Remission of Sins by Baptism Not to Be Preached to Murderers — William Clayton (May 16, 1841)
The doctrine of eternal judgment Acts 2-41 Peter preached repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, &c; but in Acts 3-19 he says “Repent and be converted that you sins may be blotted out when the time of redemption shall come and he shall send Jesus,” &c. Remission of sins by baptism was not to be preached to murderers. 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 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.
