What does LDS Doctrine say about Hell?

[CurtisG]

How sad for Ted Kennedy that his death prompts this question.....
What does LDS doctrine say about Hell?

[Cowboy]

When you die you go to one of 2 places. Paradise or Spirit Prison. Paradise is a place that those who accepted Jesus Christ and tried to the best of their ability to keep the commandments and repent of their sins. Spirit Prison is a place that those who rejected the Savors teachings and lived wickedly and had no desire to repent. Those who commit murder and other unspeakable acts end up there as well.

They will stay in this state until the resurrection. There are 2 resurrections. The first will be those who are in Paradise. The second will be those in Spirit Prison ( more or less. There is a way out of spirit prison and into the first resurrection but that is another topic). Since those in spirit prison did not accept Jesus and His atonement, they will fall under the full demands of justice and will have to pay for their transgressions. The spirit prison is the Hell spoken of in the scriptures. After the resurrection all men will be judged and assigned there final place. This final place will be in 1 of 3 kingdoms of heavens. Only a very few will be cast out to outer darkness. This will include all of Satan's spirits who gave up there first estate to follow Lucifer, and a select few that knew God and had the spirit (Holy Ghost) witness to the truth of God and then they denied the experience. Brother Kennedy will most likely end up in the lowest of the 3 kingdoms of heaven.

Now Jay will look up the scripture references for all that I have said as well as I will. (Jay is much faster than I am). We will use the Bible to show you this as well as references from the Book of Mormon that teaches the same doctrine as the Bible. We might even throw in some modern day revelation that helps one understand the references in the Bible.

[Cowboy]

Here is a start. There are many more.

Luke 23: 43 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/luke/23/43#43)
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/luke/23/43a).


1 Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also hath once suffered (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/18a) for sins, the just for the unjust (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/18b), that he might bring us to God, being put to death (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/18c) in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/18d):

19 By which also he went and preached (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/19a) unto the spirits (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/19b) in prison (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/19c);

20 Which (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20a) sometime were disobedient (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20b), when once the longsuffering (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20c) of God waited in the days of Noah (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20d), while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20e) by water (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_pet/3/20f).


Alma 40:11-14
11 Now, concerning the state (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/11a) of the soul between death (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/11b) and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/11c) home (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/11d) to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/12a), which is called paradise (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/12b), a state of rest, a state of peace (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/12c), where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/13a) of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/13b) did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/13c); there shall be weeping (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/13d), and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14 Now this is the state of the souls (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/14a) of the wicked (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/14b), yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/14c) looking for the fiery indignation (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/14d) of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/40/14e), as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:40-42
40 There (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/40a) are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/40b) is one, and the glory of the terrestrial (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/40c) is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/41a), and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/41b): for one star differeth (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/41c) from another star in glory (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/41d).

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/15/42a); it is raised in incorruption:

[JayE]

How sad for Ted Kennedy that his death prompts this question.....
What does LDS doctrine say about Hell?

For now I will try to explain it as simply as possible, to avoid confusion. Later, when I have time, I will post scriptures and other references to support it.

When a person dies, the spirit enters the "spirit world" to await the resurrection. The spirit world is a temporary place, because everyone will resurrect, eventually. Even the most wicked people will resurrect. As Paul said: "For as in Adam all die, so shall in Christ all be made alive" (1Cor 15:22). The spirit world is divided into two places - paradise and spirit prison. The righteous spirits enter paradise, while the wicked enter spirit prison. More will be explained about this in my next post, but I will say that the division between paradise and spirit prison is probably a gradual one. The LDS view of Hell refers to spirit prison.

When a person resurrects, the spirit is reunited with the body, only this time it is a perfect body, no more subject to disease or pain. At the ressurection comes the judgment and the Lord determines the kingdom that a person will inherit - celestial, terrestrial, ot telestial. The type of ressurection that one receives is reflective of their eternal reward. The most righteous are resurrected with a celestial body. Those who were basically good, but not valiant in the testimony of Christ receive a terrestrial body. The wicked receive a telestial body. But all three of these kingdoms are kingdoms of glory. Also, only the righteous (celestial and terrestrial) are resurrected at the second coming of Christ, while the telestial people will wait until after the millenium to be resurrected. There is also a fourth category called outer darkness. That is reserved only for sons of perdition. To qualify as a son of perdition, one must know the truth, have a firm testimony of the gospel, then altogether turn away from it and fight against it. I suppose one could refer to outer darkness as hell, but it generally does refer to spirit prison.

[CurtisG]

Thank you all for your replies, i know answering this question is alot tougher than asking it! I am pleased to see that we have similar views with respect to there being various degrees of reward/punishment after we leave this life.
I was brought up in the teaching that there is Heaven for the people who have received salvation through Christ... and Hell for everyone else(Hell being a literal lake of fire with eternal torment) Study of scripture lead me to realise how problematic a "one size fits all eternal punishment" is. I could not reconcile how God, being the perfect judge, would sentence a run of the mill, cheat & drink sinner to the same fate as someone like Hitler.
So in Ted Kennedys case for example, he is not "burning in hell"....he is in spirit prison awaiting final judgement?

[Cowboy]

So in Ted Kennedys case for example, he is not "burning in hell"....he is in spirit prison awaiting final judgement?

The spirit prison is a place of darkness and suffering. So in a sense he is burning in hell. And he will stay there until he has paid the price for his sins. Then he will be judged according to his works and be placed in a degree of heaven based on those works.

[Soldierboy]

I am pleased to see that we have similar views with respect to there being various degrees of reward/punishment after we leave this life.
I was brought up in the teaching that there is Heaven for the people who have received salvation through Christ... and Hell for everyone else(Hell being a literal lake of with eternal torment) Study of scripture lead me to realise how problematic a "one size fits all eternal punishment" is. I could not reconcile how God, being the perfect judge, would sentence a run of the mill, cheat & drink sinner to the same fate as someone like Hitler.


Hi OBP!
Very interesting to hear that we have trod similar paths!

I was raised halfway between Methodists and Baptists (Mom was one, sister the other, and I went to both churches). Then in my late teens the family converted to Catholic. After a few years of thinking for myself, I came to the conclusion, as have you, that God's eternal justice and mercy as we read in the Scriptures, just did not support that simplistic heaven/hell doctrine I had been taught. I just could not believe that a good man like my stepfather for example, who was always honorable, treated his family and neighbors right throughout a long life, but had been turned off by some minister as a young man, would go to that lake of fire. While some evil mafia don could make a deathbed repentance and live in glory with the Lord. It made no sense to me, and that and other "doctrinal disconnects" led me away from both Protestant and Catholic churches.

I always had a testimony of Christ as my Savior, but just didn't believe the churches had it right, according to the Scriptures. It was that way for many years, and my DW and I explored many different kinds of churches and religions, but were never satisfied with what we heard.

Then about 12 years ago, we had a conversation with a new friend, Paul, who made no secret of being LDS. We were very curious about what they believed, not ever having talked about religion to one before. I remember trying out on him some of my few hard-earned beliefs after so many years of searching. One of them was this heaven/hell thing.

I told him I believed that there were very few who truly merited eternal punishment for their lives, and also very few who truly loved the Lord enough and put that in practice in their lives so they would merit the blessings of being with Him and Heavenly Father through eternity. Well, Paul surprised the dickens out of me when he said, "We Mormons believe something very similar, but we say it in a little different way." Then he went on and explained the "three degrees of glory" and perdition, as you have just heard. It made perfect sense to me, and really opened my eyes! He had my attention, after that, you can believe.

It was amazing to me how many of the religious/spiritual ideas we had worked out for ourselves over the years were reflected almost perfectly by the doctrines we learned from him and other LDS friends. They didn't try to convince us, as some religionists do, they only explained these things to us and let us decide for ourselves.

I must warn you of one thing, though. We ultimately were asked by our friends to take all this to the Lord in sincere and humble prayer, asking Him to let us know as clearly as possible whether the Church of Jesus Christ was true and whether Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. I decided I DID need to know for myself, and did just that. Going into it, I wasn't at all certain about the Church or Joseph Smith, but I received my answer so clearly that I couldn't and can't deny it.

DW and I were baptized in 1998, me at age 60. Not a moment of regret since, many blessings too many to count have come our way as a result.

Sorry for the over-long note, but I felt that you might find our little story of some value to you in your own search for what the Lord would have each of us do.

[JayE]

It's been a very busy day for me and I'm just getting around to this. Cowboy has done an excellent job in providing many relevant scriptures. Here are just a few scriptures to support various doctrines:

All people will resurrect, good and evil - 1Cor 15:22; John 5:29; D&C 29:26, 27

Their judgment is at the resurrection - John 5:29; D&C 29:26, 27; Alma 11:43, 44

Spirits remain in the spirit world while they await the resurrection - 1 Peter 3:18-20; Alma 40:11-14; D&C 138

The type of glory that our body receives in the resurrrection reflects the kingdom that we will inherit - 1Cor 15:40-42; D&C 88:27-32

In the LDS version of the King James Bible, we have a "Bible Dictionary", which was written by a modern day apostle "Elder Bruce R. McConkie". In the Bible Dictionary there is an excellent explanation of Hell from the LDS point of view. It explains that it generally refers to that period of time for the wicked between death and resurrection, but Hell also refers to those few souls who end up in outer darkness, the sons of perdition. They do not inherit any of the three kingdoms of glory, but remain in outer darkness forever. Here is an excerpt from the BD:

In latter-day revelation hell is spoken of in at least two senses. One is the temporary abode in the spirit world of those who were disobedient in this mortal life. It is between death and the resurrection, and persons who receive the telestial glory will abide there until the last resurrection (D&C 76: 84-85, 106 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/dc/76/84-85,106#84)), at which time they will go to the telestial glory. In this sense the Book of Mormon speaks of spiritual death as hell (2 Ne. 9: 10-12 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/2_ne/9/10-12#10)). Hell, as thus defined, will have an end, when all the captive spirits have paid the price of their sins and enter into a degree of glory after their resurrection. Statements about an everlasting hell (Hel. 6: 28 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/hel/6/28#28); Moro. 8: 13 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/moro/8/13#13)) must be interpreted in their proper context in the light of D&C 19: 4-12 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/dc/19/4-12#4), which defines eternal and endless punishment.
On the other hand, the devil and his angels, including the sons of perdition, are assigned to a place spoken of as a lake of fire - a figure of eternal anguish. This condition is sometimes called hell in the scriptures (2 Pet. 2: 4 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/2_pet/2/4#4); D&C 29: 38 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/dc/29/38#38); D&C 88: 113 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/h/dc/88/113#113)). This kind of hell, which is after the resurrection and judgment, is exclusively for the devil and his angels, and is not the same as that consisting only of the period between death and resurrection. The one group are redeemed from hell and inherit some degree of glory. The other receive no glory. They continue in spiritual darkness. For them the conditions of hell remain.

[JayE]

One more thing - I need to include these verses from D&C 19 that explain "endless torment", otherwise it may be confusing how one can suffer endless torment in a temporary condition (spirit world).

6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.
7 Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name's glory.
8 Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.
9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.
10 For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore?
11 Eternal punishment is God's punishment.
12 Endless punishment is God's punishment.
13 Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name;
14 And it is by my almighty power that you have received them;
15 Therefore I command you to repent?repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore?how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit?and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink?
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.

[CurtisG]

I am going to study on your answers for awhile, make sure i've got it down before asking other questions. I'm also trying to hold to the current topic (hell) before moving on to Heaven(or what you call 3 glories if i understand)
Thanks soldierboy for your testimony and for your service to the nation:l0 (2):

[JayE]

Soldierboy,

Thank you for your inspiring story. We need more of that kind of post here.

[Cowboy]

Just a note about the plan of salvation and your question about what happens after death. Most religions really do not answer these questions in detail or make assumptions that there is one heaven and one hell. You either make it or not. It seems that since the salvation of man is the key event in religion and the main purpose for coming to earth you would think that God would make it clear what man has to do to return to Him. The Bible has evidences of the spirit world (paradise and spirit prison), the preaching of the gospel to those who die without the opportunity to hear the gospel, the resurrection, and the degrees of glory in heaven. Also the atonement of Christ and the demands of justice. How Christ being the only perfect being could be the only one to satisfy the demands of justice for us, his children, if we would repent, we can qualify for His grace and mercy. For without it all mankind would be lost due to the demands of justice. No unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of heaven.

We believe that the true church of Jesus Christ would have this knowledge of how man can be saved from the fall. Not only would it have the knowledge, but it would possess the authority from God to make it happen. Without both, man is lost. So why would God create an earth, place man on it, and not provide a way for him to return to God? That way being the knowledge of how to return, and the authority that would be recognized of God to perform the ordinances required to return. Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel. Even Christ was baptized by one who had the authority to set the example for us to follow.

You have come to know the truth of several things independent of your association here. You have come to believe doctrines that you have not had in any organized religion. Yet when we explain things you say, "I am glad to see you believe the same way I do". Well this is not a coincidence. The spirit has been working in you and teaching you truth. Let us know when you are ready for more. We love to share because what we have may be the most important information for your salvation and true happiness.

[sarge712]

Makes perfect sense to me. The pain, torment & mental anguish I've felt from sin eclipses the relatively petty pain I've had from torn knees, concussions, a gunshot (as a kid, not a cop), etc. The mind drives the body; a mental Hell trumps a physically burning Hell for me.

[LEVE]

The pain, torment & mental anguish I've felt from sinAs a lad I once heard a description of hell as: "The man you are meets the man you could have been." For some reason that has always stuck with me

[Soldierboy]

You have come to know the truth of several things independent of your association here. You have come to believe doctrines that you have not had in any organized religion. Yet when we explain things you say, "I am glad to see you believe the same way I do". Well this is not a coincidence. The spirit has been working in you and teaching you truth. Let us know when you are ready for more. We love to share because what we have may be the most important information for your salvation and true happiness.

Thanks to both Cowboy and JayE for explaining things so clearly! What you say above certainly has the ring of truth to me, and matches my own experience. I do know that if we are seeking the truth, the Holy Ghost will help us find it!

It seems to me that, if we make any movement at all towards our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, they will meet us more than halfway, and will shower us with far more than we seek. Like they are just waiting for that movement.

I'm reminded of the origins of some of our Latter-day Scriptures, the Doctrine and Covenants. The Prophet Joseph felt impelled to go to the Lord in prayer and ask what he though was a simple question, like "Lord, what should I do about the brethren spitting tobacco on the floor during our meetings?" What he got from the Lord we now have as D&C 89, also called "the Word of Wisdom", a beautiful plan for treating our bodies in the most healthy way for long life.

[CurtisG]

Makes perfect sense to me. The pain, torment & mental anguish I've felt from sin eclipses the relatively petty pain I've had from torn knees, concussions, a gunshot (as a kid, not a cop), etc. The mind drives the body; a mental Hell trumps a physically burning Hell for me.
I think that when scripture uses somewhat contradictory terms like fire, darkness and cold to describe the fate of the unrepentant, i think it is trying to convey something we cant comprehend in our earthly state. Someone said the real horror of hell is that the people who rejected God will now be fully aware of his glory and the consequence of their choices in life. Scripture also indicates that the righteous really cant grasp how wonderful the eternal reward will be.

[TheSwally]

In the LDS version of the King James Bible, we have a "Bible Dictionary", which was written by a modern day apostle "Elder Bruce R. McConkie".

Sorry, one irrelevent interjection from me. BRM was not the only one who worked on the Bible Dictionary. As great a man as he was, it was a whole committee that wrote different parts of the BD, including Robert J. Matthews from BYU. Somehow he (and others) are always forgotten :)

[JayE]

Sorry, one irrelevent interjection from me. BRM was not the only one who worked on the Bible Dictionary. As great a man as he was, it was a whole committee that wrote different parts of the BD, including Robert J. Matthews from BYU. Somehow he (and others) are always forgotten :)

Thanks for the clarification.

[DieHard]

This is a good thread. It is good to review this stuff.

[CurtisG]

Amen. If it gets us opening scripture, checking references, and equiping ourselves to give an answer for the hope that we have, its really good.