[soc.religion.christian] After life part 1

slhw4@cc.usu.edu (Jason Hunsaker) (04/06/91)

Number 1 of 2 postings

(The following is from the student manual "Doctrines of the
Gospel" for Religion 231 and 232 prepared by the Church
Educational System and published by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.  For the sake of brevity, I have omitted the
Introduction, and the Supporting Statements.)

Chapter 30 (pp.83)
Death and the Postmortal Spirit World

Doctrinal Outline
A. Physical death is a universal condition and is part of the
   plan of salvation.
   1. Everyone must eventually die (see Romans 5:12; Alma
      12:24, 27; 2 Nephi 9:6).
   2. At death the body and the spirit separate for a time
      (see James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7).
   3. The fall of Adam brought death onto this earth (see 
      2 Nephi 2:22-25; Moses 6:48; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
   4. Through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus
      Christ, we will eventually overcome death (see Alma
      7:10-12: 11:42; 2 Nephi 9:6, 11; 2 Timothy 1:10;
      Mormon 9:13).
   5. We need not fear death (see Alma 27:28; D&C 42:46;
      101:36).

B. At death our spirits enter the world of spirits to await
   the resurrection.
   1. At death the spirit returns to a spiritual realm (see
      Alma 40:11; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 2 Nephi 9:38).
   2. The spirits of the righteous enter a state of paradise
      (see Alma 40:12, 14; 4 Nephi 1:14; Moroni 10:34;
      2 Nephi 9:13).
   3. The spirits of the wicked enter a state of
      unhappiness, or misery (see Alma 40:13-14;
      1 Nephi 15:29; D&C 76:103-106).
   4. In the postmortal spirit world the gospel is preached
      to "all the spirits of men" (see D&C 138:30; see also
      1 Peter 3:18-21; 4:6; D&C 138:28-38).

Chapter 31 (pp.85)
The Redemption of the Dead

Doctrinal Outline
A. In accordance with the plan of salvation, everyone will
   at some time hear the gospel.  See Doctrine and Covenants
   1:2, 4; 90:11.

B. The way has been opened for those who die without the
   gospel to receive it.
   1. After his crucifixion and before his resurrection,
      the Savior preached the gospel to the righteous in the
      spirit world and sent messengers to preach to the
      spirits of the wicked (see 1 Peter 3:18-20;
      D&C 138:18-21, 27-30).
   2. The gospel is preached to the dead so that they can be
      judged by the same standard that will be used to judge
      those who hear the gospel in mortality (see 1 Peter
      4:6; D&C 138:31-34, 57; 76:73).
   3. Those who would have received the gospel in this life
      had the opportunity been given them will inherit the
      celestial kingdom (see D&C 137:7-8).

C. Ordinances performed vicariously provide the dead with
   the opportunity to receive full salvation.
   1. Those who desire to enter the celestial kingdom must
      receive the essential ordinances of the gospel (see
      Articles of Faith 1:3; D&C 138:58; 132:4-6; 131:1-4).
   2. Ordinances performed in mortality by the power of the
      priesthood are valid both here and in the spirit world
      (see D&C 128:8-9; 132:46; Matthew 16:19).
   3. The Lord has commanded that vicarious baptisms be
      performed to enable those who receive the gospel in
      the spirit world to enter his kingdom (see
      1 Corinthians 15:29; D&C 128:1, 5; 138:32-33).

D. Latter-day Saints have the authority and the
   responsibility to preform temple ordinances in behalf of
   the dead.
   1. Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple
      and restored the power to seal through priesthood
      ordinances the fathers to the children, both the
      living and the dead (see D&C 110:13-15; Malachi 4:5-6;
      D&C 2).
   2. Latter-day Israel cannot be made perfect without doing
      the ordinance work for their dead, nor can the dead be
      made perfect without this work having been done for
      them (see D&C 128:15, 18, 22; Hebrews 11:40).
   3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and
      its members have the responsibility to keep a record
      of the work done in behalf of the dead (see D&C 
      127:6-9; 128:24).

Chapter 32 (pp.87)
The Resurrection and the Judgement

Doctrinal Outline
A. As part of his eternal plan, God has provided a
   resurrection for everyone.
   1. Everyone who has lived will be resurrected (see
      1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Alma 11:41; D&C 29:26;
      2 Nephi 9:22).
   2. Resurrection is the reuniting of the physical body and
      the spirit after death (see D&C 88:14-17; Alma 11:43;
      40:23; 2 Nephi 9:12).
   3. We cannot receive a fulness of joy when the spirit and
      the body are separated (see D&C 93:33-34; 45:17;
      138:50).
   4. Resurrection is brought about by the power of God (see
      John 5:21; Acts 26:8, 1 Corinthians 6:14;
      2 Nephi 9:12).
   5. Resurrection restores every limb and joint to its
      proper and perfect frame (see Alma 11:43-44; 40:23;
      41:2).

B. There is order to the resurrection.
   1. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected, thus
      preparing the way for all others (see 1 Corinthians
      15:20; 2 Nephi 2:8; Alma 40:2-4).
   2. There are two major resurrections, one for the just
      and one for the unjust (see John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15;
      D&C 76:17).
   3. 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).
   4. We will be resurrected to the degree of glory
      consistent with our faithfulness (see 1 Corinthians
      15:40-42; D&C 88:22-31; 76:96-98).
   5. The degree of intelligence that we gain in this life
      will rise with us in the resurrection (see D&C 
      130:18-19).

C. Everyone will appear before the Lord to be judged.
   1. God the Father has given the keys of judgement to the
      Son (see John 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31; Romans 14:10;
      Moroni 8:21).
   2. We will be judged according to our thoughts, words,
      deeds, and the desires of our hearts (see Alma 12:14;
      5:15; 41:3-6; D&C 137:9; Matthew 12:36-37; Revelation
      20:12-14).
   3. The final judgement will be just for everyone (see
      Romans 2:2; 2 Nephi 9:46).