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. (Doctrines of Salvation 2:220-221). 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. 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. . Joseph Fielding Smith and Bruce R. McConkie have rejected the idea that those in perdition can ultimately be redeemed, which contradicts Brighams speculations. In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. Italics in original). As with anything in Mormon doctrine, theres a lot of confusion, contradictory information and just all around ignoring a topic that should be as simple as asking a question and getting an answer. That Satan rebelled against Christ and God the Father and was cast out with all of Satans followers and will not receive a body. 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). 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). Dennis L. Largey, Hell Second Death, Lake of Fire and Brimstone, and Outer Darkness, inThe Book of Mormon and the Message of the Four Gospels, ed. Polygamy with tons more men than women sounds ill-thought out. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. 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. 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). Learn how your comment data is processed. [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]. 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. If he were ignorant, he could not have become perdition. The wicked are cast into outer darkness until the time of their resurrection, Alma 40:13-14. 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. 12:22; Morm. There are ten references to the lake of fire and brimstone in the Book of Mormon. Everyone but the Sons of Perdition and the devil and his devils, will overcome spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. King Benjamin defined the cause of this great torment: Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. (To see the differences between the three kingdoms of glory, click here.) (see Rom. It is impossible for those who never joined Mormonism to become sons of perdition. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. One of these guests, however, appeared without the proper wedding attire. 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? At the same time, prophets and apostles have taught that you can be sent to outer darkness for simply disbelieving or for apostasy or for being a part of a religion that doesn't have apostles. This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition ( Doctrines of Salvation 2:220 ). The Book of Mormon provides another testament concerning the existence of hell, and explains how one can escape the chains of hell in this life, and an everlasting hell in the next life, through application of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smitha general authority who spoke more about this issue than any other leaderstated. ", 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. Even the most evil of people, including Adolph Hitler and those of his ilk, appear to have a place reserved for them in nothing less than the telestial kingdom. 14:34), awful hell (1 Ne. 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. The second death is spiritual and is separation from God. In revealing Satans tactics, Nephi wrote: And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is noneand thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. 15:2830). The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work Its just Scary bad. Bold and italics in original). 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. the man was silent (Matt 22:12); therefore, the king said: "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. A Vision, Times and Seasons 4 (1 Feb 1843) 6:82-5. outer darkness - LDS Thought 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. 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. 25:30). They must have had a fullness of knowledge; a testimony which cannot be destroyed. Only a handful of "sons of perdition" would go. 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. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_(Mormonism). 23:33). Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. 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. 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. The Book of Mormon also makes reference to everlasting fire (2 Ne. 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. Comparison Chart - Mormonism and Christianity - Apologetics 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. 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. This is a Son of perdition. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. 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). To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. Thus, many would say I fight against the church. 18:8)? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We believe that after the final judgment there are four places to which a person may be sent. And as such I would qualify. They will not have a kingdom of glory. After the millennium, after the last great battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, Satan and his followers will be cast into Outer Darkness. The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. . 8 - 14 are for safety. 10:28). Hell is a state of suffering, both temporary and permanent. Outer Darkness. The Book of Mormon clarifies that the lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor for the suffering of the wicked. They go too far, and the Spirit leaves themYou cant renew them to repentancyou cannot save them. (Joseph Smith Jr., King Follett Discourse). Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 195456), 31.; Bruce R. McConkie, Seven Deadly Heresies, 1 June 1980, BYU Marriot Center.). - 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. . 20:6). True, some former Mormons have expressed doubts and wondered if the church might possibly be true, which is a completely natural response after having left the one true church. If they decided they made a mistake because they still believed the church were true, they would be more apt to rejoin it rather than stay excommunicated and fight against it. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. So why dont we get outer darkness too? hell.. Jesus disciples were told not to fear those who could kill the body but to fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. The New Testament contains four references to the second death, all located in the Revelation of John. I did cite sources spoken from the pulpit by a prophet. They place themselves beyond the power of repentance and beyond the mercies of God. 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! Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. 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. 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. Think along the lines of a religious leader serving God but the opposite. (p. 273). 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. That there will also be daughters of Perdition there is no doubt in the minds of the brethren. Again Mormons think this is a very hard place to get into. Please note that FAIRMormon states it is not doctrine on the website. So I thought Id get it all out there in one simple post. 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).