A Mormon Woman's Reflections on Life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

One of the most common and sometimes perplexing questions that mankind has posed throughout history relates to what happens when we die. Death has always been a fact of living—in addition to myriad diseases and accidents that may occur, we know our bodies cannot go on functioning indefinitely. This knowledge is understandably frightening and it’s natural to see death as a sort of black -hooded figure waiting to strike us down when we least expect it, thereby plunging us into the great unknown. Many religions refer to an afterlife—Christianity among them—and this thought gives at least marginal peace to an otherwise senseless existence. But what is this afterlife? Where do we go? What is it like? What will we do there? Through modern revelation from living prophets in addition to the teachings in The Bible and The Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides distinct answers to these small questions in addition to mankind’s more profound ponderings.

To understand what happens when we die, it’s first important to know that our life is a temporary part of an eternal existence. Before we were born, we lived with God as spirits, and after we die, that spirit part of us will go on living. For anyone who has seen the body of a deceased loved one, it is not hard to believe that an inherent part of that person—the thing which truly makes them a living, breathing personality—is no longer there. To illustrate this idea, Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles compared our body to a glove and our spirit to our hand inside the glove. In this sense, our bodies are more like a covering to the more animated and alive part of our being. Just as it would be strange to think that a glove could operate on its own or that our hand ceased to exist once we took the glove off, so it’s important to recognize that our bodies cannot fully function without our spirits and that death is merely a separation of our eternal spirits from our bodies.

But next we come to the essential question—if our spirits don’t die when they separate from our bodies at death, then what happens to them? In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma answered a similar question posed by his son as follows:

“Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.” (Alma 40:11)

Alma goes on to explain that those who accepted Christ during their lives and followed His teachings will live in a state of happiness or a sort of paradise until the resurrection. Those who did not accept Christ or who didn’t follow His teachings as well as those who were deliberately bad will be in a sort of prison. From other books of scripture, we understand that this post-death existence, known as the spirit world, is a place where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to those in “prison” so that they, like those in “paradise” may choose to follow Christ and enter into a state of happiness. (See 1 Peter 3:19 and Doctrine and Covenants 138:28-37) It’s important to note that death will not change our personalities—we will have our same good and bad tendencies. Brigham Young, the second prophet of the Church, explained this concept:

“Suppose … that a man is evil in his heart—wholly given up to wickedness, and in that condition dies, his spirit will enter into the spirit world intent upon evil. On the other hand, if we are striving with all the powers and faculties God has given us to improve upon our talents, to prepare ourselves to dwell in eternal life, and the grave receives our bodies while we are thus engaged, with what disposition will our spirits enter their next state? They will be still striving to do the things of God, only in a much greater degree.”

Because our spirits are part of everything we do, of course they will go on perpetuating the acts we begin in mortal life. This highlights the importance of learning now to accept and follow Christ because bad habits will be just as hard—if not harder—to break after death as they are now.

This spirit world, however, is only a temporary state—a sort of waiting room where all of those who have died wait for the day when everyone will be resurrected. Resurrection is an essential part of Christian belief and refers to the reunion of our spirits with our own perfected bodies. As Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “At the time of our resurrection, we shall take up our immortal tabernacles. Bodies that now age, deteriorate, and decay will no longer be subject to processes of degeneration.” In other words, all of the health problems we experience now will be a thing of the past and we will go on living in the best physical state imaginable.

There is much to follow resurrection; as stated earlier, we are eternal beings. But the most important thing to know and understand right now is that death is not a black hole. In fact, it’s more like moving to a new place—except this time we temporarily leave our bodies behind. Resurrection is a real principle—one made possible for all of us through Jesus Christ. And because of this resurrection it is possible for us to live forever in a state of never-ending happiness, surrounded by loved ones and experiencing ongoing progression in the presence of God.

For more information on resurrection and eternal life, see the sections on Temples and Family History

I love this piece by Maureen Proctor of Meridian Magazine, regarding Bill Childs’ unerring, unswerving testimony and love of the Sabbath.

Just as I’ve been pondering the talk I’ll share with Young Men and Young Women in our ward, the subject of which is “Enlarging Their Conception of God,” including what it looks like then to walk in the wake of His will, I have wanted to include a comment about the value of keeping the Sabbath day holy.  Voila.  Here it is again. What a great witness. I love the Sabbath.  At a time when reverence for the Lord on His day has been depleted, this is refreshing.

Recently my daughter challenged her friend not to study for a test on the Sabbath–but to attend to other things more appropriate.  Her friend accepted and shared her witness of divine intervention.  I’m moved by simple acts of testimony like this one. Dallin Oaks’ father shared with him his intent and commitment to do the Lord’s work and not his secular studying and professional work on the Sabbath. It spurred Elder Oaks on to the same commitment.  

I love how the Mauris completely observe the Sabbath and hope we can continue to reflect a deeper love for the Lord in honoring Him and worshipping Him more fully that day.  

I feel that there is more I can personally do to minister on the Sabbath.  If you have additional ideas, please feel free to share, or share your witness of the Lord’s blessings as you have honored Him and been renewed on the day of rest.

What an amazing concept–one in seven, day of renewal.  One year in seven, time for the land to rest.

Let’s take it a step higher.

I’m a former Catholic with ancestors in Italia… bella Italia..   I just saw an article, clipped below, that touched my heartstrings and reached that longing to make more ties in family lines.  Had that feeling?  Do you know what it is? Well, Mormons call it the “spirit of Elijah.”  Elijah actually came to restore the gaps and mess-ups in the human family by restoring the keys to bind worthy families together–in other words to  seal together us and others to our ancestors who are worthy or will become worthy of eternal life in the highest kingdom of God.  Well, that’s the source of that feeling that is sweeping the earth–to trace their family lines.  And it is the backbone of much of Mormon temple work.

Anyway, I’d love to find Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are in the Napoli branch in Italy. Love this article, Laurie. Thank you!  And thanks, Bianca, for sharing it.

I have roots in the Pietraroia area, including the Bello line.  If anyone out there has contacts in that branch, I’d love to connect with them.  Hoping to bop over there with my girls a year from Christmas.  My sister went over to Italy to visit relatives, the Trifilettis, in Sicily, and said it was surreal.  Saw the house my grandfather built for my grandmother, still there amid the cobblestones and groves.

I’ll shower you soon with pics of my two girls..

NAPLES, ITALY

Laurie Sowby, Church news writer

Mario Manzella was a young husband and father looking for answers.

But, he says, it wasn’t until he began praying to God, asking why he felt nothing when he attended the church he’d been raised in, that he began to notice the name tags worn by the young men who frequently dropped in to his bakery.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he read.

He invited the elders to his home, and his wife, Anna, accepted their invitation to join the discussion. “As soon as they started using the scriptures, I recognized that what they were teaching was true,” recalls Sister Manzella 39 years later.

She was baptized April 4, 1970, in Napoli (Naples in English), the city where she’s lived all her life. Her husband followed soon after, and in 1976, they traveled to the Bern Switzerland Temple to be sealed to their four children.

As I knelt in prayer last night, on the eve of this 179th session of General Conference (Mormons’ semi-annual meeting to receive the Lord’s will), I asked 5 questions of the Lord, and invited His guidance on those during these two days of talks by apostles and members of the Quorums of The Church of Jesus Christ (sometimes called by those who do not know its full name, “The Mormon Church”).

I received an answer to one of those requests through the remarks given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, apostle of Jesus Christ. It came as the Spirit bore witness to me and reviewed what has been my privilege to experience through trial–the power and blessing of keeping my covenants. (more…)