The wickedness and iniquities of the Nephites would cause the Spirit of the Lord to withdraw from them. With the loss of that Spirit would come the loss of his word, for that word can only be understood by the Spirit which they had so grievously offended.
“The Time of Death and the Time of the Resurrection”
Might we ask with Alma: What becomes of man- the eternal spirit- at the time of death? Does it remain forever in a grave of darkness? Or does it continue to exist, and if so, does it retain its individuality? Does the spirit return immediately to the divine presence? And what of the world of spirits- where is it and what of its nature? . . . All such questions and many more are answered with clarity by the revelations of the Restoration, from which we learn of this afterworld, this life beyond the grave. (Robert L. Millet and Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Life Beyond, p. 13.)