Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.
1. “He is risen” (Matthew 28:6)
Arrange for a small group to sing “He Is Risen” (Hymns, no. 199) or “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (Hymns, no. 200) at the end of the lesson. Or have a group of children sing “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” (Children’s Songbook,64).
2. “Woman, why weepest thou?” (John 20:15)
Point out that the Gospel of John is the only Gospel that contains an account of the Lord’s appearance to Mary Magdalene just after his Resurrection. Have a class member read aloud this account in John 20:11–18. Invite class members to share their thoughts and feelings about this event.
3. Other witnesses of the resurrected Lord
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In addition to the many witnesses mentioned in the Gospels, who else has seen the resurrected Lord? (Some answers are listed below.)
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Stephen (Acts 7:55)
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More than 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6)
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The Apostle James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
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The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)
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2,500 Saints in the ancient Americas (3 Nephi 11:8–15; 17:25)
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The Prophet Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith—History 1:17; D&C 76:22–24)
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Sidney Rigdon (D&C 76:22–24)
4. Scriptures about the Resurrection
Several scripture passages from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants increase our understanding of the Resurrection. Discuss as many of the following points as time allows:
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a. Jesus was the first to be resurrected (2 Nephi 2:8), and because of his Resurrection, all people will be resurrected (2 Nephi 9:22; Alma 11:42, 44).
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b. After Jesus Christ, those who receive a celestial glory will be resurrected first, followed by those who receive a terrestrial glory, those who receive a telestial glory, and finally the sons of perdition (D&C 88:96–102).
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c. When we are resurrected, our spirits are reunited with our perfected bodies, never to be separated again (Alma 11:43, 45).
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d. The knowledge and intelligence we gain on earth “will rise with us in the resurrection” (D&C 130:18–19).
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e. The spirits of the dead look upon the separation from the body as bondage; resurrection enables us to experience a fulness of joy (D&C 138:12–17, 50).
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