A Second Chance.

[mdb]

I was talking with a couple of Mormon missionaries last night and they spoke of a doctrine that the LDS believe a person has a second opportunity to accept Christ as their savior after this life. Where is this doctrine derived from? Does anyone have Scriptural or documented proof of this doctrine? Please list.

Thanks.

[Jason]

I don't know about a second chance, but do you think he'd have a beer with me? B)

[Maureen]

I was talking with a couple of Mormon missionaries last night and they spoke of a doctrine that the LDS believe a person has a second opportunity to accept Christ as their savior after this life. Where is this doctrine derived from? Does anyone have Scriptural or documented proof of this doctrine? Please list.

From lds.org:

Those in spirit prison have the opportunity to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, and receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation through the work we do in temples (see D&C 138:30–35). When they do, they may enter paradise. (36863, True to the Faith, Paradise, 111)

M.

[rosie321]

I don't know about a second chance, but do you think he'd have a beer with me? B)

maybe a root beer

I was talking with a couple of Mormon missionaries last night and they spoke of a doctrine that the LDS believe a person has a second opportunity to accept Christ as their savior after this life. Where is this doctrine derived from? Does anyone have Scriptural or documented proof of this doctrine? Please list.

Ultimately it comes from the idea in the LDS idea of the spirit paradise/ prison. After Christ died , as the missionaries may have pointed out theres a verse in 1 Peter I believe it is, that Jesus went and preached to the people there.

LDS believe that not everyone may have had a complete knowledge in this life. God knows their hearts therefore will make sure they have every opportunity to accept or reject him. D&C 138.

This is different concept from the non-lds christians I know. Most believe that everyone has had a perfect opportunity in this life or God will work it out some how in His final judgement. The ultimate consesus is typically not another chance.

LDS views tend to vary too. I've known LDS that debate the technicalities of it. It's only for those who never had a chance to hear and understand. Others say everyone will. To me the likelihood of someone accepting it in the next life who rejected it in this life is not very high. It is a comfort though to believe that everyone will have that opportunity. The ultimate consensus is that it will all work out the way its supposed to. Find comfort that the possibility exists. That we have another chance. But do not procrastinate the day of your repentance either.

Ordinances performed in the temple are ones done for those who cannot do it themselves in the next life. Those who made a choice but cannot do the ordinances there for whatever reason.

Is it a true belief or not -for you to find that answer for yourself.

best wishes in that. :)

[Dr T]

Good question. It does seem to be the basis for baptism for the dead. I'm interested in hearing responses.

Thank you,

Dr. T

[Ray]

The gospel (good news about Jesus Christ) will be heard forever and ever, and those who don't hear it while living as mortals will hear it soon after they die... but some won't receive it although we'll all hear it because they won't ask for His spirit... a spirit to help them know what they are hearing is truth they should want when they hear it.

And btw, there will come a day of judgment, and after that no more work will be done, pertaining to things that we all must receive before we are judged for our works. And they who do love Him will see what He'll give them, and they who won't see that won't know Him.

[GoodGuy]

I dont know if we can call the opportunity we recieve in the spirit world a "second" chance. Either we accept the gospel or we dont. Whether we accept it in the spirit world or on earth there is no difference. The thing is, that the way we are here on earth is exactly how we will be in the afterlife. If we reject Christ here, we will reject Him there too. The only people that will change are those who never had the opportunity to accept the gospel on Earth.

[Dr T]

Hello GoodGuy,

So you are saying when someone does not accept the gospel while on Earth, they will never accept it in the after life? How do the intelligences make it to bodily form on Earth? Is there some prerequisite for that to happen? Why is then an after life then for those that are unable to accept it after leaving Earth?

Thank you,

Dr. T

[Princess3dward]

Hello GoodGuy,

So you are saying when someone does not accept the gospel while on Earth, they will never accept it in the after life? How do the intelligences make it to bodily form on Earth? Is there some prerequisite for that to happen? Why is then an after life then for those that are unable to accept it after leaving Earth?

Thank you,

Dr. T

Because how you are here, you will be in the after life.

If you had a chance here, and said, NO! You will say NO again!

It is called pride!

[Dr T]

Did you have to accept something in the pre-existence?

[Princess3dward]

Did you have to accept something in the pre-existence?

Yes actually. We chose Gods plan. 1/3 of the hosts of heaven chose satans plan.

[Dr T]

OK. Thanks Des. So we chose God's plan and come here then we have to chose the gospel then we chose it again. Is it possible that we don't chose God's plan to come to Earth which means we cannot accept the gospel and then can't in the after life either?

Thanks,

DR. T

[sgallan]

I don't know about a second chance, but do you think he'd have a beer with me?

He'd drink wine, you'd have the beer. :)

[Princess3dward]

OK. Thanks Des. So we chose God's plan and come here then we have to chose the gospel then we chose it again. Is it possible that we don't chose God's plan to come to Earth which means we cannot accept the gospel and then can't in the after life either?

Thanks,

DR. T

Yes, it is possible.

You wouldn't get to come to earth... so you get no choice later.

[Dr T]

Thanks again, Des. So those who do not chose God's plan will never come to Earth? Where do they go? In your above posts, are you saying that we have three chanced to be saved/accept God (one in the preexistence, on Earth, and in the afterlife)? And we would have to chose in the affirmative each time? Earlier you said, "its called pride" as a reason for not accepting the gospel in the after life. Why would we be able to accept him in the preexistence and not on Earth and then not in the after life? Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

Dr. T

[Princess3dward]

Thanks again, Des. So those who do not chose God's plan will never come to Earth? Where do they go? In your above posts, are you saying that we have three chanced to be saved/accept God (one in the preexistence, on Earth, and in the afterlife)? And we would have to chose in the affirmative each time? Earlier you said, "its called pride" as a reason for not accepting the gospel in the after life. Why would we be able to accept him in the preexistence and not on Earth and then not in the after life? Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

Dr. T

You are misunderstanding.. if we accept it on earth, we have accepted it in the afterlife.. we wont need to be taught.

We already chose his plan, and we are living it though.

Those who have not heard the gosple, get a chance to accept it after death.

Those who did not accept is BEFORE they would have come to earth were banished with satan... which is sad...

[BenRaines]

Lets see if I can clear things up a bit or muddy the waters. One or the other.

God's plan was proposed to those who existed in a pre-existent life as spirits before being born here on earth. 2/3 chose to follow God's plan, 1/3 rejected it and followed Satan and were removed from God's presence and sent to Earth in spirit form only. They do not and will not have the opportunity to obtain bodies.

The 2/3 that chose to follow God's plan and not rebel have been being born over time during the Earth's existence. They passed the first test, as it were, and have been coming to Earth and will continue to do so.

There are some who in this life will hear of the gospel of Jesus Christ, will have the spirit, Holy Ghost, bear witness that what they hear are true and reject it. They will not have an opportunity in the after-life to accept it. Personal opinion here: I think it would be a cruel God who would deny people throughout the ages entry in to his kingdom who have never hear of Jesus Christ and his great atonement.

After all have lived upon the Earth, the Millenial reign is over, there will be a final judgement and we will be judged by Jesus Christ if we are worthy to return to our Heavenly Father's presence.

Ben Raines

[Dr T]

Hi Ben,

Was that decided in at the "Counsel of the gods"? Is that were Jesus said, "here is my plan, salvation through my sacrifice" and Satan said, "No, do it this way..." They chose Jesus'?

Thanks,

Dr. T

[BenRaines]

As I believe it to be it was the following. Plan was that we would all have an opportunity to come to earth and be tried and tested. See if we would believe, have faith, do what was asked of us to be worthy to return to our loving Heavenly Father. God knew that there would be losses. He provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of all mankind. Still knowing that there were those who would reject even Jesus Christ.

Satan's alternative plan was that all would come to earth. Would be compelled to be good and not one soul would be lost. More importantly in the first plan glory be to God. In Satan's plan he would receive the recognition and glory. Pride was his downfall.

Upon rejecting of Satan's plan he in his anger rejected God's plan and was cast out along with those who followed him. They are those spirits that can and have possessed the bodies of come of God's children born on the earth if they, the humans on the earth, allow it.

You may recall in the New Testament there was a man possessed who as Christ passed the spirts spoke to Christ and recognized him from their pre-existence. They knew that he was the son of God. As he was to cast them out of the man they plead to be cast in to the swine, the most foul of all animals according the the Jews. The swine then ran in the sea and drown themselves.

Ben Raines

[JoshuaFKon]

As I believe it to be it was the following. Plan was that we would all have an opportunity to come to earth and be tried and tested. See if we would believe, have faith, do what was asked of us to be worthy to return to our loving Heavenly Father. God knew that there would be losses. He provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of all mankind. Still knowing that there were those who would reject even Jesus Christ.

Satan's alternative plan was that all would come to earth. Would be compelled to be good and not one soul would be lost. More importantly in the first plan glory be to God. In Satan's plan he would receive the recognition and glory. Pride was his downfall.

Upon rejecting of Satan's plan he in his anger rejected God's plan and was cast out along with those who followed him. They are those spirits that can and have possessed the bodies of come of God's children born on the earth if they, the humans on the earth, allow it.

I don't mean to be sacrilegious, or offend anyone...but Satan's plan makes more sense to me...

Especially since Jesus said "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

I mean...to condem billions to eternal torture for, at best, a sense of "free will"...

Just a thought....

Josh B)

[Dr T]

The "demons" in the swine? Was that called the counsel of the gods? If so, how did Jesus and Satan present there? Were they already considered gods at that time? I'm gettign confused because I thought they were spirit children not gods until they progressed. Either I'm getting mixed up with what other LDS have told me or I'm getting confused.

Thanks,

Dr. T

[Princess3dward]

Without "torture" as you put it, there would be no joy.

If you hadn't experianced really bad things, you wouldn;t appreciate the good.

With Satans plan, you would ever be happy or sad..

You wouldn't prove anything to God..

The "demons" in the swine? Was that called the counsel of the gods? If so, how did Jesus and Satan present there? Were they already considered gods at that time? I'm gettign confused because I thought they were spirit children not gods until they progressed. Either I'm getting mixed up with what other LDS have told me or I'm getting confused.

Thanks,

Dr. T

Satan isn't a God.

God created him, and he was our brother.

You are confused...

Satan was never a God.

He is also a spirit child.

[JoshuaFKon]

You may recall in the New Testament there was a man possessed who as Christ passed the spirts spoke to Christ and recognized him from their pre-existence. They knew that he was the son of God. As he was to cast them out of the man they plead to be cast in to the swine, the most foul of all animals according the the Jews. The swine then ran in the sea and drown themselves.

Yes, I recall that...I believe the same thing (demons yelling that Jesus was the Son of God) happened many, if not everytime, Jesus cast out demons.

I however, have a different theory as to why they were shouting it.

I personally, believe God gave control of this planet to humans

"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

and basically promised not to intervene here , so I believe the demons were complaining "hey -- that's not fair! He can't command us here...He's God!"

(Which is why He had to come as a human)

Just my opinion...

Josh B)

Without "torture" as you put it, there would be no joy.

I meant in hell....you know eternal torture....doubt there's much joy there...

Josh B)

[Princess3dward]

That was an intresting take on it...

I need to think on that...

I think the first anwser makes more sense to me though..

Without "torture" as you put it, there would be no joy.

I meant in hell....you know eternal torture....doubt there's much joy there...

Josh B)

Oh. That is different. That was their choice.

I like Gods plan better...

.... so did you, Josh...

[JoshuaFKon]

That was an intresting take on it...

I need to think on that...

I think the first anwser makes more sense to me though..

I'm not disagreeing that they [the demons] wouldn't have known Him [Jesus] from heaven...I'm just saying that's why they brought it up...

Josh B)