THOMAS - Could you explain what you think the term "The buffetings of Satan", especially as it pertains to someone whom has been married eternally in the temple and then falls into transgression as it pertains to the "everlasting covenant". From the time of death to the time of redemption, the Doctrine of Covenants mentions that those individuals will have to endure the buffetings of Satan. (What severity of transgressions would bring on this state of post existence?)

JOEL - There are a few scriptures that mention the "buffetings of Satan"(D&C 78:12, 82:21, 104:9), but I assume the one you are refering to is the following from D&C 132:

"26. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.
27 The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord."

Verse 26 is a hard one to understand. Many people think that is is saying that once a couple are joined into the everlasting covenant of marriage, they will obtain exaltation no matter what sins they commit(except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost - murder). It is true they can eventually enter into their exaltation, but if they do commit sin against the marriage covenant, the most important one being that of adultery, they must repent of that sin and then during this life and after death they will have to experience some suffering for the sin(buffetings of Satan), before they are exalted.
Repentence is not mentioned in verse 26 but according to many other scriptures on the subject it is certainly required.
Adultery against the marriage covenant is a capitol offense and God has said that no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven.(1 Ne. 15: 34) . Even though Christ indeed atoned and suffered for our sins so that we would not have to suffer eternally for them, we will still have to suffer through some torment and anguish in this life and in the spirit world for a period of time for a sin as grievous as adultery against the marriage covenant. Paul the Apostle confirmed this when he said this about fornicators:

"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1 Cor. 5:5)

To avoid this suffering it is important for temple married people to remain clean of grievous sin(especially adultery) and seek forgiveness for all sins we do commit. I have seen no specific list of other sins that might cause us to suffer, but I would assume any of those sins that would cause us to be excommunicated from the church might qualify.

Acording to Bruce R. McConkie:
"To be turned over to the buffetings of Satan is to be given into his hands; it is to be turned over to him with all the protective power of the priesthood, of righteousness, and of godliness removed, so that Lucifer is free to torment, persecute, and afflict such a person without let or hindrance. When the bars are down, the cuffs and curses of Satan, both in this world and in the world to come, bring indescribable anguish typified by burning fire and brimstone. The damned in hell so suffer" (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 108).

Commenting on verse 26, Joseph Fielding Smith said:
"Here is something which those who contend that the Lord has granted immunity from their sins to some [the claim is made by some who have been married in the temple], if they have received certain sealings by the Holy Spirit of promise, have overlooked in this passage. I call attention to these two things. If covenants are broken and enormous sins are committed, but not unto death, there are certain punishments to be inflicted. The mere confession is not enough; the sinners are:
1—to 'be destroyed in the flesh'; and
2—to 'be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption.'
"Who in the world is so foolish as to wish to sin with the hope of forgiveness, if such a penalty is to be inflicted? No one but a fool! . . . "Who wishes to endure such torment? No one but a fool! I have seen their anguish. I have heard their pleadings for relief and their pitiful cries that they cannot endure the torment. This was in this life. Add to that, the torment in the spirit world before the redemption comes—all of this, mark you, coming after severe and humble repentance!" (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:96-97).

Return to top

Return to Questions

HOME