Principle: The resurrection of Jesus Christ testifies of all other doctrine.
Read: 2 Nephi 26:31 - 27:11
Chapters 26 and 27 contain additional truths about the latter-days not contained in the writings of Isaiah. Verses 10 and 11 of chapter 27 explain why they are different.
If you ran out of time yesterday take some time today to complete the chart from yesterday.
How do the appearances of Jesus Christ affect your life and personal testimony?
To review, Joseph Smith 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; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 49).
To help understand the central doctrine of Jesus Christ's resurrection study the following from D. Todd Christofferson.
“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. “Given the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, repentance of any violation of His law and commandments is both possible and urgent. The Savior’s miracles were real, as is His promise to His disciples that they might do the same and even greater works [see John 14:12]. … Given the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, death is not our end, and though ‘skin worms destroy [our bodies], yet in [our] flesh shall [we] see God’ [Job 19:26]” (“The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 113, 114).
What additional insights did you gain from D. Todd Christofferson about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Dallin H. Oaks helped personalize the resurrection by teaching:
“The ‘lively hope’ we are given by the resurrection is our conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity but merely a necessary step in the destined transition from mortality to immortality. This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life. … “The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary! “The assurance of resurrection also gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives” (“Resurrection,” Ensign,May 2000, 15).
The doctrine of the resurrection is a life changing doctrine
David O. McKay shared:
“For two and a half years [the Apostles] had been upheld and inspired by Christ’s presence. But now he was gone. They were left alone, and they seemed confused and helpless. … “What was it that suddenly changed these disciples to confident, fearless, heroic preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It was the revelation that Christ had risen from the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 62).
Who in your life, could benefit from the message of the resurrection?
How could you share your testimony of the resurrection with them?