Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Thrity-Five

The Doctrine of Resurrection

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul testified of the resurrection of Christ and of all mankind – Some members of the Church at Corinth had begun to doubt the reality of the resurrection.  Therefore, Paul testified of the reality of the resurrection of Christ, but he only touched lightly on the doctrine resurrection.  Because most modern Christians do not understand the doctrine of the resurrection, they, like the Corinthians, do not believe in a literal physical resurrection.

A wonderful part of the restoration of the gospel in the latter days includes the restoration of the doctrine of the resurrection.  The Prophet Joseph Smith and latter day scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, teach the doctrine of the resurrection with great power and authority.

Spiritual truth, like the reality of the resurrection, can be known only by revelation – Paul understood this, and as a witness of the resurrected Christ, testified to the Corinthians that Jesus “was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once….After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  And last of all he was seen of me also” (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

Witnesses, “chosen vessels of the Lord” who have seen and heard for themselves, testify of these truths,  “And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men” (Moroni 7:31-32).

Joseph Smith is the primary witness of the resurrected Christ in the latter days – In our day we have Joseph’s testimony of the First Vision where both the Father and the Son appeared.  (See Joseph Smith History 1:5-20).  We also have Joseph’s witness of the Living Christ:  “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!  For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father” (D&C 76:22-23).

Furthermore, the Book of Mormon, brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith, testifies that the resurrected Christ invited about 2,500 men, women and children (see 3 Nephi 17:25) to each learn for themselves the reality of His resurrection:  “And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come” (3 Nephi 11:14-15).

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?  Why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29) – Because the Corinthians denied the resurrection, Paul asked them why they were baptizing for the dead if there is no resurrection.  This question also shows that members of the Church of Jesus Christ anciently were doing baptisms for the dead.

Performing vicarious ordinances on behalf of the dead is a unique, significant, and extensive practice of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The knowledge of this work and its importance was revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The resurrection is compared to the glory of the sun, the moon, and the stars – Paul touched on this doctrine in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42.  One of the greatest revelations that has ever been recorded is found in D&C 76.  This revelation greatly expands our knowledge of the resurrection.  It should be studied.

It speaks of the resurrection of the just and of the unjust.  It describes who will inherit a celestial glory compared to the sun, a terrestrial compared to the moon, and a telestial glory compared to the stars.  It also describes the sons of perdition who are in outer darkness and angels to the devil.

“The doctrines of the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are necessary to preach among the first principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 4).  Jesus taught the Nephites that the resurrection and judgment are inextricably tied together by His atonement:

“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil” (3 Nephi 27:14). 

When we are resurrected we are also judged.  In the resurrection our body becomes immortal and our spirit is judged according to our works and the desires of our heart.  “Obedience to celestial, terrestrial or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories” (Introduction to D&C 88 describing verses 17-31).  From this we learn that if we live celestial law we will be judged worthy of the celestial kingdom, and we will be resurrected with a celestial body.  This same principle applies to the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms.

The resurrection of all mankind is made possible by the power of the atonement of Christ – Paul taught that Jesus rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).  In a powerful testimony Paul testified of the resurrection of all mankind:

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be [resurrected]…So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is they sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

The Lord testified that through the power of His atonement all people who have ever lived on the earth will be resurrected and judged.  “And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works” (3 Nephi 27:14-15)  

A glorious resurrection and all that we hope for in this life and the next is made possible “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved” (2 Nephi 2:8-9).