Painting of Jesus Christ looking up to heaven with His arms raised up. He is by the tomb where He was laid.
Imagine for a moment that Jesus Christ had never been resurrected. What would that mean for the world? for you personally? Why is Christ’s Resurrection so important? When Saints in Corinth questioned truths about the Resurrection, Paul wrote to them about what the Savior’s Resurrection could mean for them. This lesson can help you feel greater love and appreciation for Jesus Christ because of His victory over death.
A day that changed history
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a question he once researched. Watch “Behold the Man!” from time code 1:37 to 2:31, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, or read the following statement.
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Official portrait of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2006. Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, 3 February 2008. Made official portrait in 2008 replacing portrait taken in 2004.
Recently I asked the internet, “What day most changed the course of history?”
The responses ranged from surprising and strange to insightful and thought-provoking. Among them, the day when a prehistoric asteroid struck the Yucatán Peninsula; or when in 1440, Johannes Gutenberg finished his printing press; and, of course, the day in 1903 when the Wright brothers showed the world that man really can fly.
If the same question were asked of you, what would you say?
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Behold the Man!,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 107–8)
What day would you say most changed the course of history? Why?
Elder Uchtdorf shared the event he felt most changed the course of history. Watch “Behold the Man!” from time code 4:20 to 4:55, or read the following statement.
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Official portrait of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2006. Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, 3 February 2008. Made official portrait in 2008 replacing portrait taken in 2004.
There are many events throughout history that have profoundly affected the destiny of nations and peoples. But combine them all, and they cannot begin to compare to the importance of what happened on that first Easter morning.
What is it that makes the infinite sacrifice and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the most important event in history—more influential than world wars, cataclysmic disasters, and life-changing scientific discoveries?
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Behold the Man!,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 108)
Why do you think the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection is the most important event in history?
Why does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ matter to you?
Jesus Christ’s Resurrection
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Saints to correct the false belief that had arisen that there was no Resurrection. As you study his words, create a chart similar to the following to record details and truths from the scriptures, as well as promptings you receive from the Holy Ghost. Doing so can help you better understand the scriptures, have a more powerful learning experience, and deepen your love for and understanding of the Savior and His victory over death.
1. Draw and complete the following chart in your study journal:
If Jesus Christ had not been resurrected …
Because Jesus Christ was resurrected …
Read 1 Corinthians 15:13–19. Add two or three statements to the left side of your chart based on what you learn from these verses.
How would you and others be impacted if Jesus had not been resurrected?
1 Corinthians 15:20–22 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will learn more about this doctrinal mastery passage in the next lesson.
Now read 1 Corinthians 15:20–22. Look for what will happen because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Add it to the right column of your chart. Note that “firstfruits” in verse 20 refers to Jesus Christ being the first person resurrected.
What does Paul emphasize will happen because Jesus was resurrected?
This passage helps us understand that because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, everyone will be resurrected. Physical death comes upon all as a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve. Jesus Christ overcame this consequence for all as a free gift.
Pause and think about what this gift of universal resurrection can teach you about Jesus Christ.
What does the Savior’s overcoming physical death for all people teach you about Him?
If possible, watch “#Hallelujah—An Easter Message about Jesus Christ” (2:13), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Look for and list in the right column of your chart how you can be blessed because of the Savior’s Resurrection. “Hallelujah” is an expression that means “praise ye the Lord” (see Bible Dictionary, “ Hallelujah ”).
What did you learn from the video that makes you want to praise the Lord?
Think back to the question from earlier in the lesson: “Why does the Resurrection matter to you?”
How is your answer to that question impacted by what you have studied today?
How do you imagine you will feel about Jesus Christ when He gives new life to you and your loved ones?
What His Resurrection means for us
Ancient and modern Church leaders have testified of what the Savior’s victory over death means for us.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:51–58, Alma 11:42–44, and the following statement by Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy, whose daughter died from cancer. Add important details you see to your chart. Note that “incorruptible” ( 1 Corinthians 15:52) means continuing forever and not decaying.
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Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Quorum of the Seventy takes an official portrait, 2021.
Each of us has physical, mental, and emotional limitations and weaknesses. These challenges … will eventually be resolved. None of these problems will plague us after we are resurrected. …
… We know that [Christ] can make us whole no matter what is broken in us. We know that He “shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” [Revelation 21:4].
At the bottom of your chart, write down what you learned or felt today that was most meaningful to you and why.
Optional: Want to Learn More?
How can a knowledge of the power of Christ’s Resurrection influence me?
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained:
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Official Portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks taken March 2018.
The assurance that the resurrection will include an opportunity to be with our family members—husband, wife, parents, brothers and sisters, children, and grandchildren—is a powerful encouragement for us to fulfill our family responsibilities in mortality. It helps us live together in love in this life in anticipation of joyful reunions and associations in the next.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Resurrection,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2000, 16)
Consider watching “Sunday Will Come” (2:31) for additional insights. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
How do the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection help with losses we experience in mortality?
Watch “Come What May, and Love It” from time code 8:23 to 9:12, in which Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains how the Savior helps us with losses we experience in mortality. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Portrait of Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Photographed in March 2020.
The Savior makes all things right. No injustice in mortality is permanent, even death, for He restores life again. No injury, disability, betrayal, or abuse goes uncompensated in the end because of His ultimate justice and mercy.
“Paul explained that the Resurrection follows an established order or sequence (see 1 Corinthians 15:23). …
“Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected. Immediately following His Resurrection, there were righteous Saints who rose from the grave (see Matthew 27:52–53). At the Second Coming, the Resurrection will continue with the coming forth of other righteous Saints, who ‘are Christ’s at his coming’ (1 Corinthians 15:23). Through latter-day revelation, we learn that these people will inherit the celestial kingdom [see Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–70; 88:97–98]. Then will come the resurrection of those who will receive terrestrial glory [see Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–79; 88:99]. They will be followed at the end of the Millennium by those who will inherit telestial glory [see Doctrine and Covenants 76:81–86; 88:100–101]. Finally, the Resurrection will be concluded with the raising of … the ‘sons of perdition’ who will receive no degree of glory but will ‘return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received’ [see Doctrine and Covenants 76:31–39, 43–44; 88:28–32, 35, 101–2]” (New Testament Student Manual [2014], 385).
Those spirits who rebelled in premortality and did not receive a mortal body will not be among those who will be resurrected (see Doctrine and Covenants 76:32–39).