Their Own Iniquity

I have heard the following scripture a million times.  It is basic common sense doctrine.  But for some reason, it hit me differently today.  I felt a sadness for those wicked people who choose evil and what they will have to go through before they are redeemed.

By way of background, this scripture is from the Book of Mormon.  It is the prophet Alma speaking to his son, Corianton, around 74 BC.

Corianton was not living the best life.  In fact he was sinning much and choosing evil over good, much to the chagrin of his father, Alma.  Therefore, in chapters 39-42 Alma reminded his son, Corianton, of basic doctrine, and warned him of what will happen if he doesn't repent.

Here is an excerpt of Alma's words to his son, Corianton, concerning the time between death and resurrection.

Alma 40:11-14 

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

In verse 13 the prophet, Alma, tells Corianton, and us, about the wicked being cast into outer darkness, after they die, where there shall be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. The line that hit me the hardest was "and this because of their own iniquity".  The wicked choose a sinful lifestyle, and thus choose the consequences of being cast into outer darkness after they die.  Verse 14 clarifies that this state will continue until the time of their resurrection.  Then everyone will be judged and will be assigned a degree of glory – Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial with a few going to Outer Darkness for eternity.

It makes me sad because it doesn't have to be. If people would just turn from "their own iniquity", or in other words, turn from evil and repent, they wouldn't have to go through the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth in Outer Darkness. But so many are "being led captive by the will of the devil".  So many of God's children are choosing wickedness and evil over righteousness and good.

These are the last days. Time is short. Please, if you are like Corianton and are not following God, please stop "choosing evil works rather than good".  Please repent and turn from iniquity and turn back towards God.  Life is too short to flirt with Satan and his persuasive lies.

I know and love too many people who have stopped trying to follow God and who don't keep His commandments.  It saddens me to no end.  Please turn from your "own iniquity" and come back to the truth before it's too late.

That's my two cents.