April Fool’s! April Fool’s Day is one of my LEAST favorite days of ALL YEAR!! Anyone got a guess as to why? - I don’t appreciate being tricked! Some things are kinda cute - click for first picture somethings are different but not really harmful click for next 2 pictures But other times it just seems kinda mean - click for last picture And then it just makes me doubt the word or truthfulness of the person “pranking” me. Now some of these things are all just in fun, but When you tell me something is true - I want to be able to believe you.

How can I believe you? Matt 28:6-10 Matt 28:11-15 This problem of being believed or being a credible witness was crucial after Christ was resurrected. And as we look for our own witnesses and also go forth to bear witness ourselves - it is important to understand how to know the truth. As the women had come to the empty tomb - the angel had given the women specific instructions. Read Matt 28:6-10 But as they were going forth to do that - the chief priests also had a plan to “counteract” the witness’ testimony. Read Matt 28:11-15 Matt 28:6-10 Matt 28:11-15

Do you believe? Receiving your own witness Belief in the doctrine of resurrection was not universal at the time of Christ - the sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the body. And the doctrine of the resurrection is not a universal belief now. So why is this important? Receiving your own witness 65% were “absolutely certain” Jesus was resurrected 2006 National Poll of Christians 35% believe in their own resurrection

Receiving your own witness Do you believe? Joseph Smith: ...for if there be no resurrection from the dead, then Christ has not risen; and if Christ has not risen He was not the Son of God; and if He was not the Son of God, there is not nor cannot be a Son of God, if the present book called the Scriptures is true; because the time has gone by when, according to that book, He was to make His appearance." (TPJS, p62) It is just as important for us - as it was for the disciples and apostles of old - to receive a witness of the Resurrection of Christ and then to act upon it. - Let’s see what lessons we can learn from their experiences and how we can apply them to our own lives. Receiving your own witness Joseph Smith: ...for if there be no resurrection from the dead, then Christ has not risen; and if Christ has not risen He was not the Son of God; and if He was not the Son of God, there is not, nor cannot be, a Son of God, if the present book called the Scriptures is true; because the time has gone by when, according to that book, He was to make His appearance."

Luke 24:13-14 On the Road to Emmaus “Imagine yourself in the company of the disciples and other believers on the day of the Resurrection. Mere hours have passed since you witnessed the horrifying crucifixion of the gentle Nazarene. You have shared hopeless moments of profound sorrow. Confused, knowing not where to turn, how to act, your minds are clouded with mists of despair. Read Luke 24:13-14 Then two disciples join you with word that they have conversed with the Lord on the road to Emmaus. Dare you believe those who report, ‘The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon’? (Luke 24:34)” Elder Robert L. Backman, formerly of the Presidency of the Seventy, gave the following challenge: (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 9; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 9). Read Luke 24:13-32 What does “their eyes were holden” mean? - (restrained or kept from recognizing Him) What eventually happened to the eyes of these men? Do you think this meant physical or spiritual eyes? Why? Why is it important for ALL of us to have our “eyes opened” spiritually? How can our “spiritual eyes” become opened? On the Road to Emmaus

Watch https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/christ-appears-on-the-road-to-emmaus?lang=eng Christ appears on the Road to Emmaus 3:33 min https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/christ-appears-on-the-road-to-emmaus?lang=eng

Did not our heart burn within us as He talked with us by the way “One said to the other, “Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” “Straightway they started to retrace their steps and hastened back to Jerusalem to confirm by their witness, what the brethren had been [so far] hesitant to believe - (James E. Talmage) and while He opened to us the scriptures?

So what made a difference for them? Do you think this meant physical or spiritual eyes? Why? “Their eyes were opened”

Why is it important for our “spiritual eyes” to become opened? Matt 13:13 Why is it important for ALL of us to have our “eyes opened” spiritually? The Savior himself told us why this is so important when he told his disciples WHY he taught in parables... Matt 13:13 - So that’s the WHY because they seeing, see not and hearing hear not, neither do they understand

HOW can our “spiritual eyes” become opened? Prayer Your personal KEY to Heaven Holy Ghost So that’s the WHY - What’s the HOW? When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost it carries the right to have it as a constant companion It is by “by the power of the Holy Ghost that you may know the truth of all things. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. Prayer No message in scripture is repeated more often than the invitation, even the command, to pray—to ask. Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil in your Mind in your Heart on your knees

HOW can our “spiritual eyes” become opened? STUDY “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” Doctrine & Covenants 9:7-8 This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your Okay- that’s the HOW - but Why is this so important for us to apply these principles in our lives? D&C 9:7-8

The ability to see things as they really are gives us the courage to wait upon the Lord even when life takes unexpected turns.

Are you receiving the message? So if it’s important for us to receive our OWN witness and in order to do that we need to have our SPIRITUAL EYES OPENED..... The question for us is ARE YOU RECEIVING THE MESSAGE? To receive your own witness you must have your “Spiritual Eyes & Ears” open!

Methods of spiritual communication Luke 24:13-33 Methods of spiritual communication Enlightenment - inspiration, understanding opened, those “a-ha” moments Luke 24:13-16 Personal appearances Luke 24:23 Visitation of angels Luke 24:27 The Scriptures Luke 24:32 Enlightenment

Having received your witness.... Luke 24:33-35 Share it - Bear Witness Having received your witness.... Now what?

Another method of spiritual communication: Matt 28:16 Another method of spiritual communication: Luke 24:36 Where were the remaining Apostles at this time? - Matt 28:16 They had gone into hiding as they had been instructed. John says they were gathered in “a room” for fear of the Jews, John 20:19 Read - Luke 24:36 - to find another method of spiritual communication... PEACE PEACE

Watch https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-risen-lord-appears-to-the-apostles?lang=eng The Risen Lord appears to the Apostles 2:20min https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-risen-lord-appears-to-the-apostles?lang=eng

Who was missing? John 20:24 Thomas’ response John 20:25 Why do you think Thomas did not depend on the word of his brethren? He wasn’t really Listening? or listening with the spirit? He wasn’t allowing himself to receive that critical message of the spirit? There had NEVER been a resurrection since the world was created. How might this have influenced his willingness to believe? Thomas’ response John 20:25

Watch https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/blessed-are-they-that-have-not-seen-and-yet-have-believed?lang=eng Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed 2:39 min https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/blessed-are-they-that-have-not-seen-and-yet-have-believed?lang=eng

Receiving a further witness Thomas DID receive a further witness - but how long did he hold out - letting fear overcome his faith? - 8 days John 20:27-29 What was Thomas’s response after he saw and felt - the wounds for himself? What important truth did the resurrected Lord teach Thomas? Receiving a further witness John 20:26 What more did he learn? John 20:27-29

How does this compare with John’s attitude - John 20:8

How does John conclude his record? How does John conclude his record - His testimony Many more signs were done in their presence which are not written...but these are written that ye might believe..... and believing ye might have life through His name! Were John’s spiritual eyes opened? How does John conclude his record? John 20:30-31

How can I believe?

Be ready & willing to listen when it comes Act upon your witness Seek out a witness of spirit

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 of bearing record that his is the Only Begotten of the Father. D&C 76:22-23

Watch https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-02-the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-has-sent?lang=eng Mormon message: The only true God and Jesus Christ whom He hast sent https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-02-the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-has-sent?lang=eng

Be ready & willing to listen when it comes Act upon your witness Seek out a witness of spirit