Our understanding and testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is strengthened by the accounts given by his disciples.

The Last Meeting in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36–49), S. Kent Brown, The Testimony of Luke

The disciples are joyous but almost disbelieving as they interact with the resurrected Jesus. It takes time for them to accept this miracle. “This is not a story that they make up to salve their mourning or to make Jesus’ life turn out as he predicts. They are as surprised as anyone else. Thus, their witness is firm; it is to be trusted.”

“Resurrection: The Ultimate Triumph,” Robert J. Matthews, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, BYU Religious Studies Center

The central purpose of Jesus’ earthly life was to obtain a body and conquer physical and spiritual death for himself and the world. Many scriptures give evidence that his physical body was indeed resurrected.

“The Tragedy and Triumph of Resurrection,” Thomas A. Wayment, The Tragedy and the Triumph, BYU Religious Studies Center

Fear and awe are the dominant emotions of the first resurrection accounts. The triumph of the resurrection was Jesus’ triumph first, and over time it became the triumph of all Christians.

“Revisiting Golgotha and the Garden Tomb,” Jeffrey R. Chadwick, Religious Educator 4, no. 1

We know generally the location of the tomb that Jesus was laid in, but we do not know precisely where. Some evidence disqualifies both the Garden Tomb and the Church of the Holy Sepuchre as candidates. The most significant thing is that the tomb is empty. He is risen!

“Jesus Christ: Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Tad R. Callister, Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Members of the Church believe that Christ’s resurrection was literal and physical. “His resurrected body was not subject to pain, disease, or death. It could pass through walls; it could defy the earthly laws of gravity; but it was a tangible ‘glorious body’ (Phil. 3:21) composed of flesh and bones.” The Bible and Book of Mormon contain numerous accounts of people who saw and conversed with Jesus after his death, including the Nephites, who “did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety…that it was he” (3 Ne. 11:15).

“The Doctrine of the Resurrection As Taught in the Book of Mormon,” Robert J. Matthews, BYU Studies 30, no. 3

The Book of Mormon adds an enormous amount to our understanding of the realities, purposes, and processes of the Resurrection. It is one of the greatest gifts of God to all mankind. And as Alma teaches his son Corianton, God’s mercy consists in giving people time to repent in preparation for the day of final judgement and resurrection.