Concerning this first resurrection, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “To those who lived before the resurrection of Christ, the day of his coming forth from the dead was known as the first resurrection… . To those who have lived since that day, the first resurrection is yet future and will take place at the time of the Second Coming” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 639). Elder McConkie also wrote that “the righteous dead who lived from the day of Adam to the time when Christ broke the bands of death ‘were with Christ in his resurrection.’ (D. & C. 133:54–55.)” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 639).
Abinadi taught that those who died without a knowledge of the gospel before Christ’s resurrection could also “have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life” (Mosiah 15:24). These people would have the gospel preached to them in the spirit world and would be able to receive all of the blessings given to those resurrected at the time of the first resurrection, even though they would not be resurrected until a later time (see D&C 137:7).
Those who willfully rebel against Christ have no part in the first resurrection. Abinadi explained that willful rebellion refers to those who have known the gospel but have forsaken it (see Mosiah 15:26–27).