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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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− | =={{Criticism label}} | + | {{Resource Title|What is "endless punishment"?}} |
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*Critics claim that the Church teaches that "endless punishment" does not actually last forever, and that this contradicts the Book of Mormon. | *Critics claim that the Church teaches that "endless punishment" does not actually last forever, and that this contradicts the Book of Mormon. | ||
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The Book of Mormon does provide indications that the use of the words "endless" and "eternal" indicate the ''nature'' of the punishment rather than its ''duration'', thus contradicting the claims made by the critics. The Lord, through modern revelation, provided clarification on the meaning of the terms "endless" and "eternal" when used to describe punishment. Thus, Latter-day Saints understand "endless punishment" and "eternal punishment" to mean "God's punishment," since "endless" and "eternal" are two of God's names. Likewise, the term "eternal life" can be interpreted to mean "God's life" in the same manner. | The Book of Mormon does provide indications that the use of the words "endless" and "eternal" indicate the ''nature'' of the punishment rather than its ''duration'', thus contradicting the claims made by the critics. The Lord, through modern revelation, provided clarification on the meaning of the terms "endless" and "eternal" when used to describe punishment. Thus, Latter-day Saints understand "endless punishment" and "eternal punishment" to mean "God's punishment," since "endless" and "eternal" are two of God's names. Likewise, the term "eternal life" can be interpreted to mean "God's life" in the same manner. | ||
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===The nature of "endless" and "eternal" punishment=== | ===The nature of "endless" and "eternal" punishment=== | ||
The Lord often uses the phrases "endless punishment," "endless torment," and "eternal damnation" to describe the type of punishment that will be administered to the wicked. It is natural to assume, given our understanding of the words "endless" and "eternal," to believe that punishment would continue forever. In fact, the Book of Mormon states: | The Lord often uses the phrases "endless punishment," "endless torment," and "eternal damnation" to describe the type of punishment that will be administered to the wicked. It is natural to assume, given our understanding of the words "endless" and "eternal," to believe that punishment would continue forever. In fact, the Book of Mormon states: |
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
The Book of Mormon does provide indications that the use of the words "endless" and "eternal" indicate the nature of the punishment rather than its duration, thus contradicting the claims made by the critics. The Lord, through modern revelation, provided clarification on the meaning of the terms "endless" and "eternal" when used to describe punishment. Thus, Latter-day Saints understand "endless punishment" and "eternal punishment" to mean "God's punishment," since "endless" and "eternal" are two of God's names. Likewise, the term "eternal life" can be interpreted to mean "God's life" in the same manner.
The Lord often uses the phrases "endless punishment," "endless torment," and "eternal damnation" to describe the type of punishment that will be administered to the wicked. It is natural to assume, given our understanding of the words "endless" and "eternal," to believe that punishment would continue forever. In fact, the Book of Mormon states:
This certainly initially appears to support the critic's assertion that the Book of Mormon indicates that the suffering of the wicked will go on forever without end. In fact, Alma's son Corianton was concerned about the nature of this punishment.
Alma's response to his son emphasized the need to repent in order to satisfy justice, but he did not elaborate on the exact nature of the punishment that would be administered if one did not repent. The natural concern is the idea that people would be "consigned to suffer throughout all eternity for what was done during the few years of mortality." [1] Fortunately, the Lord clarified the meaning of these terms to Joseph Smith in a revelation given in March, 1830.
DC 19꞉4-12 states:
However, the Book of Mormon does indeed provide some indication of the true nature of "eternal" and "endless" punishment. Consider Alma's description of his conversion experience during the three days that he was incapacitated after seeing an angel. Alma says,
Alma's "eternal torment" lasted only three days, which implies that he was describing the nature of his torment rather than its duration. Similarly, in Mosiah 27꞉28 Alma says
The term "everlasting burning" obviously refers to a state of torment rather than a duration.
In the Book of Mormon, which the critics say does not teach of a deliverance from such punishment, we find:
The statements by Alma and Nephi effectively negate the criticism that the Book of Mormon contradicts Joseph Smith's teachings on the nature of "endless" and "eternal" punishment.
John 5꞉29 states that both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected:
Since both the righteous and wicked will be resurrected, there are two states that can be described as "hell" in the scriptures. [2] 1. The temporary condition of the wicked between physical death and resurrection. 2. The never-ending state of the wicked after resurrection and judgment.
Support for this concept of a redemption from the temporary "hell" as the result of Christ's atonement may be obtained from the Bible. For example, David is promised that his soul will not be left "in hell:"
Isaiah also alludes to a redemption of the "prisoners:"
The concept that God's mercy applies to those who have died is not unique in LDS theology. Pope Pius IX once stated,
Anglican Oliver Chase Quick said,
Rev. G. Frederick Wright states in 1882 in his book An Inquiry Concerning the Relation of Death to Probation,
Continuing on this subject in 1883, Wright states,
In 1900, George B. Eager suggested that, "It does not become us to set limits to the grace of God." [7]
The concept that one could be redeemed after death through Christ's atonement is clearly not unique to Mormonism.
Given the "eternal" punishment represents "God's punishment," it stands to reason the "eternal" life refers to "God's life." Arthur R. Bassett states in the February 1978 Ensign:
== Notes ==
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