In Mormonism, the spirit world is the place where all people go after death to await resurrection and final judgment. It is divided into two parts: paradise and spirit prison. The righteous—especially faithful Latter-day Saints—go to paradise, a place of peace and rest. The unrighteous or unbaptized go to spirit prison, a temporary state of learning and repentance. Missionary work continues in the spirit world as those in paradise teach those in prison (see Doctrine and Covenants 138).
Mormons believe nearly everyone will eventually accept the gospel there, receive proxy ordinances performed for them in temples, and move toward one of the degrees of glory.
Biblical Christianity teaches that the soul’s eternal destiny is fixed at death (Luke 16:26; Hebrews 9:27). Those who die in faith are immediately with Christ (Philippians 1:23), while those who die in their sins are separated from God forever. There is no intermediate state where people can repent or receive the gospel after death.
