The First Resurrection: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening

The Order of Resurrection

The first resurrection of the just includes heirs of the celestial and terrestrial kingdoms in their descending order of obedience. Within these two kingdoms there are three stages of resurrection. The morning for exaltation-worthy saints began with the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the meridian of time. (D&C 88:97-98) The afternoon for unexalted ministering angels will begin soon after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Rev 20:4; D&C 88:99). After the Second Coming, celestial resurrections in the morning and afternoon run concurrently throughout the millennium as celestial worthy saints are changed in the twinkling of an eye when they reach the age of a tree (100 years). (Isa 65:20, 22; D&C 101:30-31) The evening for terrestrial-worthy occurs at the end of the millennium when they resurrect in one large group (Rev 20:5; D&C 88:100-101). All three stages of the first resurrection will be complete at the end of the millennium.

Differing Views About D&C 88:99

Most people in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interpret D&C 88:99 as the afternoon for terrestrial-worthy people immediately after the Second Coming‒rather than the second stage of the celestial resurrection. This verse says: “After this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.” This verse is commonly interpreted as the terrestrial resurrection because it refers to disembodied spirits who receive the gospel in the postmortal spirit world. (See D&C 76:73-74 [describing terrestrial-worthy people who accept the gospel in spirit prison after rejecting it in mortality]) However, people who accept the gospel in spirit prison that never had an opportunity to receive it in mortality are heirs of the celestial kingdom‒not the terrestrial. (D&C 137:7-8) Also, D&C 88:99 states that these persons “are Christ’s at his coming.” This refers to baptized members of the Church. Baptism does not apply to the terrestrial kingdom. Terrestrial people are honorable people (D&C 76:75), but they are not Christ’s people. (See also 1 Cor 15:22-23, 29 [Christ’s people require baptism for the dead])

The Four Stages of Resurrection (D&C 88:97-102)

Based on the foregoing interpretation of D&C 88:99, we can reconcile the chronological sequence of resurrection for the human family revealed in D&C 88:97-102, as follows:

• D&C 88:97-98 First trump (celestial): Exaltation-worthy saints in the morning of the first resurrection.
• D&C 88:99: Second trump (celestial): Unexalted ministering angels in the afternoon of the first resurrection
• D&C 88:100-101 Third trump (terrestrial): Condemned people who live “not again until the thousand years are ended” in the evening of the first resurrection.
• Third trump: (telestial): Condemned people who live “neither again, until the end of the earth” in the morning of the last resurrection.
• D&C 88:102 Fourth trump (sons of perdition): People who “remain until that great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still” in the afternoon of the last resurrection.

During the transition from the first resurrection to the last resurrection at the end of the millennium, all celestial and terrestrial-worthy people will resurrect leaving only telestial people and sons of perdition to wage the final battle of Gog and Magog during the little season (Rev 20:7-9). Enoch’s city of Zion is the foreshadow and prototype for the removal of righteous people from the earth with the onset of great wickedness on the earth. (Moses 7:18-27, 68-69)

For more on the stages of resurrection and the millennial Zion, check out my podcasts from October 25 and 27, 2026.

October 25, 2026 — Podcast

October 27, 2026 — Podcast