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Death, Spiritual


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Jesus praying in Gethsemane

Death, Spiritual

Overview

Spiritual death is separation from God. The scriptures teach of two sources of spiritual death. The first source is the Fall, and the second is our own disobedience. Spiritual death can be overcome through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and by obedience to His gospel.

The Book of Mormon prophet Samuel taught, “All mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual” (Helaman 14:16). During our life on the earth, we are separated from God’s presence. Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ redeems everyone from this spiritual death. Samuel testified that the Savior’s Resurrection “redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death. … Behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord” (Helaman 14:16–17). The prophet Lehi taught that because of the Atonement, “all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him” (2 Nephi 2:10).

Further spiritual death comes as a result of our own disobedience. Our sins make us unclean and unable to dwell in the presence of God (see Romans 3:23; Alma 12:12–16, 32; Helaman 14:18; Moses 6:57). Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ offers redemption from this spiritual death, but only when we exercise faith in Him, repent of our sins, and obey the principles and ordinances of the gospel (see Alma 13:27–30; Helaman 14:19; Articles of Faith 1:3).

Related Topics

Scriptures

Scripture References

Scripture Study Resources

Messages from Church Leaders

Videos

“Christ Saves Us from Physical and Spiritual Death”

“Watch Your Step”

“You Will Be Freed”

“Act for Themselves”

“The Fall”

Learning Resources

General Resources

Scott D. Sommerfeldt, “Exactness in Our Discipleship,” BYU Speeches

J. Richard Clarke, “The Healing Power of Christ,” BYU Speeches

Church Magazines

Robert J. Matthews, “Resurrection,” Ensign, April 1991

Gerald N. Lund, “The Fall of Man and His Redemption,” Ensign, January 1990

Chauncey C. Riddle, “Obstacles to Prayer,” Ensign, January 1976

Study Manuals

Teachings of Presidents of the Church

Stories

Media

Music