The Book of Mormon , Jesus Christ , Easter

4 min read 

The good news that Jesus Christ has conquered death is a message of light and joy within a dark and fallen world.

The testimony affirmed by the New Testament is that He lives, and because He lives we can have eternal life if we follow Him.

Mary saw Him in the tomb and the angels declared His resurrection to other devout righteous women (Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-10; John 20:11-18). 

Peter and the apostles were witnesses of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The apostles saw Him and ate with Him, touched His wounds and His hands, feet and side (Luke 24:13-43; John 20:19-31).

John testified:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life.” – 1 John 1:1

Pedro shared:

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” – 2 Peter 1:16

Jesus Christ visited His apostles after His resurrection. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ

Along with the testimony of the New Testament, the Book of Mormon tells us of the resurrected Jesus Christ's visit to the multitudes in the Americas.

The Savior appeared to a crowd of 2,500 men, women, and children who were invited to approach and touch His resurrected body:

“And it came to pass that they of the multitude came forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and felt the marks of the nails in his hands, and in his feet; and this they did, going forth one by one, until they all came forth; and they saw with their eyes, and felt with their hands, and knew of a surety, and bore witness that it was he, of whom the prophets had written that he should come.” – 3 Nephi 11:15

Jesus Christ visited His people in the Americas. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Professor S. Knet Brown has observed that the resurrected Jesus Christ, the Word of life, represents what for us is the most important central event in the history of humanity:

"Jesus Himself is the proof of His Atonement. His body, of course, is the first thing He allows people to touch, specifically the wounds in His feet, hands, and side. However, when one thinks of ancient texts, whether on paper, wood, stone, metal, or papyrus, we know that they will all perish at any moment or may be destroyed, but the resurrected and glorified body of Jesus Christ will not."

His body testifies of Himself and carries with it the text of His suffering, death, and resurrection. 

Jesus Christ, during His visit to the Americas, asked the crowds to touch His wounds. Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ

Specifically, the eternal and immediate text that testifies to the resurrection of our Savior is the Risen Jesus, who bears on his body the marks that will never disappear.

As a sacred record, the Book of Mormon points directly to the divine work of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. 

The Lord said to the prophet Enoch:

“I will cause truth to spring up out of the earth to testify of my Only Begotten, of his resurrection from the dead, even, and also of the resurrection of all men.” – Moses 7:62

The Book of Mormon, like Jesus Christ, is a testimony of His divinity. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ, the Caribbean

The text of the Book of Mormon sprang from the dust, was seen and touched by a chosen witness who bore testimony to the truthfulness of its message.

Today, a record of a destroyed people, buried underground, has come to the world, just like the Risen Christ.

From the earth has come a gift and power from God for the salvation and glory of all those who will receive it: The Book of Mormon.

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