Alma 40

(All of my own thoughts are in red type 8/20 Green 5/21 yellow green 5/21 8/22 Brown 9/23)

CHAPTER 40

Christ brings to pass the resurrection of all men—The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection—All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection. About 74 B.C.

  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. It’s always good to be concerned about the next life...no, not just good, but critical! Seems like King Lamoni or his father were worried about this too. Is it common for the "sinner" to worry about the next life? 
  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—his definition of resurrection until after the coming of Christ. Someone at Education Week taught that the Spirit World is part of our Second Estate. The last part of this statement "...this corruption does not put on incorruption" until the resurrection, sounds like it could mean that we are still learning, repenting, subject to temptation until we are resurrected. Just a thought...
  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. What we don’t know is much greater than what we do know. This one fact should keep us humble and diligently seeking.  But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning the resurrection. What is the process of inquiring diligently?
  4 Behold, there is a time appointed Already determined; set 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. He "asked and he received"
 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 has been made known unto me by an angel, wow! That is quite an answer to prayer! 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. I like this teaching. I wonder how long this visit is. It seems like this meeting with God would enhance the feelings of hell for those who then have to go to Spirit Prison or be buffeted by Satan still...
 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. I think this is the hope of those who take their own life. They think they will be able to rest from all their troubles, cares and sorrow. I’m not sure that is the case...
 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— this is proof right here that we can literally be possessed by the devil when we choose evil. I think most people don’t believe this or feel like it is very rare, when it’s very common. So much of the confusion in the world is a result of people being possessed by these “lying spirits” 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. What is being captive by the will of the devil if not possession by evil spirits?
 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. What about the preaching to the Spirits in prison? What if they are converted? Do they still remain in prison until their resurrection? If spirits have already been resurrected, what is the "morning of the first resurrection"? I understand that if all is as one day to God, so that "morning" can be a looooong time, but I've always thought of the "morning" of the first resurrection as being at the time of His coming...
 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 who have been, or who are, or who 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 reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ. So, there is a resurrection of those in spirit prison? Are they still taught the gospel after this time or has that already been enough time to teach those who are willing to listen? Is it a kind of pre-judgment time? Is their judgment day the day of their resurrection? I think he said in vs 17 that it’s not tied to their final judgment. 
 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. For the righteous, that means there could be a lot of ministering angels that are resurrected beings. 
 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.
 21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say;  This is a little confusing. Seems like he’s saying he knows, but then he doesn’t know...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.
 22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has 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 their 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.