What is the Mormon afterlife?

[edit] Mormon's view of salvation

For Mormons everywhere there is a belief that everyone lived with God before this life on earth. A person lived with Him as a spirit and, eventually, He sent them to earth. Therefore, salvation according to the Mormons is the return of us to God where we stay in His presence forever. A person would attain salvation in the after life, the return to God, by having faith in the Atonement of Christ, but mostly good works and deeds. As with most religions, there are two types of people: Mormons and non-Mormons. Each has a specific path to follow after death and, in the Mormon belief system it can only be slightly altered.

[edit] What happens to the human body after death?

Mormons believe that every person who passes away will live eternally. There is no immediate departure to a heaven or hell, however. Instead, in the Mormon afterlife, the soul must go through a time period in a spirit world where they would receive instructions to prepare for their ultimate destination for the eternal part of the after life. People who were not Mormon would also go to the spirit world, but in the sense of a temporary hell. They would have the chance to repent and proclaim their faith in God and the Atonement of Christ. There will be a Resurrection where the soul will reunite with the body as suggested in the Mormon faith. It is thought to be the same body one had before they died.

[edit] Mormon Heaven

Mormons do believe in heaven, but it is defined as being a place where God lives. If people choose to follow Him, then they will also live there with Him. But, there is some contrast in the Mormon belief system as heaven is also explained as being in the presence of God. These are two different heavens where one seems to be more of a physical location, and the other being surrounded by the presence of God, but not living with Him in His physical dwelling. Mormons hold special temple ceremonies for families who would like to live in heaven forever together in the after life. Mormons who do good deeds will be rewarded, but may not necessarily live in heaven, but be in the presence of God. In the Mormon afterlife, heaven and the presence of God can only be achieved after the time spent in the spirit world.

[edit] Mormon Hell

The Mormon afterlife does not include hell as most people would define it today. Instead there is a temporary hell for those who are not Mormons and those who are unrepentant. When their time in the spirit world is over, they will be rewarded for their deeds but never allowed to be in the presence of God. Again, there is some contrast here as there is mention of an eternal hell. It is inhabited by Satan. Those who join him are people who are completely unwilling to accept the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. There is an opportunity for turn around during the time these people spend in temporary hell, but if they do not change then eternal hell awaits them.