“The post-mortal spirit world is an actual place where spirits reside and ‘where they converse together the same as we do on the earth’ (TPJS, p. 353). ‘Life and work and activity all continue in the spirit world. Men have the same talents and intelligence there, which they had in this life. They possess the same attitudes, inclinations, and feelings there which they had in this life” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.762). In the Spirit World, men and women await resurrection and judgment. A comforting tenet of Mormonism is that in the Spirit World, we may enjoy the felicity we enjoyed on earth with our dear family and friends.
Prophet Joseph F. Smith received a vision of the Spirit World. This vision is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 138.
Mormon belief states that the post-mortal spirit world is divided in two; there is spirit paradise and spirit prison. Those in spirit prison are those who did not learn of the gospel of Christ or who were not valiant in keeping the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Messengers are sent to teach those in spirit prison, and in this way the postmortal spirit world is much like mortality. Everyone will have the opportunity to hear Christ’s gospel and accept it. During the time between Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, He organized this missionary effort in the spirit world so that all would have the opportunity to learn and choose the gospel.
The Mormon Church teaches that when Christ comes again, all will be resurrected, and the spirit world will no longer be needed. People will then be judged according to their works, and will be able to enter the Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial Kingdoms.