The Book of Mormon
~73 BC

Alma 40

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.

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.

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 shew unto you one thing, which I have inquired diligently of God, that I might know; that is, concerning the resurrection.

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.

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.

6

Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death, and the time of the resurrection.

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?

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;

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.

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.

11

Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection. Behold, it hath 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.

12

And then shall it come to pass that the spirits of those which 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, &c.

13

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, which 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.

14

Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked; yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for of 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.

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.

16

And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection; a resurrection of all those which have been, or which are, or which shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

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.

18

Behold, I say unto you Nay; but it meaneth the re-uniting of the soul with the body of those from the days of Adam, down to the resurrection of Christ.

19

Now whether the souls and the bodies of those of which have been spoken, shall all be re-united 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 which die after the resurrection of Christ.

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 re-united, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into Heaven.

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 re-united, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works;

22

yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which have been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.

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 its proper and perfect frame.

24

And now my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets:

25

And then shall the righteous shine forth in the Kingdom of God.

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.

Influences

  • 40:1 — Luke 8:46 (KJV)
    And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
  • 40:1 — Matthew 22:31 (KJV)
    But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
  • 40:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:12 (KJV)
    Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
  • 40:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:53 (KJV)
    For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
  • 40:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:54 (KJV)
    So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
  • 40:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:54 (KJV)
    So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
  • 40:2 — 1 Corinthians 15:54 (KJV)
    So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
  • 40:4 — Luke 16:15 (KJV)
    And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
  • 40:4 — Luke 3:13 (KJV)
    And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  • 40:5 — John 10:16 (KJV)
    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
  • 40:5 — John 21:14 (KJV)
    This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
  • 40:5 — Mark 12:25 (KJV)
    For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
  • 40:11 — Westminster Confession chapter 32
    Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead.
  • 40:11 — Acts 17:18 (KJV)
    Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
  • 40:11 — Westminster Confession chapter 32:1
    The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls, (which neither die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledgeth none.
  • 40:12 — Westminster Confession chapter 32:1
    The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls, (which neither die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledgeth none.
  • 40:13 — Westminster Confession chapter 32:1
    The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls, (which neither die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledgeth none.
  • 40:13 — Matthew 4:1 (KJV)
    Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
  • 40:13 — Westminster Confession chapter 32:1
    The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption;a but their souls, (which neither die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them.b The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies;c and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.d Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledgeth none.
  • 40:13 — Matthew 22:13 (KJV)
    Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  • 40:14 — Westminster Confession 32:1
    The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption; but their souls, (which neither die nor sleep,) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the scripture acknowledgeth none.
  • 40:14 — Hebrews 10:27 (KJV)
    But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
  • 40:14 — Ephesians 5:6 (KJV)
    Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
  • 40:16 — Acts 24:15 (KJV)
    And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
  • 40:16 — Acts 2:31 (KJV)
    He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
  • 40:20 — Westminster Confession chapter 32:1
    At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up, with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls for ever.
  • 40:21 — Matthew 27:53 (KJV)
    And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
  • 40:21 — Revelation 20:13 (KJV)
    And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
  • 40:25 — Matthew 13:43 (KJV)
    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • 40:26 — 1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
    Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Alma 39Alma 41