The Multiple Stages of the Resurrection

The Resurrection of the Just and Unjust

The resurrection is universal for all the physical creations of Jesus Christ made possible by his atonement, but there are stages and order in the resurrection. Not everyone in the human family will rise at the same time or receive the same glory. Paul taught that each person comes forth “in his own order” (1 Cor 15:23). That order is dictated by the law of obedience, the law of earthly ordinances, and the salvation of the dead. The scriptures describe two broad resurrection divisions that include the first resurrection of the just for celestial and terrestrial-worthy people and the last resurrection of the unjust for telestial-worthy people and sons of perdition. Within these two great divisions, the resurrection proceeds from most righteous to most wicked according to the law people chose to obey during the period of their probation in this second estate.

The morning of the first resurrection began with Jesus Christ, when many other exaltation-worthy saints rose from their graves and appeared to others in Jerusalem (Matt 27:52-53), and also in America among the Nephites (3 Nephi 23:9-11). Since Christ’s resurrection in the meridian of time, there has not been a continuous resurrection of people. There have been limited resurrections for people such as Peter, James, and Moroni who resurrected after Christ to perform earthly missions. In general, however, the disembodied spirits of faithful saints go to the postmortal spirit world to preach the gospel as described in D&C 138:57 rather than resurrecting. Their work in the spirit world will continue until just before the Second Coming, when the morning of the first resurrection resumes. At that time a vast number of exaltation-worthy saints will come forth from their graves and descend with Christ at his Second Coming.

The Celestial Resurrection After the Second Coming

After the very large group of exalted people resurrect just before the Second Coming, the morning of the first resurrection will continue after the Second Coming until the end of the millennium. In addition, the afternoon of the first resurrection will begin after the Second Coming for unexalted ministering angels of the celestial kingdom. The afternoon will also continue to the end of the millennium. The morning and afternoon run concurrently throughout the millennium to accommodate the resurrection of four different groups of celestial-worthy people.

Group 1: People who receive the gospel in mortality and qualify for celestial glory but not exaltation will resurrect for the first time only after the Second Coming. These unexalted saints of the celestial kingdom do not qualify for exaltation in the highest degree of celestial glory because they are not sealed in the temple when given the opportunity in this life as described in D&C 131:1-3 and 132:15-17.

Group 2: Those who accept the gospel at their first opportunity in the spirit world are promised a celestial inheritance in D&C 137:7-8. They still require earthly ordinances performed by proxy. If that work is completed during the millennium they can resurrect to an exalted or unexalted state depending on the measure of their obedience.

Group 3: Mortals who live during the millennium will receive their gospel ordinances as “living ordinances” and then they will be resurrected to celestial glory in the “twinkling of an eye” at age 100. (D&C 101:30–31).

Group 4: The translated Lost Ten Tribes will receive their temple ordinances from Ephraim at the temple located in Independence Missouri during the Millennium. Thereafter, they will resurrect to a state of exaltation.

For more on these various stages of resurrection, including the morning and afternoon of the celestial resurrection, check out my podcasts from October 18 and 20, 2026.

October 18, 2026 — Podcast

October 20, 2026 — Podcast