The opposition gospel twists the title of Adversary into a positive thing. Source: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition. 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. 20:1315). 1:18). 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. 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. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the tormented rich man in hell . Italics in original). 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. Followers 0. For many are called, but few are chosen." You have to be pretty bad to go to the Teresita's kingdom, and horrendous to go to outer darkness. In Mormonism, it depends. How many people. 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. 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. Outer Darkness. 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. [3]. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. 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). Twenty-nine times the word hell is used with descriptive modifiers, for example, depths of hell (1 Ne. 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. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. so we will be able to realistically discuss the likelihood that a person who left the church could ever end up in Outer Darkness. 2:4). That ought to bring a sigh of relief to many who are reading this article! 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. Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. [4] Augustine, The City of God, trans. Clearly fire is used as a metaphor for sufferingnot a literal fire but a state of misery. ABCs of Science and Mormonism now available in Print from Amazon! . Additional doctrinal truth concerning the great gulf can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 138:1837). A lot of people wanted a source on that. However, not once have I ever suspected such a person to be a closet believer in Mormonism. 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. - 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. . Mormon Doctrine Lecture, #2, Brigham Young University, 1967.). 13:40), cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 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. 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. Christians have debated for centuries the nature of the hell fire of which Jesus spoke (Matt. Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? 67, LDS Church Archives. For example: everlasting fire (Matt. In each New Testament passage that speaks of hell (the word hades is neutralneither a place of punishment nor reward but the place of departed spirits) the context associates it with suffering and punishment. Jesus warned that those who mocked their brothers by saying Thou fool were in danger of hell fire (Matt. Here is one more thing to think about: I work full time with a Christian ministry aimed at converting Mormons. So the prophet, meeting with apostles is clear on this, there are women. He stated that converts made by the Pharisees became twofold more the child of hell than their teachers (Matt. [2]. Pingback: The Shunning Key by bwv549 - Mormon Bandwagon, A Son of Perdition is: 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. 4. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. 5:30). Your email address will not be 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. We believe that after the final judgment there are four places to which a person may be sent. Thus, the only mortals who can possibly become sons of perdition must be Latter-day Saints who fall/fell away. What is the Mormon plan of salvation? 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. However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. It honors and glorifies Satan. In the D&C, the definition of those who go to Outer Darkness is stated as: the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows; Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof;Nevertheless, I, the Lord, show it by vision unto many, but straightway shut it up again; Wherefore, the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation (D&C 76:45-48). This is the final destination of Satan himself. 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. Also, Mormons believe in three Heavens. 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). 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 objection is inconsistent since Mormonism teaches that Lucifer's demon forces, which are clearly destined for "outer darkness," make up one-third of God's "children" (Bruce R. McConkie,Mormon Doctrine, p. 195). But wait! (1) We believe in trimming our wicks to 1/4 between each burn. 3. Continuous suffering, however, is reserved only for sons of perditionthose who are still unclean after the final judgment. GOSH. Jesus declared that this exalted city would be brought down to hell (Matt. He once said that a person. 2:11). 9:16; emphasis added). 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. Provo, UT 84602 Mormon doctrines are often contradictory and inconsistent. 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. 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. ( 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. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 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). In this context, outer darkness is the spirit prison, or that part of the spirit world that the wicked inhabit prior to their resurrection. (2) We believe in allowing our candles to burn for a maximum of four hours at a time. Source: https://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/What_is_Mormon_Doctrine.pdf. In contrast, Book of Mormon references to the second death are embedded in sermons that teach it in context with other essential elements of the plan of salvation. ", 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. 15:29, 35; Alma 19:29; 54:7), sleep of hell (2 Ne. Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. But what is light? While many Latter-day Saints bristle at the doctrine of hell (i.e., How could a loving God send His children to such a place?), they may have not considered the fact that these spirits were never given the chance to have a physical body because of the wrong choice they made in the preexistence. 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. 1. 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. Mormons believe that a majority of people on this Earth will go to one of these three heavens. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. Therefore the Lord used Satans evil acts to accomplish his own purposes. They go too far, and the Spirit leaves themYou cant renew them to repentancyou cannot save them. (Joseph Smith Jr., King Follett Discourse). Outer darkness is not a kingdom of glory. How unfair is this scenario? Mormons believe that there Prophets are fallible and in no way perfect. Articles 1 - 7 will help your candle last longer and perform its best. Please read, the source above, What is Official LDS Doctrine. 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. While this is true, please define Mormon Doctrine before saying I did not quote Mormon Doctrine. Thus ensued the War in Heaven, which resulted in Satan and his followers being cast out of heaven and denied the opportunity of receiving a physical body. 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). Historic Christianity. Your email address will not be published. Yet I never was baptized and confirmed into this church. 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). 20:6). However, I think the breakdown I have above is accurate because outer darkest is a place of permanence for the filthy. 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. 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. . 5:22), and the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone of which the apostle John wrote (Rev. 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 "authority" to marry a man to one wife is not the same as the "authority" to marry a man to more than one wife. In Mormonism, Outer darkness is described as "those who are unfaithful, those who will listen to Satan, who will lend a willing ear to his blandishments and to his allurements, when they go from this state of existence, they go into a condition where they are subject to his power. A) Most humans B) Satan C) His angels D) Sons of Perdition. 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. 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. Hence, the term outer darkness. 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. 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). Just one sin. 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. So why dont we get outer darkness too? 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). Later in the same discourse Alma blended the doctrines of the Fall, agency, and the second death together as an admonition to keep the commandments of God (see Alma 12:3137). 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. 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). Utterly turn against god. What qualifies a person to be a Son of Perdition? The Lord said no man knoweth So, theres probably a good reason that there is some debate and confusion on it. 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. 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.