Alma
26 verses
My son, I have something more to say to you, because I see that you are concerned about the resurrection of the dead.
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.
I tell you that there is no resurrection—in other words, this mortal body does not become immortal, and this corruptible body does not become incorruptible—until after the coming of Christ.
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.
He brings about the resurrection of the dead. But, my son, the resurrection has not happened yet. Now, I will explain a mystery to you; however, there are many mysteries that are kept hidden, and no one knows them except God himself. But I will show you one thing that I have asked God about diligently so I could understand—it is about the resurrection.
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.
There is a set time when everyone will rise from the dead. No one knows when this will happen, except God, who knows the appointed time.
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.
Whether there will be one time, a second time, or a third time when people will come forth from the dead, it doesn't matter; God knows all these things, and it's enough for me to know that this is true—that there is a set time when everyone will rise from the dead.
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.
There must be a period of time between death and the resurrection.
Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection.
Now I want to ask what happens to the souls of people from the time of death until the time set for the resurrection.
And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
Whether there is more than one time set for people to be resurrected doesn’t matter, because everyone doesn’t die at the same time, and that doesn’t matter either. Everything is like one day to God, and time is only measured for people.
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.
There is a set time when people will rise from the dead, and there is a period between death and the resurrection. I have asked the Lord carefully about what happens to the souls of people during this time, and this is what I know.
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.
And when the time comes for everyone to be resurrected, they will know that God knows all the times appointed for each person.
And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
Now, about the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—it has been made known to me by an angel that the spirits of all people, as soon as they leave this mortal body, whether they are good or evil, are taken home to the God who gave them life.
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.
The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise—a state of rest and peace—where they will rest from all their troubles, care, and sorrow.
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.
Then the spirits of the wicked, those who are evil—for they have no part or share of the Spirit of the Lord, because they chose evil works instead of good—will have the spirit of the devil enter into them and take possession of their souls. These will be cast out into outer darkness, where there will be weeping, wailing, and grinding of teeth, and this will happen because of their own sins, being led captive by the will of the devil.
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.
This is the state of the souls of the wicked: they are in darkness, in a terrible and fearful anticipation of the fiery anger of God's wrath upon them. They remain in this state, just as the righteous remain in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.
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.
Some people have thought that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul before the resurrection was the first resurrection. I admit it could be called a resurrection—the raising of the spirit or the soul and their assignment to happiness or misery, according to what has been said.
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.
It has also been said that there is a first resurrection—a resurrection of all those who have lived, who are living, or who will live, up until the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
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.
We do not believe that this first resurrection, as described, is the resurrection where souls are assigned to happiness or misery. You cannot think that this is what it means.
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.
No, it means the reuniting of the soul with the body, for everyone from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ.
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.
Whether the souls and bodies of those I've mentioned will all be reunited at the same time, both the wicked and the righteous, I do not say; it's enough for me to say that they will all be resurrected. In other words, their resurrection happens before the resurrection of those who die after Christ’s resurrection.
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.
Now, my son, I’m not saying that their resurrection happens at the resurrection of Christ; but in my opinion, the souls and bodies of the righteous are reunited at the resurrection of Christ and his ascension into heaven.
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.
But whether it happens at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but I do say this: there is a period between death and the resurrection of the body, and during that time the soul exists in either happiness or misery until the time God has appointed for the dead to rise, be reunited both soul and body, and stand before God to be judged according to their works.
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.
This brings about the restoration of the things that have been spoken of by the prophets.
Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
The soul will be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; every limb and joint will be restored to its body; even a hair of the head will not be lost; everything will be restored to its proper and perfect form.
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.
Now, my son, this is the restoration that has been spoken of by the prophets—
And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
Then the righteous will shine in the kingdom of God.
And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.
But an awful death comes upon the wicked; for they die concerning things of righteousness, because they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God. They are cast out and assigned to receive the results of their actions, which have been evil, and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
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.