Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter

Understanding the Significance of "Hosanna" and "Hallelujah"

Elder Gong explains that "Hosanna" is a plea for God to save, while "Hallelujah" expresses praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. These terms symbolize our recognition of the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and the Restoration.

Hosanna is our plea for God to save. Hallelujah expresses our praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. In hosanna and hallelujah we recognize the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and latter-day restoration.

• What do "Hosanna" and "Hallelujah" signify in the context of the Restoration and Easter?
• How do these terms reflect our relationship with Jesus Christ?
• How can you incorporate the principles of "Hosanna" and "Hallelujah" into your daily life?
• How can understanding these terms deepen your appreciation for the Restoration and Easter?

Recognizing the Ongoing Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Elder Gong emphasizes that the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is an ongoing process, marked by continual revelation through the Lord's living prophet and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost.

Today we celebrate restoration and resurrection. With you, I rejoice in the ongoing Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As began 200 years ago this spring, light and revelation continue to come forth through the Lord’s living prophet and His Church called in His name—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and through personal revelation and inspiration by the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost.

• What does it mean that the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is ongoing?
• How does continual revelation play a role in this ongoing Restoration?
• How have you personally experienced the ongoing Restoration of the gospel in your life?
• How can you seek personal revelation to better understand and participate in the ongoing Restoration?

Appreciating the Power of the Atonement and the Joy of the Resurrection

Elder Gong teaches about the power of the Atonement, through which all God’s children may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. He also highlights the joy of the Resurrection, which promises physical and spiritual restoration to all.

Indeed, through the Atonement of Christ, all God’s children "may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

Significantly, the Book of Mormon describes the "power and resurrection of Christ"—the essence of Easter—in terms of two restorations.

Because "God himself atoneth for the sins of the world," the Lord’s Atonement can make whole not only what was but also what can be.

• What is the role of the Atonement in our salvation?
• What does the Resurrection promise us, both physically and spiritually?
• How has the Atonement of Christ influenced your life?
• How can you draw upon the power of the Atonement and the joy of the Resurrection in your daily life?

Embracing Personal Growth and Spiritual Progress

Elder Gong uses the story of a young girl learning to play the violin to illustrate our spiritual journey in this life. He emphasizes that with practice, persistence, and the passage of time, we can grow and improve to become more like our Savior.

In this mortal period, we are all a little like Ivy and her violin. We begin at the beginning. With practice and persistence, we grow and improve. With the passage of time, moral agency and mortal experiences help us become more like our Savior as we labor with Him in His vineyard and follow His covenant path.

• What does the story of Ivy and her violin teach us about personal growth and spiritual progress?
• How can we become more like our Savior over time?
• What steps are you taking to grow and improve in your spiritual journey?
• How can you apply the principles of practice and persistence in your efforts to become more like the Savior?

Understanding the Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies

Elder Gong discusses the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, including the return of Elijah, the events of Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, and the appearance of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah in the Kirtland Temple. He emphasizes that these events are part of the promised restoration of all things.

Of course, the significance of Palm Sunday goes beyond crowds greeting Jesus with palms. On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem in ways the faithful recognized as fulfillment of prophecy.

A week following Palm Sunday is Easter Sunday. President Russell M. Nelson teaches that Jesus Christ "came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay."

Following the appearance of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah also came. By divine direction, these great prophets of old restored priesthood keys and authority.

• What biblical prophecies does Elder Gong discuss in his talk?
• How do these fulfilled prophecies contribute to our understanding of the Restoration?
• How does understanding the fulfillment of biblical prophecies deepen your faith in the Restoration?
• How can you seek further understanding of biblical prophecies and their fulfillment?