Mormonism places a strong emphasis on the body. It encourages large families so spirits in a preexistence have bodies to inhabit for this life. It also emphasizes that Jesus’ resurrection ensures the dead will rise in a glorified body for the life to come.
Mormonism connects Jesus’ words, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9), to Jesus’ resurrection to demonstrate the Father is an exalted, resurrected man. “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also” (D&C 130:22). The ultimate purpose of resurrection is to become gods and become parents of spirit offspring.[1]
Biblical Christianity affirms Jesus came into the world with a human body not because the Father has a body of flesh and blood but because we do. He came in a body to triumph over the grave and provide victory over death (John 14:19).
Yet, Jesus’ resurrection provides something far greater than bodily resurrection to all who die. The Father raised him to life to demonstrate we are now acquitted of all sin (Romans 4:25). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). He is speaking of eternal life with Heavenly Father, which the empty tomb guarantees to all who believe.
Additional Resources
See this article to appreciate what Jesus’ resurrection means for you.
[1] Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose, “The Father and the Son: A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” Ensign, April 2002.
