Spirit World, Resurrection, and Judgment

Continuing the theme from yesterday, looking at the post-mortal part of the Plan of Salvation we likewise see that Christ is at the center.  It’s perhaps too easy for us to

talk about the Spirit World, the Resurrection, and Judgment without talking about Christ’s roles in each of these, but the scriptures are clear about how Christ is fundamental to each of these parts of the plan.

                The Spirit World is comprised of paradise and prison, and Christ’s role was central in allowing those in spirit prison to find their way out.  We know from model revelation that Jesus went to the Spirit World after his death and “from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers” (D&C 138:30).  He had repeated Isaiah’s prophecy during His ministry suggesting that He would cause “the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).  Because the Savior organized the missionary labors in the Spirit World, the wicked were able to be taught.  And this is what they learn: “It was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross” (D&C 138:35).  The missionary force there was organized by Christ and the message they give to those in Spirit Prison is about the Savior’s sacrifice.  Joseph Smith praised the Lord this way for the way in which He broke the bands of prison: “Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free” (D&C 128:22).  Clearly as we talk about the Spirit World we should highlight the great mission of the Savior in its regard. 

                The Resurrection and Judgment are also steps in the Plan of Salvation that should really be centered around the Savior’s atonement, mercy, and justice.  Christ was of course the first to be resurrection, and He even declared in His mortal ministry: “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25).  Jacob taught that we “obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ” (Jacob 4:11).  Samuel the Lamanite told the people about the importance and power of the resurrection of Christ, “But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind” (Helaman 14:17).  Abinadi declared that “there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ” (Mosiah 16:8).  The resurrection that will take place for us will only happen because that Christ was first Resurrected.  The Judgment that will come after the Resurrection is also centered on Christ.  Mormon called it “the judgment-seat of Christ” where we will have to stand for account for our actions (Mormon 3:22).  Paul likewise testified that we will “all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and in 3 Nephi we read that “all people must surely stand before the judgment-seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10, 3 Nephi 28:31).  In modern scripture the Savior testified, “I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:4).  He is our judge and advocate, and Christ’s role in the Judgment is paramount as we stand before Him and the Father. 

                Jacob praised the Lord in these terms: “O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit” (2 Nephi 9:10).  Christ’s Simply put, His role in releasing us from hell and physical death cannot be overstated as we discuss the steps of the Plan of Salvation.