Death and the Spirit World

Eventually, we will all die, but death is only a step in God’s plan.  Mormons believe as the Bible teaches that after death “the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  Jesus called this place “paradise” (see Luke 23:43).  Many people confuse this with Heaven, but paradise is only a temporary resting place until we are resurrected. Mormons call this place the Spirit World. The Book of Mormon teaches us:

[T]here is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth (Alma 40:21, pg 309)

The state of righteous, repentant souls is paradise, while the unrighteous, unrepentant souls are in spiritual prison (see 1 Peter 3:19-20).  Here, while waiting for the resurrection, the righteous souls teach the Gospel to those who died without hearing about it.  Peter taught that the “gospel [was] preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Peter 4:6). Mormons call this doctrine, salvation for the dead, and it shows how God can be both merciful and fair, while still being just.