Going To Hell (So I’m Told)

So I am currently sitting in church as I write this blog post. Something that bothers me a bit, is constantly being reminded about all the things that will cause a person to go to hell in the afterlife. Growing up in primary I would hear it, followed up with a positive message about being good and going to heaven if we live a good life. Then you get older and during high school I would hear more about all things that will send a person to hell. High-school is the time where I was taught that tithing is a type of fire insurance and we go to hell of we don’t pay it. I talked a bit about that in a previous blog post titled “Tithing”.  During high school years there was still many other “sins” or “acts” that will send us all to hell.

Most Christians know the 10 Commandments. They are good and I like and agree with them. But my faith takes it quite a bit further. I have heard many times, especially in a talk I heard in the Missionary Training Center (Also known as the MTC. This is where Mormon missionaries receive training before leaving for missionary service.) This talk I heard in the MTC talked about not wearing the Mormon garments day and night, will send you to hell. The Church Leader giving the talk would make comments such as…. “It’s hot doing yard work in the summer as I wear my garments, an extra layer of clothing when it’s 100 degrees outside. But it’s not as hot as hell. “   This gentleman continued to make comments about how nothings is as hot as hell.  It was a lame talk.  As Mormon, I am constantly told of all the things that will send me to hell… Don’t drink coffee or you go to hell. Don’t use bad language, or you go to hell. Anger will send you to hell. Not following the commandments will send you to hell.  Now this commandment issue is not so easy, because Mormons have a lot of extra added commandments that other faiths don’t have and some of these added commandments have changed over time. (Kind of difficult when the Mormon Church teaches Christ’s Church never changes.)  Let’s see, what else is there I can briefly mention…. If you don’t go to church, you go to hell. If you don’t give of your free time to the church, you go to hell. If you don’t follow the Prophets words, you go to hell. (This one too is also difficult to follow because leaders throughout the church history have changed various Mormon teachings teachings.)

There is a book that a Mormon Prophet wrote, it’s called “The Miracle of Forgiveness”.  I read this book once, and believe me, only once. I will never pick that book up again. It has quite a few chapters, maybe around 18 or 20, if I remember right. All but the last couple of chapters talk about going to hell and all the things that will send a person to hell. I read the book and couldn’t put it down because I was quite fascinated by it. I read the book in 2 days. I closed it at the end, and I came to the conclusions that according to that book, nobody will ever be worthy enough to go to heaven. Hopefully anyone who has read that book may have gotten a different message from it that I did, but that’s what I felt the entire time I read the book; everybody is going to hell and no one will ever be worthy to enter back into God’s presence.  The last couple of chapters talk about the love Jesus has for us and the Atonement; but having the rest of the chapters calling everyone an unworthy sinner going to hell, I didn’t want to read it again.

Now I can’t say the only thing I learn at church or in my studies is all doom and gloom. There is a lot of good things taught each week in church. But, my favorite Pastor to listen too, and he is not Mormon, is Joel Osteen. My friend introduced me to his sermons on TV a few years ago.  Let me tell you, Joel Osteen only talks about the love God and Jesus Chris has for everyone. And his messages are filled with encouragement and hope for everyone. I love hearing messages that Joel Osteen gives. Don’t get me wrong, I get good messages at my church also, but the focus at times of hearing all the things that will send me to hell throughout the years has really made me think if that’s the message Jesus wants to constantly reveal. I prefer the messages to forgive myself and others. I also prefer the messages of encouragement also. Do better and God is always there to help us, that’s the message I like.  I’ve never heard Mr. Osteen tell me in a sermon of his of all the things we go to hell for.

Now I think most people know the difference between right and wrong. I don’t feel like we need to constantly be reminded about going to hell. I get it, I’m not perfect. But I do believe that being a good person and helping those in need and work hard at following in Christs footsteps are the things that will send us back to heaven.  I am ending this blog entry so I can go make myself a Caramel Vanilla Latte with Espresso, and I guess in some peoples eyes….. I am drinking espresso  and currently on my way to Hell.