Savior possessed power over death
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Of all those who have dwelt upon earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stands alone as the only one who possessed life in Himself and power over death inherently, noted Elder Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation 1:31.
"Christ was never subject unto death, even on the cross, but death was ever subject unto him. `As the Father hath life in himself,' the Savior said, `so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.' Again, he said: `Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." `No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.' (John 10:17-18.)
"Can any man say this? Is there anyone else who could truthfully say that he had life in himself, by which he could lay down his body and take it again? We are all subject to the mortal death, and none of us has power over death. The Savior, however, because he was the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, was endowed with life in Himself from His birth, even as His Father had life in Himself - which is immortality."
