The power of the ressurection

            What better time is there to speak of Christ’s resurrection and his key role in The Lord’s plan than Easter.  It is extremely important for us to understand the doctrine of resurrection and why Christ played such a key role in bringing it to pass, both in the past and future.

               Jacob 4:11 states: “Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ…” The power of the resurrection is IN Christ. Jacob does not say that He holds the power, or oversees it, but that Christ is the physical manifestation of the resurrection. It comes in and through Christ. We know that all will be resurrected, but the specifications of the glory to which we will resurrect is in our hands.

               I believe that we can reach a better understanding of what we need to do to inherit that glorified celestial resurrected state by seeking guidance from the one who therein that very power resides, Christ. Through studying we may better understand this part of God’s plan and our role in it. We should strive every day to more fully align our will with the will and character of Christ. I know that through doing this that we will grow to appreciate his perfect life, and sacrifice. For He rose on the third day, and we too may rise with Him.

        Learning Light

            Only centuries ago, the greatest astronomers, scientists and philosophers had not the slightest idea of the vastness of the cosmos. With our human capabilities to see into the sky and peer into the expanse of God’s creations, we do not see very far. We were created with the power to see light, process that information and create knowledge within our brains of how to interpret the world and universe around us. However, the reality of our surroundings does not change from our ability to observe it. The blind man experiences the same worldly environment as him that sees. Just because ancient astronomers did not have the ability to see deep into space, did not change the reality of the universe.

            It was not until the tools necessary to gather more light from the vast corners of space were invented that man came to a real knowledge of the universe, and our place in it. Telescopes simply gather more light from a greater area than our eyes can, and allow us to process that light and understand truths that are normally out of our reach.

            Light is knowledge, and just as we deepen our understanding of the universe through searching out more physical light, we reach deeper understandings of spiritual truths through seeking out further spiritual light. This light is Christ. If we want to become more spiritually wise, we must improve our spiritual telescopes so that we can gather more of His light and see spiritual realities with finer detail. “For the Lord giveth light unto the understanding…” (2 Nephi 31:3). I pray that we may daily broaden our spiritual mirrors to gather more spiritual light. Through doing this what were once faint poorly understood concepts, will become clear and resolute. I testify that all light and knowledge comes from Christ, and as we focus on gathering His light, we will become mighty in our understanding of the Gospel.