What I discovered when I did go hunting was a tangle of beliefs that are scattered all over the spectrum. Christians have such varying beliefs that I was astonished by the diversity of belief I found. I learned that much of their belief is based on their definition of God and their interpretation of the Bible. Even among Protestants belief in Christ and what He did varies widely.

I have included here quotes from a couple of Christian sources. One states there is no way Christ could have resurrected Himself, and the other claims uncategorically that Jesus raised himself from the dead. I have also included a list of resurrection verses from the scriptures and several references from Church leaders who have differing methods of discussing the subject.

Christianity Divided

The Good News – A Magazine of Understanding is published by the United Church of God. The first paragraph is only one of several reference paragraphs where they list verses that claim that someone other than Jesus resurrected him. The second paragraph explains the verses in John that “implies” that Jesus would bring himself back to life.

No dead person can resurrect Himself. Death is the complete absence of life and consciousness. Only someone alive and gifted with supernatural powers could have performed such a wondrous deed. The New Testament plainly reveals in many passages that it was God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.

For example, the apostle Peter stated in his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost: “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts:2:32). Not long after, Peter repeated this vital testimony. He told the audience that they had “killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses” (Acts:3:15). …

Yet Jesus did say, “Destroy this temple [referring to His body being slain], and in three days I will raise it up [implying His resurrection]” (John:2:19; see verse 21). Jesus did not mean by this that He would come back to life on His own, contradicting the other verses in this regard. Rather, He was referring to the fact that once God the Father made Him alive again in His tomb, He would stand up from where He lay dead—raising Himself from His lying position to then ascend from the grave.

The following two paragraphs come from an article from Come Reason Ministries. This is an apologetics article. They clearly believe that Jesus raised himself from the dead. They also include the belief that the other members of the Trinity (Godhead) had a hand it the process.

There are a couple of key verses where Jesus explicitly claims that He has the power over His own life. In John chapter 2, Jesus drives out the merchants and the moneychangers from the Temple and the Jewish religious leaders were incensed. They demanded to know what proof Jesus could offer to justify His judgment of spiritual propriety. Jesus responded “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John then clarifies Jesus’ statement and writes, “But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” Jesus reiterated His power over His own life and death in John 10:17 – 18 when He says, “My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

It is clear that Jesus claimed to have the power to resurrect Himself. The Bible also claims that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, (see Acts 5:30, Galatians 1:1 among others) and that God’s Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11, 1 Peter, 3:18). So we have all three persons of the Trinity involved in Jesus’ resurrection. Given the crucial aspect of the Resurrection to God’s plan, that is no surprise.

Relevant Verses

Before I list comments on Christ’s resurrection from modern apostles and get into a commentary about the issue, I think it would be good to read a few verses that talk about Christ’s resurrection. Notice that some have already been referenced, and there seem to be some contradictions as to who should get credit for the resurrection of Christ.

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.

Here we are told that Jesus used the power of the Spirit to resurrect Himself. In the verse below we are told that it was Jesus who broke the bands of death.

Mosiah 15:23:

They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death.

2 Timothy 1:10:

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The verse in 2 Timothy is a little vague as to who actually did the resurrecting. All it says is that Christ “brought life.” This doesn’t help us solve anything. In the next verse from the book of Romans, all we know is that “the glory of the Father” raised Christ. It doesn’t say who actually performed the resurrection.

Romans 6:4:

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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.

From our understanding of priesthood keys through modern revelation, we know that he who has the keys controls all the rights of administration to the ordinances and powers of that thing. If Christ has the keys of death and hell then he has control over life and is the ultimate judge, because only the one who holds those keys can consign someone to hell. This verse is a pretty reasonable indication that Jesus could have resurrected himself.

Luke 24:46:

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

This verse makes it sound like Christ was in control of both his death and his own resurrection.

Words of the Prophets

In his Conference talk from April, 1982, entitled The Resurrection of Jesus, Elder Marion G. Romney states very clearly that Jesus “brought forth his own glorious resurrected body.” Yet in the next reference from the book Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, he left the reference vague, saying that it was done “by the power of God.”

When we speak of Jesus being resurrected, we mean that his premortal spirit, which animated his mortal body from his birth in the manger until he died on the cross, reentered that body; and the two, his spirit body and his physical body, inseparably welded together, arose from the tomb an immortal soul.

Our belief is, and we so testify, that Jesus not only conquered death for himself and brought forth his own glorious resurrected body, but that in so doing he also brought about a universal resurrection. This was the end and purpose of the mission for which he was set apart and ordained in the great council in heaven, when he was chosen to be our Savior and Redeemer (Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie, p 639).

Christ was the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:23), and because of his resurrection, “by the power of God,” all men shall come forth from the grave (Mormon 9:13).

Doctrines of Salvation, Vol 1, p 31 by Joseph Fielding Smith states very clearly that Jesus resurrected Himself. Actually, it doesn’t, but it does say that He had the power to do it by Himself. What it does appear to state is that Jesus was commanded of his Father to resurrect Himself. This ability to raise Himself from the dead is the ultimate proof that Jesus was divine.

Christ Had Power over Death. This being true, what then did Paul mean by saying to Timothy, according to the King James Bible, that the Son of God “only hath immortality”? Simply this: That of all who have dwelt upon this earth, the Son of God stands out alone as the only one who possessed life in himself and power over death inherently. Christ was never subject unto death, even on the cross, but death was ever subject unto him. “As the Father hath life in himself,” the Savior said, “so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” Again, he said: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 5:26; John 10:17 – 18).

In the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell (from the same talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson referenced below) the victory over death belongs to Christ.

“Christ’s victory over death ended the human predicament. Now there are only personal predicaments, and from these too we may be rescued by following the teachings of him who rescued us from general extinction.”

In the April, 2014 General Conference Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave a talk entitled, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is also pretty clear that Jesus had the power within himself to raise himself from the dead.

Christ’s Resurrection shows that His existence is independent and everlasting. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” Jesus said:

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

The Savior is not dependent on food or water or oxygen or any other substance or power or person for life. Both as Jehovah and Messiah, He is the great I Am, the self-existing God. He simply is and ever will be.

… Consider for a moment the significance of the Resurrection in resolving once and for all the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth and the great philosophical contests and questions of life. If Jesus was in fact literally resurrected, it necessarily follows that He is a divine being. No mere mortal has the power in himself to come to life again after dying. Because He was resurrected, Jesus cannot have been only a carpenter, a teacher, a rabbi, or a prophet. Because He was resurrected, Jesus had to have been a God, even the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

The Importance of Unity of the Godhead

If you have spent any time in the scriptures you have probably read passages where Jesus speaks as though He is the Father. You have also read passages where the Holy Spirit has spoken as though He were either Christ or the Father. My point is the degree of unity in the Godhead. They speak and act for each other.

I have shown you verses that claim the Spirit raised Jesus, verses that say the Father raised Jesus, and verses that say Jesus raised Himself. As part of the Godhead, does it really matter who did it? I don’t think so. Most of the modern prophets rely on the reference that Jesus had the power over life and death within Himself.

Whether Jesus was raised by the Father, used the power of the Spirit to raise Himself, or had sufficient power to raise Himself without any assistance, it doesn’t change my view of the divinity of Jesus. He was dead, yet lives again. Because of Him all of us will live again. Life has meaning of an eternal nature because of His resurrection. I think that is all that truly matters.

What about you? What were you taught about the resurrection of Jesus? Can you allow that though we don’t have all the answers as to exactly how the resurrection took place that what really matters is that He lives? As you think about what the risen Lord means to you, does it really matter who had a hand in it? Jesus died, yet He lives again. This is the glorious message of the gospel. This is the good news of our salvation and redemption.

The Lord has never given us details about important spiritual events and processes. In this life we are required to walk by faith. How Jesus was resurrected is one of those details He hasn’t shared with us. But we live by faith that because of his resurrection we will live again as well. This means we will have the opportunity for eternal progress and growth, and eternal families. His atonement and resurrection were the most profound events in our existence.

Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the Mormon Church) will recognize this as an object lesson on the resurrection. Every human being is comprised of a physical body (the glove) and a spirit (the hand). When we die, the spirit leaves the body (remove the glove), which causes the body (the glove) to lose its source of life: the spirit (the hand). Through resurrection, body and spirit are reunited to live forever in perfected form, never to die again.

Jesus Christ, the First to Be Resurrected

The resurrection of all God’s children—every person who has lived, is living, or will yet live—is made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our premortal life with our Heavenly Father, Jesus was designated as the Savior who would redeem us from the effects of the fall of Adam—which brought mortality, sin, and death into the world. Jesus declared that He would lay down His life and take it up again. (See John 10:15–18.)

The New Testament records several accounts of those who saw the resurrected Lord; for instance:

• Mary Magdalene (John 20:16–17)

• Other women (Mark 16:1)

• His apostles (Matthew 28:16–19; Luke 24:42–43; John 20:26–28; John 21:1–24)

• Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5)

• Five hundred men (1 Corinthians 15:6)

• James (1 Corinthians 15:7)

• Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)

• Stephen (Acts 7:55)

Christ also visited the Nephites (3 Nephi 11 through 26) in the New World. Joseph Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ, saw Him many times. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:17, for example.) Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (an early Church leader) recorded one of the more descriptive accounts of Jesus Christ:

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 (Doctrine and Covenants 110:1–4).

What Happens to Spirits after Death?

The Book of Mormon teaches that there is “a space betwixt the time of death and time of the resurrection” (Alma 40:6):

Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part or portion of the Spirit of the Lord . . . and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection. . . .

There is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.  (Alma 40:6, 11–14, 21)

During this time, all beings will be given the chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and to accept Him as their Savior. (See Doctrine and Covenants 138:19–37.) Mormons believe this is a time for preparing God’s children for judgment and resurrection.  Spirits of men and women in the spirit world awaiting resurrection have just as much freedom of choice as they did on earth, and thus, they can repent after learning the doctrines of Christ.  Since Christ’s atonement and visit to the spirit world, spirits in spirit prison who repent, move to spirit paradise to await resurrection.

The Beginning of the Resurrection of Mankind

Latter-day revelation teaches that the first resurrection began immediately after Jesus Christ was resurrected, when the righteous dead who had lived from the day of Adam to the time of Christ arose with him. (See Doctrine and Covenants 133: 54–55.) The New Testament bears the same testimony:

“And, behold the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection” (Matthew 27:51–53).

The Righteous Resurrected at the Second Coming of Christ

This first resurrection will continue at the time of Christ’s second coming to the earth:

And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.

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. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:96–98)

The Timing of the Second Resurrection

The rest of those spirits who wait for resurrection, who are part of the resurrection of the unjust (Doctrine and Covenants 76:17), or as John calls it, “the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29), shall come forth after a period of a thousand years—the millennial period of peace and righteousness when Christ will reign personally upon the earth and fully establish the kingdom of God on the earth. (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:101; 133:25).

“In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions . . .”

Joseph Smith revealed that the word mansions is better translated as kingdoms.¹ Latter-day revelation defines and describes those main kingdoms of glory as celestial, terrestrial, and telestial, with divisions within these kingdoms. (See Doctrine and Covenants 76.)

Each person is assigned a kingdom according to God’s judgment of his life, his obedience, and his desires. Each of God’s children will receive glory according to his or her ability to abide that glory, and according to the person’s comfort. (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:20–33.) “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:33).

Conclusion

Our Father in Heaven planned for our eternal fullness of joy. He intended for His children to rejoin Him in His heavenly home after their earth life to live with Him eternally. He has revealed His plan of salvation through revelation. Through His plan, He has provided comfort, direction, and blessings to help His children come home.

Note:

1. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938), 366.

After the crucifixion, the apostles shut themselves away. They were fearful and anxious, wondering what they should do next and grieving for the loss of their friend and Lord. No doubt they were also upset with themselves, because when it counted the most, they abandoned their Master in the hour of His greatest need.  They were suffering terrible recriminations.

When Jesus came to them, standing in their midst, the apostles were filled with joy and hope. Christ said,  “Peace be unto you.”

Thomas was conspicuously absent. When Thomas arrived, the others told Thomas that Christ was risen— “We have seen the Lord.”  But Thomas gruffly said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the print of the nails and thrust my hand into his side I will not believe.“

Eight days later the apostles were again locked away, and Jesus returned. Now Thomas was present. Christ said “reach hither thy finger, and hither thy hands, and thrust it into my side and be thou not faithless, but believing. Blessed are they that have not seen, but believed.”  Christ then gave the apostles the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often are nicknamed LDS or Mormons. Mormons believe the Book of Mormon and the Bible testify in tandem of the divinity of Christ. The Bible is referred to in Isaiah as the “Stick of Judah,” and the Book of Mormon is referred to as the “Stick of Ephraim or Joseph” indicating different tribes in Israel.

During his ministry Christ made the statement in John 10:16:

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The people in the Book of Mormon were led to a Promised Land in the Americas prior to the coming of Christ by the hand of the Lord.  The Bible and the Book of Mormon- two separate records- form a unified, complimentary testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and His divine work among these two segments of the house of Israel. (See JST Genesis 50:24–26; Ezekiel 37:15–19; 2 Nephi 3; 29; Doctrine and Covenants 27:5).

After his appearance to the disciples in Jerusalem, Christ reappeared in the Americas.  These are the other sheep not of this fold referred to in John 10:16.

In both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon Christ still bore the scars of His crucifixion even after His resurrection. In the Book of Mormon account, He invited all of the people to whom He appeared to come forth and experience His wounds, just as He invited Thomas and the other apostles in Jerusalem.  (See Book of Mormon-3 Nephi 11:14.)

But what astonishes me the most about these stories is that Christ still bears the scars of His crucifixion. This is in fulfillment of prophecy. However, there may also be a deeper meaning. With all of the miracles that accompanied Christ, why did He choose to retain these scars, the print of the nails, and the wound from the spear thrust into his side. The scars borne by Christ were visible and touchable.  They gave Christ the credibility of the Divine.

In Luke 22:42 Christ says “Father – if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

After the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ visited the Americas. Christ told the people “I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.”  (See  3 Nephi 11; see also Doctrine and Covenants 11:28; John 8:12; Ether 4:12.)

After Christ’s appearance to his apostles in the Old World, they gained a perfect knowledge of his true identity. In the Americas, Christ also called twelve apostles and set up His Church just as He did in the Old World.

However, because of the great faith of the people in the Americas, He invited everyone to come, see and touch his wounds. In addition to their perfect knowledge, the apostles and the inhabitants of the Americas also received the gift and testimony of the Holy Ghost just as did the apostles in Jerusalem.  (See –3 Nephi 11:14.)

In our own lives– all of us suffer the scars of living and the sacrifices we have made for others. Fathers age prematurely, women have stretch marks and scars from C-sections and birthing, and soldiers bear the scars of war.  Other’s bear scars from accidents, surgeries, and other traumatic life events. These scars are only the visible and external scars of living life.  Moreover, others scars, such as emotional and spiritual scars are not outwardly visible or obvious.   At some point in our lives these scars eventually reveal themselves to us and our loved ones or associates.

These gospel stories found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon lead us to believe in the utility of the scars and trials we all face in this life every day. No one is exempt, and no one escapes from this life unscathed.

They demonstrate our personal passion to make the world a better place for ourselves, loved ones, family members and even associates and strangers.

The scriptural record does reflect certain ugliness among men, even a rejection of gospel principals, teachings and the commandments of God.  However, the scars that Christ bore after His resurrection are symbols of great beauty, the beauty of our ability to be forgiven of our trespasses and Christ’s willingness and action to bridge the gap between justice and mercy caused by the fall, and man’s free choice. Free choice is an essential element in the Plan of Salvation. God never deprives us of our free choice. Sometimes, our own actions limit our choices, but it is us who limits our choices, not God.

We may not fully understand or appreciate the value of our personal scars, but there must be value there, otherwise, why would Christ have retained his scars?  This is a gospel mystery worthy of contemplation.

Outwardly and inwardly, our personal struggles may not matter to the world, but they do matter.  Our loved ones bear witness of our personal passion and love for them because it does matter.  The scars we bear should be a badge of honor — just as there was value in Christ’s scars and a testimony of his works.

Although there is ugliness in the world because God’s children have chosen to disobey His will, there is a redeeming value and a purifying beauty in our scars.  Christ bore his scars with honor, love and duty. We also benefit by bearing our scars with honor, love and duty as did our Savior and Redeemer.

King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon said it best when he addressed his people, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

This article was written by Mel Borup Chandler, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mel Borup Chandler lives in California. He writes about science-related topics, technological breakthroughs and medicine. He is a former member of the Los Angeles Press Club. Additionally, he has also served an LDS Mission in Argentina during Argentina’s “Dirty War.”

Lent is a wonderful holiday which brings worshipers closer to Jesus Christ. Thus, Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) have nothing to criticize in the practice of Lent. The reason for the LDS Church not observing Lent is that it is not a holiday observed in the New Testament, nor instituted by the apostles. While its history can possibly be traced back to some kind of observance by the original Twelve Apostles, there is no indication that it was revealed by God that He wished this period of time to be observed in any certain way. Current scholars say that the oldest records we have indicate a wide variation in the practice of this observance which developed and became somewhat more standardized over time. In fact, today there is still quite a bit of variation among Christian denominations regarding the observance of Lent.

The most important record regarding Lent is a letter recorded by Eusebius in the Church History Volume 24 from St. Irenaeus to Pope Victor. It is clear to scholars from this passage that there was never a pattern set in place by the apostles.

When Joseph Smith, Jr., restored the gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ Himself revealed to Joseph what things needed to be restored. The practice of Lent was not among them. For Latter-day Saints, this is a clear indication that it was not practiced in the early days of the Church, or it would be restored today.

That being said, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II stated:

The two elements which are especially characteristic of Lent—the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and penance—should be given greater emphasis in the liturgy and in liturgical catechesis. It is by means of them that the Church prepares the faithful for the celebration of Easter, while they hear God’s word more frequently and devote more time to prayer.

Any practice which brings a worshiper closer to the Savior is certainly a good one. Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) do not practice Lent because they do not believe it to be a part of Jesus Christ’s restored gospel. However, they respect the practice of any and all who wish to observe this holiday.

For Latter-day Saints, Easter is the holiest holiday. While Christmas is a wonderful celebration of the birth of the Savior of the World, Easter is the celebration of the culmination of His work. Latter-day Saints focus a great deal on the importance of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Indeed, it is central to all other doctrine. Latter-day Saints, however, do not focus nearly as much on the death and crucifixion of the Savior as they do on His resurrection. Not that His death was unimportant—quite the contrary—but that His atonement included and was completed with His resurrection. We recognize and appreciate that He died for us, but it is even more important to remember that He lives today. He actually rose from the dead, and He lives! Some of the greatest words ever spoken on this earth were, “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6).

Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”) believe that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can repent and be cleansed and purified from our sins. This is only possible if we obey His commandments and follow the path that He laid down as the only way back to our Heavenly Father. There is an ongoing debate in the Christian world about the relationship between grace and works. Latter-day Saints believe both are important. While there is nothing an individual can do to justify him- or herself through personal works, Jesus Christ has made access to the healing and cleansing power of His atonement conditional upon the efforts we make in our lives to emulate Him. We can only be saved by His grace, but we can only gain access to His grace by trying as hard as we can to improve and keep His commandments.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was born to Mary and He lived a full life on this earth. He performed the incomprehensible act of the atonement for all mankind by taking upon Himself the sins and infirmities of the world. He then gave His life for mankind, but had the power to take it up again. Thus, He gained power over both death and hell. He grants us access to this power through His sacrifice. What more glorious news can there be?

It is appropriate that the time leading up to the celebration of His resurrection should be spent in reflection. Latter-day Saints believe in the importance of renewing one’s baptismal covenants every Sunday through partaking of the Sacrament (similar to Communion). Repentance is a continual and continuous process. We should be placing Jesus Christ at the center of our lives every day. While setting aside the time before Easter to abstain from certain luxuries and to focus on Jesus Christ is not a restored ordinance, it is certainly a wonderful tradition of remembering His sacrifice for each of us.

This article was written by Doris White, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And as they [the ten apostles] 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 showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not . . . he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honey- comb. And he took it, and did eat before them  (Luke 24:36–43).

Then the ten apostles who were present believed. But the absent Thomas did not, until eight days later when Jesus again appeared to the eleven assembled apostles. Then Jesus said to Thomas,

Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. . . . And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples (John 20:27–28, 30).

In addition to their belief in a literal, physical resurrection, Latter- day Saints believe that resurrection will be universal, yet individualized. According to the words of the Apostle Paul, there are three heavens or degrees of post-resurrection glory: “I knew a man in Christ [who was] . . . caught up to the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2).

In his previous epistle to the Saints in Corinth, Paul had explained that the resurrected beings who inhabit these three distinct heavens differ not only in terms of the heavenly setting in which they reside, but also in terms of the radiant glory that their resurrected bodies will emit: the more radiant (glorified) one’s resurrected body is, the higher or greater the heaven in which the resurrected being will eternally dwell. Specifically, Paul referred to the highest heaven as the celestial, comparing the radiant glory of its inhabitants to that of the sun (1 Corinthians 15:40–41). The second heaven he termed the terrestrial, comparing the radiant glory of its resurrected inhabitants to the glory of the moon. And the glory of the resurrected inhabitants in the third, or least, heaven he compared to the glory of the stars, noting the countless variations of brilliance found among the stars (1 Corinthians 15:40–42). Though Paul did not give the name of this least heaven, the Lord later revealed it t to Joseph Smith, calling the third heaven the telestial glory (D&C 76:81–89).

Thus, the resurrected bodies in these various kingdoms do differ from one another.  All are perfect and immortal, but more exalted beings possess more glory and radiance.  This glory is a manifestation also of their increase knowledge and portion of the power of God.

Mormons believe that resurrection is the most desirable state of living beings in the universe, and that the resurrected Christ still exists as the most glorious of resurrected beings in existence.  He kept His resurrected body of flesh and bone; He showed it to the apostles in the Holy Land, and to the Book of Mormon peoples in America.  He told these people that He would then go and show Himself to the Ten Lost Tribes.  He told His disciples that He would return in like manner.

Mormons believe that the first resurrection occurred at the moment of Christ’s resurrection.  Those resurrected then were the righteous of past ages.  The next resurrection will occur at the second coming of Jesus Christ.  This is sometimes called “the first resurrection,” or the “resurrection of the just.”  This resurrection is for the righteous who have lived on the earth since the resurrection of Christ.  The last resurrection is reserved for the wicked and those who have rejected the testimony of Jesus and suffer for their own sins in the spirit world, where they await resurrection and judgment.

*This article was adapted from Mormons Under a Microscope, by D. Lauritsen, Cove Fort, Inc., Springville, Utah: 2010, pp.  121, 122.