AT CHRIST'S RESURRECTION.
That Christ well understood the great object of his earthly mission, is evident from many of his sayings previous to his death and resurrection. Early in his ministry he said to Nicodemus, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life;" John 3. 14, 15.
On another occasion Jesus said to Martha the sister of Lazarus, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;" John 11. 25. At another time, in talking with the Pharisees, he said, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and to take it up again;" John 10. 17, 18.
We are informed that one resurrection has already taken place, and that it occurred at the resurrection of our Savior. "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many;" Matt. 27. 52, 53.
The following indicates that the prophet Isaiah had a prophetic glimpse of this resurrection; "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead;" Isa. 26. 19.
It would appear that the Psalmist, David, looked forward for redemption from the dead, at the resurrection of Christ. "My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption;" Psalm 16. 9, 10.
The Book of Mormon is much more definite and comprehensive on this subject than the Bible. "And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ: for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection * * * And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children also have eternal life;" Mos. 15. 21-25.
This declaration of the prophet-king, Mosiah, was made about 100 B. C. Alma, who lived and prophesied a few years later, says, "And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection; a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead;" Alma 40. 16.
From these passages quoted from the Book of Mormon, and their contexts, it is evident that the Nephite Saints looked forward to the resurrection of Christ from the dead, for their deliverance from the grave, with the same assurance that the Latter-day Saints anticipate their resurrection at his second coming.
By way of explanation, the prophet Alma adds, "The resurrection meaneth the re-uniting of the soul with the body of those from the days of Adam, down to the resurrection of Christ;" 40. 18, 19.
The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, speaking of the resurrection of Christ, says, "And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many Saints shall appear unto many;" Hel. 14. 25. During Christ's ministry among the Nephites, his disciples testified that this prophecy was fulfilled; 3 Nephi 23. 10.
Bible.
Job 19. 25 for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
Matt. 17. 9 until the Son of Man be risen from the dead. Mark 9.9. 27. 64 and the people say he is risen from the dead.
28. 6 he is not here, for he is risen as he said. Mark 16. 6, 9, 14.
Luke 24. 34 the Lord is risen, indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
John 2. 19-21 destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
5. 25 the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
26 the Father gave to the Son to have life in himself.
8. 28 when ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he.
12. 32 if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me.
Acts 1. 22 must one be ordained to be a witness of his resurrection.
2. 31 David spake of the resurrection of Christ. 32.
26. 23 that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.
Rom. 8. 34 is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God.
14. 9 died and rose that he might be Lord of the dead and living.
Col 1. 18 who is the beginning, the first born from the dead.
Rev. 1. 18 I am he that liveth and was dead.
Book of Mormon.
2 Nephi 2. 8, 9 he layeth down his life and taketh it again, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead. Mos. 13. 35.
Mos. 16. 9 he is a life that is endless, that there can be no more death. 10.
3 Nephi 6. 20 testifying of the death of Christ and of his resurrection, in all the land.
Doctrine & Covenants.
Sec. 18. 12 he hath risen from the dead, that he might bring all men to him.
Pearl of Great Price.
Page 21. the Saints arose at the resurrection of Christ. The spirits that were in prison came forth.