Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 19
Alma denies this. He also denied that by "the first resurrection" is meant the coming forth of souls
"and their consignment to happiness or misery"
(51). He declared it meant the reuniting of the soul with the body of those from Adam to Christ
(52). He gives as his opinion that the reuniting of the souls and bodies will be concurrent with the
resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven (55).
Mosiah gives a similar testimony regarding the first resurrection. In addition to the prophets, the
believers) and the obedient, he points out that those "that have died before Christ came, in their
ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them," will have part in the first resurrection
(Mosiah 8:55-59).
A similar thought in different words is this: "And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and
they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection" (D. and C. 45:10a). Later this is
referred to as "the resurrection of the just" which shall include "just men made perfect through
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant." Also to be included are "those who died without law,"
the "honorable men of the earth," and those "who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus." Thus
we are told that those who shall inherit terrestrial glory as well as those of celestial glory shall
come forth in the first resurrection (D. and C. 76:5, 6; 85:28).
The first resurrection was when Jesus and the worthy saints were resurrected (Matthew 27:56, 57;
Mosiah 8:55-59).
The first resurrection of the future will be when Christ appears again in the heavens, at the
sounding of the first trump (D. and C. 85:27c; I Thess. 4:16). Almost immediately afterwards, the
.second division of the "first resurrection" of the future will take place at the sounding of the
second trump (D. and C. 85:28).
There are some who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection (D. and
C.76:7e; Revelation 20:5).
RESTORATION IS DISCUSSED VER. 57- 77
Alma 19:58 The 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.
“Soul" is used in this passage in a general sense for "spirit." The Lord has said, "The spirit and the
body is the soul of man" (D. and C. 85:4a). Only when the body is inhabited by a spirit does it
become a "living soul" (Genesis 2:8).
The word "restoration" has a basic connotation, but may be variously applied. Its primary meaning
suggests bringing about a condition or state which previously existed. It may be in the church as
an institution, the Jews to their homeland (1 Nephi 4:31), or the Lamanite nation to a knowledge
of the truth (Alma 17:50) .Here Alma is applying it to the change brought about in the body at the
resurrection.
Then he pays particular attention to the state of the wicked. While they shall be restored
physically, this will not change their spiritual or moral state to the innocency had in the beginning.
If they were wicked and enjoyed evil works at the time they died, they will be the same in the
resurrection. The justice of God demands that man shall reap what he sows.