This week I will attempt to answer questions about the Resurrection as Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15.

1.     Who was “the firstfruits of them that slept” and what does that phrase mean?

Jesus Christ was the firstfruits spoken of here. He was the first being that had been resurrected, the first one that rose from the sleep of death into immortality.

2.    Who are listed in these verses as being witnesses of the Lord’s Resurrection?

Cephas, one of the twelve, then over 500 men saw him, then James, one of the apostles, Paul also saw him.

3.    According to Matthew 27:52, who else have been resurrected?

Matthew says the graves were open and many of the saints that had died were resurrected.

4.    According to what Paul taught in these verses, who else will be resurrected?

In verse 22 it says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Everyone will be resurrected, but there is an order that will be followed. According to the student manual, Christ was the first, then some of the righteous saints who had died were resurrected after him. At the second coming more of the righteous will be resurrected, those inheriting the celestial kingdom. Next will be those to inherit the terrestrial kingdom. Then at the end of the millennium those who will inherit the telestial kingdom will rise. Followed by those who are “filthy still”, the “sons of perdition.”

5.    Some of the Corinthians did not believe in the Resurrection. What did Paul use as evidence of the Resurrection that was common practice then but today is literally nonexistent in the Christian world outside the restored gospel?

Verse 29 gives us the answer: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

6.    What id Paul teach about the differences in resurrected bodies?

Paul taught that resurrected bodies differ in glory from our mortal bodies. The natural body is buried, but a spiritual body is resurrected, glorified and immortal.

7.    How does knowing this help to explain God’s justice and mercy?

To me the resurrection is the mercy, everyone will receive an immortal body and live for eternity, because of Christ’s death and resurrection. Justice is covered by our repentance and our placement in the degree of glory we have earned. If we make good choices throughout our lives and do all we can, mercy will be in place to cover what we can’t do on our own.

8.    What additional insights do you gain about the celestial kingdom from Doctrine and covenants 131: 1-4?

In order to obtain the celestial kingdom we have to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of eternal marriage. We must be sealed in the temple for time and eternity.

9.    What does 2 Nephi 9:6-9 tell us would have happened to all of us had there been no resurrection?

Nephi explains that without the resurrection our bodies would rot and crumble in the earth. Our spirits would become subject to the devil, and shout out from the presence of God, remaining with Satan.