“Ye Know That… in Our Bodies We Shall See God”

The doctrine of the resurrection is as old as the world; it was first taught by father Adam (see Moses 5:10; cf. Job 19:26). From creation’s dawn it was known and understood that in time’s meridian the Sinless One would take a tabernacle of clay; would go forth among the people working mighty miracles; would teach and train and ordain people and organize a church; would suffer and bleed in a garden and on a cross for the sins of mankind; would die and be buried in a tomb; and would be raised in glorious immortality, spirit and body becoming an inseparable whole, never again to be divided.

“Nevertheless in Our Bodies We Shall See God”

This- the central and paramount event in all eternity- was known by the people of God in all ages. Resurrection was not an idea created by mystical Jews, was not a notion that evolved out of the Babylonian captivity, and was not a doctrine given birth by Jesus and thus known first in the meridian of time (see D&C 138:12-14).

It was anticipated by Adam and Enoch and Noah; it stirred the hopes of Abraham and Isaac and Israel; it was taught by Moses, Isaiah, and Elijah. And, of course, as a part of the gospel dispensation enjoyed by the Lehite colony, it was expounded upon by Lehi and Nephi and Jacob. Lehi no doubt knew of the doctrine before he left Jerusalem and taught it to his family. The doctrine of the resurrection was undoubtedly taught with great plainness in the brass plates.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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