Do Mormons celebrate Easter?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”) are Christian, and as such most emphatically celebrate the Easter holiday. Yes we “Mormons” do enjoy the fun commercialized aspect of Easter with the egg hunts, Easter bunny baskets, candy, etc. But more importantly we celebrate it for what it truly is—the day that our Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected from His tomb.
What Exactly is the Resurrection?
The Resurrection is “the reuniting of the spirit with the body in an immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death” (see Gospel Topics). We know that the Savior’s spirit was reunited with his body because of scriptural accounts in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. An example of this is found in the record of Luke where Jesus Christ said, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39).
Will I Be Resurrected?
Because of our Savior’s resurrection, we also will be resurrected! Isn’t that glorious? Again, this truth has scriptural backing. We read in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, that through the Atonement (Christ’s selfless acts made it possible for man to be reconciled with God) “he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory” (Alma 22:14). And then in the Bible it states, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15: 20-22).
How did the Savior make the Resurrection possible?
To be perfectly honest, my brain can’t even comprehend the true greatness of this miracle to adequately answer this question. I do know, however, that He did make it possible. While in the Garden of Gethsemene, and again on the cross of Calvary, Christ felt all of the pains, sicknesses, and sorrows that have ever been felt or that will ever be felt (see Alma 7:11-12). In essence, His Atonement was truly infinite. Because He stuck with the plan, without giving up, even during the moment when He was completely alone, even uttering the solitary words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). And again, His “never quit” attitude kept persevering when the Adversary himself tempted in the climax of it all, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40). He still pressed on, carrying out His divinely appointed mission, perfectly and with exactness. Because He did this, the resurrection was made possible! And He rose triumphantly. Allowing Easter to be truly a day of celebration.
What Does the Mormon Prophet Say about the Resurrection and Easter?
President Thomas S. Monson said this in a General Conference address in April 2010, titled, “He is Risen:”
No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel:
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?
“He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5-6).
Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.
The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.
My Testimony of Easter
Yes, I do enjoy the Easter Bunny. But my whole life is different because of my knowledge of this—that Jesus Christ was resurrected with a “body of flesh and bone.” I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of world. I know that the physical ailments that we have in this life will be made whole when we are resurrected, and that we will be resurrected because of the selfless One, even Jesus Christ. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and He has made it possible for all of us to return to live with our Heavenly Father as eternal families—what glorious truths.
I invite you to meet with Mormon missionaries, to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. Learn about Jesus Christ’s Atonement and all that it means for you and all those whom you associate with. It is truth that “if a man die, he shall live again” and what a reassuring truth that is. Read also, the Book of Mormon (a companion to the Bible) and feast upon the account of the Resurrected Lord’s ministry on the American continent.
This article was written by Ashley Bell, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.