When I was younger my mother use to make me go to the Mormon Church and one thing I remember is they use to tell the children that if you take your own life you will go to hell.
and in later years one of my friends killed himself and his funeral was in a Mormon Church and they were telling everyone that he is safe and in Heaven now
but if he committed suicide then why didn't they tell everyone that he went to hell like they teach the children in Sunday School?
I had asked a missionary that once and he did not have an answer for me and changed the subject.
2007-07-27 06:22:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Here's the thing. We rarely know all the instances around a suicide to say whether or not the suicide was the same as cold-blooded murder. Its not our duty to judge anyway.
Elder Bruce McConkie once said,"Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. … Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord’s; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.”
If someone commits suicide, it doesn't mean that the person will automatically go to hell. Its an extremely difficult thing for the family and friends left behind-and LDS doctrine states that the Lord is in charge and as he knows the thoughts and state of mind of the individual...true justice will be found.
2007-07-30 09:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by Sherpa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why were they talking about suicide in primary? Your mom live in some psycho community.
Remember the Mormon teachings on hell are a little different then the fire and brimstone crowd.
The Telestial Kingdom is much better than our life here on Earth and that is where one would go if they committed suicide -- unless there was an opportunity to repent somehow -- which is why we generally let Christ decide if someone is going to "hell" -- we do not know all ends as Christ does -- He is judge not us -- so your friend will end up in a place that Christ Will judge her/him to go.
We do believe that suicide is a sin and is not to be done. So we know what sins there are but not the judgment of others as to the effects of repentance and the atoning blood of Christ and who He will apply it to.
2007-07-30 06:39:09 · answer #2 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not the position of the Mormon church that people who commit suicide go to hell. If you were taught that as a child, you were misinformed by people who had no idea what they were talking about. The church's position is God is the only one in a position to decide the person's state of mind, and their intents. Some people lose control over their mind and are therefore not held accountable for the things they do while not in control.
2007-07-27 07:32:26 · answer #3 · answered by friendlyexmo 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Upon death, we do not immediately go to heaven or to a hell, but to a spirit world. It is only after our resurrection and then the judgment by Christ will we go to our eternal reward.
To quote from Bruce R. McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine," the author says this:
Obviously persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord's; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.
2007-07-27 11:49:47 · answer #4 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When I was a Mormon the belief was that a person that commit suicide went crazy and therefore they were with God, because they were not in their right mind, when they committted the act, that means all suicidal people went crazy, by the way, as a christian now, I know if the person is saved and they commit suicide, they are still saved.
2007-07-29 03:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Hell" to them is a very fluid word and can mean several things:
Telestial Kingdom
Spirit Prison (probably the most common use)
Outer Darkness
Anything short of the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom
Regret
The Grave (death)
People at a funeral want to be comforted. Children in primary classes need to be scared. It's not unique to the LDS, but most religions teach this as well.
2007-07-27 11:12:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The bible warns not to commit suicide. When people reads that in the bible they assume the warning means that if you do then you automatically go to hell. Actually that's not the reason for that warning in the bible. Jesus gave the best answer when he was asked about what will happen to Judas after he committed suicide. Jesus said do not worry about him for it is God who will decide what to do with him.
That's why the bible warns do not commit suicide, because it is God who has control over your soul, not you. You can't control what will be done to you when you commit suicide, so suicide isn't away to escape from your problems. You may unknowingly bring to yourself ten fold more problems after suicide, when you think you can escape through suicide.
Anyway, it is for certain I am aware that he didn't go to heaven.
2007-07-27 06:49:29 · answer #7 · answered by tiscpa 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There is a difference between killing yourself just to do it and if you have mental distress.
If you're like "oh, life sucks *slit wrists*" then you wont be forgiven...but if someone like your mom/dad or spouse, you lose all your money/house, you know something then you will be forgiven.
If that an excuse to kill yourself? OF COURSE NOT! You can get through anything, even if you have to lean on people for support. God never gives you somehting you can't handle.
2007-07-27 06:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not all things are cut and dried,there is leeway there.It is possible that he went to Heaven--but I would not want to take the chance myself.The Christian church is that way on suicide in general.If you look at the suicides in the Bible,you see Saul and Judas.That is very bad company to be in.
The biggest Stop sign in life is suicide.Most people heed the sign.
2007-07-27 06:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by Den 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it depends on why one commits suicide. If it's because of mental illness, I think God takes that sortof thing into consideration.
I think most suicides are due to mental illness. I could be wrong, but that's what I think.
2007-07-28 09:58:41 · answer #10 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋