Moses 1

I am going to include a recent talk a gave this past weekend. There are two scriptures that I read this morning that are related to that talk but were not included in the talk -

"...it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the world upon which he was created; and Moses beheld the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:8)

Note the "which were created".

The second is the nature of Satan -

"...Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:19)

This was my talk -

With some embarrassment, I will admit that one of my favorite movies is Young Frankenstein. There is a line in that movie that goes something like –

“…a riot is a very ugly thing, it’s about time we had one…”

As I prepared for this evening, my thoughts followed much the same logic –

The preaching of hell, fire, and burning is a very unpleasant thing, it’s about time we did!

As I’ve thought about this theme, I’ve wondered what it would be like to be a traditional pulpit pounding minister – but you can rest assured that I’m not going to do that. But I am still going to talk about hell.

As Alma was giving commandments to his son Corianton, he perceived that his son was very worried about the resurrection. In an attempt to comfort him, he basically told him, don’t worry about it –

“…my son, the resurrection is not yet...” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:3)

But still seeing the opportunity to teach, he continued –

“…Now, I unfold unto you a mystery…” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:3)

“…I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection…” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:3)

That –

“… there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.”

And because of that –

…there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection.” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:5 - 6)

Then Alma asked his son what is probably one of the most sought after answer of all generations –

“…what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:7)

It is that question I would like to address this evening. But even more specific, I would like to focus on the question, “what becometh of the souls of men” –

“Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh…” Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:74)

And not just those who receive not the testimony, but also –

“…they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus…” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:79)

As we begin to read the words of Alma to his son, we quickly recognize that the topic at hand was that of the resurrection of the dead, so Alma spent very little time or in other words, very few verses on what really happens after death. Nevertheless, he tells Corianton –

“…now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:9)

“…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 home 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, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:11 - 12)

But –

“…the spirits of the wicked, yea, [those] who are evil… these shall be cast out into outer darkness…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 of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.” (Book of Mormon Alma 40:13 - 14)

I’m sure if Alma hadn’t been specifically addressing the resurrection; he may have given us a great deal more information about this place. But probably because the angel revealed that there were two places where the spirits of the departed, he teaches that there are generally two types of inhabitants – the righteous and the wicked.

We gain a great deal more incite in this world of spirits, As Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught the people about the great and infinite atonement of the Savior. As he did, he described what the conditions of the world of spirits would be like had there been no atonement made. He taught that without the atonement, when men died, –

“…this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more….” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:7)

In other words, there would be no resurrection. And with no resurrection, that is –

“… if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil…And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God…” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:8 - 9)

As we contemplate these words, we begin to understand what the conditions must be like in the place that is reserved for those for whom the atonement has not become a part of there lives. Jacob taught that without the blessings of the atonement, the spirits of the wicked must remain as spirit beings with Satan until the resurrection.

This is just what Abinadi reminded the wicked priests of King Noah of as he said –

“…remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made…” (Book of Mormon Mosiah 16:5)

It is from the teachings of Jacob and Abinadi that it becomes apparent, at least to me, where the spirit world is. To remain with and under the power of Satan, one must be where Satan and his angels are. John wrote in the book of Revelations that Satan –

“…was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (New Testament Revelation 12:9)

Brigham Young delivered a sermon regarding the spirits of men after death of which he taught –

“They do not pass out of the organization of this earth on which we live…[He then asked the saints] Can you see it with your natural eye? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, [just] as did the servant of Elijah (2 Kings 6:17)…” (Journal of Discourses, 3:368)

The servant of Elijah was the one that saw the –

“…mountain[s]… full of horses and chariots of fire …” (Old Testament 2 Kings 6:17)

In the same sermon, President Young stated that the spirit world is –

“…on this earth that was organized for the people that have lived, and that do, and will live upon it…” (Journal of Discourses, 3:372)

Since Satan and all his angels have been cast here on earth, it becomes quite obvious that those that pass on, meaning those that do not enter into paradise, must then –

“…remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself…” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:9)

Can you imagine a more awful condition than having to remain with? –

“….that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:9)

Is it any wonder, Jacob talked of this state as being in –

“…the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell…” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:10)

And also –

“…that awful monster the devil…” (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:19)

This is the state of those that enter not into paradise. It is a place of darkness, spiritual darkness, terrible darkness. Alma called it “outer darkness”, not to be confused with the final state of the Devil and his angels –

And in this “reigning” darkness, being lead captive by that being which –

“…is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.” (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:12)

“…for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.” (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:17)

Can you even imagine anything worse than living with such spirit beings as the devil and all his angels? In the past, Terri and I have lived with some very difficult neighbors. I’ve thought that some of them were bad enough, but this would be no comparison. The scriptures describes life in this darkness using such words as weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, burning, torment, misery, suffering, buffetings, and of course, hell. Could there really be anything worse?

In parable, the Savior warned of this terrible place –

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,…
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (New Testament Luke 16:19 - 26)

In vision Father Lehi saw this great gulf and described it as –

“…an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God.

And Nephi called it an –

“…awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.

I would hope that the very thought of living in this place under these conditions scares the hell out of each of us.

But to be honest with you, that was not the purpose of my talk this evening. There is been something else that has seemed to be press upon my mind. This evening I wanted to paint a picture of hell because I’ve had an ulterior motive. The conditions I have talked about are the very conditions at this time for many of our ancestors that has passed on before.

First, I must declare with glad news in our day regarding that great gulf of which the Savior once taught was fixed –

“…so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”

With the visit of the Savior following his crucifixion to the world of spirits, that great gulf was bridged, for as Peter taught –

“…for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (New Testament 1 Peter 4:6)

In my mind, to live according to God in the spirit means to have the privilege of living in the same manner as the righteous in paradise. In the great vision received by President Joseph F. Smith, he wrote -

“…I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 138:57)

I’ve thought a great deal regarding President Smith’s words and the gulf which separates the righteous from the wicked. I’ve contemplated the bridge that connects the two, and have wondered, what is it that allows some to enter paradise while others must remain in “outer darkness” with the father of lies? While Alma chose to use the terms “the righteous” and “the wicked”, there are other scriptures that have seemed to help me differentiate between the two.

There has always been a gulf between the righteous and the wicked, and that is the priesthood. The priesthood itself has always possessed power and authority to cast Satan or the wicked out of our midst. Regarding the wicked, the Lord told the prophet Joseph Smith to –

“…hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass…” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 122:9)

But now, there is with special keys, authority and powers of the priesthood, some are allowed to pass.

The Lord said to His Apostle Peter –

“I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven….” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:10)

The priesthood keys and authority that binds that which is done on earth also in heaven is the sealing power restored by the Prophet Elijah and exercised in modern temples today. The Prophet explained –

“…This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom…” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:14)

And with the keys of the Kingdom, the Savior told Peter –

“…and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:10)

It is with this priesthood power the gates of hell do not prevail, but are opened to free penitent spirits that are were captive in prison - but not just any penitent spirit.

As President Smith beheld the preaching of the gospel in the great world of the spirits of the dead, he said -

“The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God…”

As President Wilford Woodruff prayerfully struggled with the supreme courts decision, upholding of the constitutionality of laws against plural marriage, and the looming possibility of government confiscation of temples, He said in the Manifesto –

“…The Lord showed me by vision and revelation exactly what would take place if we did not stop this practice…all ordinances would be stopped throughout the land of Zion. … Now, the question is, whether it should be stopped in this manner, or in the way the Lord has manifested to us, and leave… the temples in the hands of the people, so that the dead may be redeemed. A large number has already been delivered from the prison house in the spirit world by this people, and shall the work go on or stop?” (Doctrine and Covenants Official Declaration 1:16)

I believe it is through the ordinances of the temple and through the crowning authority of the priesthood – the sealing power that the gates of hell are unable to prevail. In speaking of His holy house, the Lord said -

“…therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained…”
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:34)

The Prophet testified –

“…we saw and heard… concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—“ (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:50)

He not only said –

“They are they who received the testimony of Jesus…”

But among other things said that they are they that are –

“…sealed unto this power;” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:51 - 52)

The sealing of temple ordinances then must be a condition for many to enter paradise.

This evening I have intentionally painted the conditions hell for the purpose to suggest that their may be many even at this time being held captive in hell, in torment, suffering, praying and waiting for the saints to be saviors on mount Zion to free them from prison and the buffetings of Satan. This work can only be done in the House of the Lord.

I am reminded of the words spoken by Brigham Young as be became aware of the conditions of the Willey and Martin Handcart companies -

“…many of our brethren and sisters are on the Plains with hand-carts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them.”

“…I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the Plains, and attend strictly to those …duties, otherwise your faith will be in vain…”

My message is much the same this evening.

There are many of our penitent brothers and sisters stranded on the plains of hell. Even at this time, they may be destitute, suffering, and waiting to be rescued. It is our duty is to do their ordinances. It is our duty as prophesied by Isaiah to liberate the captives. We must free them from prison. We must bring them safely home.

In closing, through revelation, the Prophet Joseph wrote –

“Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness!..glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead…” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:19)

“Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:24)