Jesus Appears to the Nephites after His Resurrection

 3 Nephi 10:               

  18 And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—

  19 Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.

3 Nephi 11:

  1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.

  2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

  3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

  4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

  5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

  6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

  7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

  8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

  9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

  10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

  11 And behold, I am the ^alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

  12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

  13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

  14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

  15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

  16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

  17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

(Further account of His ministry in 3 Nephi 11- 28)         

Children’s Songbook 66 (Hosannah)

Hymn 134 (I Believe in Christ) or Hymn 136 (I Know that My Redeemer Lives)

Easter Music

 Music is an essential part of any sacred celebration. Here is some of the music that would add to the spirit of a family Easter Celebration. If these particular recordings are not available to you, other recordings of the same music would also be good.

Recordings

• Robert Cundick’s “The Redeemer, a Sacred Service of Music” recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or by the BYU Singers, Concert Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. Link
• Mack Wilberg’s “Requiem” by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Church Distribution Center) Link
• Brahms’ “A German Requiem” by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Utah Symphony  (Church Distribution Center) Link
• “O Divine Redeemer,” Easter hymns performed by the Tabernacle Choir Link
• Handle’s The Messiah; Link
• Make a Joyful Noise, recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Link
• John Rutter’s Requiem Link
• John Rutter’s "Te Deum” Link
• Haydn’s Symphony No. 26: “Lamentation,” and Symphony No. 49: “La Passione;” 
• Mozart’s Requiem;
• Rachminoff’s Vespers (Robert Shaw director, Telarc audio CD 80172) 
• Charpentier’s Te Deum; 
• Bach’s Easter Oratorio, B Minor Mass, St. John’s Passion, and St. Matthew’s Passion
• Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 – Resurrection Link

Hymns Used in the Scripture Readings in Posts ? - ?

(from Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

• Hymn 59 (Come, O Thou King of Kings) Link
• Hymn 66 (Rejoice, the Lord is King) Link 
• Hymn 304 (Teach Me to Walk in the Light) Link
• Hymn 247 (We Love Thy House, O God)

·         Hymn 308 (Love One Another)

·         Hymn 184 (Upon the Cross of Calvary)

·         Hymn 197 (O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown)

·         Hymn 191 (Behold the Great Redeemer Die)

·         Hymn 193 (I Stand All Amazed)

·         Hymn 194 (There is a Green Hill Far Away)

·         Hymn 198 (That Easter Morn)

·         Hymn 200 (Christ the Lord is Risen Today)

·         Hymn 199 (He is Risen)

·         Hymn 7 (Israel, Israel, God is Calling)

·         Hymn 62 (All Creatures of Our God and King)

·         Hymn 6 (Redeemer of Israel)

·         Hymn 189 (O, Thou Before the World Began)

·         Hymn 134 (I Believe in Christ)

·         Hymn 136 (I Know that My Redeemer Lives)

·         Hymn 187 (God Loved Us So He Sent His Son)

·         Hymn 195 (How Great the Wisdom and the Love)

·         Hymn 196 (Jesus, Once of Humble Birth)

·         Hymn 135 (My Redeemer Lives)

·         Hymn 108 (The Lord is My Shepherd)

·         Hymn 308 (As I Have Loved You)

Children’s Songbook

·         Children’s Songbook 34 (He Sent His Son)

·         Children’s Songbook 74 (I Feel My Savior’s Love)

·         Children’s Songbook 62 (Beautiful Savior)

·         Children’s Songbook 66 (Hosannah)

·         Children’s Songbook 64 (Did Jesus Really Live Again?)

·         Children’s Songbook 70 (Jesus Has Risen)

Traditional Hebrew Songs

·         Hatikva

·         Hine Ma Tov

·         Adon Olam

Other Appropriate Music

·         Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof

Videos Appropriate for Easter

Watching videos that focus on the sacrifice and resurrection of the Savior is an easy way to help your family feel the Easter spirit. The following ones would be an appropriate addition to a family Easter celebration.

From the LDS Church Distribution Center, 

·        The  Savior: His Crucifixion and Resurrection (The New Media Bible)

·         The Lamb of God   
      http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_21080_-1__195563

·         Finding Faith in Christ    
      http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557__-1__195565

From BYU’s Creative Works Catalogue, 801-422-5297, (creativeworks.byu.edu/catalog)

·         The Touch

·         Akedah (The Binding).

Commercial films are less satisfactory, but videos such as Veggie Tales - An Easter Carol, The Ten Commandments, Prince of Egypt, Ben Hur and others about the Passover or based on the life of the Savior could be included in a family Easter celebration at parents’ discretion.

Easter Feasts

Holding a Passover Remembrance Dinner on the Thursday night of Easter Week, or on Easter Sunday, can become a treasured family tradition. Your family might be interested in learning about the Jewish Seder, or you may prefer to do a simpler meal, reading the account of the first Passover in Exodus 12: 1-42 (see Post 2) and the scriptures relating to the Last Supper in Luke  22:7-20 (see Post ?). This emphasizes the transition from the celebration of the Passover to the institution of the Sacrament. 

Other scriptures used in a modern Seder include the Hallal – Psalms 113-118 (See Post 1).

Passover Remembrance Dinner:

Suggested Menu:

Roast Lamb

Unleavened Bread (Use matzos, make flat bread - (see the recipe below)  - or simplify by using whole wheat tortillas, though they are not really Kosher)

Bitter Herbs: Horseradish, Onions, Cilantro, Fresh Ginger, Watercress, or Romaine Lettuce

(These foods were part of the first Passover meal.)

Grape Juice

(Wine was included in the Last Supper.)

Lentils, or Split Peas

(Probably the “sop” mentioned in the account of the Last Supper. Our recipes include tomatoes, which would not have been available at that time but make things taste better.)

Karpas (Parsley)

Bowls of Salt Water for Dipping Parsley (Represents the tears shed by the slaves in Egypt)

Haroseth

Hard Boiled Eggs

Halva

            (These foods are part of the meal associated with a modern Jewish Seder.)

Yogurt Cheese, Goat Cheese or other Soft Cheese

Bulgar Pilaf or Couscous

Cucumber and Yogurt Salad

Olives

Mellon, Grapes, Figs, Dates, Pomegranates, Raisins, Nuts

(These foods are authentic to the time of Christ and may be an appropriate addition to a Passover Remembrance Dinner.)

Easter Day Dinner:

Suggested Menu:

Broiled Fish

Honeycomb

            (Eaten by the Savior after His resurrection.)

Whatever other foods your family enjoys

Recipes:

(Each recipe serves 12 so divide to fit your needs.)

Flat Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour

½ tsp salt (Omit for this use. There is no salt in true unleavened bread.)

¼ cup melted butter or oil (may omit)

Mix together flour and salt. Add the butter or oil to the flour mixture, rub well between your fingers to make little balls. Add enough water to make a soft, pliable dough. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for about one hour. Knead well until elastic. Break off golf ball size pieces of dough and roll them into very thin circles. Bake on a moderately hot, dry or lightly greased griddle, pressing dough down flat against griddle until it is lightly browned. Turn once and press down on other side until bread is done and “puffed”(like a tortilla.) Brush with melted butter. Serve hot and fresh.

 Bulgur Pilaf

2 cups uncooked bulgur (coarsely cracked wheat)

1 medium onion, chopped

2-3 stalks celery, sliced

3 Tbs. butter

1 cup beef broth or chicken broth (or water and bouillon)

1 1/3 cups water

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook bulgur, onion and celery in margarine over medium heat, stirring frequently until onion is tender and bulgur is brown, about 5 minutes.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Heat to boiling, stirring frequently.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 17 minutes.

Spiced Lentils

2 Tbsp. olive oil (or other vegetable oil)

2 onions chopped

3 cloves garlic chopped

2 ¼ quarts chicken or vegetable stock (or use water and bouillon)

3 cups dried red lentils

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. turmeric

½ tsp. paprika

½ Tbs. coriander

½ Tbs. cumin

½ tsp. ground ginger or chopped fresh ginger

¼ cup chopped cilantro

Juice from ½ - 1 lemon

Sauté onions and garlic in oil.  Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil stirring frequently.  Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender (about 1 hour).  Add a little more water as you go along if necessary.

Split Peas

1 lb. yellow split peas.

1Tbs. sugar

¼ tsp. each: turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

salt and pepper to taste

Juice of ½ lemon

Wager (Made by popping 1/8 tsp. yellow or black mustard seeds and 1/8 tsp. cumin seeds in a little hot oil.)

Cut up green pepper, tomato and cilantro to taste.

Rinse split peas. Put them in a pot and add enough water to cover them by several inches. Boil until soft. Blend them. Add sugar, seasonings, lemon juice and wager. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Add green pepper, tomato and cilantro and heat through. Serve warm.

Haroseth

This fruit salad represents the mortar the Israelite slaves used to build for the pharaohs

6 apples peeled, cored and finely chopped (They should turn brown.)

½ cup almonds or walnuts, coarsely chopped

½ - 1 tsp. cinnamon

3 Tbs. grape juice, or enough to moisten completely

1 Tbs. sugar

Toss all ingredients together

 Cucumber and Yogurt Salad

3 large cucumbers peeled and grated

salt and pepper to taste

2-3 cloves garlic crushed

1 lb. plain whole-milk yogurt

2 Tbs. dried mint   (may be omitted)                                               

Combine all ingredients. Chill for at least an hour.

 Halva (Honey Cake)

½ cup butter softened

1/3 cup honey, warmed

2 eggs

1 cup uncooked farina  (regular Cream of Wheat)

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ cup finely chopped almonds

¼ cup honey

¼ cup water

Preheat oven to 350.  Butter a 9 by 9 inch cake pan.  Cream butter.  Add warmed honey and mix well.  Beat in eggs one at a time. Gradually fold in farina, cinnamon and almonds.  Pour into prepared pan and bake for thirty minutes.  Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.  Simmer honey and water for 10 minutes and pour over halva.  Cool.