Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Spencer W. Kimball on the reality of the Resurrection

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) was ordained an apostle in 1943 and served as President of the Church from 1973 to 1985.
"Sometimes our celebrations of notable occurrences seem to take on earthly color, and we do not fully realize the significance of the reason for the celebration. This is true of Easter, when too often we celebrate the holiday rather than the deep significance of the Resurrection of the Lord. They must be unhappy indeed who ignore the godship of Christ, the sonship of the Master.  We feel sorry indeed for those who call the supreme miracle of the Resurrection 'but a subjective experience of the disciples, rather than an actual historical event.' ...
"And as the living, verdant spring follows the dismal, deathlike winter, all nature proclaims the divinity of the risen Lord, that He was Creator, that He is the Savior of the world, that He is the very Son of God."
- Spencer W. Kimball, "The Certainty of the Resurrection," general conference, April 4, 1969; reprinted in Ensign, April 2010, pp. 54-57
Click here to read the full article

It's easy to let the excitement of the season obscure its meaning and significance. President Kimball warns about the "earthly color" that sometimes dominates Easter celebrations. We can easily celebrate the holiday but forget the "deep significance" of what it represents: the Lord's Resurrection. And he warns that we will be "unhappy indeed" if we overlook the profound meaning behind Easter, in "the godship of Christ, the sonship of the Master."

The real message of Easter is one of hope, corresponding to the symbolic hope of spring overcoming winter:


I love to watch for the signs of spring as that new life emerges from dormancy. In every case, it's a glorious reminder of the eternal love of the Father and the Son.

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