One of the biggest mysteries that the scriptures reveal to us is what happens after we die. In this post, we will examine exactly what the scriptures teach us concerning life after death.
a.) When someone dies they go to the Spirit world where they live on.
First, we know that when someone dies they go to a world of Spirits where they live on. According to the Gospel Principles Manual: "Heavenly Father prepared a plan for our salvation. As part of this plan, He sent us from His presence to live on earth and receive mortal bodies of flesh and blood. Eventually our mortal bodies will die, and our spirits will go to the spirit world. The spirit world is a place of waiting, working, learning, and, for the righteous, resting from care and sorrow. Our spirits will live there until we are ready for our resurrection."
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord promises His saints that those who are righteous will have a sweet death while those who are wicked will have a bitter death: "And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them; And they that die not in me, wo unto them, for their death is bitter." (D&C 42: 46-47)
The world of spirits is mentioned numerous times throughout the scriptures. In the Old Testament, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes teaches: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Eccl 12: 7)
Jesus Himself testified of the Spirit World on numerous occasions. While dying on the cross, the Lord told a repentant thief that He would visite the spirit world and minister to him on that very day. (Luke 23: 43) Prior to His crucifixion, the Lord had also declared that He would preach the Gospel to those who were in the spirit world. In John 5: 25-29 the Lord declares: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live...Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
The Apostle Peter testified that Jesus really did visit the Spirit world and administer to those spirits that were there. In 1 Peter 3: 18-20 we read: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah." (1 Peter 3: 18-20)
And on another occasion, Peter also taught: "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1 Peter 4: 6)
President Joseph F. Smith saw in a vision that immediately after Jesus Christ was crucified, He visited the righteous in the spirit world. President Smith saw that He appointed messengers, gave them power and authority, and commissioned them to "carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men." (D&C 138:30)
The Book of Mormon prophet Alma clarified that there are two major divisions in the post-mortal world of Spirits called Paradise and outer darkness. Alma wrote: "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.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. 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." (Alma 40: 11-13)
b.) The righteous who die enjoy paradise in the Spirit World.
As we just read in Alma, the righteous who die enjoy living in paradise in the spirit world. In the Book of Revelation John declares: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev 14:13)
Isaiah similarly testified that when the righteous die they enter into a state of peace: "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness." (Isaiah 57:1-2)
The Psalmist also asks us to consider that man's life is short and temporary but those that fear God are given eternal life through His mercy: "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." (Psalms 103: 15-19)
In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that Paradise is a place where the righteous rest from their labors and await the crown they will receive in the mansions of the Father: "Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments. For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them." (D&C 59: 1-2)
c.) When the wicked die they are sent to Spirit Prison and endure Hell for a period of time.
In contrast to Paradise, when the wicked die they are sent to Spirit Prison and endure Hell for a period of time. According to the Gospel Principles Manual: "In the spirit prison are the spirits of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. If they accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples, they may leave the spirit prison and dwell in paradise. Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it was preached to them either on earth or in the spirit prison. These spirits suffer in a condition known as hell. After suffering for their sins, they will be allowed, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is the Telestial kingdom."
As mentioned above, Alma wrote of those in spirit prison: "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." (Alma 40: 11-13)
The Book of Job warns of the terrible fate that awaits the wicked who die in their sins: "The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place." (Job 27: 19-21)
Similarly, in Psalms we learn that the people of wicked nations will be thrust down to hell: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah." (Psalms 9: 17-20)
Those in Hell have removed themselves from the mercy of Jesus Christ, who said, "Behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit." (D&C 19:16- 18)
Satan has no power over righteous spirits ins Paradise but he still does have power over those in Spirit Prison. Brigham Young taught: "Lucifer and the third part of the heavenly hosts that came with him, and the spirits of wicked men who have dwelt upon this earth, the whole of them combined will have no influence over the righteous spirits. All the other spirits of the children of men are still subject to them as they were in the flesh. They will go into a world of spirits where they will have a greater contest with the devils than ever you had with them here."
d.) The wicked endure the Sufferings of Hell
Unfortunately, those who go to hell experience intense suffering. In his book "Life Everlasting" Duane S. Crowther teaches that the suffering in Hell is at least partially caused by the following factors:
1.) A Bright Recollection of Guilt: They will have a bright recollection of all their guilt, which will kindle in them a flame like that of an unquenchable fire, creating in their bosoms a feeling of torment, pain and misery, because they have sinned against their own father and their own God, and rejected his counsels.
2.) Fear of Judgment of God: This is the punishment of the wicked; Their doubt, anxiety and suspense cause weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.
3.) Knowledge they failed to achieve their full potential-to know that thy come short of the glory that others enjoy, and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers.
4. Misery of Evil Companionship: He sees misery and wretchedness and they cleave one to another in their wickedness. They are destitute of love; they have ceased to love god; they have ceased to have pure love one towards another; they have ceased to love that which is good. Each desires to make each other miserable like himself. For the want of love, the torment of each is complete. They will become angels to these infernal fiends, being captivated by them, and compelled to act as they do.
5.) Inability to Progress: Alma speaks of: "The night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." (Alma 34:8)
6.) Inability to fulfill Lustful Desires- Though not having a body, these spirits will still lust for these acts they never conquered in the flesh but will not be able to fulfill these desires. These spirits will attempt to seize mortal bodies or return to wicked places and view these evil acts.
7.) Loss of Agency and the light of Christ. Spiritual Death to righteous things.
e.) Spirit World Hell Ends with the Second Resurrection
According to the Gospel Principles Manual: "Hell does not last forever. They will suffer all the Lord can demand at their hands, or justice can require of them' and when they have suffered the wrath of God till the utmost farthing is paid, they will be brought out of prison. Every person who does not become an angel to the devil will inherit a kingdom of glory."
f.) Vicarious Temple Ordinances allow for the release of spirits from spirit prison.
As alluded to earlier, vicarious Temple Ordinances allow for the release of spirits from spirit prison. In D&C 128:22 it is written: "Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that [baptism for the dead] which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free."
Joseph Smith also taught: "God has administrators in the eternal world to release those spirits from Prison. The ordinances being administered by proxy upon them, the law is fulfilled." [Joseph Smith, The Words of Joseph Smith. A. Ehat, and L. Cook (Ed.s). Provo, UT: Grandin, 1991, p. 372]
g.) Some don't die but are instantly physically translated to an immortal physical being. Others are already exalted.
However, the scriptures also reveal that not everybody dies and goes to the post-mortal spirit world but some people are instantly "translated" into an immortal physical being. For example, Elijah did not taste of death but was instead brought to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire. (2 Kings: 1-2)
Jesus said of John the Beloved: "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." (John 21:22) The Doctrine & Covenants expounds upon the translation of John in section 7:6: "Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth." (D&C 7:6)
The Three Nephites were also Translated: "Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world. Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them." (3 Nephi 28: 38-39)
The city of Zion in Enoch's Day was raised into heaven. In D&C 38:4 the Lord says: "I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom." Similarly in D&C 45:12-14 the Lord says this of Zion: "Who were separated from the earth, and were received unto myself-a city reserved until a day of righteousness shall come-a day which was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not because of wickedness and abominations; And confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth; But obtained a promise that they should find it and see it in their flesh." (D&C 45:12-14)
D&C 129:1-3 also clarifies that there are two kinds of heavenly beings: angels who are resurrected with bodies and the spirits of just men made perfect who will inherit the same glory. (D&C 129:1-3)
While some have been translated, the scriptures tell us that the ancient Saints have already been exalted. In D&C 132:37 we read: "And because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods." (D&C 132:37)
h.) Where Is the Post mortal Spirit World?
We also know that the location of the Post-Mortal Spirit world. President Brigham Young taught that the post mortal spirit world is on the earth, around us (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 279).
i.) What Is the Nature of Our Spirits?
From the scriptures we learn that spirit beings have the same bodily form as mortals except that the spirit body is in perfect form (Ether 3:16). We also know that spirits carry with them from earth their attitudes of devotion or antagonism toward things of righteousness (Alma 34:34). They have the same appetites and desires that they had when they lived on earth.
This doctrine is also taught in D&C 130: 18-19 which reads: "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." (D&C 130: 18-19)
Joseph F. Smith taught that all spirits are in adult form. He said: "They were adults before their mortal existence, and they are in adult form after death, even if they die as infants or children." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 131-32)
We also know that having a physical body is a great blessing and the dead look upon absence from their bodies as bondage: "For the dead had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage." (D&C 138:50)
j.) What Are the Conditions in the Post mortal Spirit World?
We also know a little bit about what the post-mortal spirit world is like. We know that people live in families in the Spirit World and social life in the spirit world is similar to that on earth: "And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy." (D&C 130:2)
We also know that the Church is organized in the spirit world, and priesthood holders continue their responsibilities there (see D&C 138:30). President Wilford Woodruff taught: "The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the veil. ... Every Apostle, every Seventy, every Elder, etc., who has died in the faith as soon as he passes to the other side of the veil, enters into the work of the ministry." (Deseret News, Jan. 25, 1882, 818)
President Joseph F. Smith's vision of the Spirit world is contained in D&C section 138. From this vision we learn that the spirits are classified according to the purity of their lives and their obedience to the will of the Lord while on earth. The righteous and the wicked are separated (1 Nephi 15:28-30), but the spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison (see D&C 138).
When Jesus visited the Spirit World He organized His servants there to proclaim the gospel to the dead. He didn't personally visit the wicked:. President Smith said: "And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them; But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead." (D&C 138: 29-30) President Smith saw Adam, Eve, Abel, Seth, Noah and all the Patriarchs in the Spirit World.
When we die, we continue the work of salvation with the dead in the spirit world. President Smith continues: "I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead. The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation." (D&C 138: 57-59)
And finally, Elder Neal A. Maxwell has also taught us that a veil still exists in the post-mortal spirit world. He taught: "The veil of forgetfulness of the first estate apparently will not be suddenly, automatically, and totally removed at the time of our temporal death. This veil, a condition of our entire second estate, is associated with and is part of our time of mortal trial, testing, proving, and overcoming by faith- and thus will continue in some key respects into the spirit world." (Neal A. Maxwell The Promise of Discipleship, p. 111)
k.) Types of Spirits that Minister on Earth
We also know that spirits in the spirit world sometimes still interact with the living. There are 3 types of Spirits that minister to us on earth:
1. Pre-Mortal spirits: These are spirit bodies in human form that have not yet received a body.
2. Translated Beings: Beings who have obtained deliverance from the tortures and sufferings of the body, but their existence will prolong as to the labors and toils of the ministry, before they can enter into so great a rest and glory. There is no difference from the mortal and the translated being in the human eye. Therefore some have entertained angels "unaware". (https://ldsmag.com/article-1-200/)
3. Righteous men made perfect: These are post mortal spirits who have died and have been made perfect.
l.) Four Trumps or Resurrections
The Spirit World will not last forever as God has ordained that all will be resurrected: "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." (Alma 40:9)
There are four different times that people will be resurrected which are referred to as "trumps."
1. First Trump- The Saints on the Earth shall be quickened, also those in their graves shall come forth. These will inherit Celestial and Terrestrial Kingdoms.
2. Second Trump-The redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming, those who received Christ in spiritual prison.
3. Third Trump- Here come the spirits of men who are to be judged and condemned. They live not again for a thousand years.
4. Fourth Trump- These are they who will remain filthy still to the last day. (Gospel Principles)
m.) No righteous man dies before his time.
While everyone must die, Joseph Fielding Smith has promised that no righteous man dies before his time. He said: "No righteous man is ever taken before his time. In the case of the faithful Saints, they are simply transferred to other fields of labor. The Lord's work goes on in this life, in the world of spirits, and in the kingdoms of glory where men go after their resurrection." (The funeral services of Elder Richard L. Evans, Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 10) Joseph Fielding Smith