He Is Not Here

I consider Easter the most important holiday.  Not because it happens to fall on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox, but because of the empty tomb that it commemorates. 

As a youth, I never really captured the importance of the empty tomb.  Just like when Mary looked inside and couldn't quite comprehend, I didn't realize that, as Gordon B. Hinckley put so well,

"Here was the greatest miracle of human history.  Ealier He had told them, 'I am the resurrection, and the life' (John 11:25). But they had not understood.  Now they knew.  He had died in misery and pain and loneliness.  Now, on the third day, He arose in power and beauty and life, the firstfruits of all who slept, the assurance for men of all ages that 'as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive' (1 Corinthians 15:22)"

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is real and it means that there is hope.  No matter the circumstance, no matter the depth of our sorrow or pain, no matter the duration--it is temporary.  Our Savior descended below all things and overcame them.  He outlasted all provocation.  He defeated all enemies, and the last enemy that was defeated was death. 

Here was the only Man in the history of the earth who had power to voluntarily give up his life whether He were hanging on a cross or sitting comfortably in a chair--the only Man with power to take that life back again with the same ease. 

Because the tomb was empty--because He was not there--we can have hope in knowing that all of our struggles will be temporary; that if we are faithful, all things will work out for our benefit.   I know that He died, and I know that He rose.  We will all live again.  We will see His face and the marks in His hands. 

Here is hope. 

In Others' Words...

"He is Not Here."

As the Sun Rises - The Process of Revelation

We understand that God teaches us.  He reveals things to us in our minds and in our hearts.  A phrase that I love that He has used to describe this "coming forth" of truth is "Clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." 

Have you ever watched the sun rise?  Do you notice how it comes so gradually that the increase of light is almost imperceptible.  The light grows even before the sun itself is even visible on the horizon.  However, at one moment or another, we realize that the sun has indeed risen. 

This is different from turning on a light-switch.  A dark room is instantaneously filled with light and the difference is immediately noticeable. 

It is true that God can enlighten us in an instant, as it were, and help us to see things differently and help us to change.  The scriptures are full of examples of such stories.  However, these instances are better understood as the exception rather than the rule.

More often that not, personal revelation and inspiration come to us as the sun rises.  It is a process that requires patience.  It comes "line upon line, precept upon precept."  It does, however, come.  And when it comes, it is "clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners."  It is bright and brilliant and undeniable.   

In others' words...

“As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will ‘walk in the light of the Lord.’ Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family.”     -David A. Bednar



"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." -D&C 88:67