Why Is Easter Important to Christians?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to a special Easter lesson titled “I Am He Who Liveth, I Am He Who Was Slain.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

April 3, 1836, was Easter Sunday. After helping administer the sacrament to Saints in the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery found a quiet place behind a veil and bowed in silent prayer. Then, on this sacred day when Christians everywhere were commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior Himself appeared in His temple, declaring, “I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:4).

What does it mean to say that Jesus Christ is “he who liveth”? It doesn’t just mean that He rose from the tomb and appeared to His disciples in Galilee. It means that He lives today. He speaks through prophets today. He leads His Church today. He heals wounded souls and broken hearts today. So we can echo the words of Joseph Smith’s powerful testimony: “After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony … which we give of him: That he lives!” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22). We can hear His voice in these revelations, witness His hand in our lives, and feel “the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’” (Hymns, no. 136).

Most of us have not had the privilege of seeing Jesus Christ, but the Prophet Joseph Smith did. However, we can know that the Savior lives, just as Joseph did that Christ knows us, our successes, and struggles. We can also know that He will help us in our needs. For the testimonies of living prophets and apostles, see this document. 

Joseph Smith lost his father and two of his brothers, and Joseph and Emma lost six babies younger than two years of age. Joseph knew what it feels like to mourn for loved ones who have died. Knowing about the Savior and His Resurrection brought great comfort to Joseph just as it can bring to us.

Jesus Christ accomplished a “perfect atonement” for you and me. He first suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane where He submitted His will to that of the Father and began to suffer for the sins and afflictions of all mankind. Then He was betrayed by Judas, was tried, hung on a cross, and died. On the third day, He was resurrected. Because the Savior overcame death, we will be resurrected and become immortal. Because He overcame sin, we can have eternal life by becoming His disciples, receiving His ordinances, and being obedient to His commandments.