outer darkness mormon
outer darkness mormon
Jesus also referred to outer darkness in two parables he gave during the last week of his life. The Book of Mormon provides another testament of the reality of a designated place called hell, where the wicked are consigned. A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. 4. 13:42), the fire that never shall be quenched (Mark 9:45), where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48), and cast into the fire (Luke 3:9). The Seeker: 'Big Love' in big trouble with Mormons - Chicago Tribune There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. (See D&C 76:2835, 4448.) 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.. to become a son of perdition? Outer Darkness Definition - Mormonism Research Ministry This is what was taught by several important church leaders, including founder Joseph Smith. Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. 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). Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. He called the Pharisees and scribes vipers and questioned, How can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matt. Hell Second Death, Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and Outer Darkness Did I really have full knowledge? How many people. 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. 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). However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. 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. There are possible characteristics of a son of perdition. According to the churchs website: The followers of Satan who will suffer with him in eternity. We probably do not want to know how horrible it is just like in this life, some things that are so horrible that happen (especially to children) wed rather not know about it, if possible. 10:28). Hence the saying: They will go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Outer Darkness. The second death is a second separation from God, not because of Adams transgression (the first death) but because of ones own failure to repent of personal sin. In Mormonism, it depends. outer darkness. Banishment from the power of God. - 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. . The manual Gospel Principles sheds additional light: There is no forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having received it. Smith taught: 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. 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. From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. Outer darkness is a place reserved for the Devil, his angels, and the sons of perdition. It is an eternal destination, a place where very few (if any) human beings will ever be sent. New Testament [ edit] 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. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. The second possible sons of perdition are mortals. 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). Some Christians have believed the lake of fire John spoke of to be a literal lake. 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. But unofficial prophets speaking at BYU or in their own books say no, except Brigham in the Journal of Discourses which is unofficial. [2]. Mormons also believe that those on Earth with bodies can become a Son of Perdition, tho this is difficult to do. The Lord said no man knoweth So, theres probably a good reason that there is some debate and confusion on it. . They must have had a fullness of knowledge; a testimony which cannot be destroyed. For most, outer darkness, the lake of fire, and the second death have an end, but for the sons of perdition these states continue eternally. They place themselves beyond the power of repentance and beyond the mercies of God. Making the LDS Church Slightly Better: A Members Wish List. These spirits never received a mortal body necessary to progress to a kingdom of glory. The Book of Mormon also teaches that by coming unto Christ, one can escape the pains of hell experienced in this life. Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. 20:13). It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. The conclusion: You (former Mormon), despite being baptized into this church, are not a son of perdition! Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. Which means that really, no one knows anything about this. 4:32; 3 Ne. The opposition gospel twists the title of Adversary into a positive thing. 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. Outer Darkness - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints In Mormonism, it depends. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. One of these guests, however, appeared without the proper wedding attire. Heaven and Hell - Mormonism Research Ministry The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. Even if I did, I still am not eligible for outer darkness. 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). (Matt. 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 ). Yet what kind of devious person would it be who knew full well that Mormonism was trueincluding the historicity of theBook of Mormon,the authenticity of the restored churchs leadership that began withJoseph Smith,and the accuracy of theFirst Visioneventand then fight against these truths? They are the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, the telestial kingdom, and outer darkness. In the parable of the talents, the returning lord instructed that the wicked and slothful servant who hid his talent in the earth be cast into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. Serve Satan. And since we know that prophets speaking define it, this is the definition we should use. 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. The wicked, or in this particular context, the sons of perdition who are filthy still after judgment and resurrection, are assigned to everlasting punishment (see 2 Ne. You are taking quotes that are not Mormon Doctrine. lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). Followers 0. 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. Just one sin. 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end (1 Ne. 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). 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. What is Outer Darkness? 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). . 21:8; cf. 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). Because reasons. 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. These pains are similar to the state of suffering experienced by the ungodly who after mortality are assigned to hell. This is the second death. 20:14), or the outer darkness (Matt. How we misinterpret "black" and "curse" in the scriptures: Insights Thirty-three times it stands alone, without modifiers or explanation of what it means, as in And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell (Alma 30:60). Jacob identified death and hell as temporal and spiritual death. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. Mormon theology ultimately portrays Outer Darkness as heaven, and Satan as the God of that realm. (To see the differences between the three kingdoms of glory, click here.) 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. Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? 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. 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. 2:11). So I thought Id get it all out there in one simple post. 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). The Book of Mormon teaches that only through the Atonement of Christ can one escape the damnation of hell. Jacob testified that without the infinite atonement all mankind would be forever subject to the awful monster, death and hell, and thus would become like the devil and his angels (2 Ne. The punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, D&C 19:10-12. The views expressed . Delving into the interesting bits about any religion to stem from Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph F. Smith,The Second Death,inBrian H. Stuy (editor). ( 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. It is simply his opinion. Yet I an certainly exempt from outer darkness, no questions asked. 14:1519). An in depth look at the Mormon doctrine of hell. 1:18). Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. 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 their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever (Mosiah 3:2427; emphasis added). ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! 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. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. 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. kingdoms of glory. ). This page was last edited on 17 September 2010, at 20:26. Banishment from all progress. If he were ignorant, he could not have become perdition. 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). (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). Your email address will not be published. This analysis will first briefly review what we know from the teachings of the Restoration about hell, second death, the lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. 801-422-6975. 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). Other sources used in composing this topic: http://en.fairmormon.org/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_darkness#Usage_in_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement, http://en.fairmormon.org/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Eventual_fate, http://emp.byui.edu/satterfieldb/quotes/Sons%20of%20Perdition.htm. 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. In the rest of the article, were going to have to assume that Mormonism is true (of course, I dont think it is!) 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. As a young boy, I attended a two-week Christian camp. They did what they did with their eyes open, and were in rebellion against God. 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. Here, like John and Samuel, Alma equated the second death with the lake of fire and brimstone. 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. That ought to bring a sigh of relief to many who are reading this article! A person would have to be very wicked to know the church was true yet still fight against it! Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. In Mormonism, it depends. The question is, what exactly does full knowledge entail? 22:13) that awaits the wicked? . 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. That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. 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. 21:8). 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. 3. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. Youll never regret it. 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. The Book of Mormon clarifies that the lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor for the suffering of the wicked. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. What is it? 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. Satan and his followers are beings of spirit who were denied bodies and cast out of heaven during pre-mortal existence (see Plan of Salvation ). 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). it could be a reference for the resurrected who gain inheritance on other worlds but without the fulness of 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. The ExMo Candle Co. - lighting outer darkness together Historic Christianity. This is not an easy thing to do unless you are choosing to do so while being fully aware that you are doing so. Pingback: The Shunning Key by bwv549 - Mormon Bandwagon, A Son of Perdition is: 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). 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. 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. 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. Nephis words can thus be applied to Jesus parable: the reason the rich man could not cross the great gulf to Abrahams bosom, or the reason the wicked could not join the Saints of God at the tree of life, is because the justice of God does not permit it. Even the regular Wikipedia seems confused: Sons of Perdition are: The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. No exact details are given. 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. 8:17), and endless hell (Moro. 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). Required fields are marked *. Provo, UT 84602 [3]. 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). For those who once were baptized and confirmed into Mormonism, what is your status? 14:1819). 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. Do "apostates" go to outer darkness or telestial kingdom? Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. Hell is a state of suffering, both temporary and permanent. Thank you! 20:14). (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.). In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. 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. 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. First, LDS Church scripture uses the term outer darkness to refer to a condition in the spirit world. He once said that a person. 67, LDS Church Archives. 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. 14:18.) This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. Dennis L. Largey was an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when this was published. 5. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. Everyone is already going to the terrestrial kingdom by default. outer darkness | Some Mormon Stuff 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. Do Mormons Believe in Hell? - Truth in Love Ministry Who goes to Outer Darkness, a handy guide - Exploring Mormonism 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. Comparison Chart - Mormonism and Christianity - Apologetics But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (Matt. . 34:3435; note Almas repetitive use of the word state in Alma 40:1112; see also D&C 101:9091; 133:7073). 20:6). 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). So the prophet, meeting with apostles is clear on this, there are women. 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. However, I think the breakdown I have above is accurate because outer darkest is a place of permanence for the filthy. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work In the Latter Day Saint movement, "outer darkness" can refer to hell (the place where the spirits of the wicked reside after death but before the resurrection)[3] or to the place where the sons of perdition will reside. WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF SINNING. 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. Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. 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. 15:29, 35; Alma 19:29; 54:7), sleep of hell (2 Ne.