The reality of the Resurrection

Christ was suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross.  After he died on the cross, he was resurrected.  This is not only hard to believe for us, but it was also hard for Christ's deciples.  We read in Luke 24:36-39 what happened:

 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

 39 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.

These apostles, and others recorded in the scriptures have actually seen, and touched Jesus after he was resurrected.  They testify that He did indeed live again.  They testify that He does still live.

There are special witnesses of Christ today as well.  They also have seen Him.  They testify of His reality, and of the Atonement which He performed for all mankind.

Now, not all of us have had that same opportunity to witness Christ's resurrected body with our own eyes.  So, what do we do if we want to know for ourselves if what we read in the scriptures, is true?  Well, first of all, God uses the law of witnesses.  That is, that for all his truths, he has witnesses, who tell us of these truths (2 Corinthians 13:1):

... In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

But, God does not leave it at that.  He wants us to be able to know for ourselves on important things like this.  How can we know for ourselves?  Jesus gave the answer to a man named Oliver Cowdery, and it is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 9:8

8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

This same promise is valid for all of us as well.  If we want to know what we are hearing is true, we must

1. Study it
2. Ask God, in prayer, if what you have studied is true

If we do those things, God will answer us through the Holy Ghost.  We will have Him witness to us, and we will know for ourselves.  And that witness is just as powerful as if we had been there to witness it with our own eyes.

Christ lives!  I know it, and you can know it as well!