 (Ibid.). 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. The Book of Mormon also makes reference to everlasting fire (2 Ne. 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. . Banishment from all progress. [Discourse given on 20 January 1895.] Who of the following is NOT eligible for Outer Darkness. Just one sin. Thus, by the definition given by the leaders cited above, these people cannot be considered sons of perdition. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment (Mosiah 2:3839). Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). 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 ). 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. You are taking quotes that are not Mormon Doctrine. Mormons believe that only a Son of Perdition will go to Outer Darkness, their version of most Christian religions understanding of Hell. 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. As Joseph Fielding Smith put it, those mortals who fit into this nebulous category of sons of perdition will suffer permanently while the worst of the worst sinners will suffer only temporarily before receiving a kingdom of glory. New Testament [ edit] Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation, and ye are brought down unto this second death (Hel. It is the closest Mormon analogy to the concept of hell in most other Christian traditions. 20:1315). 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. 9:1012, 1516). 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). Some Christians have believed the lake of fire John spoke of to be a literal lake. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. Did I really have full knowledge? (p. 273). 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. outer darkness. [DS 2:225.] 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. Return to the Crash Course Mormonism Index. Big Love's episode "Outer Darkness" Summary: It is not our intention to discuss details of the portrayal of the temple ceremony here. 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. [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]. In Outer Darkness, there is endless lamentation and no divine presence. . You'll need to do a few things to get the most out of your ex-Mormon candle. So the prophet, meeting with apostles is clear on this, there are women. This is the final destination of Satan himself. They have wilfully (sic) made themselves servants of Satan and servants to him shall they remain forever. 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.. 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. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. 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). To qualify, a person would not only have to leave the Mormon church but also vehemently speak against it. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. Both Luther, who taught soul sleep till the resurrection of the dead, and Calvin, who taught the immortal soul, considered the "outer darkness" references in Matthew to refer to the last judgment. 1. 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. In Peters second general epistle to the Church, he taught concerning the angels who had sinned, saying that God cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness (2 Pet. They go too far, and the Spirit leaves themYou cant renew them to repentancyou cannot save them. (Joseph Smith Jr., King Follett Discourse). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It clarifies how using an obscure quote does not define LDS doctrines or dogmas. What is it? 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 . While this is true, please define Mormon Doctrine before saying I did not quote Mormon Doctrine. Marcus Dods (New York: Random House, 1950), 781. Additional doctrinal truth concerning the great gulf can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 138:1837). Source. Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21). 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. 3. Jacob taught that the lake of fire is not a literal fire but a figurative representation of torment: And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end (2 Ne. 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. . This is the second death. So why dont we get outer darkness too? 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). Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. 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). St. Augustine wrote: Hell, which also is called a lake of fire and brimstone, will be material fire, and will torment the bodies of the damned, whether men or devilsthe solid bodies of the one, aerial bodies of the others; or if only men have bodies as well as souls, yet the evil spirits, though without bodies, shall be so connected with the bodily fires as to receive pain without imparting life. (To see his baptism for the dead record and other temple work done for him, click here.). Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. Jesus proclaimed to Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against the rock upon which He would build the Church (Matt. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. 16:18). What is the Mormon plan of salvation? 10:28). 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. For example, John saw the judgment in vision and wrote that death and hell delivered up the dead . WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. Source: https://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf. (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). Meanwhile, I have known many who could be considered fighters against the church, including those who became involved in what could be considered anti-Mormon activities. It doesnt matter because I never joined. 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. 14:34), awful hell (1 Ne. 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. 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. 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. Thank you! It honors and glorifies Satan. With the sons of perdition, however, even this blessing is denied. Temporary abode of the wicked. (1) We believe in trimming our wicks to 1/4 between each burn. The use of the term exterior darkness is in Jesus' parable of the wedding feast (also known as the parable of the marriage of the king's son). Another manual states, Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). 2:11). 3:12), the tares are gathered and burned in the fire (Matt. The apostle John saw the final judgment and wrote of the destiny of the wicked: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. T F According to a church manual, those who never were Mormon could never be sent to Outer Darkness. 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.). Does this description of God make it sound as if he is just (at least according to an LDS context)? He called the Pharisees and scribes vipers and questioned, How can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt. 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. I was taught that to be condemned to outer darkness you would have to deny Christ to his very face and that could occur . 67, LDS Church Archives. 22:13) if it is also a place of perpetual fire (Matt. Okay so clearly we have billions of souls who qualify as perdition and go to outer darkness according to one prophet in his personal books and not officially speaking as a prophet. 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. And as such I would qualify. 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. An in depth look at the Mormon doctrine of hell. 1:18). A) Most humans B) Satan C) His angels D) Sons of Perdition. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" 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. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. Banishment from the presence of God. That night not one boy was interested in going to hell! (-Joseph Smith in the King Follett Discourse), There is my definition I used in my previous post. 8:1112). 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. T F It is practically impossible for those who were human to ever be sent to 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. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. The second death is spiritual and is separation from God. . The filthy would be more miserable to dwell with God than to dwell in hell, Morm. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. 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. 18:8)? 23:15). There was a movement a few years ago to have people deny the holy spirit on Youtube, where many a youtuber claimed they would now go to Outer Darkness. (To see the differences between the three kingdoms of glory, click here.) However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. 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. 20:13). The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. Hmmm.. I doubt whether it can be found, from the revelations that are given and the facts as they exist, that there is a female in all the regions of hell. Brigham Young Journal of Discourses 8:222. Is Jesus the Only Redeemer? Thus the Book of Mormon does seem to contain a reference to the degrees of glory and outer darkness. (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.). (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. It is, therefore, important to examine carefully the context of each reference. Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. Bold and italics in original). We will, however, address some of the portrayals of other LDS beliefs and practices that were depicted in this episode. Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. 40 talks in 40 days for General Conference, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 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! Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition. Provo, UT 84602 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. (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. Additionally it provides helpful commentary on New Testament passages concerning hell. He is damned by mortification and is his own condemner and tormenter. In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. 6:8). 15:2830). From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. 22:13-14, D-R.). It is doubtful if even Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was sufficiently enlightened to become a son of perdition (Gospel Doctrine,p. 545). The "authority" to marry a man to one wife is not the same as the "authority" to marry a man to more than one wife. 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. Serve Satan. 2:4). 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. One fire certainly shall be the lot of both. [4]. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. A representation of the tree degrees of glory and outer darkness. 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. 25:30). 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.