Christ’s Resurrection

By President Howard W. Hunter,

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve

(Adapted from an April 1983 general conference address. See Ensign, May 1983, pages 15–16.)

There is a God in the heavens who loves and cares about you and me. We have a Father in Heaven, who sent His Firstborn of spirit children, His Only Begotten in the flesh, to be an earthly example for us, to take upon Himself the sins of the world, to be crucified, and to be resurrected. It was He who said:

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (D&C 19:16–19.)

And again He said: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25–26.)

It is truly a beautiful message—there will be life after death; we can return to live with our Father in Heaven once again, because of the sacrifice the Savior has made for us, and because of our own repentance and obedience to the commandments.

In the glorious dawn of Easter morning, when our thoughts are turned to the resurrection of Jesus, let us express appreciation to our Heavenly Father for the great plan of salvation that has been provided for us. We should turn toward unselfishness and careful obedience to the commandments. In doing so, let us remember that the time of preparation is growing short, that soon the Savior will return. As the Apostle Paul has said: “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come” (Heb. 10:37).

Illustrated by Harry Anderson