Difference between revisions of "Death"

Revision as of 11:54, 25 January 2008

Death is a separation. The scriptures speak of two kinds of death: physical and spiritual. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body, while spiritual death is the separation of humankind from the presence of God because of sin. Thanks to Jesus Christ, all mortals will overcome physical death, and all who obey the Gospel will overcome spiritual death.

The Fall of Adam and Eve brought both kinds of death into this world (2 Nephi 2:22; Moses 6:48). Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ overcame physical death so that all mortals, regardless of how they live, will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:21-23). After being resurrected, the physical body can no longer die:

Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption (Alma 11:45).

And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death (Mosiah 16: 7-9).

Jesus also provided a way for all people to overcome spiritual death and receive eternal life. Because of His atonement, by obeying His teachings and commandments, men can become free from sin and become spiritually "alive" once again. Those who are spiritually "alive" will continue to make mistakes during mortal life, and will need to repent of those mistakes through sincere prayer, seeking forgiveness, righting wrongs that may have been done to others, and trying to live better lives.

Those who refuse to repent of their sins will someday suffer a permanent spiritual death, being forever cut off from God's presence. This type of spiritual death is often referred to in the scriptures as the "second death."

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (Revelation 20: 6, 14).

Receiving Comfort after the Death of a Loved One

Nothing in life causes more bitter mourning than the death of a loved one. Many people in this world have no concept of why death must occur or what happens after death. Even those who believe in God may become confused and grief-stricken, their faith shaken. But the Lord does exist, and He does offer comfort, both through the healing power of His Spirit as it is bestowed on the prayerful, and through information teaching man about the realities of death and resurrection. The Savior's promise as recorded in John 14:27 is true: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that life after death is a place of happiness, joy, and association with loved ones who have passed on. This belief does not just regard those who have joined the Church, but all good people who have lived or are living on earth, and all children who have died in infancy or young childhood. After this life, the learning process that is a part of mortal life continues in a loving environment where we prepare for our own day of resurrection, when our spirit will be joined with an immortal physical body that lives on forever.

 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more adeath, neither bsorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more cpain: for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21: 4

26 And in that day the enmity of man, and the aenmity of beasts, yea, the benmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.

 27 And in that day awhatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him.
 28 And in that day aSatan shall not have power to tempt any man.
 29 And there shall be no asorrow because there is no death. 

Because of these beliefs, a Mormon funeral expresses feelings of peace and comfort for close family members, friends and loved ones of the deceased, knowing that there will be a future reuniting that will be joyful. Also, it is a great comfort to know that the person who has died is able to be with other loved ones who have already died.