Resurrection
In Mormonism, the term resurrection means the literal reuniting of the spirit with the physical body after death. After resurrection, the spirit and body will united eternally and all people will become immortal. Every person who has every lived or will live will be resurrected through Jesus Christ whose resurrection overcame death for all (1 Cor. 15: 20-22). The resurrection is a gift that God gives to all of his children. Without the resurrection we would have been subject to Satan.
Jesus Christ was the first person who was resurrected. The New Testament provides much evidence that this is true. When Christ was resurrected, many others who were righteous were also resurrected (see 1 Cor. 15: 22-23). When Christ comes again, more people will be resurrected. Those who were righteous will be the first to be resurrected; those who sinned and did not repent will be resurrected last.
Mormons believe, therefore, in a literal, physical resurrection where the resurrected person will have a tangible, solid body. Jesus Christ's resurrection is the perfect example of this. The Apostles record that he ate and had a body of flesh and bones (see Luke 24:36-43). Jesus declared to them that he was not a ghost, but had rather a body. When Jesus appeared to the ancient inhabitants in America, he likewise showed them that he had perfect, physical form (See 3 Nephi 11). Mormons also teach that this resurrected body will be perfect and not susceptible to disease or pain. The Book of Mormon declares that "All things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame"(Alma 40:23). We will have the same knowledge that we gained in this life, we will also have some of the same desires (see D&C 130:18-19). We will be able to continue learning after this life as well.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the body is a holy thing; Paul, in fact, compared it to a temple (1 Cor. 3:16). Joseph Smith taught that one of the purposes of life is to obtain "a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 181). Mormons believe that only with a body can a person be truly happy. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that the dead who have not yet been resurrected view separation from the body as a type of bondage (section 138:50). The body is not denigrated in Mormonism, but is accorded honor as Mormons teach that God himself has body like Jesus does. The body should therefore be treated with honor and never abused.
