So it was that the Savior laid down His life of His own will. But death alone couldn’t complete the task of freeing us from the bands of death. The Savior had to take up His physical body again. His physical body had to live again so we could all regain our physical bodies. Only then could we become like our Heavenly Father.
Upon the Savior’s death, His body was laid in a tomb for the Sabbath days. On the third day, the stone over the tomb’s entrance was removed by an angel. Jehovah took up His physical body again and became the Resurrected Lord. The bands of death had been broken for us all, and we would live again as resurrected beings.
There are many witnesses in the scriptures of those who have seen the Resurrected Lord. Most of the Christian world will recognize those found in the New Testament. Jesus appeared as the Resurrected Lord unto Mary Magdalene first. Later He appeared unto two disciples as they walked to Emmaus. Again He appeared unto eleven of His disciples as they sat to eat. Jesus again appeared in order to show Himself unto Thomas and those with him. His disciples saw Him yet again at the sea of Tiberias, where He directed His disciples in their fishing and commanded them to take care of His people. Finally, we learn in Acts that Jesus instructed His disciples for forty days before leaving them to take care of the Kingdom of God on earth.
During most of these visits, the people were allowed to thrust their hands into the wounds Jesus sustained at death so they might testify it was indeed Jesus Christ. So we have many witnesses in the New Testament that Jesus Christ did rise from the dead and break the bands of death.
These witnesses aren’t the only witnesses we have. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ provides us with another testament that Jesus has risen. This precious record teaches of multiple times Jesus appeared unto the people in the Americas shortly after He had risen. During these visits, He gave instruction very similar to the Sermon on the Mount to the people. He also taught them how to perform the sacrament, how to pray, and many of the lessons He gave to the people of Jerusalem. In addition He healed their sick, gave blessings to their children, and allowed angels to appear unto them. These people were also allowed to feel the wounds in the hands, feet, and side of the Resurrected Lord, testifying He had risen.
The final witness I wish to speak of was to Joseph Smith as a young boy. Joseph wanted to know which of the many churches He should join. His mother had taught him the value of prayer. So when he read in the scriptures the injunction of John: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Joseph trusted this would apply to him, and he retired to a grove to ask God. In response, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. They told Him he was to join none of the churches. These churches were good churches that held many truths, but they lacked the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph would be called to restore the church that held the fullness of the gospel.
As a result of this vision, Joseph saw the Resurrected Lord. He would be able to add his witness to those in the New Testament. He would also follow the direction of God to bring forth the records of The Book of Mormon so we could have that record of the Risen Lord as well.
I have the privilege of knowing for myself that these records are true, each and every one of them. They testify Jesus Christ rose from the dead and broke the bands of death. I know this is true. I know Jesus Christ lives as the Resurrected Lord and has freed us all from the permanence of death. We will all live again. Let us live a good life so we can have a great everlasting life.
Scriptures used for this post:
Matthew 28Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20-21
Acts 1
3 Nephi 11-26
Joseph Smith History 1:15-20
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