He Lives!

The prophet Joseph Smith has taught, "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." Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ when His body and spirit was reunited never to be separated again. It is comforting to me to know that death is not the end of life. Because of Jesus Christ we will all live again. Whether we have been good or evil all mankind will receive a resurrected body of flesh and bones. It is the Saviors gift to the world. The reality of Christ's resurrection helps us to understand the importance of us having a physical body. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have a body of flesh and bones. It is glorified and perfected. It is their work and glory for each of us to experience all the blessings that they experience. The Savior has performed the Atonement and provided a way for us to become like them. Christ did not however take away our personal responsibility to follow Him. We must live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and honor the sacrifice He has made for us.

During mortality we are subject to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual pain. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, "Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters-mental or emotional or physical or otherwise-do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee." There have been times in my life when I have felt to cry out, "Why is this happening to me?" The words of Alma the younger have given me the strength to endure. "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptation of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 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 7:11-12).

Everything that is unfair about life will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He has felt our pain and carried our sorrows. There is no trial in mortality that cannot be overcome with the help of the Lord. It is because of His resurrection that we obtain this hope. In Moroni 7:41 we read, "And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." The Savior has said, "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36) Let us look to the Savior and live. Put your trust in Him and remember His glorious resurrection. The day will come when we will stand before the Lord and thank Him for all that he has done for us. For now let us endure in faith and trust in His promises. I know for myself that Jesus is the Christ. He has a glorified body of flesh and bones. He has overcome physical and spiritual death, becoming the author of our eternal salvation. This is His true church. The Holy Ghost has witnessed to me that this is true. It is my hope and prayer that you will have that same witness embedded in your hearts. I invite you to "...come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." (Ether 8:26).

During the April 2014 General Conference Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a powerful talk entitled "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ." Listen to a living day apostle testify of Christ's resurrection.