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Annotations |
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Chapter 40
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1 Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee;
for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the
dead.
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2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no
resurrection—or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put
on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the
coming of Christ.
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3 Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the
dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you
a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one
knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have
inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the
resurrection.
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4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come
forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth
the time which is appointed.
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5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time,
or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not;
for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is
the case—that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.
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6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of
death and the time of the resurrection.
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7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of
men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
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8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for
men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth
not; all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.
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9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they
shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and
the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of
the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to
know; and this is the thing of which I do know.
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10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then
shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
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11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and
the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the
spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea,
the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that
God who gave them life.
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12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of
those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is
called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest
from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
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13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of
the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion
of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than
good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take
possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness;
there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because
of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.
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Spirits of the wicked go to outer darkness before the
resurrection. On the surface this seems to contradict current teachings that
outer darkness is reserved for the likes of Satan and his minions after the
spirit world. I think the language is squishy enough here that it’s just a
matter of nomenclature rather than a hard contradiction. I don’t see this as
a problem unless someone insists on this being the same outer darkness where
perdition resides.
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14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea,
in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation
of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the
righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.
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15 Now, there are some that have understood that this
state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the
resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a
resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to
happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken.
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16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a
first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who
are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
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Alma 40:16-19
Clearly states that the first resurrection will be of all those who
died until the resurrection of Christ, and that all others who die
after that point will be resurrected after the resurrection of those who died
up to the resurrection of Christ.
Yet, “The resurrection of the just precedes the resurrection of the unjust
(see 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; D&C 88:97-102; Revelation 20:5-6)”
(Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, Chapter 32: The Resurrection and the Judgment).
(Also, see this Gospel Library image, “The Resurrection”)
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17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection,
which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and
their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is
what it meaneth.
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Annotation for Alma 40:16-19 above
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18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the
reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to
the resurrection of Christ.
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Annotation for Alma 40:16-19 above
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19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom
has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the
righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come
forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the
resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.
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Annotation for Alma 40:16-19 above
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20 Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection
cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion,
that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the
resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.
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21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do
not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the
resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery
until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and
be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be
judged according to their works.
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22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those
things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
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23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to
the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea,
even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored
to their proper and perfect frame.
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24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has
been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
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25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom
of God.
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26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for
they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are
unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are
cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their
works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
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