In DC 42:18 it says that murderers are not forgiven and that those who are forgiven for adultery but commit it again will be cast out. Did Jesus not die for all sins? Why does it say they aren’t forgiven?
2 Responses to “In DC 42:18 it says that murderers are not forgiven and that…”
Samuel Delgado
2011-08-08 01:39:11
Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can be freed from our sins.
Hi Abby. Thanks for your interesting question. Jesus died for all sins on condition of repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). Part of the repentance process is to sincerely abandon sin and to try to make restitution to the person that has been offended.
In the case of serial adulterers, one has to wonder if the repentance process has been truly completed, since the sin has not been abandoned. I suspect that's what D&C 42:26 means to imply (see, for example, D&C42:24). However, forgiveness is always possible if repentance is sincere. We should take care, though, not to sin with the intent of simply repenting later; God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).
In the case of premeditated, unjustified murder in the absence of mental illness, there seem to be two lines of thought in the Church. Some argue that it is impossible to make or even attempt restitution for murder, since the victim has been killed. The idea, then, is that murder is so terrible a crime that it is beyond repentance/forgiveness. On the other hand, other members of the Church believe that forgiveness for murder is possible. For example, Elder C. Scott Grow, one of the world-wide leaders of our Church, recently said, "Jesus Christ is the Great Healer of our souls. With the exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement." (Note that the "sins of perdition" do not include murder.)
Art Sherwood
2011-08-03 00:43:54
Verse 28 of that same section states the following:
Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given in my scriptures; he that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out.
The scriptures makes it clear that although Jesus suffered, bled and died for the sins of the world, forgiveness comes only to those who repent of their sins. If a person sins, repents then commits the same sin, did they really repent? Repentance requires a change of heart.
Christ came to save the world from sin. Christ cannot save us "in" our sins, only "from" them. We must turn away from them.
As for murderers not receiving forgiveness, you will note in that verse that he was speaking "unto the church". Those who have the fullness of the gospel are held to a higher standard than those who do not. There comes a point in our progression that when, after receiving such light and knowlege from God, we turn against that light and knowlege and shed innocent blood, we put ourselves beyond our ability to repent. David of the Old Testament did this when he tried to hide his sin with Uriah's wife by sending Uriah to the front lines of battle to be killed. David spent the rest of his life trying to repent of that sin, but, despite this effort, he was never able to fully reconcile himself with God and regain his exhaltation.
The scriptures only list two sins that are unpardonable. The first is the denial of the Holy Ghost. This means having a *sure* witness of the Holy Ghost and altogether turning from it. Most of us have not received this *sure* witness and therefore cannot commit this sin. I have heard this described as being paramount to walking out on a sunny day, looking at the sun and declaring that there is no sun. The second is the shedding of innocent blood after you have received the fullness of the gospel and its ordinances.
Sexual sin in violation of sacred covenants is listed as next in seriousness compared to those two. Still pardonable, but requiring serious repentance.
In the case of serial adulterers, one has to wonder if the repentance process has been truly completed, since the sin has not been abandoned. I suspect that's what D&C 42:26 means to imply (see, for example, D&C42:24). However, forgiveness is always possible if repentance is sincere. We should take care, though, not to sin with the intent of simply repenting later; God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).
In the case of premeditated, unjustified murder in the absence of mental illness, there seem to be two lines of thought in the Church. Some argue that it is impossible to make or even attempt restitution for murder, since the victim has been killed. The idea, then, is that murder is so terrible a crime that it is beyond repentance/forgiveness. On the other hand, other members of the Church believe that forgiveness for murder is possible. For example, Elder C. Scott Grow, one of the world-wide leaders of our Church, recently said, "Jesus Christ is the Great Healer of our souls. With the exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement." (Note that the "sins of perdition" do not include murder.)
Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given in my scriptures; he that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out.
The scriptures makes it clear that although Jesus suffered, bled and died for the sins of the world, forgiveness comes only to those who repent of their sins. If a person sins, repents then commits the same sin, did they really repent? Repentance requires a change of heart.
Christ came to save the world from sin. Christ cannot save us "in" our sins, only "from" them. We must turn away from them.
As for murderers not receiving forgiveness, you will note in that verse that he was speaking "unto the church". Those who have the fullness of the gospel are held to a higher standard than those who do not. There comes a point in our progression that when, after receiving such light and knowlege from God, we turn against that light and knowlege and shed innocent blood, we put ourselves beyond our ability to repent. David of the Old Testament did this when he tried to hide his sin with Uriah's wife by sending Uriah to the front lines of battle to be killed. David spent the rest of his life trying to repent of that sin, but, despite this effort, he was never able to fully reconcile himself with God and regain his exhaltation.
The scriptures only list two sins that are unpardonable. The first is the denial of the Holy Ghost. This means having a *sure* witness of the Holy Ghost and altogether turning from it. Most of us have not received this *sure* witness and therefore cannot commit this sin. I have heard this described as being paramount to walking out on a sunny day, looking at the sun and declaring that there is no sun. The second is the shedding of innocent blood after you have received the fullness of the gospel and its ordinances.
Sexual sin in violation of sacred covenants is listed as next in seriousness compared to those two. Still pardonable, but requiring serious repentance.