40:1 Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I
perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the
dead.
40:2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection—or, I would
say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality, this
corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the coming of
Christ.
40:3 Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But
behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a
mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no
one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which
I have inquired diligently of God that I might know—that is concerning
the resurrection.
40:4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from
the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the
time which is appointed.
40:5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third
time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for
God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is
the case—that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the
dead.
40:6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the
time of the resurrection.
40:7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from
this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
40:8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise
it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not;
all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.
40:9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise
from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the
resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of
the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the
Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.
40:10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they
know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
40:11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the
resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that
the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal
body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are
taken home to that God who gave them life.
40:12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are
righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called
paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from
all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
40:13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked,
yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the
Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good;
therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take
possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer
darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth,
and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will
of the devil.
40:14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in
darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery
indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this
state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their
resurrection.
40:15 Now, there are some that have understood that this state of
happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the
resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a
resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their
consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have
been spoken.
40:16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first
resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or
who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
40:17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is
spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and
their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this
is what it meaneth.
40:18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the
soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the
resurrection of Christ.
40:19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been
spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the
righteous, I do not say; let it suffice; that I say that they all come
forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the
resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.
40:20 Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the
resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the
souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the
resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.
40:21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but
this much I say, that there 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, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to
stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
40:22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which
has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
40:23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul;
yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even
a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored
to their proper and perfect frame.
40:24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken
by the mouths of the prophets—
40:25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.
40:26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die
as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are
unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they
are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or
their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter
cup.