“In the Same State in Which They Were After They Were Created”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

The book of Moses, which is the Joseph Smith Translation account of the Creation, sustains the testimony of Lehi. In it we are told that all things were “spiritual” in the day in which they were created, meaning that they were not subject to death or change. The full implication of this account will be missed by those who have not understood the manner in which the scriptures use the word spiritual. For instance, Amulek defined the resurrection as a state in which body and spirit are united “never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption” (Alma 11:45, italics added). Thus the physical body in its resurrected or deathless state is said to be a spiritual body.

This same terminology was used by Paul. “It is sown a natural body,” he said, “it is raised a spiritual body.” There is a natural body, and then is a spiritual body.“ (1 Corinthians 15:44.) Those without the understanding that the resurrection is the inseparable reunion of body and spirit have supposed that Paul was saying that in the world to come we will exist only as spirits. Our own revelations are consistent with the manner in which the ancients used the word spiritual. ”For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body, “ stated the Lord,”… and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.“ (D&C 88:27-28.)”

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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