Lord of Prayer, by Yongsung Kim
General Conference
Morning Session 10:00am - 12:00 noon
Afternoon Session 2:00pm - 4:00pm
April 3, 1836, was Easter Sunday. After helping administer the sacrament to Saints gathered in the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery found a quiet place behind a veil in the temple and bowed in silent prayer. Then, on this sacred day when Christians everywhere were commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior Himself appeared in His temple, declaring, “I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:4).
What does it mean to say that Jesus Christ is “he who liveth”? It doesn’t just mean that He rose from the tomb on the third day and appeared to His Galilean disciples. It means that He lives today. He speaks through prophets today. He leads His Church today. He heals wounded souls and broken hearts today. So we can echo the words of Joseph Smith’s powerful testimony: “After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony … which we give of him: That he lives!” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22). We can hear His voice in these revelations. We can witness His hand in our lives. And we can each feel “the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’” (Hymns, no. 136).
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Doctrine and Covenants 29:5; 38:7; 62:1; 76:11–14, 20–24; 110:1–10
Jesus Christ lives.
The Prophet Joseph Smith saw the risen Savior several times, and two of these experiences are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. As you read sections 76:11–14, 20–24; 110:1–10, what impresses you about Joseph Smith’s testimony? Why is his testimony valuable to you?
Throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior bore witness of His own mission and divinity. What do you learn about the living Christ from His words in Doctrine and Covenants 29:5; 38:7; 62:1? You might consider recording declarations like these that you find as you study the Doctrine and Covenants.
See also Joseph Smith—History 1:17.
Doctrine and Covenants 29:26–27; 42:45–46; 63:49; 88:14–17, 27–31; 93:33–34
Because of Jesus Christ, I will be resurrected.
Joseph Smith knew how it feels to mourn the death of loved ones. Two of his brothers, Alvin and Don Carlos, died as young men. Joseph and Emma buried six children, each younger than two years old. But from the revelations he received, Joseph gained an eternal perspective on death and God’s eternal plan. Consider the truths revealed in Doctrine and Covenants 29:26–27; 42:45–46; 63:49; 88:14–17, 27–31; 93:33–34. How do these revelations affect the way you view death? How can they affect the way you live?
See also 1 Corinthians 15; M. Russell Ballard, “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 71–74; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 174–76.
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13; 19:16–19; 45:3–5; 76:69–70
Jesus Christ accomplished a “perfect atonement.”
One way to focus on the Savior at Easter time is to study revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants that teach about His atoning sacrifice. Some of these can be found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13; 19:16–19; 45:3–5; 76:69–70. Perhaps you could make a list of truths about the Savior’s Atonement that you find in these verses. To deepen your study, you could add to your list by searching scripture references listed in “Atone, Atonement” (Guide to the Scriptures, scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Here are some questions that could guide your study:
Why did Jesus Christ choose to suffer?
What must I do to receive the blessings of His sacrifice?
How can I tell if His Atonement is having an effect in my life?