Alma 40
People in this chapter
Alma has just spoken hard words to his youngest son. Corianton had abandoned his mission to the Zoramites, and Alma told him so plainly (Alma 39:3-5). Then he turns to what is troubling his son: I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead (v. 1).
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Alma 40:1-10A Time Appointed That All Shall Rise
1Now 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.
Alma has just corrected his son sharply. Now he notices that Corianton is worried about the resurrection, and he takes the time to teach him.
2Behold, 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. 3Behold, 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.
Alma admits that God has kept some things to Himself. But about the resurrection, Alma inquired diligently of God, and he received an answer.
4Behold, 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. 5Now, 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. 6Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection. 7And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection? 8Now 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. 9Therefore, 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. 10And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
Alma doesn't know exactly when the dead will rise, and he says it doesn't matter. God knows. What matters is that there is a time appointed, and in between death and resurrection there is a space where the spirit lives on.
Alma 40:11-14Paradise, a State of Rest
11Now, 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.
An angel taught Alma that when we die, every spirit, good or evil, is taken home to that God who gave them life. Death does not end us. Our spirits go on living.
12And 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.
The righteous go to paradise, a place of rest and peace. Modern revelation adds that the righteous there are also busy, teaching the gospel to other spirits.
13And 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. 14Now 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.
The wicked wait in darkness and fear. Alma says why: they chose evil works rather than good. Their misery is the result of their own choices.
Alma doesn't say how the Savior would help those waiting spirits. In 1918 President Joseph F. Smith saw that Christ visited the spirit world and organized the righteous to preach the gospel to the spirits in prison. Many who accept it there can leave that prison.
Alma 40:15-21I Give It as My Opinion
15Now, 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. 16And 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. 17Now, 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. 18Behold, 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.
Some people called the spirit's entrance into paradise or darkness a kind of resurrection. Alma allows the word but corrects the idea. The real first resurrection is the reuniting of body and spirit.
19Now, 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. 20Now, 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. 21But 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.
Alma isn't sure whether all the righteous dead rise at the moment of Christ's Resurrection, so he says so. He calls it my opinion. Then he repeats what he does know: there is a space between death and resurrection, and everyone will rise and be judged.
Alma 40:22-26Restored to Their Proper and Perfect Frame
22Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. 23The 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. 24And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets—
In the resurrection, spirit and body come back together, and nothing is lost: every limb and joint, even a hair of the head. Everything is restored to its proper and perfect frame.
25And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God. 26But 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.
The righteous will shine forth. The wicked face an awful death to the things of righteousness, because no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God. The resurrection restores the body. What we have become still matters.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Spirit WorldThe Church's current summary of what is revealed about paradise and spirit prison.
- Doctrine and Covenants 138President Joseph F. Smith's 1918 vision of the Savior's ministry in the spirit world, the revelation that fills in what Alma 40 leaves open.
- ParadiseHow scripture uses the word paradise, including Alma 40:12 and the Savior's words on the cross.
- ResurrectionThe reuniting of spirit and body in perfect, immortal form, made possible by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Where this echoes in Scripture
A Time Appointed That All Shall Rise
- Alma 39:3-5Thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites.The conversation that comes just before this chapter.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.The resurrection Alma said must come first.
- Alma 12:9According to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.How Alma says the mysteries of God are learned.
- 2 Peter 3:8One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.Time measured differently with God.
Paradise, a State of Rest
- Luke 23:43To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.The Savior's promise from the cross.
- 1 Peter 3:18-19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.Christ's ministry among the dead.
- D&C 138:29-32From among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority.How the gospel reaches the spirits Alma describes in verses 13-14.
- 2 Nephi 9:12-13Hell must deliver up its captive spirits... the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous.Jacob's description of the same two states.
- Alma 34:34That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life...Amulek: death does not change who we are.
I Give It as My Opinion
- Mosiah 15:21-24There cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection.Abinadi's teaching, which Alma echoes in verse 16.
- Matthew 27:52-53Many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection.The saints who rose after Christ.
- 3 Nephi 23:9-10There were many saints who should arise from the dead... and they were all fulfilled.The same event among the Nephites.
- D&C 88:96-102They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first.The order of the resurrections still to come.
Restored to Their Proper and Perfect Frame
- Alma 11:43-45Both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time.Amulek's earlier witness of the same restoration.
- Luke 24:39Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.The risen Lord's own body.
- D&C 138:17Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone.Joseph F. Smith's vision uses Alma's language.
- Matthew 13:43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.The Savior's words behind verse 25.
- Moroni 10:34I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite.The whole of Alma 40 in one sentence.