Where Do We Go After We Die?

If only it were that easy, Huh?

The Bible teaches us that after this life, we either go to Heaven or Hell. (...thou shalt be brought down to hell - Isaiah 14:15. ...he was received up into heaven: Mark 16:19) The Bible also tells us that, because Christ was resurrected, all people shall be resurrected and reunited with their bodies, only in a perfect state (See John chapter 11 verse 25 and 26). However, the Bible also mentions some things that are not really explained, such as in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 where Paul speaks of knowing a man who was caught up into the third heaven, and of the man caught up into paradise, or when he speaks in chapter 15 about celestial, terrestrial, and telestial bodies. Luckily, Heavenly Father knew that all or the teachings of His Gospel could not be contained into one book perfectly; that's why we have the Book of Mormon to help us see the whole picture.

Immediately After Death

This is an illustration of the stages of Life from Beginning to End

(Note: These teachings come from the 40th chapter of the Book of Alma within the Book of Mormon as well as the 9th chapter of the second book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon, pages 307 - 309 and 72 - 77 accordingly. I strongly suggest reading those chapters so as to get your answers from the source of truth, instead of second hand)

Death is the literal separation of out spirits from our bodies. As soon as we die, Alma tells us that our spirits are taken to, essentially, one of two waiting areas: "And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise ... this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection." As members of the church, we call these two places spirit paradise (just as Paul described) and spirit prison, and together, they make up the Spirit World. Our spirits wait in the Spirit World until it is time for each of us to be resurrected. (I feel to mention that this Spirit World is where the Idea that there is one heaven and one hell comes from. Remember however, that Christ said, "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2))

Resurrection and Judgment

When it comes our time, we will be reunited with our bodies, and our bodies will be perfected so that we can live forever. At this time, we will "be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to [our] works" here I return to Paul. He knew very well that the spirit world was not our final destination. In chapter 15 of Corinthians, he informs us that there are three glories in the Kingdom of God: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead" (verse 41 - 42). Those who have accepted Christ, repented, been baptized by His priesthood Authority, and lived all of His teachings to the best of their ability are made clean in His atonement and are allowed to enter into the Celestial Kingdom, or the Glory of the Sun, where Heavenly Father resides. There they will live in everlasting Joy for the rest of eternity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

As always, I would advise you to study the scriptures diligently and ask Heavenly Father in honest prayer if the things which I speak are true. He alone will never lie to you. My desire is that you will find this truth for yourself so that you may realize that this life is a time for us to prepare for the eternities. Please do not trade 100 years of simple pleasure for an eternity of complete joy. Come to Christ, for His arms are opened to you. Of Him I so testify, even Jesus Christ, Amen.