[DS 2:225.] 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 . (To see his baptism for the dead record and other temple work done for him, click here.). 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). However, based on the teaching of church leaders, I believe it is utterly impossible for any mortal to become this despised son of perdition. Source: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/sons-of-perdition. 14:1519). This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition. 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. Outer Darkness - Mormonism, The Mormon Church, Beliefs, & Religion In addition, Alma defined the second death as dying as to things pertaining unto righteousness. These individuals are chained down to an everlasting destruction and are subject to the will of Satan. 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. The Book of Mormon clarifies that the lake of fire and brimstone is a metaphor for the suffering of the wicked. The Prophet Joseph Smith would not countenance the teaching of this doctrine, and sanctioned the decision of the bishop that any who taught it should be barred from communion (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 125). The Book of Mormon contains one reference to outer darkness. 12:16), hell which hath no end (1 Ne. Okay, so Cain, we have one guaranteed person according to no citation whatsoever. The conclusion: You (former Mormon), despite being baptized into this church, are not a son of perdition! 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. The Nephites became so wicked, that contemplating murder was a source of happiness. For example, Alma the Younger was delivered from the intensity of his hellish pain when he cried to the Lord for mercy. Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism. 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. 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. [1] See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Hell is outer darkness; it is the lake of fire; and it is the second death. 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). 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). Matt. That last part of the previous sentence is very important. 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. If Lucifer had not known the effects of his rebellion, how would he ever become perdition? So get what they deserve. Yet how many sins and wrong choices has every humanincluding me and youmade? He also saw a pale horse with a rider whose name was Death, and Hell followed with him (Rev. Ellipsis mine). Big Love's episode "Outer Darkness" Summary: It is not our intention to discuss details of the portrayal of the temple ceremony here. [2]. 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). 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. He wrote. Cannot be saved at the last day; except W.W. Phelps who was classified as such by Joseph and then redeemed, and we should only trust prophets on the matter because they dont conflict, unless they do. 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.. However, Lucifer did not know all the purposes of the Father as we learn from the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 4:6. So a heads up, this does not include you or any one who has ever been or will be born on Earth. [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]. It doesnt matter because I never joined. Yea, Alma wrote, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell (Alma 36:13). . Which would be a sure-fire way to know that a spirit is headed to Outer Darkness? Mormons believe that only a Son of Perdition will go to Outer Darkness, their version of most Christian religions understanding of Hell. Unless someone has rejected love, like the Nephites, I believe there is still hope that they will repent. 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. 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. 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). Sorry ladies, you cant actually apostatize from the church, I guess (Someone tell Kate Kelly her excommunication is not valid!). The kingdom that is not a kingdom of glory is called outer darkness. If he were ignorant, he could not have become perdition. When I bring this issue up with some Latter-day Saints, I sometimes get defensive arguments. Mormons believe we existed before coming to Earth. How many people. 8:17), and endless hell (Moro. All missionaries are doing is trying to upgrade people to a premium plan of ruling over planets and polygamy. Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. 5:22), burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. Jesus of Mormonism but the Jesus of the Bible. Woman must atone for sins committed by the volition of her own choice, but she will never become an angel to the devil, and sin so far as to place herself beyond the reach of mercy. Brigham Young Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. 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. . 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). In the Book of Mormon the phrase lake of fire and brimstone is used as a metaphor for the suffering that awaits the wicked. Additional doctrinal truth concerning the great gulf can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 138:1837). Dennis L. Largey was an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when this was published. 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). Publishing, 19871989), 4:227228. 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). Hell - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints It even warns its readers to beware of the devils temptation to disbelieve the doctrine of a personal devil and that there is an actual place and/or state called hell. 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. Mormons also believe that those on Earth with bodies can become a Son of Perdition, tho this is difficult to do. 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. Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will. Return to the Crash Course Mormonism Index. 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. But what is light? 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. A person would have to be very wicked to know the church was true yet still fight against it! 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. 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. But unofficial prophets speaking at BYU or in their own books say no, except Brigham in the Journal of Discourses which is unofficial. The first example would be spirits from the preexistence who sided with Lucifer rather than Jesus at the Council in Heavenwhere it was decided who would become the Savior of the World. Conclusion Those consigned to hell or outer darkness are partakers of the second death, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone. Those who followed Lucifer in his rebellion in the premortal life and those who in mortality sin against the Holy Ghost are sons of perdition. outer darkness - LDS Thought 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. In my last post, I claimed that I might be a candidate for outer darkness. That ought to bring a sigh of relief to many who are reading this article! Well thats wrapped up as long as no other prophets said oh. 2:8-10) Jesus' atonement provided immortality for all people. Who of the following is NOT eligible for Outer Darkness. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, D&C 29:37-38. Twenty-nine times the word hell is used with descriptive modifiers, for example, depths of hell (1 Ne. 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. 21:8; cf. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. 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). No exact details are given. Is outer darkness reserved for apostate LDS? - Ask Gramps Just one sin. The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. (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. The Plan of Salvation kind of negates the reason for missionary work. Those mortals who never join the LDS Church (through baptism) cannot 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. And thats why men alone get, I mean need the priesthood. There are three references to outer darkness in the New Testament, all contained in the Gospel of Matthew. Also, you can read this too. Those who must suffer with Satan for the deeds done in mortality will go with him into outer darkness. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board. Their theology was turned upside down! This extreme punishment will not be given to any but the sons of perdition ( Doctrines of Salvation 2:220 ). The views expressed . Outer Darkness Definition - Mormonism Research Ministry 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. It is impossible for those who never joined Mormonism to become sons of perdition. 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.). There are two categories for those who should be considered sons of perdition. Another name for Outer Darkness is hell. Also, the whole thing about Daughters of Perdition. To become a church member, baptism and confirmation are required. He was not ignorant, and therefore he became perdition, and they who followed him were sons of perdition, because he and they sinned knowingly. You dont believe it is true, which is the reason why you left. 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. I did cite sources spoken from the pulpit by a prophet. 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. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the tormented rich man in hell . For those who once were baptized and confirmed into Mormonism, what is your status? One example would not be human since they were cast out of heaven with Satan before they could receive a body. Now go take a nap and rest well! Those who have never received the light are not to become Sons of Perdition (Conference Reports, October 1958, p. 21). 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). The wicked are cast into outer darkness until the time of their resurrection, Alma 40:13-14. I can give you more than plenty of examples of that. Does this description of God make it sound as if he is just (at least according to an LDS context)? 6:8). Horror Short Film "Outer Darkness" | ALTER | Online Premiere Outer Darkness. From its beginnings, it taught that very few people would go to "outer darkness" the Mormon concept of hell. But Mormons do not believe that just because a Prophet said it, that it makes it true. 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! And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. Only a handful of "sons of perdition" would go. However, I think the breakdown I have above is accurate because outer darkest is a place of permanence for the filthy. 13:40), cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. (p. 273). So we can clearly state no women are Sons of Perdition in outer darkness. Serve Satan. 2:4). This is the final destination of Satan himself. 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. Banishment from the presence of God. Hence, the very worse lot in their lives will be the telestial kingdom. 5:30). It is provided through Christ's atonement and received by personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. 11:23). Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. Outer darkness - MormonWiki.org . https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Outer_Darkness&oldid=27067. 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). 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. D&C 76 does say telestial people are the ones thrust down to hell and not redeemed until the last resurrection. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. But wait! Do "apostates" go to outer darkness or telestial kingdom? Banishment from the glory of God. 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. Jesus proclaimed to Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against the rock upon which He would build the Church (Matt. Note the Book of Mormons addition of the words is as. 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. (2) We believe in allowing our candles to burn for a maximum of four hours at a time. outer darkness. . 8:1112). 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. Outer Darkness - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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. 2. 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. 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. Mormonism and popular media/"Big Love" and the temple - FAIR Conclusion The Book of Mormon text confirms the truth of New Testament teachings on hell, second death, lake of fire and brimstone, and outer darkness. lift[ed] up his eyes and saw Abraham and Lazarus across an impassable gulf (Luke 16:23). It is, therefore, important to examine carefully the context of each reference. Just one rebellion. 9:4. Smith said this will be practically indescribable: The extent of this punishment none will ever know except those who partake of it. In Mormonism, it depends. Your email address will not be published. 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. 20:14). Even the regular Wikipedia seems confused: Sons of Perdition are: The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. 25:30). Brigham Young University Professor Larry E. Dahl reported: The word hell appears sixty-two times in the text of the Book of Mormon. Source. https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Plan_of_salvation/Sons_of_Perdition/Can_women_be_%22Sons_of_Perdition%22. So apostates from the church are clearly included in this list. 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. Women or not. 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. In short, Outer Darkness is eternal torture. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. One of the messages of the Book of Mormon is that people sometimes lose the desire to repent. Italics in original). Followers 0. Clearly you dont know what is and is not doctrine, and are trying to throw shade. 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. Can someone get out of this state of Perdition once they are in it? This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. Yet I never was baptized and confirmed into this church. 801-422-6975. The second possible sons of perdition are mortals. 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. 22:13). Yet I an certainly exempt from outer darkness, no questions asked. . 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. 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. Twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball wrote. How unfair is this scenario? 9:16) after the final judgment. While some apparently have taught that these spirits could be restored to a kingdom of glory, 12th President Spencer W. Kimball said this wasnt true: In the days of the restoration there apparently were those who taught that the devil and his angels and the sons of perdition should sometime be restored. In this realm, as the name implies, there will be no light, and consequently no heat. And the definition contains all of the pre-mortal spirits who followed Lucifer, which would imply that God created a lot more male spirits than women spirits and maybe thats why there was a war in Heaven. The LDS version of the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon help us to understand that the word black is actually a Hebrew idiom, meaning gloomy, dejected, or spiritual darkness, and has nothing to do with skin tone. 18:8), hell fire (Matt. 21:8). T F Once a spirit enters Outer Darkness, there will be no leaving there. Thus the Book of Mormon does seem to contain a reference to the degrees of glory and outer darkness. The Outer Darkness Dilemma - Official Website of the ex-Mormon Apologist What is Outer Darkness? The Book of Mormon presents several significant insights concerning the lake of fire and brimstone of which John spoke. Jesus warned that those who mocked their brothers by saying Thou fool were in danger of hell fire (Matt. The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial are kingdoms of glory. so we will be able to realistically discuss the likelihood that a person who left the church could ever end up in Outer Darkness. 8:13). That it is the most severe punishment that can be meted out to man is apparent. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell. Outer Darkness - Social Hall - Mormon Dialogue & Discussion Board 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. Italics in original).