they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at
the time of his coming.
Alma 39:17
17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject.
Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long
beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time
as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming?
Alma 39:18
18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be
made known unto this people as well as unto their children?
Alma 39:19
19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel
to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as
after the time of his coming?
Alma 40 Chapter 40
Alma 40:1
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.
Alma 40:2
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.
Alma 40:3
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 show unto
you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I
might know—that is concerning the resurrection.
Alma 40:4
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.
Alma 40:5
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.
Alma 40:6
6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and
the time of the resurrection.
Alma 40:7
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?
Alma 40:8
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.
Alma 40:9
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.
Alma 40:10
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.
Alma 40:11
11 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.
Alma 40:12
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.
Alma 40:13
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—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 40:14
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.
Alma 40:15
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.
Alma 40:16
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.
Alma 40:17
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.
Alma 40:18
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