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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 19
Restoration message, particularly as it is presented in the Book of Mormon, have raised this same
issue. Then Alma asks some challenging questions:
"Is not a soul at this time as precious unto God, as a soul will be at the time of his coming? (Alma
19:25)
"Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people, as well
as unto their children? (26)
"Is it not as easy at this time, £or 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?" (27) These are cogent questions which
carry the weight of strong, self-evident answers.
Alma 19:28 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.
Corianton was troubled about the doctrine of the resurrection. Alma assures him that there will be
no resurrection until Christ comes. Paul affirms that "now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept" (I Cor. 15:20). The Sadducees did not believe in .the
resurrection, angels, or a spirit to survive the body; but the Pharisees affirmed them (Acts 23:7, 8).
The Jews thus were divided and "there arose a great dissension." This division did not end with
these two sects, for we find Christians still divided on whether Christ actually arose from the dead
and if "death and hell" will deliver up their dead someday, as declared in John's revelation (Rev.
20:13-15).
After Jesus' resurrection “the bodies of the saints which slept, arose. ..and came out of the graves,
...[and] went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Matthew 27:55-57).
Alma 19:33 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead.
Alma said, "I have inquired diligently of God ...concerning the resurrection" (32). He added that
he knew it should be universal and come to pass, but only God knew when. Whether there be one,
two, or three times ap- pointed, "it mattereth not" (34,35). Necessarily there must be a time space
between death and the resurrection (36). "Time only is measured unto men." It doesn't matter
particularly with God, for "all is as one day" with him (38). Perhaps by "first resurrection" the
emphasis should be placed on the value, or the glory awaiting, rather than the time.
Alma 19:42 Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection.
Alma had learned from an angel that the spirits which leave the body at death "are taken home to
that God who gave them life" (43). The 'spirits of the righteous go to paradise, a state of
happiness, rest, and peace (44). "The spirits of the wicked. ..shall be cast out into outer darkness ...
and a state of awful, fearful, looking for, of the fiery indignation of the wrath of God unto them"
(45-47).
Alma 19:48 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.