Temporal death

Temporal death is a concept taught principally in the Book of Mormon, referring to both the separation of the spirit from the body (what most people today call "physical death") as well as the physical separation of mankind from Heavenly Father's dwelling place (what Alma calls being "cut off temporally from the presence of God"). These two events compose "temporal death," and both were introduced by Adam and Eve and inherited by all their children.

The phrase "temporal death" is used only nine times in the scriptures: seven times in the Book of Mormon and once in the Doctrine and Covenants (Alma 11:42; 12:16, 24; Alma 42:8–9; Mormon 9:13; Doctrine and Covenants 29:42). It is paraphrased elsewhere as "this death which is the temporal" (2 Nephi 9:11) and as "dead as to things temporal" (Helaman 14:16).

Definition in the Scriptures

The concept of temporal death is taught by several Book of Mormon prophets, beginning with Jacon son of Lehi, who calls it "this death which is the temporal." The phrase itself is introduced by Amulek, and used later by Alma and Moroni. Samuel the Lamanite calls it being "dead as to things temporal."

Temporal death is frequently contrasted with spiritual death.

Simplified Definition

Most definitions of temporal death equate it with "physical death." While "death of the body" is one element of temporal death, this definition is insufficient to fully understand passages in restored scripture that talk about temporal death.