In Mormonism, spiritual death means separation from God and his influence, usually caused by personal sin. It is distinct from physical death, the separation of body and spirit. Mormons believe that through repentance, obedience, and the ordinances of the gospel, individuals can overcome spiritual death and regain God’s presence and guidance in their lives.
They also teach that everyone temporarily overcame spiritual death through Jesus’ atonement, which made it possible for all people to return to God’s presence for judgment after resurrection. Those who fail to keep the commandments and endure to the end will experience a second spiritual death—a final separation from God’s presence.
Biblical Christianity teaches that spiritual death is not just a temporary disconnection but the condition of every human being apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1). It cannot be repaired by obedience, but only by the new life God gives through faith in Jesus. In him, sinners are not merely brought back into God’s influence but fully reconciled to Him forever (Romans 5:10).
