I'm very interested in this (and whether it's compatible with an LDS perspective.)
Most LDS seem to believe that some sons of Adam will end up in a condition of eternal torment.
This seems to go along with the idea that we're all uncreated intellgences (that God didn't really bring into existence), and some of us are so bad that we'll never really change (whereas most Christian Universalists believe that souls are brought into existence by a God who wouldn't create an individual He knew would end up eternally damned.)
I'm not sure what uncreated intelligences are, but if they weren't in a state of torment to begin with, it's almost as difficult for me to understand why God wouldn't leave the torment bound ones alone (as it would be for me to understand His creating souls He knew would be damned forever.)
Some have suggested a kind of annihilationism (i.e. that uncreated intelligences aren't really conscious individuals, and the irredeemable will eventually return to their native element), but the problem with that is that the organization of these intelligences would seem to be a wast of God's time.
Why would He bother organizing intelligences that He knew weren't fit for any permanent, conscious existence?
This is one of the difficulties I've had in accepting the restored Gospel.
Plantinga speaks of hoping that "in the end, no one finally says no to God."
Is it possible for a faithful Latter Day Saint to seriously entertain Plantinga's hope?
I can't find it now, but I recently came across a quote from Brigham Young that I found surprising (because I know Cain is considered a son of perdition.)
In speaking of Cain killing his brother (and depriving him of his posterity and priesthood), he says that Cain and his posterity would be the last to receive the blessings of the kingdom.
Leaving aside the priesthood ban (which was removed in 1978, arguably after all other ethnic groups had received the priesthood?), could this imply that in the end, even Cain himself wont "finally say no to God"?
Could it be that in the end, there wont be any sons of perdition?
Joseph F.Smith (the President) said "when a man turns away from the truth, violates the knowledge that he has received, tramples it under his feet, puts Christ again to open shame, denies His atonement, denies the power of the resurrection, denies the miracles that He has wrought for the salvation of the human family, and says in his heart, 'It is not true,' and abides in that denial of the truth, after having received the testimony of the Spirit, he commits the unpardonable sin."
Is it possible for a Latter Day Saint to even hope that in the end (at the last judgement?), no one will abide in that denial of the truth?
Plantinga speaks of hoping that "in the end, no one finally says no to God." Is it possible for a faithful Latter Day Saint to seriously entertain Plantinga's hope?
I think it is very possible for Mormonism to wish this joyous becoming for everyone. This might however not be the case with TBMism which takes a harsher view of those who do not belong or conform to their own ideals. In this case, they would employ a schadenfreude approach to those others (or at least that is my impression of their position).
Plantinga speaks of hoping that "in the end, no one finally says no to God." Is it possible for a faithful Latter Day Saint to seriously entertain Plantinga's hope?
I think it is very possible for Mormonism to wish this joyous becoming for everyone. This might however not be the case with TBMism which takes a harsher view of those who do not belong or conform to their own ideals. In this case, they would employ a schadenfreude approach to those others (or at least that is my impression of their position).
Thank you, but what is the difference between Mormonism and TBMism?
I've seen the phrase before, and I thought it meant "true, believing Mormon."
Is there a difference between a faithful Latter Day Saint (who believes in the office of the living Prophet, and in your standard works) and a TBM?
inquiringmind wrote:Thank you, but what is the difference between Mormonism and TBMism?
I've seen the phrase before, and I thought it meant "true, believing Mormon."
Is there a difference between a faithful Latter Day Saint (who believes in the office of the living Prophet, and in your standard works) and a TBM?
TBMism is a subset of Mormonism. Mormons who are not TBMs also have true beliefs, but they do not wield them like a club and thus when reading the Gospel are more likely to key into the words love, mercy and forgiveness.
inquiringmind wrote:Thank you, but what is the difference between Mormonism and TBMism?
I've seen the phrase before, and I thought it meant "true, believing Mormon."
Is there a difference between a faithful Latter Day Saint (who believes in the office of the living Prophet, and in your standard works) and a TBM?
TBMism is a subset of Mormonism. Mormons who are not TBMs also have true beliefs, but they do not wield them like a club and thus when reading the Gospel are more likely to key into the words love, mercy and forgiveness.