The major Christian churches that believe in a place called hell refer to it as a place of endless burnings and punishment. The leaders of these churches evidently get this belief partially from their interpretation of such scriptures as Luke 16:28 (where hell is referred to as a “place of torment”) and from Matthew 13:42 (where hell is referred to as a “furnace of fire,” where there will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth”). However, the exact wording that hell is a place “where people are continually burning but are never consumed” is not found in the scriptures; largely this concept comes from false interpretations by men. In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord has explained what is meant by the terms “endless torment” and “eternal damnation”:
Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory.
Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.
I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.
For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.
Endless punishment is God’s punishment. (D&C 19:6-12. Italics added.)
The Book of Mormon indicates that hell as a place is not a place of eternal fire. However, the feeling of guilt, pain, and anguish that the sinner feels is “like an unquenchable fire” (Mosiah 2:38), and his torment is “as a lake of fire and brimstone” (Mosiah 3:27).