The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
What the resurrection actually is, who will be resurrected and in what body, and what we know of resurrected beings from scripture.
I do not wish to dwell upon the death of Christ or the means of his crucifixion, but rather upon his glorious victory over death in the event known as the Resurrection of Christ!
What Is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Was Jesus Christ the first man ever raised from the dead? No — Lazarus was raised (John 11:38–44), and Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9:36–42). But the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was fundamentally different. This was not merely the restoration of mortal life. This was the transformation of Jesus Christ from a mortal man to an immortal being — like unto God.
From Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson: “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 24:5–6
“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
Who Is Resurrected and What Body Do They Receive?
All mankind will be raised from the dead and become incorruptible and immortal. Their knowledge shall be perfect, and they shall know of their righteousness and sinfulness. Those who are righteous shall be righteous still; those who are filthy shall be filthy still (2 Nephi 9:13–16). Death looses the bands of temporal death for all — old and young, male and female, raised to immortality, never to die again (Alma 11:42–45).
There are different types of bodies in the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:35–44), corresponding to the three degrees of glory:
Three Degrees of Resurrection Bodies — D&C 88:27–32
- Celestial — quickened by a portion of celestial glory, receive it in fullness
- Terrestrial — quickened by a portion of terrestrial glory, receive it in fullness
- Telestial — quickened by a portion of telestial glory, receive it in fullness
- The rest — also quickened to receive that which they had been willing to receive
Like the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–6), all who receive a given degree of glory receive it in fullness — equal in power, might, and dominion within their kingdom, regardless of the length of their mortal experience.
What Do We Know of Resurrected Bodies?
All Resurrected Beings
Perfect in form. Recognizable as who they were in mortality. Cannot suffer death, pain, or temptation.
Celestial Bodies (D&C 76:50–70)
Joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Priests and kings. Gods, even sons of God. All things theirs — present and future. They dwell in the presence of God and Christ forever. Their bodies glow with the glory of the sun (D&C 76:70). They minister to the terrestrial. They are equal in power, might, and dominion (D&C 76:95).
We will be like the Savior — see as we are seen, know as we are known — in the same sociality we have now, but coupled with eternal glory, knowledge, and power (D&C 130:1–2, Moroni 7:48).
From JST History 1: brightness and glory defy description — standing above the earth, countenance like lightning, able to gather light around themselves. From Luke 24:36–43: appearing instantly, corporeal (capable of being touched), able to eat. From 3 Nephi 11:8: descending from heaven.
Terrestrial Bodies (D&C 76:71–80)
Receive the glory of Jesus, but not his fullness. Receive the presence of the Son, but not of the Father. They do not obtain the crown — because they were not valiant in the testimony of Jesus. They minister to the telestial.
Telestial Bodies (D&C 76:81–85)
The glory of the lesser — differing in glory as the stars differ. They received not the testimony of Jesus and did not deny the Holy Ghost. They are not redeemed until the last resurrection. Their bodies are similar to what we have now, but immortal, perfected, and free from pain.
Testimony
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Moroni 10:32–34
“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 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.”
Jesus Christ lives today, and will live forever. It is up to each of us to determine whether our resurrection will be the resurrection of the just or the unjust. May we take advantage of the atonement of Jesus Christ by obeying its laws and ordinances — that when we are resurrected we may see as we are seen, know as we are known, and when we see Christ, be like him.