Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Twenty-Four
Jesus and the Two Thieves in the Spirit World
The Crucifixion, by Harry Anderson
From the cross Jesus spoke of His ministry in the spirit world that would begin within a few hours – Few people understand the significance of the dialog between Jesus and the thieves at the crucifixion : “And one of the malefactors who was crucified with him, railed on him saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we received the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into the kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:39-43).
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the word “paradise” as used in Luke 23:43 should have been translated “world of spirits.” (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 309)
The spirit world consists of paradise, spirit prison, and hell (See Encyclopedia of Mormonism 4:1772) – After death “the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:11). This is paradise.
“And then it shall come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked…shall be cast into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity…
“Now 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” (Alma 40:11-14). This outer darkness is hell.
Spirit prison and outer darkness/hell are not the same place or condition in the spirit world – Outer darkness/hell is described in the Book of Mormon (see previous paragraph). These are those who will likely receive a telestial glory in the resurrection. (See D&C 76:81-86; 103-112)
Spirit prison is for good people who did not have sufficient opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality. “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations…who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).
These people are not suffering, as do the wicked who are in hell, but they are said to be in “prison” because until they receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ordinances of the temple their progress and growth is limited.
Concerning spirit prison the Prophet Joseph Smith said that he would send messengers to preach to the “honest men and noble-minded men” who would be found in the “prison” portion of the spirit world. He included Christian sectarians among this group and said, “I intend to send men to prison to preach to them” (Words of Joseph Smith, p. 368, 371).
The Lord’s ministry in the spirit world during the short time between His death and His resurrection – During His mortal ministry Jesus referred to this when He said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25). The Bible says that after Jesus died He went to the spirit world where He “preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-20).
Latter day revelation clarifies that Jesus did not go in person to those in spirit prison, but instead He organized the righteous spirits living in paradise to teach those in prison and those in outer darkness. (See D&C 138:27-37)
Latter day revelation teaches the following about the dialog between Jesus and the two thieves
Jesus – After His death and until His resurrection Jesus ministered in the post-mortal spirit world. During this time He went personally only to those who had lived the gospel during their mortal lives. “These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life” (D&C 138:51).
The repentant thief – After the death of the repentant thief we can surmise that he went to spirit prison, where those without the gospel but with righteous desires go. There he was taught and likely accepted the gospel. It is also possible that he received the ordinances of the temple as they may have been performed by those living in the meridian dispensation after the death of Christ. If so he would be able to leave spirit prison and enter paradise to wait for his resurrection to a celestial glory.
The unrepentant thief – After the death of the unrepentant thief we can surmise that he went to outer darkness/hell. There his probationary period was extended and he had the opportunity to receive the gospel and repent. If he did so, he could enter into paradise and later be part of the first resurrection. If not, he would stay in spirit prison until the resurrection of the unjust.