What do you do to quality for Spirit Prison?

[Guest]

Instead of worrying about the Celestial and it's 3 different levels, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingsdoms currently, I worry more about whether I'm going to Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison when I die. But one thing that confuses me is who winds up in Spirit Prison upon death? Is it just the really bad sinners, like those who murder, rape, whoremongers, and unrepented sinners, or is it as simple as all those who never were baptized into the church in this life are immediately sent to Spirit Prison, which is hell? What does a current temple endowed card carrying Mormon have to do to wind up in Spirit Prison? And are people really stuck there like the scriptures say, until the end of the Millennium in their hell state? That's what I worry about most. Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison, because I figure if I wind up in Spirit Paradise right upon my death, I'm in pretty good shape for what kingdom I'll wind up in. Sorry, but the afterlife is something I think about a lot.

[Guest]

And does everyone who lived and died and were never baptized really start off in Spirit Prison until they accept the gospel?

[Guest]

I don't see it as a prison as in the kind of prison we think of here. It's a separation maybe from loved ones, and the inability to progress. I don't even know for sure that it's a place so much as a state of being, and when they accept the gospel and receive proxy ordinances they can "move on", as it were. 

My personal opinion through experience is that those who don't have priesthood ordinances are limited in what they can do in that realm and ours, and when we are linked to them and they receive that priesthood authority, they have the stewardship and means to help their loved ones here on earth and progress spiritually. I don't believe it's something like purgatory or outer darkness, but again, I can't tell you if that's gospel cannon. It's from the gospel according to Eowyn.

[Guest]

33 minutes ago, Eowyn said:

I don't see it as a prison as in the kind of prison we think of here. It's a separation maybe from loved ones, and the inability to progress. I don't even know for sure that it's a place so much as a state of being, and when they accept the gospel and receive proxy ordinances they can "move on", as it were. 

My personal opinion through experience is that those who don't have priesthood ordinances are limited in what they can do in that realm and ours, and when we are linked to them and they receive that priesthood authority, they have the stewardship and means to help their loved ones here on earth and progress spiritually. I don't believe it's something like purgatory or outer darkness, but again, I can't tell you if that's gospel cannon. It's from the gospel according to Eowyn.

Thanks. Ya, I see it too as a state of mind. This is probably why going to the temples and releasing people from Spirit Prison should be focused on more. Hopefully temple attendance would increase if we really knew just how much doing proxy work was helping out those on the other side who can't do the work. I'm still curious what a Mormon has to do to wind up there. Break temple covenants and not repent and apostasize perhaps?

[Guest]

Personally I wouldn't worry about how to get to Spirit prison, but focus on keeping covenants the best I can.

Incidentally, I just ran across this on FB

http://www.ldsdaily.com/personal-lds-blog/president-david-o-mckays-vibrant-vision-spirit-world/

[Guest]

I loved that article! One of the comments believes it was Paradise too.

[CV75]

14 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

Instead of worrying about the Celestial and it's 3 different levels, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingsdoms currently, I worry more about whether I'm going to Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison when I die. But one thing that confuses me is who winds up in Spirit Prison upon death? Is it just the really bad sinners, like those who murder, rape, whoremongers, and unrepented sinners, or is it as simple as all those who never were baptized into the church in this life are immediately sent to Spirit Prison, which is hell? What does a current temple endowed card carrying Mormon have to do to wind up in Spirit Prison? And are people really stuck there like the scriptures say, until the end of the Millennium in their hell state? That's what I worry about most. Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison, because I figure if I wind up in Spirit Paradise right upon my death, I'm in pretty good shape for what kingdom I'll wind up in. Sorry, but the afterlife is something I think about a lot.

It depends. Even for the righteous, the spirit world can seem like a prison in some sense (D&C 138:49-50).

I'd say, anyone worried about ending up in spirit prison probably won't stay there too long as he will gladly receive the message that will free him. Nephi felt the same way (2 Nephi 4;16-35).

Edited July 1, 2016 by CV75

[Blackmarch]

Just now, Zarahemla said:

And does everyone who lived and died and were never baptized really start off in Spirit Prison until they accept the gospel?

as far as I know. Anything that keeps you from living the covenants of the gospel will put you there. Until you accept (in the completely able to do so sort of way) christ you will be paying for your own sins.

[Traveler]

16 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

Instead of worrying about the Celestial and it's 3 different levels, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingsdoms currently, I worry more about whether I'm going to Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison when I die. But one thing that confuses me is who winds up in Spirit Prison upon death? Is it just the really bad sinners, like those who murder, rape, whoremongers, and unrepented sinners, or is it as simple as all those who never were baptized into the church in this life are immediately sent to Spirit Prison, which is hell? What does a current temple endowed card carrying Mormon have to do to wind up in Spirit Prison? And are people really stuck there like the scriptures say, until the end of the Millennium in their hell state? That's what I worry about most. Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison, because I figure if I wind up in Spirit Paradise right upon my death, I'm in pretty good shape for what kingdom I'll wind up in. Sorry, but the afterlife is something I think about a lot.

It is my understanding - spirit prison is for those that postpone their repentance in mortality.

 

The Traveler

[tesuji]

Interesting question. You made me look it up.

Quote

Spirit Prison

The Apostle Peter referred to the postmortal spirit world as a prison, which it is for some (see 1 Peter 3:18–20). In the spirit prison are the spirits of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. If they accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples, they may leave the spirit prison and dwell in paradise.

Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them either on earth or in the spirit prison. These spirits suffer in a condition known as hell. They have removed themselves from the mercy of Jesus Christ, who said, “Behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit” (D&C 19:16–18). After suffering for their sins, they will be allowed, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the telestial kingdom.

From Gospel Principles, Chapter 41: The Postmortal Spirit World, https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-41-the-postmortal-spirit-world?lang=eng

I recommend reading the whole chapter from Gospel Principles, to understand how spirit prison differs from paradise.

See also the Encycl. of Mormonism, http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Spirit_Prison

I too understand this to be a mental state. Although there is apparently some kind of physical separation too. I wonder if the separation might be at least partly self-imposed - maybe spirits go where they are comfortable, to be with people at their same level. For example, the members of a heavy metal rock band probably would not choose to hang out with former prophets...? 

Edited July 1, 2016 by tesuji

[Guest]

I just feel bad about the billions of people who die and have to start off in prison since they were never baptized. Thank goodness for missionary work going on in the spirit world and temple work. When you go to the Temple remember that you're helping save souls. When I did endowment sessions I used to worry about which of the 4 temple videos I'd see. But now I try to focus on the dead person I'm doing the work for.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Zarahemla

[Bill (Papa) Lee]

On June 30, 2016 at 6:11 PM, Zarahemla said:

Instead of worrying about the Celestial and it's 3 different levels, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingsdoms currently, I worry more about whether I'm going to Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison when I die. But one thing that confuses me is who winds up in Spirit Prison upon death? Is it just the really bad sinners, like those who murder, rape, whoremongers, and unrepented sinners, or is it as simple as all those who never were baptized into the church in this life are immediately sent to Spirit Prison, which is hell? What does a current temple endowed card carrying Mormon have to do to wind up in Spirit Prison? And are people really stuck there like the scriptures say, until the end of the Millennium in their hell state? That's what I worry about most. Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison, because I figure if I wind up in Spirit Paradise right upon my death, I'm in pretty good shape for what kingdom I'll wind up in. Sorry, but the afterlife is something I think about a lot.

I would think those who never repent of serious sins and pretend to do so and lie about repentance to seek favor in the eyes of others. 

[james12]

On 7/1/2016 at 4:41 PM, Zarahemla said:

I just feel bad about the billions of people who die and have to start off in prison since they were never baptized. Thank goodness for missionary work going on in the spirit world and temple work. When you go to the Temple remember that you're helping save souls. When I did endowment sessions I used to worry about which of the 4 temple videos I'd see. But now I try to focus on the dead person I'm doing the work for.

From what I have read there seems to be a sort of grey area here. Some say that if spirits repent they are freed from spirit prison, others that they need to repent and receive the ordinances before being free.  

Edited July 5, 2016 by james12

[theSQUIDSTER]

Those who are in spirit prison here and die in that state will be in spirit prison in the next life.  A repentant thief, on a cross next to our Lord, was told he would be in paradise.  Anyone caught in "the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity" is in spirit prison no matter which side of the veil they're on.

[Blackmarch]

 

On 7/5/2016 at 6:09 AM, james12 said:

From what I have read there seems to be a sort of grey area here. Some say that if spirits repent they are freed from spirit prison, others that they need to repent and receive the ordinances before being free.  

sooner or later everyone will be free, save for those who go to outer darkness. That freedom will certainly only come on conditions of following Christ.... and I don't see how anyone is going to get out of being baptised and still be able to take upon the name of Christ to whatever degree.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Blackmarch

[james12]

17 hours ago, Blackmarch said:

sooner or later everyone will be free, save for those who go to outer darkness. That freedom will certainly only come on conditions of following Christ.... and I don't see how anyone is going to get out of being baptised and still be able to take upon the name of Christ to whatever degree.

Sure, this is not a question about the final state of those in a kingdom of glory. When they change and accept Christ fully, they are definitely freed from spirit prison. But what of those who have not obtained a kingdom of glory but are working through the process. TheSQUIDSTER says those who are in spirit prison here will be in spirit prison there, I tend to agree. But are they freed when they change, even though they have not been baptized by proxy? See, this gets to something we hear all the time about temple work. Namely, that when we perform an ordinance for the dead and they accept they are freed from spirit prison and before such a time they remain in spirit prison. So according to this logic, there are a whole host of spirits who are ready to be freed from spirit prison but just need their ordinances done. In essence they are held back until the ordinance itself is complete. Does that seem right?