Question
Dear Gramps,
This is certainly not a particularly important question pertaining to our salvation and perhaps you have already answered it elsewhere. Still, I was wondering, will we be able or entitled to eat in the afterlife? We are blessed so abundantly in this mortal life with so many great foods to enjoy, it seems reasonable that this blessing should continue. However I do not remember having read anything concerning this subject. I know that the Lord ate after his resurrection but was this the norm or an exception.
Rory
Answer
Dear Rory,
The Savior partook of food after the resurrection to demonstrate to the disbelieving disciples that it was indeed himself as a resurrected being that they saw rather than a spirit.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
And he took it, and did eat before them. (Luke 24:41-43)
We also know that the body after the resurrection is indestructible. All resurrected beings will live forever.
And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness.
Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.
Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption. (Alma 12:16-18)
Thus it must be that the intake of food, as is required for life I mortality, cannot be required for life in eternity. The energy that is expended by an eternal being must come from some other source. So one asks the question, what will the digestive organs be used for if not for alimentation? Very little is revealed on the subject, perhaps, as you say, because it is not critical for our salvation. However, some hints are given. For instance, in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, we read–
Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy (3 Nephi 17:7).
And in the Doctrine and Covenants mention is made not only of the bowels and compassion, but the softening of the heart, as
Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol–stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us (D&C 121:4).
Just pure conjecture, but it could be that other body organs, necessary to sustain life in mortality, will have functions that pertain to conditions and abilities in the eternal worlds following mortality and the resurrection.
Gramps
