I was recently reading a book written by James E. Talmage, an Apostle of the Lord, entitled " Jesus the Christ ". It was written as a depictive account of the Savior's calling as the Redeemer, His ministry on Earth, and His Divine Godship in the Eternities. While reading in the 20th chapter about the miracles performed by the Lord in His earthly ministry, I fell upon Elder Talmage's narrative about the power of the Lord Jesus Christ over death.
As a missionary we teach people about the Plan of Salvation. This is the plan that our loving Heavenly Father has given for all His children on this Earth. Part of that plan is the Resurrection of all those who have ever lived, live now, and ever will live a mortal life. Sometimes while teaching this principle of the Gospel I have been asked, " Did Jesus Resurrect Lazarus? " Distinguishing between a restoration of life, and the resurrection of life is something that I have had to do frequently as a missionary. Normally right now I would give my explanation of the difference between Resurrection, and the Savior raising others from the bonds of death. However, I feel that the explanation that Elder Talmage gave is much better then any I could offer. To quote Elder Talmage - " the miracle consisted in reuniting the spirit and the body in a continuation of the interrupted course of mortal existence. That the subject of each of these miracles had to subsequently die is certain. " ( Jesus the Christ ) In other words, those who were risen from the dead by the Savior, Elijah, Elisha, Peter, and Paul all had to suffer physical death again at the end of their lives.
The important things to know in Christ's raising of the dead compared to that of Prophets and Apostles, is that the power to conquer death is held by the Savior Himself. Elder Talmage also address this difference in the process that was needed for the Prophets Elijah and Elisha to raise the dead, in respect to the Savior Himself commanding the dead to rise. " By both Elijah and Elisha the wonderful change was brought about only after long and labored ministrations, and earnest invocation of the power and intervention of Jehovah; but Jehovah, embodied in the flesh as Jesus Christ, did nothing outwardly but command, and the bonds of death were immediately broken. He spoke in His own name and by inherent authority, for by the power with which He was invested He held control of both life and death. " ( Jesus the Christ )
Jesus Christ's triumphant rise from the dead ushered in the fulfillment of both scriptural prophecy of the Savior, and of the bonds of death being loosed for all. " 12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose 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 csuccor his people according to their infirmities. " ( Alma 7:12 )
I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and the Son of the Living God. I know that he lives and loves each and everyone of us. I know that my Savior has risen so that I to can rise from the bonds of death. I feel blessed to know that all of us will one day live again after this life as immortal and physically perfected beings. Through the Power the Lord has shown over death, we will live again, all of us. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
The important things to know in Christ's raising of the dead compared to that of Prophets and Apostles, is that the power to conquer death is held by the Savior Himself. Elder Talmage also address this difference in the process that was needed for the Prophets Elijah and Elisha to raise the dead, in respect to the Savior Himself commanding the dead to rise. " By both Elijah and Elisha the wonderful change was brought about only after long and labored ministrations, and earnest invocation of the power and intervention of Jehovah; but Jehovah, embodied in the flesh as Jesus Christ, did nothing outwardly but command, and the bonds of death were immediately broken. He spoke in His own name and by inherent authority, for by the power with which He was invested He held control of both life and death. " ( Jesus the Christ )
Now to address the Resurrection. Resurrection is a beautiful gift given to all by the loving mercy and grace of the Savior, made possible through the finalization of His infinite Atonement. The final step in the Atonement of Jesus Christ was his glorious resurrection from the dead. As stated by Elder Talmage, " Jesus Christ was the first of all men who have lived on earth to come forth from the tomb an immortalized
Being; He is therefore properly designated as ' the first fruits of them that slept. " ( Jesus the Christ )
Jesus Christ's triumphant rise from the dead ushered in the fulfillment of both scriptural prophecy of the Savior, and of the bonds of death being loosed for all. " 12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose 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 csuccor his people according to their infirmities. " ( Alma 7:12 )
I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, and the Son of the Living God. I know that he lives and loves each and everyone of us. I know that my Savior has risen so that I to can rise from the bonds of death. I feel blessed to know that all of us will one day live again after this life as immortal and physically perfected beings. Through the Power the Lord has shown over death, we will live again, all of us. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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