Beliefs > Question & Answer > Heavenly Kingdom

Question

Explain the life after death issue.

Response

We view life in three stages: 1. Life before our earthly existence. 2. Earth life. 3. Life after our earthly existence. We believe that life continues after death and that it is just a separation of the physical body and the spirit. If we live good lives on earth and keep the commandments of the Lord, life on the other side of the veil will be glorious. The Lord described it as "paradise"; a place where there is joy and happiness instead of worries and heartaches. But as beautiful as the spirit world is for those who are righteous, life doesn't continue forever there. In time, our spirits must be joined again to our bodies to obtain complete joy. This is called the resurrection. Nothing is more central to our religion than the resurrection. By applying the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can make our lives more abundant and fulfilling. True Christianity, on the other hand, focuses on our opportunity to triumph over our foes, including death. Jesus came into the world to bring about the Atonement which in turn brought about the Resurrection. This is a gift of immortality or endless life given to all. You see, every living being will be resurrected. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22) This is not fiction or foolish tradition handed down from generation to generation. It's not even a mere theory. It is an accomplished fact which has been demonstrated beyond all successful contradiction, doubt or controversy. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a glorious reality. He became the first fruits of them that slept. He truly rose from the tomb the third day, as He and His prophets foretold, and became: "the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25) He gave us that privilege as well. He broke the bonds of death for all of us. Through the reliance of Christ's atonement, our spirits will be reunited with our bodies, just as His was. Job, in the Old Testament, who lived before the resurrection of Christ, had the spirit of prophecy to comprehend and understand this principle. He predicted its accomplishment by declaring, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." He further says, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." (Job 19:25-26) He looked forward to something not yet done. We, on the other hand, are not in Job's situation. We live in the latter times when great and marvelous events are taking place; among the greatest of which is this glorious principle of the resurrection of the dead, which is no longer a mere prediction, a cherished hope, or a prophetic promise, but a reality. How can we know if it really happened? We have plenty of evidence to show that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. We have the testimony of his disciples, and they produce irrefutable evidence that they did see him crucified, and witnessed the wounds of the nails and spear which he received on the cross. They also testify that his body was laid away in a sepulcher, and they rolled a great stone to the door and departed. What a glorious doctrine, to know that in the future, after we have passed through this life, we will have our bodies resurrected and glorified, free from every sickness and distress. I can't imagine anything more wonderful than possessing a resurrected body, to be with my family and enjoy the presence of my Heavenly Father. Death can be tragic, unexpected, or even a blessing sometimes, releasing one from suffering. The loss of loved ones is an occasion for mourning and should not be taken lightly. Grief and love are compatible, if not essential emotions. However, by understanding this doctrine of the resurrection, death is also an occasion for hope, a birth into the next life, a step in the Plan of Salvation that began in the pre-earth life and leads, if we're righteous, to eternal life with God in His Kingdom. Those facing death who are uncertain and have concern for those left behind will find hope in the Plan of Salvation and the Lord's promise that: "those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." (D&C 42:46) Sincerely, Donny Osmond See related multimedia presentations

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