With the coming of spring and the rebirth of life around us it is only natural that our thoughts should turn to the resurrection of Christ.  This is my topic of discussion today. I am thankful for the opportunity to share with you my testimony concerning this event as well as the doctrine of the Resurrection and what its impact upon us is. I do not want to dwell upon his death, nor the means of his crucifixion but rather upon his glorious victory over death in the event known as the “Resurrection of Christ”!
 
There are three main points that I wish to discuss, they are as follows:
 
                         #1 What is the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
                         #2 Who is to be resurrected, and what type of body do they obtain?
                         #3 What do we know of resurrected bodies and their abilities?
 
What is the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
 
Is Jesus Christ the first man to ever be raised from the dead?  The answer would be no.
 
 Lazarus was raised from the dead (John 11:38-44)
 Peter the apostle raised Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42)
 
Many others have been raised from the dead, and through the authority of the priesthood raised others from the dead.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ however was much different than these other events.
 
After Jesus Christ gave his life upon the cross, he was taken down and placed in a tomb.  His body lay in a tomb for three days and then a glorious event took place.
 
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, Pg. 13
            On the third day there was a great earthquake.  The stone was rolled back from the door of the tomb.  Some of the women, among the most devoted of His followers, came to the place with spices "and found not the body of the Lord Jesus" (Luke 24:3).  Angels appeared and said simply, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen."(Luke 24:5-6)
 
This resurrection was not merely the bringing of Jesus Christ back to life; this was the changing of Jesus Christ from a mortal man to an immortal being like unto God.
 
Who is to be resurrected and what type of body do they obtain?
 
Doctrines of the Resurrection:
2 Nephi 9:13-16
      All mankind will be raised from the dead and become incorruptible and immortal
      All mankind’s knowledge shall be perfect, and know of their righteousness and sinfulness
      Those who are righteous shall be righteous still and those who are filthy shall be filthy still
 
Alma 11:42-45
      Death of Christ looses bands of temporal death – all be raised.
      This restoration shall come upon all, old, and young, male and female.
      mortal body is raised to an immortal body...that they can die no more
 
1 Corin 15:35-44
        That which men sowest in his/her body reapest in the resurrection - restoration.
        There are different types of bodies in the resurrection.
        One glory of the Celestial (all Celestial bodies are the same)
        One glory of the Terrestrial (All Terrestrial bodies are the same)
        And another Glory of the Telestial (There are differing degrees in Telestial glory)
D&C 88:27-32
        Those quickened by a portion of celestial glory shall receive of the same in fullness.
        Those quickened by a portion of the Terrestrial glory shall receive of the same in fullness.
        Those quickened by a portion of the Terrestrial glory shall receive of the same in fullness.
        The rest are also quickened to receive that which they had been willing to receive.
 
Remember the parable of the Laborer in the Vineyard.
Math 19:30, 20:1-6
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a householder hiring servants.
He hires one in the morning one in the noon, and one in the late evening just before the work ends.
He pays them all the same… each and every man received of his penny.
Just as in the resurrection of the Dead.  Any person quickened by a portion of the law of his resurrection will receive of that resurrection even in fullness.  All who receive the Celestial glory will be equal in power and glory and knowledge independent of their experiences in this life. Thus is the kingdom of heaven!
 
What do we know of resurrected bodies and their abilities?
All Resurrected beings:
            Perfect in form – not a hair of head lost
            Recognizable as the individual they were when mortal.
            Do not suffer death, pain or temptation
 
Celestial Bodies:
D&C 76:50-70
            The father has given all things – Joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17)
            Priests and kings and received of his fullness and glory
            They are Gods even the sons of GOD
            All things are theirs, present, future, they have overcome all.
            They dwell in presence of God and Christ forever
            Bodies glory is that of the sun even the glory of God.
            Minister to Terestrial (vs 87)
            Equal in power, might and dominion (vs 95)
            Only the highest heaven or degree can reproduce (marriage required)
D&C 130: 1-2, Moroni 7:48
            We will be like the savior and see as we are seen and know as we are known.
            Same sociality as here now but coupled with eternal glory – knowledge and power
 
Descriptions of Celestial Beings:
JST History 1:17,32, 43
            Brightness and glory defy description.
            Standing above him in air – defy gravity.
            Countenance like lightning
            Ability to gather light around themselves, and travel almost instantly as it were elsewhere.
Luke 24:36-43
            Appeared instantly among them
            Touched and handled his hands and feet – corporal.
            Eat fish, and honey in front of them
3 Nephi 11:8
            Descended from heaven – defy gravity.
 
Terestrial Bodies: Not much is known – none seen..
D&C 76:71-80
            Receive glory of Jesus, but not of his fullness.
            Receive presence of Son, but not of Father
            Do not obtain the crown – because not valiant.
            Minister to Telestial( vs  86)
 
Telestial Bodies: Glories similar to what we live in today
D&C 76:81-85
            The glory of the lesser, and differ in glory as stars do.
            Received not Testimony of Jesus, but do not deny Holy Ghost.
            No redeemed until the last resurrection
 
These are bodies similar to what we have now except coupled with eternal glory and immortal, perfected, and can feel no pain.
"Some of the adversities we face are simply a natural consequence of living in a telestial world instead of a celestial one. Possessing telestial bodies, living among telestial people, and having telestial knowledge and wisdom naturally bring difficulties, problems, and frustrations.
More importantly, I have come to realize that to live in a telestial world but to be celestial people is the test. Our exemplar is Jesus Christ who, referring to Joseph Smith’s great hardships, told the Prophet: “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.  “The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (D&C 122:7–8)."
Ensign 1981, February, “What to do with Adversity”
 
Testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ and the importance of the Resurrection.
 
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.)
This is everlasting life in the most literal sense.
 
Helaman 14:30-31 – Restoration – Law of the Harvest
  30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
  31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
 
Jesus Christ lives today, and will live forever.  We through the atonement of Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation for us will also live forever, but it is up to us to determine if our resurrection will be the resurrection of the Just or the Unjust.
 
I hope that we will all take advantage of the atonement of Jesus Christ by obeying its laws and ordinances so that when we are resurrected we will be able to see as we are seen, and know as we are known, and when we see Christ we will be like him!
 
Moroni 10:32-34
  32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
  33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
  34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.