Son of perdition (Mormonism)

Two classes of sons of perdition

According to LDS Church theology, there are two classes of persons who will become sons of perdition:

• The pre-mortal spirit followers of Satan. It is taught that, in the pre-mortal life, they chose to follow a plan proposed by Satan, rather than that presented by God the Father (Heavenly Father). Jesus the Christ chose to follow Heavenly Father's plan (which included moral agency), volunteered to atone for the sins of all as a part of this plan/become the Savior of all, and the glory would go to the Father. Satan rejected Heavenly Father's plan and proposed his own, wanting to force all to choose the right, return to the Father, and the glory would all be Satan's. Thus ensued the War in Heaven, which resulted in Satan and his followers being cast out of heaven and denied the opportunity of receiving a physical body due to rebellion against God the Father.
• Those in mortal life who "deny the Holy Ghost" (i.e., commit the unforgivable sin), which is generally interpreted as rejecting and denying Christ after receiving a personal witness and a "perfect knowledge" of Jesus. Joseph Smith taught:

Ensign]]'', May 1971, p. 13.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, sons of perdition are described as inhabiting "a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory." However, it is commonly believed that since most persons lack a "perfect knowledge" of Jesus, they cannot commit the eternal sin, and are therefore incapable of becoming sons of perdition.

Daughters of perdition

A few LDS Church leaders have speculated whether or not there would be daughters of perdition, as well as sons of perdition. In 1860, church president Brigham Young stated, "I doubt whether it can be found, from the revelations that are given and the facts as they exist, that there is a female in all the regions of hell." The next year he was even more emphatic: "Woman must atone for sins committed by the volition of her own choice, but she will never become an angel to the devil, and sin so far as to place herself beyond the reach of mercy." In the same discourse Young explained his reasoning: "She is not accountable for the sins that are in the world. God requires obedience from man, he is lord of creation, and at his hands the sins of the world will be required."

Such views are not universal among Mormons. After an 1893 meeting of church president Wilford Woodruff and a group of church apostles, they declared, "That there will also be daughters of Perdition there is no doubt in the minds of the brethren".

References

References

1. [[Doctrine and Covenants]] {{sourcetext
2. [[Doctrine and Covenants]] {{sourcetext
3. [[Book of Moses]] [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.24?lang=eng 5:24]
4. Doctrine and Covenants {{sourcetext
5. [https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation Plan of Salvation]
6. Ensign]]'', May 1971, p. 13.
7. Doctrine and Covenants {{sourcetext
8. [[apostle (Latter Day Saints). Church apostle]] [[Spencer W. Kimball]], stated that "the sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file [of the church] to commit such a sin": [[Edward L. Kimball]] (ed.), ''Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball'' (Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1982) p. 123; Spencer W. Kimball, ''[[The Miracle of Forgiveness]]'' (Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1969) p. 123.
9. ''[[Journal of Discourses]]'' '''8''':222.
10. Discourse delivered October 8, 1861, pp. 6–7, LDS Church Archives.
11. In 1903, another church president, [[Joseph F. Smith]], affirmed "that there would be no daughters of perdition."Stan Larsen, ed., ''A Ministry of Meetings: The Diaries of Rudger Clawson,'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Smith Associates and Signature Books, 1993) p. 560.
12. [[D. Michael Quinn]], ''The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, 1997) p. 795.