RESURRECTION OF THE BODY THAT IS LAID DOWN.
When Job said, "Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God;" 19. 26; it is evident that he believed that though his body should be disorganized, yet, in his own flesh, and not in that of another, he should see God. As if to confirm his assertion, he further adds, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;" verse 27.
A literal resurrection was manifested to Ezekiel in his vision of the resurrection of the house of Israel; 37. 1-14.
When Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, and said, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead;" Matt. 14. 1, 2; he probably, in common with the Jews, believed in a literal resurrection.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have;" Luke 24. 39; John 20. 27; Acts 10. 41. "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies;" Rom. 8. 11. That is, their bodies that died, and not some other bodies.
The apostle Paul gives us some light on this subject: "But some man will say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die; * * thou sowest not that body that shall be. * * But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds;" 1 Cor. 15. 35-39.
The apostle evidently considers the old body the germ of a new body, which will be like the old, but a new growth, even as new grain is produced from that which is sown.
It is also evident that the apostle considered it impossible for one kind of flesh to mingle with another in the resurrection, as they widely differ, from different combinations of the elements, in their organization. As well might we expect the different grades of spiritual organizations, to intermingle, as the different kinds of flesh of which their material bodies are composed.
The following is from the Times and Seasons, vol. 5, page 617: "Mothers, you shall have your children, for they shall have eternal life: for their debt is paid, there is no damnation awaits them, for they are in the spirit. As the child dies, so shall it rise from the dead and be forever living in the learning of God; it shall be the child, the same as it was before it died out of your arms. Children dwell and exercise power in the same from as they laid them down."
In the History of Joseph Smith, under date of April 7, 1843, we find the following very pointed assertion on this subject: "There is no fundamental principle belonging to a human system that ever goes into another in this world or in the world to come: I care not what the theories of men are. We have the testimony that God will raise us up, and he has the power to do it. If any supposes that any part of our bodies, that is the fundamental parts thereof, ever goes into another body, he is mistaken."
See a Sermon by J. Smith, Jun., Times and Seasons, Vol, 5, page 612.
Also a Pamphlet published the same year in which the above Discourse was delivered.
Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 9. 4 must waste away, but in our bodies we shall see God.
6 as death has passed on all men, there must be a power of resurrection.
8. 9 if the flesh should rise no more, our spirits must become subject to the devil.
12 the bodies and spirits of men will be restored, the one to the other.
Alma 11. 43-45 the spirit and the body shall be reunited in perfect form.
40. 23 not a hair of the head shall be lost.
Mormon 6. 21 day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality.
Miscellaneous Passages.
Matt. 22. 28 therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be. Luke 20. 33.
31, 32 God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
Mark 12. 25 rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage.
Luke 20. 36 are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
John 5. 21 the Father raiseth up the dead; the Son quickeneth whom he will.
28 all that are in their graves shall hear his voice.
11. 24 I know he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25, 26.
Acts 4. 2 and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 10, 33.
24. 15 a resurrection of both the just and unjust.
26. 8 thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead.
Rom. 4. 17 even God who quickeneth the dead.
6. 5 we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
1 Cor. 3. 22 life or death, things present or to come, all are yours.
15. 40-44 bodies are raised in different degrees of glory, according to their order.
45 first man, Adam, was made a living soul, the last a quickening spirit.
Col. 3. 1 ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.
2 Tim. 1. 10 who hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
Heb. 6. 2 of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
11. 35 not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
1 Peter 1. 3 hath begotten us again unto a lively hope of the resurrection.
Rev. 1. 5 first begotten of the dead, and king of the princes of the earth.
14. 13 blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Their works follow them.
Book of Mormon.
Alma 11. 41 the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except the loosing of the bands of death.
12. 7 been spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise. 16, 18, 24.
Chap. 40. no resurrection until after the coming of Christ. A time appointed that all shall rise. Must needs be a space between death and the resurrection. State of the soul during that time.
3 Nephi 28. 36-40 concerning the change wrought in the disciples who were to tarry.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 42. 45 especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection.
43. 18 say to the sleeping nations, ye Saints arise, ye sinners stay and sleep.
32 he that liveth in righteousness shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
88. 14 through the redemption that is made for you, is brought to pass the resurrection of the dead.
101. 31 not sleep but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
130. 18 whatever knowledge we attain to in this life, will rise with us in the resurrection.
132. 13 all things not ordained of God, shall not remain after the resurrection.
133. 55 Moses, Elijah and John with Christ in his resurrection
See a Pamphlet by B. Young.
Sermon by J. Smith, J. of D., Vol. 6, page 1.
" B. Young " Vol. 15, page 139.
" Geo. Q. Cannon, J. of D., Vol. 17, page 134.
Article by P. P. Pratt, Mil. Star, Vol. 2, page 97.
Key to Theology, Chapter 15.
Sermon by J. Smith, Mil. Star, Vol. 3, page 59.
Article by C. W. Penrose, Mil. Star, Vol. 30, page 65.
History of J. Smith, April 16, 1843.