But, Peter wasn't quite right about this doctrine.
According to Joseph F. Smith in Doctrine and Covenants section 138 verse 29 it states:
"And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went NOT IN PERSON among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them"
This passage clarifies the misunderstanding, suggested by Peter's epistle, that Jesus visited the wicked who lived in the days of Noah (see 1 Peter 3:20).
The biblical text which has survived to this day leaves us with the impression that Christ visited the wicked of Noah's day. In deference to the greatest of Apostles, President Smith's tone is careful not to detract from the ministry and writings of Peter, but, for the sake of clarity, the revelation is stating that Peter was wrong on that point.
In the end, there are probably many notions, whether scriptural or cultural, which will turn out to need clarification. We should not be too concerned about this possibility. Bruce R. McConkie is a doctrinal hero partly because he wasn't afraid to say it like he saw it. He may have had to retract a statement or two, but that is OK. At least he had the courage to make a statement.
Paul, similarly, understood this dilemma and explained it in eloquence, "for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
So here is something I just found which pretty much clarifies what's going on here.
This answer doesn't only solve the practical problem; it teaches another important principle. The spirits in prison were not worthy of a direct visitation of the Lord. The resurrected Lord never appeared to the wicked. He didn't go back to the Sanhedrin and said, "See! I told you so." He only appeared to the righteous Jewish saints as a resurrected being. Similarly, the wicked Nephites were destroyed before he could openly minister on that continent.
Therefore, it would be inconsistent for the Master, after having accomplished the task given Him of the Father, to appear directly to the wicked. Just as the Gentiles were to be converted by the preaching of missionaries, so were the residents of spirit prison. The Savior said, "they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 15:23) Similarly, the souls in spirit prison should not at any time hear His voice - that he should not manifest Himself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. Unto them "he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression" (D&C 138:37.) In light of this, we need to take a careful look at Peter's exact wording. He said that Christ was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which [Spirit]... he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." Christ's ministry was not in person but by the Spirit THROUGH HIS MISSIONARIES who were "clothed with power and authority... to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness." (D&C 138:30)
And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. (1 Nephi 13:29)
The biblical text which has survived to this day leaves us with the impression that Christ visited the wicked of Noah's day. In deference to the greatest of Apostles, President Smith's tone is careful not to detract from the ministry and writings of Peter, but, for the sake of clarity, the revelation is stating that Peter was wrong on that point.
In the end, there are probably many notions, whether scriptural or cultural, which will turn out to need clarification. We should not be too concerned about this possibility. Bruce R. McConkie is a doctrinal hero partly because he wasn't afraid to say it like he saw it. He may have had to retract a statement or two, but that is OK. At least he had the courage to make a statement.
Paul, similarly, understood this dilemma and explained it in eloquence, "for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
By [the Spirit] also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison
This answer doesn't only solve the practical problem; it teaches another important principle. The spirits in prison were not worthy of a direct visitation of the Lord. The resurrected Lord never appeared to the wicked. He didn't go back to the Sanhedrin and said, "See! I told you so." He only appeared to the righteous Jewish saints as a resurrected being. Similarly, the wicked Nephites were destroyed before he could openly minister on that continent.
Therefore, it would be inconsistent for the Master, after having accomplished the task given Him of the Father, to appear directly to the wicked. Just as the Gentiles were to be converted by the preaching of missionaries, so were the residents of spirit prison. The Savior said, "they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 15:23) Similarly, the souls in spirit prison should not at any time hear His voice - that he should not manifest Himself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. Unto them "he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression" (D&C 138:37.) In light of this, we need to take a careful look at Peter's exact wording. He said that Christ was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which [Spirit]... he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." Christ's ministry was not in person but by the Spirit THROUGH HIS MISSIONARIES who were "clothed with power and authority... to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness." (D&C 138:30)
Although this might not even be a mistake made by Peter. After all, we know that many plain and precious things where taken out of the book of the Lamb.
