Alma’s words (v. 2) remind us of the Apostle Paul’s writings. Paul also defined the resurrection of the dead as when “this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Alma says there is no resurrection until after the coming of Christ. Paul said: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:20–23). No one had been resurrected in Alma’s day, and thus he calls it a mystery (Alma 40:3). Although many were resurrected at the time of Christ (see Matthew 27:52–53), it is still a mystery to the world today, because those who were resurrected did not remain on the earth to be seen by future generations. Alma had learned much, but not all (Alma 40:4–5). What he had learned is important for us to know. He first wanted Corianton, and us, to know that the resurrection was universal, all would rise from the dead. The New Testament teaches the same doctrine. In John we read: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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” (John 5:28–29). Again, we turn to the Apostle Paul: “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15).
The number of times when men will be resurrected was not specifically given by Alma, but there will be four different times for the four different classes of people to be resurrected. After the millennium is ushered in, celestial beings will be resurrected first, and terrestrial beings second. At the end of the millennium, telestial beings will be the third group resurrected, and then the sons of perdition will be the last group (D&C 88:96–102). These four times or periods of the resurrection do not include when the people were resurrected at the time of Christ, nor does it specify the length of time for each of the four classes. As will be discussed later, these four times may be varied and lengthy. Therefore, the length of time is still somewhat of a mystery.