Resurrection Teachings Part 4: The Testimony of Joseph Smith

On several occasions the Prophet Joseph Smith testified of the truth of the resurrection based upon the revealed written word in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as personal revelation including visions. Here are a few of his statements on this important subject.

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him. He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them. He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day: And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with Almighty power according to the will of the Father; That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved (D&C 20:21–25).

 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God (D&C 76:22–24).

 As concerning the resurrection I will mer[e]ly say that all men will come from the grave as they lay lie down, whether old or young their will not be added unto the[i]r stature one cubit neither taken from it.

Joseph Smith Discourse, Wilford Woodruff Journal, 20 March 1842, in Joseph Smith Papers. Documents. Volume 9: December 1841, ed. Alex D. Smith, Christian K. Heimburger, Christopher James Blythe (Salt Lake City, UT: Church Historian’s Press, 2019), 294.

I care not what the theories of men <man> are. – we have the testimony that God will raise us up & he has power to do it.-- If any one supposes-- that any part of our bodies. that is the fundamental parts thereof, ever goes into another body the is mistaken.

Joseph Smith Journal, 7 April 1843, in Joseph Smith Papers. Journals. Volume 2: December 1841–April 1843, ed. Andrew H. Hedges, Alex D. Smith, Richard Lloyd Anderson (Salt Lake City, UT: Church Historian’s Press, 2011),344.

I will tell you what I want. if to morrow I shall be called to lay in yonder tombs. in the morning of the resurrecti[o]n, let me strike hand<s> with my father, & cry, my father, & he will say my son, my Son,--as soon as the rock rends. & before we come out of our graves.

Joseph Smith Journal, 16 April 1843, in Joseph Smith Papers. Journals. Volume 2: December 1841–April 1843, ed. Andrew H. Hedges, Alex D. Smith, Richard Lloyd Anderson (Salt Lake City, UT: Church Historian’s Press, 2011), 359.

Would you think it strange that I relate what I have seen in vision in relation.-- this intere[s]ting theme. Those who have died in Jesus christ, may expect to enter into all that fruition of Joy when they come forth. which they have possessed here, so plain was the vision I actually saw men, before they had ascend[e]d from the tomb, as though they were getti[n]g up slowly, they took each othe[r] by the hand & it was my father & my Son, my mother & my daughter. <my brother & my sister> when the voice calls, suppose I am laid by the side of my fathe[r].—what would be the first Joy of my heart? where is my fathr. my mother. my sister. they are by my side <I embrace them. & they me.>”

Joseph Smith Journal, 16 April 1843, in Joseph Smith Papers. Journals. Volume 2: December 1841–April 1843, ed. Andrew H. Hedges, Alex D. Smith, Richard Lloyd Anderson (Salt Lake City, UT: Church Historian’s Press, 2011), 360.