"He is risen!"

These three words uttered by heavenly messengers to followers of Jesus Christ bear powerful testimony of the resurrected Lord and His mission. No other sentence imparts the majesty, yet simplicity, of the Son of God's sacrifice for humankind.Not only did Christ's death and resurrection free men and women from the physical death brought into the world by Adam's transgression, but He also paved the way for each individual to overcome the "spiritual death" of separation from our Father in Heaven. He and He alone is our Advocate with the Father. He and He alone was prepared from the foundations of the world to pay the price so all of us may live again with Him and with our Heavenly Father.

Consider the events preceding Jesus' infinite sacrifice. For three years He had been preaching and teaching His gospel of love. He was known in the area. His message was inviting and powerful to those who heeded its invitation. It was unsettling to others. Politically, Rome was consolidating its power throughout the world. Palestine was once again under foreign occupation. Many detested the Romans' rule. John the Baptist had been killed by Herod, the puppet king installed by Roman authority. Jesus had upset the Sanhedrin, and many of its members were plotting against Him.

On the American continent, the government was in turmoil. Gadianton bands had slain the chief judge, and the message of Samuel the Lamanite had been forgotten just four decades after its pronouncement. Murders, corruption and disobedience to the law were widespread in high places. Despite this turmoil, the prophet Nephi continued his ministry, preaching with some success.

Following the Savior's crucifixion, the forces of nature were unleashed. The New Testament reports "the veil of the temple was rent in twain . . . and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." (Matt. 27:51.) The Book of Mormon account paints a frightening picture of earthquakes, flooding and thick darkness, so thick that those "who had not fallen could feel the vapor of darkness." (3 Ne. 8:20.)

The Light of the World had been extinguished both literally and figuratively.

Then three days later, out of the gloom and despair experienced by the Nephites on one side of the world and the band of followers in Palestine on the other side, came the comforting words of assurance to Mary Magdalene: "He is risen."

The resurrected Jesus appeared to many in the Old World. Then came His appearance to the Nephites in the New World. First a voice, then a light, then the Savior Himself proclaiming: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and life of the world; and I have drunk out of the bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world. . . ." (3 Ne. 11:10-11).

President Spencer W. Kimball said, "Never before was one resurrected on this earth. Never would any soul have been reunited in the Resurrection had not he, who was mortal and divine, broken the bands of death and opened the doors to eternal life. It was a voluntary thing. He had the power to `give' his life, and he had power to `take it up again.' " (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 16.)

No matter the state of our own lives, the Atonement enables us to be rescued from despair and eliminates the darkness around us. The brightness of that first Easter morning so many years ago dispels the gloom of doubt and sin. Jesus Christ stands triumphant over death. He stands at the right hand of the Father, inviting us to come unto Him. As Peter told his listeners: "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Acts 5:31-32.)

President Ezra Taft Benson testified: "Since the day of resurrection when Jesus became the `first fruits of them that slept,' there have been those who disbelieve and scoff. They maintain there is no life beyond mortal existence. Some have even written books that contain their fanciful heresies to suggest how Jesus' disciples perpetrated the hoax of His resurrection. I give you my testimony: the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest historical event in the world to date. He lives! He lives with a resurrected body. There is no truth or fact of which I am more assured than the truth of the literal resurrection of our Lord." (Come Unto Christ, pp. 9-10.)

To the testimonies of the prophets of old and of today, members of the restored Church add their own joyful pronouncement: He lives! He is risen! He invites us to come unto Him. We need to heed the call.