Spirit world (Latter Day Saints)


Latter Day Saint beliefs

The Plan of Salvation, as illustrated by some within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not doctrinal)

In Latter Day Saints theology, the term spirit world refers to the realm where the spirits of the dead await the Resurrection. In LDS thought, this spirit world is divided into at least two conditions: Paradise and Spirit Prison. Paradise includes "the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality."[1] Spirit Prison is the condition of the spirits of "the wicked ... the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh ... the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets...."[2] The latter will continue to receive gospel teaching and be given the opportunity to repent, though their disposition toward repentance will only change as they recognize and accept gospel truths and believe in Jesus Christ.

The spirit world is believed to be a place of continued spiritual growth for all spirits who embrace the teachings of Christ. Christ himself organized this teaching process during the time between his death on the cross and his resurrection, among those who had been faithful to the gospel, so that they could teach those who had not yet heard its message.[3]

Brigham Young stated,

"Where is the spirit world? It is right here...Do [spirits of the departed] go beyond the boundaries of the organized earth? No, they do not...Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies."[4]

Joseph Smith, Jr. taught:

"The spirits of the just...are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith." [5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 138:12
  2. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 138:20-21
  3. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 137:12,18-19,25-30
  4. ^ http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=mjeBej1isGsC&dq=discourses+of+brigham+young&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=8vJ7zxl1Oe&sig=2noGPwAAowUstQ7XylAhg3SQoRM#PPA577,M1
  5. ^ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 326
  • Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, 1949, Chapter 44.
  • Alvin R. Dyer, Who Am I, 1966, Chapter 40.
  • Joseph Fielding McConkie, Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions, 1998, p. 96 (Chapter 6).
  • Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1976, p. 310.
  • Doctrine and Covenants, Section 138.






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