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.
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.
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