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Hell

Overview

Latter-day revelations speak of hell in at least two ways. First, it is another name for spirit prison, a temporary place in the postmortal world for those who died without a knowledge of the truth or those who were disobedient in mortality. Second, it is the permanent location of Satan and his followers and the sons of perdition, who are not redeemed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Spirit prison is a temporary state in which spirits will be taught the gospel and have the opportunity to repent and accept ordinances of salvation that are performed for them in temples (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:30–35). Those who accept the gospel may dwell in paradise until the Resurrection. After they are resurrected and judged, they will receive the degree of glory of which they are worthy. Those who choose not to repent but who are not sons of perdition will remain in spirit prison until the end of the Millennium, when they will be freed from hell and punishment and be resurrected to a telestial glory (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–85).

Those who are not redeemed by the Atonement are in outer darkness, which is the dwelling place of the devil, his angels, and the sons of perdition (see Doctrine and Covenants 29:36–38; 76:28–33). Sons of perdition are those who receive “no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:34–35; see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:31–33, 36–37). Such individuals will not inherit a place in any kingdom of glory; for them the conditions of hell remain (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:38; 88:24, 32).

Related Topics

• Atonement of Jesus Christ

• Kingdoms of Glory

• Satan

Scriptures

Scripture References

• Alma 40:11, 13, 14

• Doctrine and Covenants 29:36–38

• Doctrine and Covenants 76:28–38

• Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–85

• Doctrine and Covenants 88:24, 32

Scripture Study Resources

• Bible Dictionary, “Hell”

• Topical Guide, “Hell,” “Spirits in Prison”

• Guide to the Scriptures, “Hell”

• Index to the Triple Combination, “Damnation, Damned,” “Hell”

Learning Resources

General Resources

“What Happens after We Die?” ComeUntoChrist.org

Church Magazines

“I Have a Question,” Ensign, April 1986

Study Manuals

• Gospel Principles

  “The Postmortal Spirit World”

  Gospel Principles, chapter 41

• Gospel Principles

  “Doctrine and Covenants 76:1–49”

  Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, chapter 27, section 76:30–49

Teachings of Presidents of the Church

• Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith

  “Beyond the Veil: Life in the Eternities”

  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, chapter 18

• Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young

  “The Spirit World”

  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, chapter 38

• Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith

  “The Immortality of the Soul”

  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, chapter 7

Media

Audio

“Three Degrees of Glory,” The Latter-day Saints Channel Q&A, episode 11