Sin Against the Holy Ghost

The sin against the Holy Ghost, in Latter-day Saint belief, is the only sin that will keep a person out of heaven. People who commit the sin against the Holy Ghost are doomed to "Outer Darkness," or hell, for eternity after their resurrection. Latter-day Saints believe in the principle of eternal progression, and those who commit this sin are stopped in their progression. Cain was the first person to commit this sin, and he is a son of perdition, condemned to Outer Darkness.

In order to commit the sin against the Holy Ghost, a person must have experienced a personal visit from the Savior Himself, not in vision, but in His very presence, and then deny the Christ, thus crucifying Him anew. Thus, those who commit this sin are in a way fallen prophets.

Scriptures that discuss the sin against the Holy Ghost are

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven: Matt. 12:31. (Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; Doctrine and Covenants 132:27.)

Sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge: Heb. 10:26.

Received the baptism of fire . . . after this should deny me: 2 Nephi 31:14 Book of Mormon.

Deny . . . the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit: Jacob 6:8.

Committed the unpardonable sin . . . lied unto God: Jacob 7:19.

Cometh out in open rebellion against God: Mosiah 2:37.

Deny the Holy Ghost . . . sin which is unpardonable: Alma 39:6.

Spirit hath ceased . . . they are denying the Holy Ghost: Moroni 8:28.

See also Heb. 6:6; Alma 24:30; Doctrine & Covenants 76:35

Note that Peter did not commit the sin against the Holy Ghost when he denied knowing the Savior. He never did deny that Jesus is the Savior.

Note also that in heaven there are "many mansions," or levels, and that there are three main kingdoms, barely touched upon by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42, but seen in vision by Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, as described in Doctrine and Covenants 76.

Most Christian faiths hold that only their own followers will make it to heaven, and non-believers in Christ have no chance of making it there or "being saved." The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed to modern prophets by Christ Himself, is the most inclusive and loving doctrine in all of Christianity, holding that nearly all of mankind will be saved, except those rare few who commit the sin against the Holy Ghost. The higher covenants and ordinances of Latter-day Saint temples are for those who desire to enter God's full presence in the highest kingdom, the Celestial. In their vision of the kingdoms of heaven, Sidney and Joseph proclaimed that even the very lowest was glorious beyond description.