Page "Afterlife" Paragraph 70

Joseph F. Smith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents an elaborate vision of the Afterlife.

It is revealed as the scene of an extensive missionary effort by righteous spirits to redeem those still in darkness-a spirit prison or " hell " where the spirits of the dead remain until judgment.

It is divided into two parts: Spirit Prison and Paradise.

Together these are also known as the Spirit World ( also Abraham's Bosom ; see Luke 16: 19-25 ).

They believe that Christ visited spirit prison ( 1 Peter 3: 18-20 ) and opened the gate for those who repent to cross over to Paradise.

"--- what Jesus ’ immortal spirit did after His death and before His Resurrection is a mystery to all but the Latter-day Saints ---" ( Elder Spencer J. Condie, Liahona ,-Church magazine – July, 2003 ) "--- unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant-- his voice was not raised.

-- But behold, from among the righteous, He organized His forces and appointed messengers ..." ( D & C 138: 20, 30 – 32 ).

" Christ opened the doors of hell to missionary work among the dead ..." ( H. Donl Peterson, “ I Have a Question ,” Ensign, Apr.

1986, 36 – 38 ).

This is similar to the Harrowing of Hell doctrine of some mainstream Christian faiths.

Both Spirit Prison and Paradise are temporary according to Latter-day Saint beliefs.

After the resurrection, spirits are assigned " permanently " to three degrees of heavenly glory –– Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial ––( 1 Cor 15: 44-42 ; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76 ) or are cast with Satan into Outer Darkness.

( See Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76.