MURDER (Teachings of Joseph Smith)

Faith, Repentance, & Baptism Will Save a Murderer Only after Being Scourged in Hell — William P. McIntire (January 12, 1841)

in the Eternal Judgment there is many things to know & to under stand in Gods Judging for instance Peter said David had not yet ascend to heaven & that he was a Murderer— & that his soul was in Hell is plainly told By Peter in acts— 2d. ch— Petter shews plainer it in the 3d of acts that a Murderer could Not be Red—-med [Redeemed] intill he would send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you &c— that is that faith Repentance & Baptism would not save them untill they ware scourged in hell or paid the Last farthing

Account of Meeting, 12 January 1841, as Reported by William P. McIntire, pp. 6-7, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Murderer’s Sins Not Blotted Out until the Time of Redemption — Times & Seasons (May 16, 1841)

Peter preached repentance and baptism for the remission of sins to the Jews, who had been led to acts of violence and blood, by their leaders, but to the Rulers he said, “I would that through ignorance ye did it, as did also those ye ruled.”— Repent, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing (redemption) shall come from the presence of the Lord, for he shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you &c.” The time of redemption here had reference to the time, when Christ should come; then and not till then would their sins be blotted out. Why? Because they were murderers, and no murderer hath eternal life. Even David, must wait for those times of refreshing, before he can come forth and his sins be blotted out; for Peter speaking of him says, “David hath not yet ascended into Heaven, for his sepulchre is with us to this day:’ his remains were then in the tomb. Now we read that many bodies of the saints arose, at Christ’s resurrection, probably all the saints, but it seems that David did not. Why? because he had been a murderer.

Discourse, 16 May 1841, as Published in Times and Seasons, p. 430, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Murderer Cannot Be Forgiven until They Pay the Last Farthing — Times & Seasons (May 16, 1841)

If the ministers of religion had a proper understanding of the doctrine of eternal judgment, they would not be found attending the man who had forfeited his life to the injured laws of his country by shedding innocent blood; for such characters cannot be forgiven, until they have paid the last farthing. The prayers of all the ministers in the world could never close the gates of hell against a murderer.

Joseph Smith, 16 May 1841, as Published in Times and Seasons, p. 430, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Remission of Sins by Baptism Not to Be Preached to Murderers — William Clayton (May 16, 1841)

Remission of sins by baptism was not to be preached to murderers. . . . There is no forgiveness for murderers. They will have to wait until the time of redemption shall come and that in hell.

Discourse, 16 May 1841, as Reported by William Clayton, pp. 9-10, The Joseph Smith Papers.

No Forgiveness for Murderers until They Have Suffered in Hell — William Clayton (May 16, 1841)

All the priests in Christendom might pray for a murderer on the scaffold forever, but could not avail so much as a gnat towards their forgiveness. There is no forgiveness for murderers. They will have to wait until the time of redemption shall come and that in hell. Peter had the keys of eternal judgment and he saw David [who was a murderer] in hell and knew for what reason, and that David would have to remain there until the resurrection at the coming of Christ.

Discourse, 16 May 1841, as Reported by William Clayton, pp. 9-10, The Joseph Smith Papers.

King David, Who Was a Murderer, Could Only Get Repentance through Hell — Wilford Woodruff (March 10, 1844)

A murderer for instanc one that sheds innocent Blood cannot have forgiveness, David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears but he could ownly get it through Hell, [and] he got a promise that his soul should not be left in Hell. . . . Peter refered to the same subject on the day of pentecost, . . . the people asked what shall we do, Peter says I would ye had done it ignorantly speaking of crucifying the Lord &c He did not say to them repent & be baptized for the remission of your sins but he said repent therefore & be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts III, 19 this is the case with murderers they could not be baptized for the remission of sins for they had shed innocent Blood.

Joseph Smith, Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 210-211, The Joseph Smith Papers.