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