Alma 40

The Spirit World and Resurrection

After his father invited him to repent, Corianton had some questions about God’s plan, including what happens to us after we die. His father, Alma, answered his questions and testified of Jesus Christ’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan. This lesson can help you deepen your appreciation for what the Savior has done for you and will give you an opportunity to explain what happens after we die.

Help students focus on Jesus Christ. Teachers may unintentionally spend too much time describing details surrounding gospel truths. This may result in missed opportunities to help learners come to know and love the Savior more fully. Take time to teach and testify of the power, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ and His central role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder questions they may have about what happens after we die and to come prepared to share.

Possible Learning Activities

Questions

The following story from Sister Aburto’s life can help students prepare to study Alma 40. Alternatively, students could list on the board some of the questions they have about life after death.

Sister Reyna I. Aburto, a counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, shared a personal experience that illustrates questions we may have about what happens after we die. Watch the video “The Grave Has No Victory,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 4:21 to 5:13, or read the following statement:

When I was nine years old, I lost my older brother during a devastating earthquake. Because it happened unexpectedly, it took me a while to grasp the reality of what had occurred. I was heartbroken by sorrow, and I would ask myself, “What happened to my brother? Where is he? Where did he go? Will I ever see him again?”

Back then I did not yet know about God’s plan of salvation, and I had the desire to know where we come from, what the purpose of life is, and what happens to us after we die. Don’t we all have those yearnings when we lose a loved one or when we go through difficulties in our lives? (Reyna I. Aburto, “The Grave Has No Victory,” Liahona, May 2021, 86)

Alma’s son Corianton also had concerns about life after death.

Read Alma 40:1, looking for what worried Corianton.

• Why do you think he may have worried about this?

Recall that Corianton had broken God’s commandments, including the law of chastity. Because of his choices, he may have worried about his condition after this life. To address Corianton’s worries and help him repent, Alma taught him doctrine. Alma’s response to Corianton’s worries can also help someone who has questions like Sister Aburto did.

Sister Aburto was later taught by missionaries who helped her find answers to her questions. Imagine that you are one of those missionaries and are preparing to teach her. Use the following resources to prepare a short explanation to help answer Sister Aburto’s questions.

Divide the class into pairs to prepare to teach as if they were missionaries. Assign each pair to study either the spirit world or resurrection, and provide each pair with the corresponding handout.

As an alternative to preparing as if they were going to teach Sister Aburto, students could look for answers to class members’ questions.

The Spirit World

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Alma 40: The Spirit World and Resurrection”

Read Alma 40:6–7, 11–14 to see what Alma taught Corianton. Then use the following resources to help you further prepare what you would teach.

• Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–13, 18–22, 57

• Guide to the Scriptures, “Paradise,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

We know from the scriptures that after our bodies die we continue to live as spirits in the spirit world. The scriptures also teach that this spirit world is divided between those who have been “righteous” or “just” during life and those who have been wicked. They also describe how some faithful spirits teach the gospel to those who have been wicked or rebellious (see 1 Peter 3:19; Doctrine and Covenants 138:19–20, 29, 32, 37). (Dallin H. Oaks, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26)

Prepare how you would explain answers to the following questions:

• What happens to our spirits when we die?

• What is it like in paradise? What is it like in the area that Alma calls “outer darkness,” but is also called spirit prison (1 Peter 3:19) or hell (2 Nephi 9:12)?

• How can learning about paradise and prison increase our gratitude for the Savior?

• How can our knowledge of the spirit world bless us during our mortal lives?

When teaching, be sure to make it clear that between death and resurrection, the spirits of the righteous dwell in paradise and the spirits of the wicked dwell in spirit prison. Share how your understanding of this truth influences the choices you make in this life.

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Resurrection

Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Alma 40: The Spirit World and Resurrection”

Read Alma 40:2–5, 23–24 to see what Alma taught Corianton. Then use the following resources to help you further prepare what you would teach.

• Alma 11:42–45

• Guide to the Scriptures, “Resurrection,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

We celebrate the reality of the Resurrection in this Easter season. This gives us the perspective and strength to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we acquire at birth or experience during our mortal lives. Because of the Resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary! (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 94–95)

Prepare how you would explain answers to the following questions:

• What is resurrection? Who will be resurrected?

• According to Alma 40:2–3, what makes the Resurrection possible?

• How can our knowledge of the Resurrection bless us during our mortal lives?

When teaching, be sure to make it clear that because Jesus Christ was resurrected, all of us will also be resurrected. Share one reason you are grateful for the promise of resurrection.

© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Consider using the following video if students need more help understanding what happens after we die.

You may want to watch the video “What Happens to Our Bodies and Spirits after We Die?” (4:19), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for other truths you could explain as you teach.

When students have finished preparing, invite them to teach a pair of students who prepared a different topic. Consider providing help if needed as they teach.

After students have taught their lessons, consider leading a short discussion with the class using some or all of the following questions.

• Why is what you learned about the spirit world and resurrection important to you?

• How does this knowledge affect your feelings toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• What are some questions you had that have been answered today?

• What questions do you want to continue seeking answers to?

Remind students that we don’t have all the answers yet and it’s OK to have unanswered questions. Invite them to follow the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge as they search for answers.

Consider sharing your testimony of the gift of the Resurrection and the peace we can receive in the spirit world because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Commentary and Background Information

Alma 40:16–20. What is the First Resurrection?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Those coming forth in the morning of this resurrection do so with celestial bodies and shall inherit a celestial glory; these are they who are Christ’s the firstfruits. Those coming forth in the afternoon of this resurrection do so with terrestrial bodies and consequently shall inherit that kingdom; they are described as being Christ’s at this coming. All who have been resurrected so far have received celestial bodies; the coming forth of terrestrial beings does not commence until after the Second Coming. (Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–80; 88:95–99.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1965], 1:196)

Alma 40:21–22. What does “be brought to stand before God” mean?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

By His Atonement and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has overcome all aspects of the Fall. Physical death will be temporary, and even spiritual death has an end, in that all come back into the presence of God, at least temporarily, to be judged. We can have ultimate trust and confidence in His power to overcome all else and grant us everlasting life. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 112)

Alma 40:23. What will a resurrected body be like?

Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy taught:

Resurrection makes it possible for a person’s spirit and body to be united again, only this time that body will be immortal and perfect—not subject to pain, disease, or other problems [see Alma 11:43]. …

Each of us has physical, mental, and emotional limitations and weaknesses. These challenges, some of which seem so intractable now, will eventually be resolved. None of these problems will plague us after we are resurrected. (Paul V. Johnson, “And There Shall Be No More Death,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 121–22)

Supplemental Learning Activities

The sequence of events

Helping students to know what everyone will face after we die can help them to have an eternal perspective and can remove some of the fear associated with death. Consider writing death, spirit world, resurrection, and final judgment on pieces of paper and placing them on the board in a random order. Invite students to read Alma 40:6–7, 11–14, 21–23, and ask them to put the events on the board in the order in which they occur. Also consider discussing what the events mean and the role each one has in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Knowledge to repent

Alma’s words in Alma 40:11–26 can help students feel the importance of coming unto the Savior and repenting of our sins in this life. Consider writing Righteous (Repentant) and Wicked (Unrepentant) on the board and inviting students to search Alma 40:11–26 and list on the board words or phrases that Alma used to describe the state of each of these groups after they die. Then invite class members to analyze the question “How can these teachings inspire us to repent?”

(It may help students to understand that through the Savior, there is still hope for loved ones who passed away before repenting. Consider inviting students to read and discuss the truths found in 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6 and Doctrine and Covenants 138:29–37.)

Acquiring spiritual knowledge

Consider using Alma 40 to help students review the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. Begin by helping students identify Alma’s question in Alma 40:1–3, 9, then invite students to look for verses that explain how Alma acted in faith (Alma 40:5–6), examined his question with an eternal perspective (Alma 40:9–13, 23–26), and looked to divinely appointed sources for better understanding (Alma 40:3).

Help students apply what they learned by inviting them to analyze the question “How could you follow Alma’s example of applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge while looking for answers to your questions?”

Questions Alma answers

Consider assigning students a set of verses from Alma 40 and inviting them to search those verses, looking for questions Alma answers about the spirit world and resurrection. Students can then share the questions and answers they found.