“Even As Was the Son of Perdition”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
The question frequently arises regarding the eternal status of Judas Iscariot. Was he a son of perdition as we understand that title? President Joseph F. Smith observed: “Now, if Judas really had known God’s power, and had partaken thereof, and did actually ’deny the truth’ and ’defy’ that power, ’having denied the Holy Ghost after he had received it, ’ and also ’denied the Only Begotten, ’ after God had ’revealed him’ unto him, then there can he no doubt that he ’will die the second death.’”

“They Are Led Away Captive by Him Even as Was the Son of Perdition”

That Judas did partake of all this knowledge—that these great truths had been revealed to him—that he had received the Holy Spirit by the gift of God and was therefore qualified to commit the unpardonable sin, is not at all clear to me. To my mind it strongly appears that not one of the disciples possessed sufficient light, knowledge nor wisdom, at the time of the crucifixion, for either exaltation or condemnation; for it was afterward that their minds were opened to understand the scriptures, and that they were endowed with power from on high; without which they were only children in knowledge, in comparison to what they afterwards become under the influence of the Spirit. (Gospel Doctrine p. 433, see also p. 20.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has likewise written: Jesus’ ministry where the Twelve are concerned has succeeded. He has cared for the spiritual well-being of the souls entrusted to him. Only Judas has been lost; and even he, though a son or follower of Satan, who is perdition, as we have heretofore seen, is probably not a son of perdition in the sense of eternal damnation.“ (Mortal Messiah 4:112-13; see also pp. 198, 202.)”

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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