“Second Death, Which Is a Spiritual Death”

Brant Gardner

Alma uses the idea of physical death to create a way of describing the second effect of the fall. Physical death (our first death) is a separation of body and spirit. The second “death” also refers to a separation, but of the unrepentant from God’s presence. This death occurs at the time of the judgment when the unrepentant person stands before God and God righteously precludes such a one from his presence.

“Things pertaining unto righteousness” would be the repentant soul’s welcome into heaven, the location of righteousness. The unrepentant will go to another realm (v. 17).

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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