Alma 40

Resurrection

Christ — the Anointed One

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. Alma 40:2–3

Alma says no one is resurrected until Christ comes, because He is the one who brings the Resurrection to pass. Every resurrected body depends on His.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 2 Nephi 2:8 — Lehi: the Messiah brings to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 — Same wording: mortal putting on immortality, corruption putting on incorruption.
• the same event in Mosiah 16:7-8 — Abinadi: if Christ had not risen there could be no resurrection; the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

Resurrection of Christ

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. Alma 40:16–19

The first resurrection is measured from Christ's own Resurrection: those from Adam's day to His rising come forth first. His Resurrection is the dividing line of history for the dead.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Mosiah 15:21-24 — Abinadi names the first resurrection of the prophets and the righteous who come forth with Christ.
• the same event in Matthew 27:52-53 — Graves opened and saints arose after His Resurrection.
• the same event in Helaman 14:25 — Samuel prophesies many graves opened and saints appearing at His Resurrection.

Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

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. Alma 40:20–21

Speaking about 73 years before Christ's birth, Alma foretells both His Resurrection and His Ascension into heaven, and offers his opinion that the righteous dead rise with Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Acts 1:9-11 — Jesus is taken up into heaven before the Apostles.
• fulfilled by Luke 24:51 — He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Judgment

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. Alma 40:21

The resurrected stand before God to be judged. Other Book of Mormon passages make clear this judgment is at the bar of Christ, to whom the Father has given all judgment.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Alma 11:44 — Amulek: all are arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
• interpreted by Mormon 3:20 — All must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.
• interpreted by John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.

Restoration in the Resurrection

Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. Alma 40:22–24

The complete restoration of body and spirit that the prophets foretold is the gift of Christ's Resurrection (verse 3). Not even a hair is lost because of what He did.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• the same event in Alma 11:43-44 — Amulek: restored to its perfect frame; not so much as a hair of their heads lost.
• the same event in Alma 41:2 — Restoration is according to the power and resurrection of Christ.

Words of Jesus echoed

And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God. Alma 40:25

Alma's phrase echoes the words Jesus later spoke in His parable of the wheat and tares. The promise of shining forth is the Savior's own promise.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 13:43 — Jesus: Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

The bitter cup

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. Alma 40:26

The bitter cup is the image Christ uses for His own suffering. Those who refuse His Atonement are left to drink that cup themselves.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:11 — The risen Christ: I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me.
• alludes to D&C 19:16-18 — If they will not repent they must suffer even as He, who wished He might not drink the bitter cup.