November 9, 2010

I read in D&C 132:24-25. It's interesting in verse 24, that it says, "this is eternal lives - to know the only wise, and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent." I've always thought that means that with eternal life one has the capability to have spirit children, creating new "lives." But perhaps it is plural because it's talking about a plural amount of people attaining eternal life. Because in the next verse it says, "broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths;" which is also plural. I guess "the deaths" could be referring to more than one type of spiritual death, father than referring to "the deaths" of a plural amount of people. As I wrote that, I almost stopped, thinking it silly that there could be more than one type of spiritual death, but I glanced over at the footnotes and sure enough, it says to look under the topical guide for "spiritual death, first & second death, second." I guess I never realized there are two kinds of spiritual deaths. Now I'm curious. Okay, from reading over the topical guide, it appears to me that the first spiritual death refers to being cut off from the presence of the Lord's spirit as a result of sin. The second spiritual death refers to the "everlasting death" of perdition, which there is no redemption from.

October 25, 2010

I read Alma 40. Alma is still speaking to his son, Corianton, this time about the resurrection. I am very grateful to know that at some point after I die, my spirit and body will be reunited again. I love all that can be accomplished with a body and think it will feel strange to be without it for a time. I don't know if I realized this before or not, but Alma makes it clear that all those who died before the resurrection of Christ will be resurrected before those who die after his resurrection. He doesn't say when it will happen, and in fact says "when" doesn't really matter. What matters is that there is a resurrection, and that there is a space between the time we die and when we are resurrected. During that time our spirits will be sent, according to our works, either to spirit paradise or spirit prison. I absolutely love the description of spirit paradise: "a state of happiness... rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." I am looking forward to this time. I have no fear whatsoever of death and I hope my loved ones will continue to keep the faith so we all may enjoy an eternal "state of happiness" together.