I thought you were a Mormon Scratch? In that case, I would expect you to know the answer to this question, as its rudimentary doctrine for which there is no ambiguity or imprecision in our scriptures or the writings of the General Authorities.
Or is my first assumption mistaken?
Certainly, I have my own ideas about how to answer the question. I was merely curious what others thought. Apparently, as per Nehor, there seems to be some confusion (or "waffling") on the issue of whether or not apostasy merits Outer Darkness. The fact that no one seems willing to provide a straight, scripturally/doctrinally-supported answer (aside from Jason's D&C citation) seems to suggest that there is, indeed, some "confusion"---perhaps not in the scriptures themselves, but amongst the rank-and-file.
My .02 is that Nehor's interpretation is the stereotypically watered down TBM reading of that D&C passage. TBMs are terrified at the thought that non-LDS---and in particular prospective converts---might learn about this "roach motel" aspect of Mormonism: I.e., once you're in, you either have to stay in, or suffer the absolutely worst version of hell imagninable. No doubt the Church's PR folks are extremely worried that non-LDS might find out that they will all be headed to suffer the supreme torments of temporary hell.
The bottom line is that "hell" is another part of LDS theology that most TBMs are utterly embarrassed about. This is perhaps the apotheosis of the "meat" that is supposed to be kept away from investigators and non-Mormons.
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Well let's look at the passage:
D&C 76:30-39
30 And we saw a vision of the sufferings of those with whom he made war and overcame, for thus came the voice of the Lord unto us:
31 Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my 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 my power—
32 They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born;
33 For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity;
34 Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—
35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.
36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—
37 And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power;
38 Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath.
39 For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made.
I guess it depends on how one interprets the bolded parts. What does it mean to know his power, be a partakers and then to be overcome by the devil? What does it mean to deny the spirit after one receives it and crucify Christ unto ones self. Does apostasy meant that?
I have never understood it as such nor have I ever been taught that. I have been taught that this will be very limited and that one must have a perfect knowledge of Christ and reject him for this to apply. I do recall one quite somewhere in the 19th century that indicated some of those involved in the foundations of the LDS Church that left might be in this situation.
However, I think if you read about those who end up in the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms you can conclude that it is not as rash as you seem to depict it. The terrestrial kingdom receives those who had a testimony but were not valiant in it. That is perhaps members who were not valiant or turned away. The telestial has murderers and thieves and so on. It seems that apostates at worst would be there.
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