PROVO, Utah — Hell isn't necessarily the fearsome, dark place that
some think it is. Then there are others who don't think it should be
studied at all.
"There is a strong feeling that the devil and hell are allegorical and
don't feel have a place in theology," said Lawrence R. Flake, a
professor of church history and doctrine, at Education Week on Friday,
Aug. 21.
Even within the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there are several misconceptions.
"We oversimplify the doctrine of hell," Flake said. "The doctrine is quite inspirational."
In the church, people will say it's a state of mind, that hell lasts
forever, (which is both true and false), that it's the Telestial
Kingdom (it's not because it's a kingdom of glory) and that it's outer
darkness (well, not exactly), Flake said.
There are two hells in Mormon doctrine, he said.
"Outer darkness is the least important," Flake said. "It's the place
where those who turned against the Lord in pre-earth life (will go).
That's a staggering number."
Then, that's where the sons of perdition go and not Satan, but Cain will rule, because he has a resurrected body, Flake added.
The other hell is one in the Spirit World. The Spirit World has several
different parts, including paradise, spirit prison and spirit hell.
In the Plan of Salvation, Jesus Christ suffered for us through the Atonement. We sin and if we repent, we are forgiven.
"We can access (the Savior's) righteousness by our own righteousness
(and keeping the commandments and repentance)," Flake said. "Getting
rid of sin is being valiant in the gospel of Jesus Christ."
But there is another way — a Plan B — so to speak.
The Savior has still suffered for us and we still sin. But the plan differs when we don't repent.
"If we don't accept the suffering of the Son, we have to suffer for
ourselves," Flake said. That suffering is like what the the Savior
suffered.
These are those who end up in spirit hell.
Because they didn't repent, they aren't forgiven, but rather are pardoned and can go to the Telestial Kingdom.
"These people are sorry for their sins," Flake said. The scriptures say
these are liars, soothsayers and adulterers and the like.
"They have not lived in such a way to merit the Celestial Kingdom,"
Flake said, adding that it's part of the Plan of Salvation that
everyone had opportunity to repent or have to suffer for themselves.
Most sins are forgivable. Those who commit them usually end up in the
Celestial or Terrestial Kingdom. But there are unforgiveable sins — like
murder, Flake said.
Some unforgiveable sins are pardonable and others are unpardonable, he
said. Those who commit pardonable sins can go to spirit hell and then
end up in the Telestial Kingdom. The unpardonable sins are committed by
the sons of perdition and end up in outer darkness, he said.
It's part of the Plan of Salvation that everyone had opportunity to
repent or have to suffer for themselves, Flake said. All — both just
and unjust — will be resurrected but it's our choice what we do in
this life.
E-mail: crappleye@desnews.com