Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recounted in the New Testament. The resurrection was the crowning element of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and is an essential and centric feature of the Gospel.

The people of the Book of Mormon, although far removed from the Holy land, were well aware of the promise of the Resurrection. Alma taught the Zoramites:

“…Begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead…” (Alma 33:22)

In addition to demonstrating understanding of the physical and eternal nature of the resurrection, the Book of Mormon also uses the resurrection in symbolic terms to illustrate the more abstract concepts of redemption and rebirth that are otherwise more difficult to grasp.

For example, Lehi teaches about salvation, and explains that Christ’s grace is the sole means of obtaining salvation. He then reinforces his point by juxtaposing it with words about Jesus’ resurrection:

“Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.” (2 Nephi 2:8)

We are just as powerless to resurrect ourselves as we are to escape physical death. Likewise, we all become trapped into spiritual death (ie. alienation from God,) and the only way to overcome either of these deaths is through the saving power of Christ. Jacob explains:

“And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.” (2 Nephi 9:12)

When we consider the parallels and the figurative connections between spiritual and physical salvation, many passages that may only have described a physical event in the past or a promise for the future suddenly take on increased significance for the present. Jacob later comments along these lines, by speaking of “obtaining,” resurrection. Given that everyone will resurrect regardless of anything, it seems clear that his allusion to the resurrection goes beyond the realm of bodily reconstitution:

“Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.” (Jacob 4:11)

Samuel also notes the critical link between the resurrection and the receipt of salvation:

“For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.” (Helaman 14:15)

Abinadi, in speaking of the universality of God’s power and the plan of salvation, teaches:

“But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.” (Mosiah 16:8)

As we consider the implications of the resurrection, I invite you to visit several places on the internet that might enhance your observance of Easter:

• A collection of Easter scriptures (scriptures.lds.org)
• Video: “The Bread of Life” (jesuschrist.lds.org)
• Video: “The Atonement of Jesus Christ” (youtube.com)
• Gordon B. Hinckley: This Glorious Easter Morn (lds.org)

Finally, please watch a brief clip from “Special Witnesses of Christ,” in which the late Gordon B. Hinckley speaks of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its meaning and effects with regards to humanity.

President Hinckley says:

“Never had this occurred before. There had been only death without hope. Now there was life eternal. Only a God could have done this. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was the great crowning event of His life and mission. It was the capstone of the Atonement. The sacrifice of His life for all mankind was not complete without His coming forth from the grave, with the certainty of the Resurrection for all who have walked the earth. Of all the victories in the chronicles of humanity, none is so great, none so universal in its effects, none so everlasting in its consequences as the victory of the crucified Lord, who came forth from the tomb that first Easter morning.”