Spiritual Death

Spiritual death, in Mormon theology, is an alienation from the things of God (Alma 12:16, 32; 40:26), a separation from righteousness, and an alienation and separation from God himself. The scriptures repeatedly use the same phrase to define it: spiritual death is to be "cut off from the presence of the Lord" (2 Ne. 9:6; Alma 42:9; Hel. 14:16).

Two Types of Spiritual Death

There are two ways we are cut off from the presence of the Lord, and this distinction sometimes causes confusion. Alma and Samuel the Lamanite use the same terms when delineating these two types of separation:

Our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord. (Alma 42:7)

The resurrection ... redeemeth all mankind from the first death—that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. (Hel. 14:16)

The Guide to the Scriptures makes this distinction by defining spiritual death as "separation from God and his influences." In this entry, "separation from God" refers to the temporal separation, and "separation from his influences" refers to the spiritual separation.

It is important to understand the definition, cause, and resolution of both types of spiritual death.

Temporal Separation

The temporal separation refers to being separated from Heavenly Father in a physical way, in the literal sense that he is up in heaven while we are down on earth. For example, before the Fall, Adam and Eve walked and talked with God the Father face to face; they were able to be in his physical presence. After the Fall, they experienced a temporal separation in that the earth fell and they were no longer in his literal presence; they could speak to him, but "they saw him not" (Moses 5:4).

This temporal separation is caused by the fall of Adam and affects every descendant of Adam, including little children who have not reached the age of accountability. That is, every descendant of Adam is born into a world that is apart from God the Father's heavenly dwelling place.

Because the temporal separation is imposed by Adam's Fall, involuntarily, its effects are overcome unconditionally. Gerald N. Lund emphasizes the importance of this point:

To make coming back into the presence of God (overcoming spiritual death) conditional, when our separation from him was originally caused by the fall of Adam, would mean we do suffer punishment for Adam’s transgression, and such is not the case. . . . Not only does Christ’s redemption bring about resurrection for all without condition, but it also brings all men to the judgment bar where they are brought into the presence of God to stand before him to be judged. If we are brought back into the presence of God, then spiritual death, or our separation from God, is overcome at that point. What does a man have to do to have this happen? Absolutely nothing. It, too, is unconditional. Thus both effects of the fall of Adam are automatically redeemed by the Savior.

Spiritual Separation

The spiritual separation refers to being separated from the Holy Ghost in a spiritual way, in the figurative sense that, since the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, separation from the Holy Ghost is separation from God. For example, before we sin, we can freely have the Holy Ghost's influence. After we sin, the Holy Ghost withdraws and we are cut off from the Spirit, or "cut off ... spiritually ... from the presence of the Lord."

This spiritual separation is caused by individual sins---while the first separation is caused by the Fall, "the second is our own disobedience." The spiritual separation only affects those who sin, thus excluding little children who have not reached the age of accountability.

Because the spiritual separation is caused by individual choices, voluntarily, its effects are only overcome conditionally, on the terms of repentance.

Comparison of the Two Types

Thus, spiritual death can refer to either of two separations. In the scriptures, the Lord's temporal presence is often symbolized by his face, and his spiritual presence is often symbolized by his voice (see Gen. 3:8; Deut. 4:12; Enos 1:4, 27; Ether 3:6, 13; D&C 93:1; Moses 5:4).

The temporal separation, being cut off from Heavenly Father, is caused by Adam's transgression and affects all his posterity unconditionally, even innocent children. Therefore, it is overcome unconditionally by the Atonement when everyone, even sons of perdition, returns to the Father's presence to be judged.

The spiritual separation, being cut off from the Holy Ghost, is caused by individual sins, and affects only those who are accountable and break the commandments. Therefore, it is overcome conditionally by the Atonement only for those who repent.

Duration of Spiritual Death

There are two types of spiritual death: temporary and permanent. Sin, or rebellion against the laws of God, is the cause of spiritual death, as Paul pointed out in Romans 6:23 ( "The wages of sin is death," specifically spiritual death). Further clarification comes from Jacob's reference in the Book of Mormon to spiritual death being what is known as Hell, so Hell, in essence, is a place or state where a person is alienated and separated from God.

Introduction of Spiritual Death to Earth

Spiritual death, like physical death, was introduced by the Fall of Adam through his disobedience to the commandment not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The consequences of Adam and Eve's actions were that they not only became subject to dying physically, but they were expelled from the Garden of Eden, where God the Father and Jesus Christ spoke to them face-to-face. After their expulsion, Adam and Eve no longer spoke face-to-face with God but spoke to him through prayer. By this change in relationship with God, they experienced a temporary spiritual separation.

Mankind's Temporary Spiritual Death

While all mankind has inherited the effects of Adam's Fall in that they must also converse with God through prayer, Mormons believe that an individual experiences personal spiritual death, temporary and permanent, only as a consequence of personal sin—through his or her own works, thoughts, and actions, not through any transgression of Adam and Eve or of any other person.

Overcoming Spiritual Death

The only way to overcome spiritual death is by obedience to the commandments of Christ. Each person must live up to the light he or she has been given and seek after more, with all his or her "heart, might, mind, and strength." In addition to a deliberately disobedient person, a slothful or complacent person is not in compliance with the commandments because he or she does not obey the commandment to spiritually thirst and seek after righteousness.

Permanent Spiritual Death or Eternal Life

On the Judgment Day all mankind will return to the presence of God for judgment, so that means a temporary suspension of the separation part of spiritual death. However, the purpose of Judgment Day is to decide whether a person will endure permanent separation. A person who has chosen to not separate him or herself from righteousness or the things of God during life has already to some degree temporarily overcome spiritual death and has proven worthy, through Christ's Atonement, to permanently remain in God's presence. Conversely, an individual who has willfully rebelled against Christ's teachings has already alienated and separated him or herself from God and has suffered during his life a voluntary temporary spiritual death. This individual has exercised his agency, exhibited his desire and choice, and will be given a permanent spiritual death, also called the second death (Rev. 20:14; Alma 12: 16-18; Hel. 14:16-19; D&C 76:36-37). Both judgments will be just because both individuals will have chosen what they truly desire: to be with God and to love and obey him, or not.