Easter thoughts

Easter is the Christian holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Christ died on the cross, His body was placed in a sepulcher, where it remained, separated from His spirit, until His Resurrection, when His spirit and His body were reunited. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirm and testify that Jesus Christ was resurrected and lives today with a glorified and perfected body of flesh and bone.

Following His Resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then to other disciples. Some were not convinced of His Resurrection, believing that His appearances were those of an unembodied spirit. Jesus assured them, “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 (Luke 24:39).” He then ate fish and honey in their presence, further dispelling their doubt.

Easter is a celebration not only of the Resurrection of Christ but also of the universal Resurrection. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected. Their bodies and spirits will be reunited, never to be separated again. Latter-day Saints know the truth of Paul’s statement, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept … For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22; see also Alma 11:42–45)

Easter bunnies and eggs in the family festivities are for the delight of children and family get-togethers. Such traditions are not officially discouraged, though they have no religious significance to the sacrifice that Jesus Christ suffered so that we may live with Him some day. We must remember and focus on the fact that it is a holiday that is religious. Easter is a celebration of the promise of eternal life through Christ. They share the conviction of Job: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:25–26).”

What is the Atonement?

As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.

Jesus Christ has always been the only one capable of making such a sacrifice. Only He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again. From His mortal mother, Mary, He inherited the ability to die. From His immortal Father, He inherited the power to overcome death. He declared, “As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself (John 5:26).”