The Resurrection - Weekly Adult Class_April 20

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

This semester we have been studying the New Testament and focusing on the Four Gospels.  As we close this semester we ended with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Savior.  While I was preparing the lesson on the Resurrection, I came across a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith.  As I read the quote, it really made me think.  It started like this;

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are..."

Before we move on, let’s just stop here and ask ourselves the question, "How would I finish this statement?"  Chances are pretty good right now that most of us are reciting the following words: "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance, Third..."  I know the first time I read it I did the same thing.  

Here is what the Prophet said:

"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: all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

There are several aspects of this quote that really caught my attention.  I thought it would be valuable to look at this quote, bit by bit, a section at a time and hopefully, really understand the message Joseph Smith had for us.

Let’s start here:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, 

I love that the Prophets says the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets!  Everything we do in this church is based on the testimony of the prophets and apostles.  Every time the Lord’s Covenant people were on the earth, He has called prophets and apostles.  He has done it again!  This is fundamental to our religion.

Let’s continue with the quote:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets,

concerning Jesus Christ,

We are “The Church of Jesus Christ” first and foremost.  Everything we do leads us to Christ.  I remember my institute director once told me “Every time you get asked to speak in Sacrament, ask them the topic and then add the words “and Christ” to the end of it.  If you do that you will always give an inspiring talk.”  In the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, we again see the importance of the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ:

“…to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”  Truly, we are a people who believe that “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

The next part of the quote is what I found to be the most intriguing.

"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:

It seems that Joseph Smith is saying the fundamental principle of our religion is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It really made me think, why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the fundamental principle of our religion?  So, I thought I would follow the counsel of Joseph Smith and turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ.  Here is part of a conference talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  As you read, consider this question:  Why would the resurrection of Jesus Christ be fundamental to our testimony of Him?

“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.

“Therefore, what He taught is true; God cannot lie [see Enos 1:6].

“Therefore, He was the Creator of the earth, as He said [see, for example, 3 Nephi 9:15].

“Therefore, heaven and hell are real, as He taught [see, for example, D&C 76].

“Therefore, there is a world of spirits, which He visited after His death [see D&C 138].

“Therefore, He will come again, as the angels said [see Acts 1:10–11], and ‘reign personally upon the earth’ [Articles of Faith 1:10; see also Topical Guide, “Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign”].

“Therefore, there is a resurrection and a final judgment for all [see, for example, 2 Nephi 9:15].

“Given the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, doubts about the omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence of God the Father—who gave His Only Begotten Son for the redemption of the world—are groundless. Doubts about the meaning and purpose of life are unfounded. Jesus Christ is in fact the only name or way by which salvation can come to mankind. The grace of Christ is real, affording both forgiveness and cleansing to the repentant sinner. Faith truly is more than imagination or psychological invention. There is ultimate and universal truth, and there are objective and unchanging moral standards, as taught by Him.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2014

Once we have a testimony of the Resurrection of the Savior and of His Divinity, the next question is, so how does the resurrection affect me and my life?  Again, I will turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles.  Here is a video clip of a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  As you listen, ponder the thought, “How does the fact of the resurrection affect me and my daily life?”

Elder Oaks_Resurrection from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection,” Ensign May, 2000

Here is the final part of the quote

"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:

all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

This does not mean that “all other things” are less important.  In Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us the importance of all things being one: “14 For the body is not one member, but many” and later he states “20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.”  There are many aspects of “appendages” of the gospel.  When all of them are placed together, they are “the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel.”  That is the beauty of what was restored by the Prophet Joseph.  Starting with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we gain a testimony of Him and His divinity.  Because He was resurrected, every thing He said is also true.  He teachings are true, His doctrine is pure, and He is our Savior and Redeemer.  We know that we will also be resurrected and desire to live our lives like Him, make covenants, and endure to end.  This is why the resurrection is the fundamental principle of our religion.

Prophets and Apostles - Friday Night Adult Class April 2017

If I were to ask what you believe is the most valuable commodity on earth, what would you say?  Gold?  Silver?  Maybe wood?  What about water?  I would propose that the most valuable commodity on earth is water.   It has been said that a human can live for several weeks without food, but only a couple days without water.  My wife and I used to live in Fresno and all along the valley we would see signs that said "Food grows where water flows."  I will make a bold statement and said that without water, life on this planet is not sustainable.

This brings me to John, chapter 4.  In John 4 we find the account of Jesus at the well with the Samaritan Women.  The Savior asks the Samaritan women to get Him some water from the well.  As we know, the Samaritans and the Jews don't get along very well and the women, very kindly, tells Him "NO."  The Savior's response is very insightful.   He says "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."  He continues "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

What is the living water that Jesus is offering?  Obviously we know that it is something more just water from the well.  It is truth, it is the gospel, it is the "Words of Christ."

Elder Bednar said the following, "The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is “the fountain of living waters” by reading , studying , searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ as contained in the holy scriptures.  By so doing, we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a sacred stewardship to preserve the written revelations in purity and in safety— this precious reservoir of living water."

I believe we all know the importance of scripture study and are honestly striving to be better at daily scripture study.  As we ponder our personal scripture study, I would first ask the question, How can our scripture study be a reservoir of living water?

When we talk about things that are living, can we all agree that they are growing, expanding, developing and maturing?  Let's apply that to our scripture study.  Is it growing or developing?  How many times have you, or someone you know, said the following: "I have the Book of Mormon several times, but I have never read that verse that way before" or "I always find something new every time I read the Book of Mormon."  I believe that is a testament to how our understanding and testimony of the scriptures grow and mature.  This is part of a living study of the scriptures.

I believe another way that our scripture study can be living is by reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of living prophets.  We all remember that the Savior has said, "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)  Part of our regular scripture study needs to include the words of the living prophets.  As we consider our daily scripture study, lets ponder how we can include the words of the living prophets.  We have greater access today to the words of the prophets that at any other time on the history of the earth.  Which also means we have a greater responsibility to immerse ourselves in the words of the prophets and apostles.

I would now invite us to ponder another question: what would you say is the reason we study the scriptures?  Is it because we are told to read them?  Is it because we enjoy them?  I have often heard members say the following: "If you want to speak to God, then you pray.  If you want God to speak to you, then you read the scriptures."  When we read the scriptures or listen to the words of the living prophets, are we actively seeking to hear our Father in Heaven speak to us?  Are we seeking revelation as we study and ponder?  I thought I would share a couple videos from the prophets on we can better seek revelation, both as we study the scriptures and throughout our daily lives.  As you watch the videos below, lets ask ourselves the question: "How can I be better as seeking inspiration and revelation?"

Packer_Reverance invites revelation from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Ballard_May 2014_Pondering from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Again, the questions is: "How can I be better at seeking inspiration and revelation?"

The last idea I would like to discuss is, once we have become better at seeking inspiration and revelation, what do we do once it comes?  I think there is no better example than President Monson.  He has repeatedly share the teaching "Never postpone a prompting."

I would like to share two thoughts from President Monson.  The first is a talk that he gave in October 2012 called "Consider the Blessings."  Here is a link to the talk.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/consider-the-blessings?lang=eng

Second is a video of President Monson sharing his testimony.  As you watch, consider the following question, "How can I show my desire and commitment to follow to promptings I receive?"


Pres Monson_Testimony from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

To conclude, let's consider the following: 1) How can I include the words of living prophets into my daily study?  2) How can be better and seeking inspiration and revelations?   3) How can I show my desire and commitment to following the promptings I receive?