Do non-mormons go to hell

[Solus]

I know very little about the LDS Church. Do you believe that non-mormons go to hell?

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by Solus

I know very little about the LDS Church. Do you believe that non-mormons go to hell?

nope

[skalenfehl]

Mormons as well as anyone from any faith can go to hell. Mormons definitely are not immune. If you have more questions please feel free to ask. And welcome to our forums!

By the way, I like your username. I wrote some fiction based on a commando named Solus as the main character and protagonist.

[tubaloth]

Simple answer, no. So lets get into the longer answer.

It really kind of comes down to your idea of Hell. I assume you believe it is some place with Fire, and Lava (or is it Magma when it is under ground?) some type of pain or torture would happen?

LDS church doesn't believe really in that type of Hell. So what does LDS believe?
First we believe after we die, we go to what is called a Spirit world. (Because its a world of spirits, kind of a clever name). But this spirit world is divided into two halves. One half is for those that have followed Christ and his Gospel (I leave it up to you to figure out if everybody does this in every church, or not) these go to what is called Paradise. The others that haven't followed Christ, go to what is called Spirit Prison.

With me so far?

We believe in the LDS church that Christ’s Atonement is for all people (living or Dead) we believe that everybody should have the chance to hear the “Good news” or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So the spirits that know about Christ and his Teaching actually go to the other side and teach those that didn’t know. It truly shows God’s love for all his Children.
This kind of brings us to one of the LDS “versions” of Hell. That would be the spirit prison side. It could be classified as a Hell, because you are with out Christ, and at this point with out Hope for Salvation. But this really isn’t the type of Hell of Fire and burning.

After people have been taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then they get to go over to Paradise. (Baptisms would be preformed for these people here on earth).

After this has kind of all been sorted out, it then becomes time for the Resurrection.
In the LDS church (and in 1 Corinthians 15) We believe that people are resurrection to different Kingdoms of Glory. We believe that are three levels so to speak (and a forth I guess).
The highest is the Celestial Kingdom. This really is your classic defection of Heaven. This is where God is, and we can dwell with him together really forever.
The next kingdom is the Terrestial Kingdom. This is for people that had the chance to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but chose not to during the earth life, but Latter accepted the Gospel in the spirit world. This is a little “lower” kingdom, but Christ well be here.
The next kingdom is the Tellestial Kingdom. This is really the lowest, this is for those that rejected Christ, his gospel and didn’t really care about anything to some extent.

This also has been compared to a “hell.” They are kind of with out Christ, and really seperated from God.

Last is what we called “Outer Darkness” this is where Satan well be cased out to. Also those that committed Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost well get sent out to here. Really only a few well get this, but we do know Cain is one that most likely well be cast out to Outer Darkness (or I like to say OD). This is kind of the Last version of Hell. This really is the main place that “suffering” happens. Because they are the ones left with out Christ and his Atonement.

So now to your question, do only Mormons go to hell? Really no, because as you can see there are many places for all people (including Mormons, and every other religion). We let God be the Judge of who well go where. But we do believe that are requirments (like Baptism and so forth) that need to be followed to get to "Heaven." If these aren't followed then they don't get the "reward."

[Solus]

This makes more sense than the views of my church. I just have a hard time believing that Gandhi is in hell while the Son of Sam will be in heaven (he became a Christian while in prison for those who don't know).

Now for another question, what about Christians who were not Mormons? Which kingdom do they go to? And also what about people that have heard of Christianity and decided it was false yet still lived what could be considered a morally good life?

[skalenfehl]

Everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel before they stand at the judgment seat of Christ.

From lds.org:

There are three kingdoms of glory: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The glory we inherit will depend on the depth of our conversion, expressed by our obedience to the Lord's commandments. It will depend on the manner in which we have "received the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:51; see also D&C 76:74, 79, 101).

Celestial Kingdom

The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt; it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose.

The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood" (D&C 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. For a detailed explanation of those who will inherit celestial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–70; 76:92–96.

In January 1836 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that expanded his understanding of the requirements to inherit celestial glory. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the celestial kingdom. He marveled when he saw his older brother Alvin there, even though Alvin had died before receiving the ordinance of baptism. (See D&C 137:1–6.) Then the voice of the Lord came to the Prophet Joseph:

"All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; "Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom;

"For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts" (D&C 137:7–9).

Commenting on this revelation, the Prophet Joseph said, "I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" (D&C 137:10).

From another revelation to the Prophet Joseph, we learn that there are three degrees within the celestial kingdom. To be exalted in the highest degree and continue eternally in family relationships, we must enter into "the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" and be true to that covenant. In other words, temple marriage is a requirement for obtaining the highest degree of celestial glory. (See D&C 131:1–4.) All who are worthy to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will have that opportunity, whether in this life or the next.

Terrestrial Kingdom

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will "receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun" (D&C 76:77–78). Generally speaking, individuals in the terrestrial kingdom will be honorable people "who were blinded by the craftiness of men" (D&C 76:75). This group will include members of the Church who were "not valiant in the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:79). It will also include those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but who later received it in the postmortal spirit world (see D&C 76:73–74). To learn more about those who will inherit terrestrial glory, see Doctrine and Covenants D&C 76:71–80, 91, 97.

Telestial Kingdom

Telestial glory will be reserved for individuals who "received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus" (D&C 76:82). These individuals will receive their glory after being redeemed from spirit prison, which is sometimes called hell (see D&C 76:84, D&C 76:106). A detailed explanation of those who will inherit telestial glory is found in Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–90, 98–106, 109–112.

Perdition

Some people will not be worthy to dwell in any kingdom of glory. They will be called "the sons of perdition" and will have to "abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory" (D&C 76:32; 88:24). This will be the state of "those who know [God's] power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy [God's] power" (D&C 76:31; see also D&C 76:30, 32–49).

As is mentioned, to inherit the Celestial Kingdom, we must obtain such saving ordinances as baptism. The authority to perform such ordinances as was found in Christ's ancient church is found today in the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the very same organization that Christ established in biblical times built upon a foundation of apostles and prophets with the authority to act in His name.

[Solus]

And is it possible to move from one kingdom to another?

[skalenfehl]

No. We could not abide the glory of a higher kingdom. For this reason, those who cannot live at least a terrestrial law while in this life when Christ returns, will perish when the Earth burns as a fiery furnace. They will burn with everything else that is Telestial.

[ampat777]

Originally Posted by Solus

And is it possible to move from one kingdom to another?

Yes there is a shuttle bus available at terminal 3.

[puf_the_majic_dragon]

Originally Posted by Solus

And is it possible to move from one kingdom to another?

Well, not to contradict Skal, but I suppose more to clarify, I have heard it said in Conference that those from a higher kingdom will be able to visit lower kingdoms. As far as someone from say the Terrestial kingdom being able to progress into the Celestial kingdom, I've heard both sides of the story, but the general LDS culture suggests that this is not possible. My personal opinion is the opposite, that everyone (except sons of perdition) can progress eternally but for those in lower kingdoms it takes longer. A quick search on LDS.org doesn't elaborate, however I'm open to any revelatory references on the subject.