The Old Testament, as it presently stands, has very few references to the resurrection of the dead. No instances of resurrection occurred during the entire Old Testament period, and few scriptural references to it have survived from the world of the Bible. In the more enlightening world of Book of Mormon prophets, however, we have a glorious exposition on the resurrection taught and inscribed in the middle of the second century b.c.
Abinadi spoke of the “first resurrection,” occurring immediately following the resurrection of Christ, who is “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Those resurrected were the righteous who lived from Adam to Christ, the prophets, followers of the prophets, those obedient to the commandments, little children who lived from the time of Adam to Christ but died before the age of accountability, and those who died in ignorance but who would have received Christ and the gospel with all their hearts (D&C 137:7).
There are different subsequent times of the resurrection from the dead. There is a continuation of the first resurrection at the second coming of Christ (D&C 76:50–70; 88:95–98). These are the inheritors of the celestial glory. There is a resurrection at the time of the second trump at Christ’s coming (D&C 76:71–80; 88:99). These are inheritors of the terrestrial glory. There is a resurrection at the end of the thousand years of the Millennium (D&C 76:81–85; 88:100–101). These are inheritors of the telestial glory. And then there are those resurrected at the sounding of the fourth trump, the sons of perdition, who “remain filthy still” (D&C 88:102; see also 43:18; 76:43–44).
Concerning Abinadi’s remarkable statement, “little children also have eternal life,” we have the powerful words of Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
“Joseph Smith taught, ‘Children will be enthroned in the presence of God and the Lamb; … they will there enjoy the fullness of that light, glory, and intelligence, which is prepared in the celestial kingdom.’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 200.)
“President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke very expressly on this point: ‘The Lord will grant unto these children the privilege of all the sealing blessings which pertain to the exaltation. We were all mature spirits before we were born, and the bodies of little children will grow after the resurrection to the full stature of the spirit, and all the blessings will be theirs through their obedience, the same as if they had lived to maturity and received them on the earth. The Lord is just and will not deprive any person of a blessing, simply because he dies before the blessing can be received. It would be manifestly unfair to deprive a little child of the privilege of receiving all the blessings of exaltation in the world to come simply because it died in infancy… . Children who die in childhood will not be deprived of any blessing. When they grow, after the resurrection, to the full maturity of the spirit, they will be entitled to all the blessings which they would have been entitled to had they been privileged to tarry here and receive them.’ (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:54.)
“Will children be married and live in the family unit?
“Certainly. There can be no question about this. If they gain salvation, which is eternal life, which is exaltation, it means that they are married and live in the family unit. President Joseph Fielding Smith has so stated in plain words, and it is something that must necessarily be so. (See Doctrines of Salvation, 2:49–57).” 33