My thoughts on Christ's Resurrection

In our church the members of the congregation are asked to speak in our Sacrament meetings (as opposed to a paid clergy). I was asked to speak last week, Easter Sunday, and my topic was The Resurrection. I thought I'd post my thoughts and talk online for anyone who cares to read it. . . beware it is a bit deep. If you have ANY questions you can comment to me or visit The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints webpage. I don't pretend to be a Bible scholar, but I do love Christ and His teachings. I am not at all offended if you don't want to read this--it is a bit of a departure from my normal, silly, not-so-serious posts!

My mother is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She came from a family that went to church often and taught her the stories of Jesus from the Bible. When I’ve visited our family in Texas, I’ve been invited to attend church services with my Grandparents. This has expanded my horizons about other religions. One of the most important lessons I learned from these experiences is the deep love that so many people of many religions have toward Christ.

I often think of my extended family when I pass other Churches around town. It has been with pleasure that I have passed these meeting houses this week and read the topic of Sunday’s (today’s) service printed on the marquis outside. I’ve pondered how wonderful and significant the Resurrection of Jesus Christ must be if there are so many people around the world meeting in so many churches and discussing His Resurrection on this Easter Sunday. The Gospel Doctrine study manual for the New Testament relates the following story from Elder James M. Paramore:

“Many years ago … a writer for a newspaper was asked an important question, ‘What would be the most important news the world could receive? [The writer] thought and thought about the question, he talked to many people, and read all he could in an effort to find an answer for himself. And finally, he printed his answer, ‘To know that Jesus Christ lives today would be the most important news the world could receive. In fact, if He lives today, then we too will live eternally as He said.”

Imagine that. . . . . . .if you do indeed have a testimony of Christ’s Resurrection you may well have the most important news the world could contain. It is no wonder we celebrate Easter!! It is no wonder the Resurrection is the topic of so many sermons today. I guess it is also no wonder that I feel a little nervous about doing this topic justice for our ward today!!

If there is anything having children has taught me, it is that lecturing simply does not drive a point home very well! Although I’ve lectured my kids often about the virtue of telling the truth, it wasn’t until Brother Simmons told a story during Sharing Time about a young boy who was honest that my kids started telling ME why we should not lie. I guess that is why in our quest to teach children, we use stories to drive a point home. I am sure in many homes in our neighborhood this week, children have been reminded of the story of Christ’s Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane, His death, and glorious Resurrection 3 days later. I will never forget Nikki Wankier relating the story during a lesson of one of her boys, Zakary, who was watching a church video about Christ’s Atonement. Just as I sometimes feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained when I’m reminded of His sacrifice, Zak Wankier did. But, he boldly told his mom, Nikki, “Mom, they forgot the happy part. . . .remember, Jesus lived again!”

Christ’s resurrection is a beautiful, wonderful story—but it is more than just a story with a happy ending. We literally believe the testimony of Christ’s apostles, Mary Magdalene, Cleopas who was taught by the resurrected Savior on the road to Emmaus, and 500 other people who saw the resurrected Christ on the shores of Galilee. Other testimonies of a living Savior are sworn by the martyr Stephen and the 2500 Nephites in the Book of Mormon who felt the prints in His hands and feet. In our dispensation, as Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were translating lost truths from the Bible, they recorded a vision of God and Christ. In D&C 76 they swore that “He lives. (They) saw Him, even on the right hand of God.”

Although it is not likely we will personally see the living Christ in our mortal life, many have left a testimony of Him. If we pray and study earnestly and ask God in prayer, we too can gain a firm testimony of the truth of Christ’s literal Resurrection.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The possibility that a mortal who has died will be brought forth and live again in a resurrected body has awakened hope and stirred controversy through much of recorded history. Relying on clear scriptural teachings, Latter-day Saints join in affirming that Christ has “broken the bands of death” and that “death is swallowed up in victory. Because we believe the Bible and Book of Mormon describes the literal Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we also readily accept the numerous scriptural teachings that a similar resurrection will come to all mortals who have ever lived upon this earth As Jesus taught (during his mortal ministry), “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).” (May 2000 Ensign)

The Book of Mormon clearly explains how Christ’s Resurrection has implications for our own. Although the wicked judge Zeezrom tried to confound Amulek into saying something contrary to the spirit of God, Amulek was not shaken. He clearly explained the implication of Christ’s Resurrection to us all. He explained, “Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from the temporal death. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; . . . . . and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous.” (Alma 11:42-44) Jacob also explained the significance of Christ’s Resurrection. He said, “And (Christ) suffered this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgement day.” (2 Nephi 9:22)

The assurance of Christ’s Resurrection also means that someday, we too will be resurrected. This has immense impact on how we should view this life!! If this life is a moment in time following which we will experience resurrection, then our death is an important transition from mortality to immortality. The knowledge that life will continue beyond death can help us put the challenges, trials, and annoyances of daily life into eternal perspective. Although the physical death of a loved one can be indescribably difficult, we know it is only a temporary death. We can look forward to a glorious reunion with our loved ones.

Some people on earth have physical afflictions and ailments that cause suffering which, at times, feels too hard to bear. When we think of the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ we will remember that he suffered these ailments AND death. But in these times of despair, we can remember the dark and dismal Friday of His crucifixion was quickly replaced by elation and joy on Easter Sunday!! His body was made perfect—he had endured the worst life had to offer—even death itself-- and despite it, was made a whole and triumphant man!! There was a moment in my life when I plead with my Heavenly Father in prayer to help me tackle an affliction that I felt I was physically unable to conquer on my own. After wrestling with this problem for many days, I asked my husband to give me a blessing. I don’t remember all the words of this blessing, but I do remember my husband quoting the Savior. . Never fear. Be believing. “I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Our problems are certainly nothing to scoff at, but the Savior does not want us to wallow in pity or defeat—HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD! Just like Christ, we can and WILL get past the dismal “Fridays” of life till we triumphantly are made whole again.

In addition, sometimes our sins and weaknesses are difficult to face, let alone repent from. Satan would have us believe that our sins are no big deal—if they aren’t hurting anyone else, we don’t need to worry about them. Satan deceives us by encouraging us to hide or shove problems under the table. Satan would have us “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”

With the knowledge that this life is only a step in immortality, we should boldly tackle our problems and sins—they won’t go away if we ignore them. In a mission to teach the wicked Zoramites about this principle, Amulek said, “For behold, this life is THE TIME for men to prepare to meet God; . . . . . for that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.” (Alma 34:32, 34)

This scripture teaches us that if we have not been righteous in this life, we will not be righteous in the life to come. This principle is the key to Christ’s teachings. He taught us and modeled for us righteous behavior. He suffered for our sins so that when we fall, as we all do, the punishment has been paid for our misconduct. We honor Christ’s loving sacrifice by becoming better people. And as we repent from our sins, we prepare ourselves not fear death, but to face it hopefully, knowing that one day we too will be resurrected!!

The story of the Resurrection is remarkable and certainly one we should teach our children— it is the most important news the world has ever known because of its eternal implications. Although I’ve been reminded of the details of the story of Christ’s resurrection while studying for this talk, it is the eternal implication of the resurrection for myself that I have been reminded of which has made my studying truly significant.