Encounter at the Empty Tomb

Come to Christ in faith even when life feels dark

President Uchtdorf begins by focusing on the women who came to the tomb early in the morning. They were carrying grief, confusion, and unanswered questions, yet they still went to the Savior. They did not come with full understanding or expecting a miracle; they came because of love and reverence for Jesus Christ. Their example teaches that when life feels dark, disciples move toward the Savior’s light in faith.

Despite the heaviness of their hearts and the unanswered questions in their minds, Mary and her companions made their way to the tomb.

They didn’t come expecting a miracle.

They didn’t come anticipating their questions would be answered.

They certainly didn’t come because they had a complete understanding of what was happening.

They came because of their immeasurable love and reverence for Jesus Christ.

They came because they knew when the world is dark, the best place to go is toward “the light [that] shines in … darkness.”

• Why did Mary and the other women go to the tomb even though they did not understand everything?
• What does their example teach about acting in faith during grief and uncertainty?
• According to the talk, what is the best place to go when the world feels dark?
• How does love for Jesus Christ motivate discipleship even before questions are answered?
• When have I chosen to move toward the Savior despite confusion or sorrow?
• What unanswered question or burden do I need to carry to the Lord in faith?
• How can I show my love and reverence for Jesus Christ through a simple act of devotion this week?
• What helps me remember to seek the Savior’s light when life feels dark?

Rejoice that Jesus Christ lives now

A central message of the talk is that Jesus Christ is not merely a figure of the past. Because of the Resurrection, He lives today and continues to guide, comfort, and bless His followers. President Uchtdorf emphasizes that the empty tomb means the Savior is an active, present reality in His Church and in individual lives. This truth gives hope that through Christ all obstacles can be overcome.

We do not seek Him among the dead. He is risen!

Because of what happened on that Sunday morning, we can speak of Jesus Christ in the present tense.

He lives!

Today.

At this moment.

He lives and is an active, ongoing influence in His Church and in the personal lives of those who follow Him.

He guides, comforts, listens, calms our fears, and wipes away our tears.

Because Jesus Christ conquered death, surely He can conquer any danger, confusion, or doubt we face.

• How does President Uchtdorf distinguish between Jesus as a historical figure and Jesus as the living Christ?
• What does the empty tomb teach about the Savior’s current role in our lives?
• What blessings does President Uchtdorf say the living Christ provides to His followers?
• Why does the Resurrection give confidence in facing danger, confusion, and doubt?
• How have I felt that Jesus Christ lives and is active in my life?
• Which of the Savior’s living influences do I most need right now: guidance, comfort, peace, or strength?
• How can I speak and think of Jesus Christ more personally and presently?
• What fear or doubt can I place in the hands of the risen Lord?

Accept the invitation to witness and testify of the Resurrection

President Uchtdorf highlights the two invitations given at the tomb: to come and see, and to go and tell. The first witnesses of the Resurrection received a sacred responsibility to share what they had learned. That same pattern continues today. Disciples are invited to gain their own witness of the risen Christ and then testify of Him to the world.

Heavenly messengers at the empty tomb gave Mary and her companions two invitations.

First, “Come, [and] see the place where the Lord lay.”

Second, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.”

In time, the Savior echoed a similar invitation to all: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Those early believers did just that.

That glorious work continues today as we proclaim His way in word and deed throughout more than 150 countries.

• What were the two invitations given to the women at the empty tomb?
• Why is it important to both gain a witness and share that witness?
• How did the early believers respond to the command to testify of the risen Christ?
• How does the work of proclaiming the Resurrection continue today?
• What experiences have helped me "come and see" for myself that Jesus Christ lives?
• Who in my life may need to hear my testimony of the Savior?
• How can I more naturally share my witness in word and deed?
• What can I do this week to participate more fully in the Lord’s work of gathering and testifying?

Live as a lifelong missionary and disciple of Christ

The talk teaches that witnessing of the risen Christ includes both formal missionary service and daily discipleship. President Uchtdorf invites members to serve full-time missions where possible and to become lifelong missionaries through humble, courageous acts of faith. He emphasizes that consistent service and love may speak more powerfully than words alone.

We too can rise to Jesus’s challenge and spread the glorious news of the empty tomb.

We can serve full-time missions, which will bring lifelong blessings not only now but for generations to come.

We can feel a renewed determination and embrace the challenge of becoming lifelong missionaries and disciples of Christ through courageous and humble acts of discipleship in our daily lives.

We can walk in “the way” of Christ and “serve God with all diligence day and night.”

Living the message of the risen Christ testifies of our devotion and love for our Savior.

It may well be that our consistent, courageous, and humble acts of service and love for God and His children will speak far more eloquently and powerfully than we ever could through words alone.

• What does President Uchtdorf teach about the relationship between discipleship and missionary work?
• How can members become lifelong missionaries even in ordinary daily life?
• What kind of actions does he say can testify powerfully of our devotion to the Savior?
• What blessings does he associate with full-time missionary service?
• How can I be a more intentional missionary in my current circumstances?
• What courageous and humble act of discipleship can I offer this week?
• How do my daily actions show love for God and His children?
• If missionary service applies to me or my family, what step of preparation should I take now?

Step forward with faith while understanding grows

President Uchtdorf acknowledges that some hesitate to commit fully because of unresolved questions about life, the gospel, or the Church. He teaches that disciples should not wait for perfect understanding before moving forward. Like the women at the tomb, we can walk toward the Savior’s light with courage and humility. As we do, understanding comes gradually, and the Lord’s love and healing replace darkness with light.

Some might hesitate to commit fully because of unresolved questions relating to life circumstances, the gospel, or the Church.

But, like Mary and those with her that morning, even when things seem dark, we step forward in faith, with courage and humility, and walk toward the Savior’s light.

As we do so, eventually the dawn of understanding will surely reward our faith.

Like the warmth and light of the morning sun, we will feel the love and healing of the Son of God.

Darkness will give way to eternal light.

• What reasons does President Uchtdorf give for why some people hesitate to commit fully?
• What does he teach about how to respond to unresolved questions?
• How does he describe the relationship between faith and growing understanding?
• What promises does he give to those who continue walking toward the Savior’s light?
• What unresolved question or concern has tested my willingness to move forward in faith?
• How can I show courage and humility in my discipleship right now?
• When have I seen understanding come after choosing to trust the Lord?
• What would it look like for me to keep walking toward the Savior’s light this week?

Let the risen Christ guide your whole discipleship journey

President Uchtdorf describes discipleship as a journey led by Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. The Savior leads us through sorrow, joy, uncertainty, and temptation back to the Father. Coming to know the reality of the Resurrection changes us, inspires us to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and brings a mighty change of heart. Jesus Christ and His restored gospel become our strength, guide, joy, and hope.

Each morning let the daily rising sun remind us that Jesus Christ is the light that leads us through this life, through any valley of sorrow, over beautiful mountains of joy, and across any ocean of uncertainty or temptation, safely back to our loving and merciful Father in Heaven.

As we desire to encounter Christ, we must eventually make our way to the empty tomb.

We must come to know for ourselves the blessed words “Be not afraid, for Jesus, who was crucified, is not here. He is risen!”

Those words will change us.

They will inspire us to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.

And from that moment on, the Light of Christ will begin to bloom within us.

It will, in time, bring about a mighty change in our hearts and bless us with a disposition to do good continually.

Jesus Christ and His restored gospel are our strength.

Jesus Christ is our guide for making choices and will bring joy and happiness in this life and extend into the eternities.

• How does President Uchtdorf describe the Savior’s role in guiding us through life?
• What changes come as we come to know for ourselves that Christ is risen?
• What does he say the Light of Christ can do within us over time?
• How are Jesus Christ and His restored gospel described in relation to our choices and happiness?
• How has Jesus Christ guided me through sorrow, joy, uncertainty, or temptation?
• What does it mean to me personally to take upon myself the name of Christ?
• Where have I seen the Light of Christ growing in my heart?
• What choice in my life right now needs to be guided more clearly by Jesus Christ and His gospel?

Become a witness of Jesus Christ through spiritual experience

Near the conclusion of the talk, President Uchtdorf teaches that although we were not physically present at the empty tomb, we can still become witnesses of the risen Lord. The Savior has entrusted each disciple with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge. As we reflect on what we have seen, felt, and experienced, we can share our love for Him with others. President Uchtdorf adds his own testimony that Christ lives and that this witness changes lives.

No, we were not with Mary on that blessed Easter morning. We did not see what she and the other women saw.

But we can ask ourselves: What have we seen, felt, or experienced?

Shall we not, therefore, become witnesses of Jesus Christ?

Shall we not share our love for Him with others?

On this holy Easter morning, I offer my witness: He is risen.

I have stood at the entrance to the empty tomb and seen with spiritual eyes the eternal truth that Jesus Christ is not found among the dead but among the living.

He lives!

That testimony has made all the difference in my life.

That encounter at the tomb will do the same for all who earnestly seek Him.

• How does President Uchtdorf teach that modern disciples can become witnesses of Christ without seeing Him physically?
• What role do sacred spiritual experiences play in gaining a testimony of the risen Savior?
• What invitation does he give after asking what we have seen, felt, or experienced?
• What does his personal testimony add to the message of the talk?
• What have I seen, felt, or experienced that strengthens my witness of Jesus Christ?
• How can I record a spiritual experience that has helped me know the Savior lives?
• When have I shared my love for Jesus Christ with someone else?
• What can I do to seek a deeper personal encounter with the reality of the empty tomb?