Dear Gramps,
There seems to be a discrepancy in the account of Jesus’ visit to the spirit world immediately following his death. James E. Talmage stated on page 672 in “Jesus The Christ” that Jesus went to the spirits in paradise and in spirit prison. However, in the Doctrine & Covenants 138:20, it says quite categorically that he did not go to the realm where the wicked were. Could you cast some light on this apparent contradiction?
Nancy, from Kelowna, BC, Canada
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Dear Nancy,
No contradiction. The term spirit prison, refers to the state of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. It could refer to both the wicked and righteous spirits in that condition. Doctrine and Covenants 138 does not say that the Savior did not visit the spirit prison, although it does not specifically say that he did visit that portion of the spirit world. In verse 39 it states that—
I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth.
Verse 30 tells us that from among the righteous he organized his forces to teach the gospel to all the spirits of men.
So without evidence to the contrary I believe that we are in a position to accept both the statements of Elder Talmage and that which is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Gramps

 

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