Question 6
"no eternal hell"
"What is the explanation for the current teaching that there is
no eternal hell, when both the Bible and The Book of Mormon teach that there is?
(See 1 Nephi 14:3; 2 Nephi 9:16; 28:21-23; Mosiah 3:25; Alma 34:35; Helaman 6:28;
13:25-26.)"
Response by Stan
Barker & Malin Jacobs
What is the definition of "eternal hell?"
The critic does not provide a reference for his assertion that the "current teaching" is
"that there is no eternal hell." Possibly his source is Elder Bruce R. McConkie's
book, Mormon Doctrine. The "Eternal Hell" entry in
Mormon Doctrine refers the reader to "Eternal Damnation."
Under "Eternal Damnation" is found:
To denote the severity and extent of the condemnation
falling upon those whose feet slip from the straight and narrow path,
and who do not repent and return to righteousness, the Lord couples the
word eternal with the term damnation. There are three distinct senses in
which the expression eternal damnation is used.
Elder McConkie gives the third sense as:
3. Eternal damnation is used further to specify the torment and anguish to which the
spirits of the wicked are heir in the spirit prison as they await the
day of their resurrection. This type of eternal damnation ceases when
the offender has finally come forth in the resurrection. In this sense,
eternal damnation is the type, kind, and quality of torment, punishment,
or damnation involved rather than the duration of that damnation. In
other words, eternal is the name of the kind of punishment involved,
just as it is the name of the kind of life referred to in the expression
eternal life. Eternal punishment is, thus, the kind of punishment
imposed by God who is Eternal, and those subject to it may suffer
therefrom for either a short or a long period. After their buffetings
and trials cause them to repent, they are freed from this type of
eternal damnation.
...Behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is
given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore Eternal punishment is God's punishment. Endless punishment is
God's punishment." (D. & C. 19:4-12.)1
This would seem to state the critic's view
of beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
However, Elder McConkie's first two senses of "Eternal
Damnation" are:
1. Eternal damnation is the opposite of
eternal life, and all those who do not gain eternal life, or
exaltation in the highest heaven within the celestial kingdom, are
partakers of eternal damnation. Their eternal condemnation is to
have limitations imposed upon them so that they cannot progress to the
state of godhood and gain a fullness of all things. (SHIELDS - emphasis ours)
...
2. Eternal damnation is also used to
specify the punishment of those who come forth in the resurrection of
damnation (John 5:29), meaning those who are destined to inherit the
telestial kingdom and those who will be cast out to reign with the devil
and his angels as sons of perdition. (D. & C. 76:30-49, 81-112;
88:100-102.)1
Conclusion
It seems to us that the use of "eternal" in these two
senses agree with the critic's idea of a never-ending condition. Therefore
in these two senses there is no contradiction between the Bible, Book of Mormon
or doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ.
Earliest known discussion: Elder Moroni Snow, Eternal Punishment, The Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star,
XLI (Liverpool, England, William Budge: 1879) :758-759.
Notes:
1. McConkie, Bruce R., Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed.,
(Salt Lake City, UT, Bookcraft:1966) :234-236
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