President Dieter F Uchtdorf, “Encounter at the Empty Tomb”
“Nearly 2,000 years ago, a small group of women rose while it was still dark and made their way toward the tomb where the body of their beloved Lord, Jesus Christ, had been laid to rest.
“I have tried to imagine the depth of their grief.
“I can’t.
“I have tried to imagine their heartache, helplessness, and hopelessness.
“I can’t.”
“Today we understand better why the Savior had to die.”
“Despite the heaviness of their hearts and the unanswered questions in their minds, Mary and her companions made their way to the tomb.
“They didn’t come expecting a miracle.
“They didn’t come anticipating their questions would be answered.
“They certainly didn’t come because they had a complete understanding of what was happening.
“They came because of their immeasurable love and reverence for Jesus Christ.”
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel … [and] said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.’” (Luke 24:2–6, English Standard Version (ESV).)
“Many might picture Jesus as a carpenter from Nazareth or a traveling preacher from Galilee. They might note the significant influence He had on the world’s religious history. But the bold message of the empty tomb is that Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure.”
“But it’s worth remembering how it started—early on that Sunday morning with Mary and a small group of friends who, despite grief, fear, and unanswered questions, encountered the empty tomb and learned for themselves the glorious truth of His Resurrection.”
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“We must all do the same.”
“The Savior has entrusted each of us personally with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge. Because of those experiences, we can see for ourselves the meaning of the empty tomb: that Jesus Christ lives and is actively blessing all who seek Him.”
“My dear brothers and sisters, each morning let the daily rising sun remind us that Jesus Christ is the light that leads us through this life, through any valley of sorrow, over beautiful mountains of joy, and across any ocean of uncertainty or temptation, safely back to our loving and merciful Father in Heaven.”
“Jesus Christ and His restored gospel are our strength. Jesus Christ is our guide for making choices”
Sister Emily Belle Freeman, “Best Days and Worst Days”
“This is mortality. A proving ground. A place designed for growth. I have learned that God allows mortality to do its work in us—and that includes both best days and worst days.”
Matthew 16:13–17
13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 14:28, 29
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
“But notice where Jesus was when Peter accepted the invitation that seemed too big. He wasn’t shouting instructions from the shore or offering advice from the safety of the boat. He was in the water—with Peter. Within reaching distance.”
“History could suggest that Peter was a man who tried to stand in the way of the Father’s plan, who nearly drowned because of lack of faith, and who denied knowing the Savior three times—and that would be true. But it is also true that Peter walked on water, he was the first Apostle to bear witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and he was given priesthood keys to preside over the Lord’s Church. And maybe it took both the worst days and the best days for Peter to become who the Lord needed him to become.”
“God’s plan is for you. … He has all power and knows all things. You can trust Him, even when life is hard.”
“Jesus Christ is our strength. This I know.”
Elder Pedro X. Larreal, “I Feel My Savior’s Love”
“I feel to emphasize the warning President Russell M. Nelson issued us: that ‘in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.’ One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.” (President Dallin H. Oaks, “Coming Closer to Jesus Christ” (Brigham Young University devotional, Feb. 10, 2026), 2, speeches.byu.edu; quoting Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Liahona, May 2018, 96.)
“We can renew that influence of the Holy Ghost each week by personally preparing to partake of the sacrament.
“The resurrected Lord emphasized the importance of the sacrament when He visited the Americas and instituted this ordinance among the faithful Nephites and Lamanites.”
3 Nephi 18:11
11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
3 Nephi 9:20
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
Luke 22:19–20
19 ¶ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
“Church. During the sacrament, we should strive to remove every worldly thought from our minds. This is time to be prayerful and reverent, not a time for reading secular books or magazines, nor is it a time for checking our cell phones.”
“By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament, we qualify for the promise that we will ‘always have his Spirit to be with [us]’ (D&C 20:77).” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament”, October 2008 General Conference)
“On this Easter Sunday, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I want to invite you, with all my strength and with all my love, to leave today determined to elevate your spiritual preparation and reverence as you partake of the sacrament. It is vital. As President Nelson said, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the companionship of the Holy Ghost in these latter days.”
Elder Edward B. Rowe, “Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide”
“I’ve learned, more importantly, that I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life’s journey amid its spiritual land mines. All of us do.
“Christ’s invitation is constant and consistent: ‘Come, follow me.’ ‘Walk with me.’ ‘Return unto me.’”
“Jesus Christ was completely obedient to the Father and declared: ‘I have set an example for you.’ ‘That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do.’ As we strive to follow His perfect example, He will strengthen us and protect us from Satan’s spiritual land mines.”
“While the Savior’s Atonement is infinite, His invitation is individual.”
“Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be ‘swallowed up in the joy of Christ.’” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 122;)
Alma 7:11–13
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
“The more time we spend with our guide in this way—and strive to follow His example—the more we will develop a deep bond and special relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father.”
“While the Savior is our perfect guide, we are imperfect followers.”
“Our loving Heavenly Father knew this would be so. He therefore provided a Savior for us;”
“No matter how injured you are or how imperfect and inadequate you feel at following Him, He loves you. His merciful hand is extended to you even now. Please take it!”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, “He Is Risen”
“This Easter Sunday, all Christians, brothers and sisters in the Lord, honor and celebrate the Resurrection of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His Resurrection and His Atonement are the most powerful, far-reaching, and sacred events in all human history.
“Jesus Christ and His Resurrection are at the very core of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“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. But in connection with these, we believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of faith, the enjoyment of the spiritual gifts according to the will of God, the restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 49)
“As an Apostle called of Jesus Christ, I bear my testimony to all the world of that truth.”
“After three days in a borrowed tomb, Jesus Christ broke the bands of death imposed by the Fall. With His Resurrection, He secured salvation from physical death for us, all of God’s children throughout the ages. That includes the just, who herald Him as the Son of God, and the unjust, who will someday recognize Him as ‘the King of kings,’ for it is prophesied, ‘Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess’ that Jesus is the Christ.”
“The resurrection is a pillar of our faith. It adds meaning to our doctrine, motivation to our behavior, and hope for our future.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Resurrection,” Ensign, May 2000, 14; Liahona, July 2000, 16.)
Luke 24:39
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
My thoughts
{
John 14
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
In Luke 24, He shows them that He has flesh and bones. In John 14, He told them that if they have seen Him, then they have seen the Father.
}
3 Nephi 11:7
7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
3 Nephi 11:10
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
“This scene of Him resurrected, reaching out with hands once nailed to a cross, touches me deeply.”
John 14:19
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
“By the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, his joy will be in not only a resurrected body but one that is resurrected whole and perfect.”
“May we be at peace, brothers and sisters, for the Lord has promised, ‘Where I am, there ye may be also.’”
Isaiah 49:16
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Elder Dale G. Renlund, “Because of Jesus Christ”
“Jesus lived and died to do His Father’s will. His infinite Atonement—the series of events He experienced from Gethsemane through His death on the cross and on to His glorious Resurrection—is central to Heavenly Father’s plan for our salvation.”
“Because of Him, resurrection is a universal and unconditional gift for everyone who comes to earth.”
“Jesus Christ understands our challenges, having taken on not only our sins but also our griefs, sicknesses, and frailties. Because He endured and completed the infinite atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us. He can ‘calm [our] anguish’ and offers ‘gentle … peace … for [our] beseeching.’ He, and only He, can consider every factor that shapes who we are: our genetics, intellectual abilities, traditions, experiences, mental and emotional conditions, and every other circumstance that affects who we are.”
Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, “The Joy of a Covenant Relationship with God”
“The understanding of what Jesus Christ offers through His Atonement and Resurrection brings comfort, peace, and reassurance to all of us.”
1 Corinthians 15:19, 22
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
3 Nephi 9:14,17
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
“Indeed, our Heavenly Father has a special love for each person who makes the covenant with Him in the waters of baptism. That divine love deepens as additional covenants are made in the house of the Lord and are faithfully kept.”
“Where Can I Turn for Peace?,” Hymns, no. 129.
Acts 3:16
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
“This year millions have been inspired by the gospel study plan known by the Savior’s invitation ‘Come, follow me.’ Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ. And all are invited to this path, for He invites all to come unto Him, ‘black and white, bond and free, male and female; … and all are alike unto God.’” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Following Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 23.)
Throughout His ministry Jesus gave commandments. And He taught, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ (John 14:15; see also verses 21, 23). He affirmed that keeping His commandments would require His followers to leave what He called ‘that which is highly esteemed among men’ (Luke 16:15) and ‘the tradition of men’ (Mark 7:8; see also verse 13). He also warned, ‘If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you’ (John 15:19). As the Apostle Peter later declared, the followers of Jesus were to be ‘a peculiar people’ (1 Peter 2:9).”(Dallin H. Oaks, “Followers of Christ,” Liahona, May 2013, 96.)
2 Nephi 26:13
13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.
Ether 12:12
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
2 Nephi 2:27
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
“The great test of life is obedience to God. …
“The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.
“The great commandment of life is to love the Lord.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 38.)
Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Elder Alan R. Walker, “A Peculiar Treasure”
“Our Heavenly Father’s greatest desire is for us to live with Him again and enjoy eternal life by His side. His work and glory are “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” In order to make this possible, He designed the plan of salvation. He sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to break the bands of death and atone for the sins of the world. This sacrifice is the greatest expression of our Father’s infinite love for all His children. Above all loves, the love of our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, stands supreme—“greater love” has no man. As a part of our Savior’s love, He invites us to come unto Him, to choose Him. The risen Lord is the same who spoke upon Mount Sinai. The living Christ still calls a covenant people today.”
“Once you and I have made a covenant with God, our relationship with Him becomes much closer than before our covenant. Now we are bound together.” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 6.)
“President Dallin H. Oaks has taught that obedience to God’s commandments is essential to rise above life’s challenges.”
“That essential string represents the covenants that connect us to God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we honor those covenants by keeping Their commandments and following Their plan of redemption, Their promised blessings enable us to soar to celestial heights.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Following Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 24.)
Doctrine and Covenants 97:8
8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.
“The Lord does not ask for perfection all at once; rather, He asks for honest and broken hearts, humble spirits, and a willing readiness to keep our covenants—even when it requires sacrifice.”
“I testify that as we obey the Savior’s voice and keep our covenants—even by small and quiet sacrifices each day—we will feel His love more deeply and receive His guidance more clearly. And because He lives, we can have the assurance that one day we will stand before Him and hear the words that matter most: that we are accepted of Him.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, “Alive in Christ”
“The literal Resurrection of Jesus is the subject of so many scriptures that it is settled doctrine for believers of the Bible and Book of Mormon. For us, the universal Resurrection is equally certain.”
Alma 11:43–44
43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
“Our belief in the Resurrection also encourages us to fulfill our family responsibilities in mortality. It helps us live together in love in this life in anticipation of joyful reunions and associations in the next. All of these truths have been preached in this conference session with great clarity.”
“Living worthy to meet Christ is no easy task. Many current writers characterize the time in which we live as toxic, a time of contempt or hostility toward adversaries. This hostility affects many different relationships in society, involving many whose Christian beliefs should orient them otherwise.”
Matthew 22:37–39
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:29–37
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
My thoughts
{
Trying to wiggle out of the word of God has left us with a lot of false interpretations of scripture. Here we see an example of someone doing that.
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“The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek, and lowly. It is without envy or pride. It is selfless because it seeks nothing in return. It does not countenance evil or ill will, nor rejoice in iniquity; it has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence. It refuses to condone ridicule, vulgarity, abuse, or ostracism. It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, or culture.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter (2015), 263.)
“Each of us can strive to follow our Savior in His teachings about how to relate to one another. This does not mean surrendering our values.”
“When we seek to keep all the commandments in our personal lives, we are sometimes accused of having no love for those who don’t.”
“In countless circumstances, strangers’ suspicions or even hostility gradually gives way to friendship when personal contacts produce mutual respect.”
“The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that we should ‘pour forth love’ to all people. (Joseph Smith, “Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 3, 15 July 1843–29 February 1844,” 13, josephsmithpapers.org.) to all people.”
1 John 4:19
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
“How it would change the world if followers of Christ would forgo harsh and hurtful words in all their communications.”
Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is. Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always. (Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” Liahona, May 2023, 100.)
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