“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 121.)
I recently had a conversation with a friend who did not seem entirely convinced of the reliability of the accounts given by the apostles (and/or the writers of the gospels) concerning the literal reality and veracity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. More to the point this person did not seem to have a clear grasp of the function and consequences of the resurrection itself. Unfortunately he is not alone, nor is he unique, among Americans. According to Newsweek magazine: “The number of Americans who say they believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ has dropped 10 points since 2003 to 70 percent, according to the most recent Harris poll; only 26 percent of Americans think that they'll have bodies in heaven, according to a 1997 Time/CNN poll.” (Lisa Miller, “Far from Heaven,” Newsweek, Mar 25, 2010).
My friend is at least nominally a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and so his skepticism puzzles me somewhat since, like Paul, I feel that "if Christ be not raised...we are of all men most miserable." The resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope that it brings, is the central message of the New Testament and it is the principal doctrine of the restored gospel. The resurrection and its consequences are firmly established by the Bible, as well as by the scriptures of the restoration, and so there is no reason for a Christian of any stripe to doubt the reality of the living Christ, and it makes no sense that so few people believe that (thanks to Christ) we ourselves will rise in the resurrection with glorified physical bodies. Given that ignorance and disbelief in a doctrine as fundamental as the resurrection of Jesus Christ seems to run rampant even through the ranks of Christianity, I feel that it is my duty to make a case for the veracity of Christ's resurrection and to explain the effects and mechanics of the resurrection itself. Such knowledge is crucial for anyone who claims to be a Christian and who wishes to obtain understanding in this life and salvation in the world to come.
2 Nephi 2:8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
It may be that resorting to the Biblical account may do little to convince someone of the fact and reality of the resurrection when they are already somewhat doubtful of the veracity of the Bible record itself. However I hope to establish the doctrinal and historical veracity of the Biblical account of the resurrection through scriptural sources outside of the Bible, and in so doing clarify the exact effects that resurrection has upon an individual (both in the physiological as well as in the redemptive sense) and perhaps explain the reasons behind those effects. I also hope to explore some aspects of the doctrine of resurrection contained in the scriptures that seem to be poorly understood by my peers. It is my hope that in gaining more knowledge about the details of the resurrection we can all gain a stronger testimony of the wondrous (and wondrously simple) fact that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again after three days, and that he lives even to this day and forevermore.
I will begin by briefly examining the record of the resurrection and the events surrounding it in the New Testament (and later records) point by point.
1) Jesus Christ was most assuredly dead and buried. The evening after Christ died on the cross (Matthew 27:50), a wealthy disciple named Joseph of Arimathea begged Pilate to allow him to take the body of Christ to be buried. Pilate granted his request and Joseph had Christ's body wrapped in clean linen and buried in “his [Joseph’s] own new tomb.” The apostle John says that this tomb was in a garden that was near the place where Christ was crucified (John 19:41). Matthew also describes the tomb as being “hewn out in the rock.” This tomb could be closed by rolling “a great stone to the door of the sepulchre,” which Joseph (and those who were with him) did after laying Christ’s body to rest in his tomb. (See Matthew 27: 57-60.) John explains that Christ was buried here because it was close at hand, and it was necessary to bury him with some haste “because of the Jews preparation day,” or in other words because the Sabbath was about to begin at sunset in which no work could be done. (For those of you keeping track, Christ was buried on a Friday evening, the Sabbath was on a Saturday, and Mary Magdalene and others returned to the tomb “bringing the spices which they had prepared” (Luke 24:1) “that they might come and anoint” (Mark 16:1) the body of Christ on Sunday morning.)
The Pharisees were not ignorant of Christ’s promise to rise again after three days, and so the next day the Pharisees went to Pilate and asked him to “command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, he is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.” Pilate seemed to want little more to do with the matter, and he responded with a curt "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can." The Pharisees therefore had to find a way of their own to prevent any possibility of false claims of a resurrection, “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” I mention this only to emphasize that Christ was not just buried in the tomb, but he was actually sealed in it by his enemies, with a guard placed there to prevent any possible fraud. Barring a miracle, Christ's body wasn't going anywhere (as far as his enemies were concerned).
2) Christ’s resurrection announced by angelic heralds. “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel [JST two angels: see also Luke 24:4] of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 28:1-8) Mary Magdalene and the others were obedient to the mandate of the angels.
3) The tomb was indeed empty. “Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (Note that the burial clothes were not strewn about the tomb, but rather they were neatly “wrapped together.” Not only is this a beautiful insight into the way that the Lord chooses to do things, but it is also another testimony that the resurrection of Christ was not an unplanned surprise.) Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must arise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.” (John 20:2-10)
4) Mary Magdalene the first to see the risen Lord: According to John’s account, Mary remained in the Garden after the others had left. “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not [JST Hold me not]; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” (John 20:11-18)
5) Christ appeared to several groups in his resurrected glory. Luke 24 contains an account of Christ appearing unrecognized and walking on the way with some of His own disciples. These disciples were leaving Jerusalem in defeat for an outlying village called Emmaus in the wake of the death of their beloved leader. After talking to these disciples, re-teaching them from the scriptures “the things concerning himself”, and breaking bread with them, the disciples eyes are opened and they recognize the risen Lord, at which point he leaves them. The disciples excitedly returned to Jerusalem to report what they had seen to the Apostles who were the leaders of the church.
This account is a good example of how poorly the Apostles and the other disciples understood the reality and the scriptural nature of the resurrection of Christ. They persisted in their ignorance and unbelief even in the face of the testimony given by the women that went to the tomb on Sunday morning. Earlier in chapter 24, Luke states that when these women tried to tell the Apostles what it was that they had seen “their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.”
Apparently Christ also appeared to Simon Peter during this time, as recorded in Luke 24:34, and 1 Corinthians 15:5. Paul also records in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ “was seen of above five hundred brethren at once,” and later by James (the Lord’s brother), during this period. Paul's record is especially significant because it predates that of the gospels by as much as a decade. That means that the resurrection narrative was not some kind of late Christian innovation which was added long after Christ had died in an effort to make Him appear divine. Rather, Paul's early testimony of the resurrection demonstrates that belief in the resurrection was central to Christian doctrine and teachings practically from day one, and it helps to establish the reliability of the records contained within the gospels.
6) Christ Appeared to the Twelve Apostles. After all of this the eleven Apostles were gathered together in a room that was locked, “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). There was much commotion and astonishment among the Apostles at the various reports of sightings of the risen Lord and other miraculous occurrences that had transpired. “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 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.”
The resurrected Lord spent forty days among the Apostles, teaching them many things and instructing them “as to things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3) Christ gave His apostles the charge to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:18-20) after which He ascended into heaven.
According to Peter (as well as others), the twelve apostles had been chosen as special witnesses of the reality and truth of the resurrection of Christ; and furthermore, acting in this capacity as a witness of the risen Lord is one of the special functions of prophets and apostles in every age of the world.
Acts 10:39-43 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
7) Christ appeared to his “other sheep” (the Nephites-see John 10:16) in the New World. In the account recorded in 3 Nephi 11, Christ appeared to the people in the Americas as the Father spoke from heaven and testified, saying, “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.” The Savior allowed the multitude gathered there to thrust their hands into his side, and feel the prints of the nails in his hands and feet, much as he allowed his doubting Apostles to see and handle him, that they might “know of a surety and ...bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.” He spent several days among the Nephites (off and on as he occasionally returned to heaven only to reappear among the Nephites) before ascending once again into heaven for the final time.
8) The Resurrected Christ has also appeared to prophets and apostles in the Modern age. A fourteen year old farm boy named Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ standing together above him in a grove of trees near Palmyra, New York in the spring of 1820. While this appearance ushered in the restoration of the gospel, it is also significance because it provides another testimony that Jesus Christ truly did rise again, and that He lives even now.
"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me....When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith--History 1:16-17).
The Savior Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith on several subsequent occasions, including one notable appearance which took place on April 3, 1836. Not long after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, the risen Lord appeared in glory to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to declare His acceptance of the building as His holy house.
D&C 110:2-7 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying: I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice. Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
Joseph Smith (along with Sidney Rigdon) later made this declaration (in 1832) concerning their witness of the reality of the living Christ.
D&C 76:22-24 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
More recently (in 2000), a living prophet and apostles issued a declaration called "The Living Christ" in their capacity as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. You can read the document in its entirety HERE. I have also written a detailed analysis of this document, which you can read HERE.
These men have devoted their lives to their divinely issued calling to stand as witnesses of the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They have declared their testimony many times and in many places. If you are interested in watching videos specifically designed to showcase the witness given by the living prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ you can watch them HERE.
The evidence of the scriptures and the testimony of the many witnesses of the resurrection and of the living Christ should be enough to help us to understand and believe the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is not something that one could prove scientifically, or with historical or archaeological evidence. The best the apostles and prophets who have seen the risen Lord throughout the ages could do was to give their heartfelt and honest testimonies concerning those things which they had seen and felt. Even with all of these testimonies, and even if there was a mountain of scientific evidence, each person would still need to obtain their own personal witness the Jesus Christ did indeed rise again two thousand years ago, and that at this very moment Christ is the living son of the living God. The mission and reality of the Savior Jesus Christ is something that needs to be believed in with the heart and not just understood with the mind. The knowledge and understanding that Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day so that we might also rise again brings unspeakable hope and joy to those who have chosen to build a relationship of faith and devotion with and active and vital Savior, because we know that death is not the end--we will live again, and what is more we will see our loved ones again in a better world beyond this one.
1 Corinthians 15:19-20 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, there are still many people who do not understand the basic mechanics of Christ's resurrection, how it works, and what it means for each of us. This brings me to another subject which needs to be addressed; namely the precise nature of resurrection itself and its function within God’s plan of salvation and happiness for His children.
1) Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected
Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
2 Nephi 2:8-9 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
2) Christ rose again and brought about the resurrection by the power of the Father
Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly
Mormon 7:5-6 Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. And he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must be raised to stand before his judgment-seat.
3) Because Jesus Christ performed the atonement and resurrection, all people that have lived on the earth will be resurrected through him
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
2 Nephi 9:21-22 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.
Alma 7:12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Alma 11:41-42,44 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. 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 this temporal death. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Ezekiel 37:13-14 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Helaman 14:17 But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.
Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
4) When we are resurrected, our spirits and our bodies, which were separated at death, will be reunited
Alma 11:43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
Alma 40:23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
2 Nephi 9:13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
5) Through Jesus Christ our mortal bodies will be changed to “be fashioned like unto his glorious body”
Philippians 3:10,21 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; …Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
2 Nephi 9:13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.
Alma 11:43-44 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; 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 bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Alma 40:23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
Job 14:14,19:23-27 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
6) Like Christ, we will have bodies made of “flesh and bone” that you can see and touch.
Luke 24:36-43 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 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.
7) When we are resurrected our bodies will be immortal, which means that we will never die (physically) again
Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alma 11:45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.
8) Some (if not all) of the righteous saints who lived “from the time of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ” were resurrected shortly after Christ.
Alma 40:18-20 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ. Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ. Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.
Helaman 14:25 And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.
3 Nephi 23:9-11 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so? And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?
Matthew 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
D&C 133:54-55 Yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him; the prophets who were before him; and Noah also, and they who were before him; and Moses also, and they who were before him; And from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb.
9) The righteous saints (and they that knew no law) shall rise first (before the wicked) at Christ’s second coming
1 Corinthians 15:21-23 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
D&C 29:26-27 But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth—yea, even all. And the righteous shall be gathered on my bright hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father;
D&C 45:54 And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them.
D&C 88:97-102 And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—They are Christ’s, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God. And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ’s at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh. And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third trump; and then come the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation; And these are the rest of the dead; and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth. And another trump shall sound, which is the fourth trump, saying: There are found among those who are to remain until that great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still.
10) Not everyone will be resurrected to the same degree of glory
1 Corinthians 15:35-43 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
D&C 76:50-54,69-70(see also 70-112) And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
11) Without the resurrection of Christ, we would all be damned
2 Nephi 9:7-11 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
D&C 88:15-16, 93:33-35 And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul…For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy; And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy. The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple.
As we search the scriptures it becomes clear that without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the restoration of our bodies to our spirits we could not be redeemed. Resurrection and immortality is a gift to all (regardless of any state of wickedness or righteousness), through Christ, “but in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way.” (Ether 12:11) Immortality deals solely with quantity, namely living forever, but through Christ and his Gospel we can obtain eternal life, which is about quality, or living forever with God. Resurrection is only a part of the atonement that Jesus Christ made for those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. It is important to gain not only a fundamental understanding of the doctrine of the resurrection, but also a testimony of the reality of the living Christ, and his atonement as a whole.
Different interpretations and opinions concerning the particulars of the doctrine of resurrection have been the source of much confusion and strife over the course of the last two thousand years or so. While much of the truth about the resurrection can be found in the Bible for those who have “the ears to hear”, I am grateful for modern-day revelation, and additional scripture which echoes and fortifies (as well as clarifies) the testimony of the Apostles and prophets in the Bible. It is of great comfort to me to know and understand that death is not the end, that there is more to this life than this life alone. These scriptures help me to "hope for a better world" beyond this one, which hope maketh an anchor to my soul. I know that what I do and say and think here and now matters in the hereafter. Because of the love that He has shown me through the gift of his son, I know that what I do and say and think matters to a deeply caring God as well.
I add my testimony to those that I have gathered here, and declare that I know that my redeemer lives. He died for me, and he rose for me--a sinner--so that he might redeem me from my sins, and so bring me back into the presence of my Father and his Father, my God and his God, on condition of repentance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Joseph Smith said it best when he bore witness of the living Savior with Sidney Rigdon in Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24
“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.”
This article is the last in a series. Follow these links for more on the atonement
of Jesus Christ:
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