Topic: The Law of Witnesses

John 8:12-18 > Matthew 3:17 > St. John 12:27-30 > John 15:26-27, The Acts 2: 1-4, 37-38 > The Acts 10:34-45 > Romans 8:16 > Hebrews 2:4 > Hebrews 10:15-16 > 1 John 1:2 > John 5:31, 32, 36, 37 > John 8:18 > 2 Nephi 11:3 > 2 Corinthians 13:1 > The Acts 4:33 > The Acts 5:29-32 > 2 Nephi 31:4-20 > 2 Nephi 29:3, 6-9, > 1 Nephi 13:38-40 > 2 Nephi 27:12-14 > Ether 5:4 > Doctrine and Covenants 17:6 > Doctrine and Covenants 6:28 > Doctrine and Covenants 107:23 > Doctrine and Covenants 1:2

Throughout scripture the Lord has taught and employed a law that is critical for you and me in finding and learning truth and obtaining our salvation. This law is called the Law of Witnesses. Jesus teaches this law as He addresses the Pharisees in John chapter 8 verse 12 through 17. The Pharisees were not unaware of this law as Jesus points out; He uses this law to condemn them for not accepting His and His Father's witnesses of His divinity. He reminds them of at least two instances when the Father bore witness of Him. These accounts were at His baptism in the river Jordan: Matthew chapter 3 verse 17; another was just after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem: St. John 12:27-30. On both of these occasions the Father spoke from Heaven testifying of His Son that those present might believe in Him.

Witnesses are used throughout the scriptures to testify of truth. For example, Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord called prophets to witness, or testify of the coming of Jesus Christ. When the people turned to wickedness, prophets called the people to repentance and prophesied, or testified of coming destruction if they did not. Without witnesses we would not know who or what to believe; everyone could claim truth. In this Scripture Train, I will teach you, by scripture, how the Holy Ghost speaks to our hearts and minds. Then I will employ the Law of Witnesses to testify of 1, the divinity of Jesus Christ and His gospel and 2, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and other Latter-day scripture. I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that if you do not reject the Holy Ghost and His witness that you will feel Him testify to your heart and mind and you will know that what I teach is true. You will have the Holy Ghost as a witness, my testimony as a witness and the scriptures as a third witness.

The greatest testator given to mankind by God is the Holy Ghost. In John chapter 15 verses 26 and 27, we read of this precious gift given to us by the Father to reveal truth. Jesus testifies that He will send the Holy Ghost to His disciples as a gift from the Father. He calls Him the Spirit of Truth and teaches that He will testify of Him, Jesus Christ. He also instructs His disciples that they, too, will testify of Him. We see this promise come to pass in Acts chapter 2 verses 1 through 4 and in verses 37 and 38. When Peter and the other Apostles were gathered in an assembly with many other men from all over the known world, the Holy Ghost descended upon them and they were filled. As the preaching continued, the Holy Ghost pricked their hearts and they were led to ask, “What shall we do?” Peter was then able to instruct them. In The Acts chapter 10 verses 34 through 45, we read of a similar incident occurring, here Peter, acting as a witness of Jesus Christ, testifies of Him and as he did so, the Holy Ghost fell upon those who heard the word.

How does this work? In Romans chapter 8 verse 16, Paul teaches us how this works. Within our mortal bodies, there exists a spirit. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit and when He comes upon us, a witness occurs, a communication, a spiritual manifestation, spirit touching spirit, which causes a physical reaction within our physical bodies. This physical reaction is a feeling of warmth, peace and comfort in our hearts. Not only does the Spirit communicate to our hearts, after the manner described, but this communication awakens within our minds a recognition of truth. Thus, both our hearts and our minds are in a state of agreement. We know and feel the truth. With this special witness, we become witnesses ourselves and can thus testify of truth. When we do, we will feel and recognize this same witness again just as we did the first time. These truths that I teach in this Scripture Train, are born witness to by Paul in his letter to the Hebrews chapter 2 verse 4 and chapter 10 verses 15 and 16. God is a witness and sends signs, wonders and divers miracles; He also sends the Holy Ghost to bear testimony to all the truths we see, hear and feel. When the Holy Ghost comes upon us, as stated above, then we see the fulfillment of verse 16 in chapter 10 take place; “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them”. We become totally converted to keeping the laws, for they have been burned into our hearts and minds. In 1 John chapter 1 verse2, John uses the word ‘manifested’ in his description of how he came to know the truth of, “That eternal life, which was with the Father”. This is a perfect description of revelation that comes through the Holy Ghost. Yes, the Apostles, saw and heard, but until the truth was manifested and witnessed to them by the Holy Ghost, what they saw and heard could have been denied.

The Holy Ghost must accompany all testifiers and all witnesses or it can be legally denied. Christ, Himself taught this truth. In John chapter 5 verses 31, 32, 36 and 37, Christ teaches that if He bears witness of himself, then His witness is not true, or can be legally denied, we cannot be held accountable on the word of one witness. This is why God instituted the Law of Witnesses, so that when truths are witnessed to they cannot be denied, but we will be held accountable for them. So, Christ teaches us that the Holy Ghost is one witness, the Father is a second witness and the third witness is the works that he does. In John chapter 8 verse 18, Christ reaffirms that God is a witness of Him. In 2 Nephi chapter 11 verse 3, Jacob, the brother of Nephi, teaches us that in some past day, the Lord gave the Law of Witnesses, which states, “By the words of three…I will establish my word.” Paul teaches this as well, in 2 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 1. As we read and study scripture we see this law in effect all the time. Remembering that the Holy Ghost is always a witness of truth, then other two can be disciples going out two-by-two; or the testimony of one disciple and the word written by another. As Jesus went about teaching, He was one witness, His disciples were many more witnesses, the Holy Ghost was another, plus they had the written word recorded by prophets of old. There does not need to be just three, there can be many witnesses as Jacob testifies.

In The Acts chapter 4 verse 33 and chapter 5 verses 29 through 32, we read two great testimonies of Jesus Christ given by His Apostles. We also read that the Holy Ghost was there to bear witness of the Savior. The Book of Mormon also bears witness of Jesus Christ. We read of Nephi's testimony of Him in 2 Nephi chapter 31 verses 4 through 20. As we read, we learn that the Holy Ghost witnessed of Him and last but not least, we read that the Father also witnessed of Him. As an additional witness of Jesus Christ, I also bear you my witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, the redeemer of all mankind. He is my Savior, He is my friend, He lived to show me how to return to the Father; He died and was resurrected that my soul could live again in perfect form. He atoned for my sins so that through repentance I will be able to present myself clean before Him at the Judgment Day and dwell eternally with Him and the Father.

By the grace of God and Jesus Christ, we have been given in our day the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price; additional scripture to assist us and guide us, along with the Holy Bible, back to the presence of God and Jesus Christ. Why do people complain and murmur that we have more of the word of God? In 2 Nephi chapter 29 verses 3 and 6 through 9, our Lord asks of us this very question! Don’t you know, He asks, that there are more nations than one? Doesn’t everyone need the word of God? Does He just leave out some of His children, no, of course not! These are beautiful verses and need to be studied with sincerity. In 1 Nephi chapter 13 verses 38 through 40, Nephi teaches us that these books, these later scriptures, will establish the truth of the Holy Bible! The Holy Bible is one witness of Christ; the Book of Mormon is a second witness of the Savior! Are there any other religions in the world that has a second witness? No! Jesus Christ only, has more than one witness of His divinity. In 2 Nephi chapter 27 verses 12 through 14, we learn that there will be three witnesses to this second witness of Jesus Christ. We know from history that there were three who by the gift and power of God viewed the plates of gold from which the Book of Mormon was translated. In Ether chapter 5 verse 4, a separate prophet who lived among a separate people recorded an additional prophecy of the three witnesses. I add as my witness, along with many others, that I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God! It is a marvelous and wonderful gift. God, who loves us and who wants us to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, gave it to us. I know that this book establishes the truths of the Holy Bible and that together the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of the Redeemer of world, the Savior of all mankind, even Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants section 17 verse 6, added His testimony of the Book of Mormon. Thus, our Savior becomes an additional witness to the truths of this marvelous book. The Doctrine and Covenants not only testifies of the Book of Mormon, but also testifies of the Law of Witnesses and of the divinity of Jesus Christ. In section 6 verse 28, this wonderful book testifies of the Law of Witnesses.  In conjunction with the Law of Witnesses, section 107 verses 23 defines the role of the Twelve Apostles as special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world. As a testimony from the Doctrine and Covenants, section 1 verse 2 should suffice: “The voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape.” The Holy Ghost will testify to you that these books of scripture are the word of the Lord unto all mankind, everywhere and that if we give heed to them and obey their instruction then we will come unto Christ and be saved or exalted in the Kingdom of God. I testify of these things and that all that I have written is true. In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Topic: The Kingdom of Christ

Luke 23:42 > Matthew 16:28 > Colossians 1:12-13 > 1 Nephi 13:37 > Ephesians 5:5 > Romans 8:14-17 > Ephesians 1:18-22 > Matthew 28:18 > John 1:12 > John 3:35 > John 6:37 > John 16:15 > John 5:18 > John 10:30-38 >John 17:20-22 > The Acts 17:28-29 > 2 Corinthians 3:18 > Galatians 4:7 > Ephesians 4:11-15 > Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-60

In a previous Scripture Train, Requirements for Salvation, we spoke of salvation in the kingdom of God.  The scriptures also speak of salvation in the kingdom of Christ. We see references to the kingdom of Christ in, Luke chapter 23 verse 42, Matthew chapter 16 verse 28, Colossians chapter 1 verses 12 and 13 and 1 Nephi chapter 13 verse 37. In Ephesians chapter 5 verse 5, Paul equates the kingdom of Christ with the kingdom of God; indeed, they are the same kingdom. We see from these verses, something we should already understand, and that is that Jesus Christ is an heir of God and of all things. Paul teaches this doctrine in Romans chapter 8 verses 14 through 17. Not only does he teach that Christ is an heir of God, he teaches that all those who become children of God, all they who are led by the Spirit of God and all those who have suffered with Christ, are heirs with Christ. Paul spoke of the richness and the glory of this inheritance to the Saints in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 18 through 22. In these verses, he also spoke of God setting Christ at His own right hand in His kingdom. From these verses of scripture, we learn that the kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of God, He having inherited all things from His Father. Then we learn that we who are His children, will also inherit all things in Christ; let’s examine this a little further.

In Matthew chapter 28 verse 18, Christ states that all power is given Him in heaven and earth. Emphasis needs to be placed on the word ‘all’. In John chapter 1 verse 12, we learn that all who receive Christ and believe in Him, are given power to become the sons of God. It should be noted here that they are given power to become; it does not necessarily mean that they will. To know why, refer back to the Scripture Train on Salvation. In John chapter 3 verse 35, we see that God gave all things into His hand. In John chapter 6 verse 37, we see that Christ knows that all the Father has promised Him will come; then in the next phrase, we learn that all who come unto Christ will receive His promises. He says this by saying they will not be cast out; it is obvious that the intent of His saying is that He will do the same for them. In John chapter 16 verse 15, we can infer the same doctrine. All things that the Father hath are Christ’s; then says Christ that the Father will take all of those who are His children, and show all these things to them. Why would He do this? Because, eventually all these things will be our inheritance as well. 

In John chapter 5 verse 18, the Jews accused Christ of making Himself equal with God by saying God was His Father. If this is the case, then obviously, the Jews understood what it meant to be called a son! In their ancient laws the oldest son would inherit all of his father’s worldly possessions, thus becoming equal with his father, almost as it were, becoming his father; in our case, we have the same potential as Christ to become equal with God as we follow His example in all things. We start on the path as we become the sons and daughters of God through believing on Jesus Christ and being baptized in His name, thus taking upon ourselves His name. In John chapter 10 verses 30 through 38, this same doctrine is once again taught by Christ; He states, “I and my Father are one”. He says, “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” This teaches that just as Christ and the Father are one, we, His sons and His daughters, also have that potential. Why would God and Christ go to all this tremendous effort to bring us back into their presence if it were not for the fact that we are God’s children and we do have potential to become as He is? This is what all these scriptures are teaching us! In John chapter 17 verses 20 through 22, Christ prays that we may be one in them as they are already one in each other. We are taught this doctrine in The Acts chapter 17 verses 28 and 29, we are God’s offspring! In 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18, we will be changed into their image, from glory to glory! Paul teaches the Galatians in chapter 4 verse 7 that if we are a son, or a daughter, of God, then we are an heir of God, through Christ. Paul teaches the Ephesians in chapter 4 verses 11 through 15, that Christ is a perfect man and that we, through our unity of faith can obtain the same measure, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Finally, in the Doctrine and Covenants section 76 verses 50 through 60, we learn the characteristics of those who will inherit all things and become gods, even the sons of God.

The Jews of Christ’s day thought it blasphemy for Him to teach that He was the Son of God, equal to God. So why do the Christians of our day, think it blasphemy for the sons and daughters of God, to know they can become like Christ and God?

Topic: Agency:

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6, 8-24 > Moses 3:17 > Alma 12:31 > Doctrine and Covenants 93:31 > Deuteronomy 30:15-20 > Joshua 24:15 > 1 Kings 18:21 > 2 Nephi 2:27-30 > Helaman 14:28-31 > Deuteronomy 11:26-28 > Doctrine and Covenants 29:39 > 2 Nephi 2:11-15 > Psalms 119:30 > Matthew 26:39, 41-42 > Matthew 6:10 > Psalms 143:10 > John 5:30 > Psalms 40:8 > Matthew 7:21 > John 7:16-18 > 1 John 2:17 > 2 Nephi 10:24 > Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28

Although the word ‘agency’ is not found in the Holy Bible, the principle of agency is well taught. From the very beginning God gave unto man his agency, or the freedom to choose, the ability to make choices. When we think of agency, we might associate it with a commandment or a law which God has given man and the freedom we have to chose whether to keep the commandment or not. An example of this may be the Sabbath Day; do we keep it or not. We may also associate it with daily choices such as what to wear, what to eat, when to sleep and so forth. 

In the Garden of Eden, God gave unto man in Genesis chapter 2 verses 15 through 17 a commandment, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it”. It appears, from scripture, that Adam and Eve were just fine with the commandment; they did not even consider not obeying the commandment. It was not until in Genesis Chapter 3 verses 1-6 when the devil came and enticed them with an alternative, or a choice in the matter. Now Adam and Eve were suddenly faced with a decision, they had a choice. They could either keep God’s commandment to not partake of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, or they could accept the enticements of the devil and partake. As we see with this commandment that God gave Adam and Eve, it came with consequences, “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Obviously, if they did not eat, they would never die. With agency comes accountability. We see this take place in chapter 3 verses 8 through 24; Adam and Eve confess to eating the fruit when God asks them what they have done. God proceeds to outline for them the punishments that will fall upon them, the final one being they will be cast out of the Garden of Eden.

From the very beginning mankind was endowed with agency. From the Genesis version of the story of Adam and Eve, it is difficult to see the choice they had until they were enticed by the devil. In Moses chapter 3 verse 17, we learn that God gave Adam the choice as He gave him the commandment, “Nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee”. So God introduced to Adam and Eve their agency; He didn’t leave it up to chance or to the devil. As I stated earlier, however, it does not appear that Adam and Eve gave it a second thought until they were enticed by the devil; it was then as they began to be seduced by the devil they gave consideration to breaking God’s commandment.

Alma chapter 12 verse 31 helps us understand that Adam and Eve having partaken of the fruit, placed, “Themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good.” Certainly, it was God’s choice to give agency to mankind; if not so, as we learned earlier in the Scripture Train on Probation, this life could not be a probationary state. It could not be a proving ground, a time of testing or trial. The Doctrine and Covenants section 93 verse 31, emphasizes this point that this life is an opportunity for man to exercise his agency, whether to his condemnation or to his blessing.

In Deuteronomy chapter 30 verses 15 through 20, we see how the Lord, in very simple and plain terms, set forth the choice that the Children of Israel had. It is as simple for us today as it was for them then. It is a God given right we have to use our agency, whether it be to our good or to our condemnation. In all the teaching, preaching and prophesying recorded by prophets of God, we see how God gives man their choices, never has He taken away our agency, but uses it to bless us or to justly punish us. Joshua chapter 24 verse 15 is a good example of this. “Choose you this day”! It is always our choice, but as I mentioned earlier, with that agency comes accountability; we will have to answer to God for our choices. This is demonstrated all throughout the scriptures; remember the story of Elijah? In 1 Kings chapter 18 verse 21, Elijah asks the question, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” The people were stuck between worshiping the Lord, or Baal. Later in the story, severe condemnation came upon those who chose Baal over the Lord. It is important to point out that the people who chose Baal did not choose ignorantly, but willfully and knowingly rebelled against God. God’s blessings to us or His condemnation of us is always just. This is skillfully taught in 2 Nephi chapter 2 verses 27 through 30 and Helaman chapter 14 verses 28 through 31; “Men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man”. Meaning, that God gives man every opportunity to choose correctly, He ensures that all men have ample opportunities to be taught, to learn, to repent of their sins and so forth. In the first instance, man is given the opportunity to learn from servants of God who are sent forth to teach and to preach. If they reject this opportunity, more than likely they will be given others, until the time that God says, he has had enough opportunities. In the second instance, those who have the word and choose not to live by it will be given ample opportunity to repent and set things right between him and God; until the time comes when God says, he has had opportunity enough. All this is done according to God’s word found in Deuteronomy chapter 11 verses 26 through 28. According to how we choose to use our agency, God has a blessing or a curse for us.

At this point, I hope you understand that there are opposing forces acting upon us. With the ability to choose, we are in a position to act and not simply to be acted upon or forced into something. In Doctrine and Covenants section 29 verse 39 and 2 Nephi chapter 2 verses 11 through 15, we learn that without the devil’s temptations mankind could not learn to be agents unto themselves. We learned this in the story of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve never really understood how good they had it in the Garden of Eden until they were expelled. They never could understand sweet until they had tasted bitter. In our lives, we begin learning this from the moment we are born, thus, having grown up with a knowledge of opposites we don’t think much about it. As soon as we are born, the doctor gives our bottoms a good whack to get us to breath. We experience pain immediately after birth; then we are cleaned, scrubbed and wrapped in a soft, warm blanket and learn to feel comfort. Soon thereafter, we experience hunger and shortly we experience the sweetness of mother’s milk and a full tummy. Thus, we learn all about opposition very quickly.  Without this opposition we could not be agents, we could not learn to choose for there would be nothing to choose between. We could never understand the greatness of God if we did not have some understanding of the misery of the devil. In life, we learn to understand happiness and misery through our own choices or in the choices others make that may affect us. From this understanding just gained, we can understand better what the Psalmist stated in Psalms chapter 119 verse 30; he said he had laid the judgments of God before him. In other words, I believe what he is saying here is that he took a good look at what God had for him and what the alternatives were and with this knowledge and understanding, he used his agency to choose the path of truth, or God’s path.

At this time it is important for us to look at another aspect of agency that some consider a violation of our agency by God. This is the voluntary giving of our wills over to God, thus attempting to make our will one with God’s will for us. Some, especially youth, will say, “I am giving up my freedom if I do all these things God says I have to do to be saved in His kingdom”. This really becomes the ultimate use of our agency. Let us look at the ultimate example, even Jesus Christ. In Matthew chapter 26 verses 39, 41 and 42, Christ exclaims to God in prayer, “If possible, let this cup pass from me.” He is not demanding in an act of rebellion that God find some other way to bring about the salvation of mankind and spare Him, Christ, the pain, but rather He is expressing His own independent desire. Then in an act of complete submission to God, He uses His agency, submits His independent will to the will of God, and says, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt”. We see this same submissive attitude recorded in Matthew chapter 6 verse 10. In Psalms chapter 143 verse 10, the Psalmist prays, “Teach me to do thy will”! Who knows us better than God? Who knows what will bring us the greatest happiness better than God? So why not use our agency and choose as Christ chose, to do God’s will. Christ claimed in John chapter 5 verse 30, that He could do nothing except He do according to the will of God who had sent Him. Eventually, as we learn to submit ourselves and our wills over to God we will learn to exclaim as the Psalmist in Psalms chapter 40 verse 8, “I delight to do thy will”. Why does he delight to do God’s will, because it is what brings him the most joy and happiness. Thus, it becomes a part of him, it is woven in his heart. 

Eventually we must learn that to gain salvation in the kingdom of God, we must learn to submit our will to God, Matthew teaches this in chapter 7 verse 21. Then John teaches in chapter 7 verse 16 through 18 that when we learn to submit our will to God, there will be no unrighteousness in us. Then in 1 John chapter 2 verse 17, we learn that, “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Jacob teaches in 2 Nephi chapter 10 verse 24, that if we reconcile our will to the will of God that by His grace we will be saved.

One more interesting note that we learn in Doctrine and Covenants section 58 verses 26 through 28, here we are taught that we are free to use our will to bring about good and much righteousness. God does not expect to have to command us in all things. He wants us to use our agency for good. The more we grow to be Christ-like, the closer our acts of good and righteousness will mirror what Christ would do in the same circumstances. This would be the greatest example of independent wills becoming one and the finest compliment we could pay to God, when we see people about doing good, mirroring what Christ would do. 

Topic: Endless and Eternal Punishment:

Matthew 25:46 > Mark 3:29 > 2 Thessalonians 1:9 > Jude 1:7 > Jacob 7:18 > Mosiah 2:33, 39 > Mosiah 27:31 > 2 Nephi 9:16 > 2 Nephi 28:23 > 2 Nephi 2:10 > 2 Nephi 9:25 > Alma 42:16-22 > Words of Mormon 1:15-16 > Doctrine and Covenants 19:6-12 > Moses 7:35

There are many references in scripture to the punishment that will be received by the wicked. In fact, it may not be the best motivator or God’s preferred way of motivating, but it is the threat of punishment that motivates some to do what is right. Eventually, we would hope that love of God will become our prime motivator. Anyway, in this Scripture Train we will come to understand punishment and what endless and eternal mean.

Endless and eternal are used, as it seems, nearly interchangeably. One verse may read endless, another eternal. In an earlier Scripture Train, we learned that the terms eternal and endless are also used with life. So on one hand we learn that life is endless and eternal and on the other, we learn that punishment is endless and eternal. Life and punishment in the eternal sense, has to do with our state of being. Life is endless or eternal when we enjoy the life that God enjoys; endless or eternal punishment means that we will not enjoy the life that God enjoys. In Matthew chapter 25 verse 46, we read this very instruction; the righteous will enjoy what is called life eternal, but the wicked will not; they will have what is called everlasting punishment. Here we see the differentiation between life and punishment. In Mark chapter 3 verse 29, we read how punishment is also called eternal. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9, Paul equates punishment with destruction and that it is everlasting. So, in Paul’s instruction, what is being destroyed? The opportunity for spiritual life, our opportunity for the kind of life God lives, is gone; there is no more opportunity to enjoy God’s quality of life. In Jude chapter 1 verse 7, we read that punishment is also equated to fire, everlasting fire. Paul teaches in one case that punishment is equated to destruction, in another to fire; it appears likely that there may be more types of punishment than we may have realized!

The Book of Mormon also makes this distinction. In Jacob chapter 7 verse 18, we read that punishment is eternal. In the book of Mosiah chapter 2 verse 33, we read that punishment is everlasting; and in verse 39 we read that it is never-ending. We also learn a new synonym to be used with punishment and damnation, torment. A view of this torment can be found in Mosiah chapter 27 verse 31; here we learn that those who lived without God in the world will live without Him in the eternal world. We learn that all mankind will confess that God’s punishments are just. Then we learn that when the wicked behold God, they will quake, tremble and shrink before Him; in this we can see how we will be tormented. It will be a natural outcome of our beholding a glorious God, who we rejected during our mortal life. In 2 Nephi chapter 9 verse 16, additional light is shed on the meaning of torment, lake of fire and brimstone and so forth. Here we learn that those who are filthy before God will go away into everlasting fire, but then we learn that the fire and the torment thereof, is as a lake of fire and brimstone. In other words, the wicked will not actually find themselves in never-ending fire, but their torment, their punishment is as such. Can you imagine how you will feel when you behold God in all the beauty of His glorious majesty and knowing that you could have enjoyed the same for all eternity, but rejected it, can you imagine how your torment will be? In 2 Nephi chapter 28 verse 23 we learn that this terrible torment that the wicked will know when they feel the grasp of death, hell and the devil upon them will be endless. In 2 Nephi chapter 2 verse 10, we learn that punishment and happiness are polar opposites.

Now let us study for a moment how punishment comes to pass and what makes punishment possible. In 2 Nephi chapter 9 verse 25, we learn that punishment of the sinner is possible because there is a law. Combine this with Alma chapter 42 verses 16 through 22, we learn that punishment is only possible because of law and repentance. God gave mankind laws to follow; we also call these laws, commandments. Without law, punishment could not exist and without the ability to repent of broken laws or broken commandments God would not be just in attaching a punishment to a broken law. He knew that because of our human condition broken laws and broken commandments was inevitable. He also knew that with just one slip up on our part, we could not return to Him, we would be filthy and as we have discussed in the past, filthiness cannot dwell with God. So God, in order to be just and merciful, He had to make a way for our escape from death, hell and punishment. So, through Jesus Christ, He made it possible for us to repent. Repentance makes it possible for us to escape the punishment of broken laws and commandments.

In Doctrine and Covenants section 19 verses 6 through 12 and in Moses chapter 7 verse 35, we are taught important principles that bring all that we have discussed together to make sense of the terms eternal, endless and everlasting in this Scripture Train. Here we learn that God did not say that there would be no end to this torment, but rather we learn that it is called endless, everlasting and eternal, because these are names of the almighty God. Therefore, we learn that Endless punishment is God’s punishment; Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. God will punish us according to His justice and mercy, therefore whatever punishment we receive will be Eternal, Endless and Everlasting.

Topic: Damnation:

Matthew 23:33 > Romans 13:1-2 > Doctrine and Covenants 132:4 > 2 Thessalonians 2:12 > Doctrine and Covenants 29:44 > Mosiah 2:32-33 > Mosiah 16:11 > Alma 9:28 > Doctrine and Covenants 84:74 > Helaman 12:20-22, 25-26 > John 5:28-29 > Helaman 12:20-26 > Matthew 23:14, 23-33 > Mark 16:16 > Doctrine and Covenants 112:29 > Doctrine and Covenants 29:43-45 > 1 Corinthians 11: 29 > 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 > 2 Nephi 9:23-24 > Mosiah 3:18 > Doctrine and Covenants 58:29 > Mosiah 16:10-12 > Mark 12:40 > Doctrine and Covenants 132:4, 6, 27 Mark 3:29

What is damnation and what does it mean to be damned? As we examine the scriptures, two things become evident, 1. We can learn the definition of damnation, 2. We can learn who will receive damnation.

Let’s begin by defining the term damnation. The term damnation, of course, comes from the verb to damn. In Matthew chapter 23 verse 33, we learn that there is a damnation, which is equated as being thrust down to hell. We learned in previous Scripture Trains that only those who enter into a covenant relationship with God will receive salvation. What is salvation? We have learned in previous Scripture Trains that there are two salvations, 1. Salvation from physical death, in other words the resurrection and 2. Salvation from spiritual death or Eternal Life with God; this is typically what we mean when we speak of being saved. Only those in a covenant relationship with God can be saved and we enter into a covenant relationship with God through ordinances, such as baptism. We learn from Romans chapter 13 verses 1 and 2 that if I resist the ordinances of God, then I cannot enter into a covenant relationship with Him; without a covenant relationship there can be no salvation, only damnation. This is reconfirmed in Doctrine and Covenants section 132 verse 4, salvation comes through covenants. No covenant, no salvation; only damnation. Notice, there is no equating this damnation to hell. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 12 and Doctrine and Covenants section 29 verse 44, we learn that to be void of truth and spirituality is damnation. Certainly, salvation is not possible if we do not know the truth. Knowing the truth and acting positively on it brings spirituality.

In Mosiah chapter 2 verses 32 and 33, we learn that damnation is punishment. In Mosiah chapter 16 verse 11 and Alma chapter 9 verse 28, we learn that damnation is an endless state of the soul, which came upon us because we gave the devil power over us during this life. Because this damned state is endless, there will be no progression, no growth, no moving onward or upward. Thus, damnation can be likened to a river whose progress is stopped by a dam. Just as the river cannot flow downstream in its progress toward its destination, neither can the damned souls progress toward their destination, which in the case of a human being could have been Eternal Life with God and ultimately becoming like Him. When we tie these passages to Doctrine and Covenants section 84 verse 74, we have reconfirmed to our hearts and minds that to not dwell with God in His kingdom is damnation as well as punishment. From this we can logically conclude that only those who are saved in the kingdom of God, those who dwell with God eternally, will continue to grow, progress and evolve and become ultimately like He who they live and associate with, even their Father in Heaven.

In Helaman chapter 12 verses 20 through 22 and 25 through 26, Helaman teaches that damnation is a curse, which lasts forever. Damnation is permanent separation from God, being cut off and cast out. Damnation is endless misery. No wonder it is a miserable place when we think of what we could have had, but refused it. This damnation, we may conclude, is not equated with being thrust down to hell as stated in a previous definition. Hell, is certainly a place for the damned, however, all damned souls are not thrust down to hell. To sum up this paragraph: To be damned means: I am punished for either not entering into a saving covenant with God or for breaking that covenant. I am punished for never learning the truth, or if I did learn it, then I am punished for not acting positively on it. Damnation is eternal; there will never be growth or progression, only misery.

Now, let us examine passages of scripture that will teach us who will receive damnation. If we understand the definition of damnation, it will certainly help us define who the recipients will be:

-Those who do evil, John 5:28-29, Helaman 12:20-26

-Hypocrites, Matthew 23:14, 23-33

-He who does not believe and is not baptized, Mark 16:16, Doctrine and Covenants 112:29, Doctrine and Covenants 29:43-45 

-He who eats and drinks the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, 1 Corinthians 11: 29

-The wicked, liars, deceivers, those who do not love truth, those who take pleasure in unrighteousness, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

-He who does not repent, and does not receive baptism; he who does not endure to the end after repenting and receiving baptism. 2 Nephi 9:23-24 

-He who is not humble as a little child; he who does not believe in Christ, Mosiah 3:18

-He who does nothing until he is commanded; he who keeps the commandments with a doubtful heart and with slothfulness, Doctrine and Covenants 58:29

-He who seeks his own will and not God’s, he who never prays, he who would not give heed to warnings, he who would not repent, Mosiah 16:10-12, Mark 12:40

-He who breaks his covenants, he who does not abide by law, he who blasphemes against the Holy Ghost, he who murders, Doctrine and Covenants 132:4, 6, 27, Mark 3:29