Christ is the Reason

I. Atonement Review (click here for overview of Plan of Salvation)

a. Summary of The Problem

i. Romans 3: 23 “all have sinned”

ii. D&C 1:31 “For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.”

b. Physical Death

i. Gen. 2:17 “though shalt surely die” (see Gen 3:6).

ii. Job 19:26 “worms destroy this body”

iii. 2 Nephi 9:6 “death hath passed upon all men”

c. Spiritual Death

i. Ether 3:2 Jared “unworthy” before the Lord.

ii. 2 Nephi 4:17-19 Nephi a “wretched man”

iii. 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul “Chief” among sinners

II. Resurrection

a. Jesus’ body retains wounds (actual body resurrected). 3 Nephi 11:14-15, See Zech 13:6

b. Jesus’ body is tangible. Luke 24:36-43; D&C 129:1-8

c. Resurrected body not bound to the earth. D&C 20:23-24; 3 Nephi 18:39

d. There is no pain or death in the resurrection. Revelation 21:4; D&C 63:49

e. Resurrected beings do not have blood. “The Lamb of God hath brought to pass the resurrection, so that all shall rise from the dead…When our flesh is quickened by the Spirit, there will be no blood in this tabernacle.”- Joseph Smith

f. Resurrection is universal. Alma 11:41

III. Judgment

a. Distinguish from what happens after we die before the final judgment

i. Spirit Paradise

1. Luke 23:43 Thieves to me “that day” with Jesus in paradise.

2. 2 Nephi 9:13 “Paradise of God must deliver up the spirits”

3. Alma 40:11-13 “state of happiness, which is called happiness”

4. 4 Nephi 14 “all gone to paradise of God”

ii. Spirit Prison

1. Psalms 142:7 “Bring my soul out of prison”

2. Isaiah 24:22 Prisoners to be visited after many days.

3. 1 Peter 3:19/4:6 Christ visited spirits in prison

b. First Resurrection

i. Rev 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection”

ii. Mosiah 15:21, 18:8,9 Qualifications for Participation in First Resurrection

1. All those who have believed the words of the prophets

2. Those who believe the commandments of God

3. Those who keep the commandments of God

4. Those who are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people

5. Those who are willing to bear one another’s burdens

6. Those that are willing to mourn with those that mourn

7. Those comfort those that stand in need of comfort

8. Those that stand as witnesses of God

If you do these things “ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:9)

iii. Mosiah 15:26 “These are they that have no part in the first resurrection:”

1. Those who rebel against the Lord

2. Those who die in their sins

3. Those who have willfully rebelled against God

4. Last Resurrection

a. There are different resurrections 1 Cor 15:39-42

b. Last Resurrection/final judgment Rev 20: 5-13

c. Final Judgment

i. Outer Darkness: Matt 8:12 “cast into outer darkness” (see also Matt 22:13. 25:30, Alma 40:13, D&C 101:91, 133:73)

ii. Telestial:

1. John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions”

2. 1 Cor 15:41 “as the stars”

3. Mosiah 15:26 “no part in first resurrection”

4. D&C 76:81-80 Telestial glory and attributes of those that go their

iii. Terrestrial

1. 1 Cor. 15:40 glory of the terrestrial

2. D&C 88:23, 38 “cannot abide terrestrial glory”

3. D&C 76:71-80 Terrestrial glory

iv. Celestial

1. 1 Cor 15:40 Celestial

2. 2 Cor. 12:2 “caught up in the third heaven”

3. D&C 76:50-70 Celestial Glory

4. D&C 131; 1-4 Three degrees within Celestial kingdom. Temple marriage necessary for highest kingdom

5. See also D&C 88:22, 93:22, 101:65, 132:19

v. How can we know?

1. Eph 1:14, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5 The spirit is given as “earnest money” as confirmation of abiding in Jesus.

2. D&C 20:77 “Always have his spirit to be with you”

3. D&C 123:17 “utmost assurance to see the salvation of God” (D&C 106:8, Eph 3:12)

4. Enos 5-6 “I…knew that God could not lie…my guilt was swept away”

5. Alma 34:16 Encircles saints “in the arms of safety”.

6. D&C 45:4-5 What will Christ say to His people at the Last Day?