“The Resurrection of Everlasting Life”

Brant Gardner

Reference: The language of this verse is influence by the gospel of John:

John 5:29

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

This same set of meanings was also used to express similar ideas in the book of Mosiah:

Mosiah 16:11

11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—

The importance of this basic conception of the differing resurrections attached to good and evil also shows in Alma 40:11 and in the Doctrine and Covenants:

Doctrine and Covenants 76:17

17 And shall come forth; they who have done good in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.

The theme is clearly important, and Joseph Smith tended to couch that message in similar terms in the Book of Mormon and later in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Textual: This is the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

References