Talk Preparation Guide for "Encounter at the Empty Tomb"

In this Easter message, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invites us to place ourselves alongside the faithful women who came to the Savior’s tomb in grief, love, and devotion. He teaches that the empty tomb is not only a historical event but a living witness that Jesus Christ is risen, active, and personally involved in our lives today. This talk helps us see that even when we face sorrow, uncertainty, or unanswered questions, we can move toward the Savior in faith. As we come to know for ourselves that He lives, we are changed, strengthened, and invited to become witnesses who share that truth through our words, service, and daily discipleship.

Topics

Come to Christ in times of darkness

President Uchtdorf begins by reflecting on the women who came to the tomb while it was still dark. Though they were grieving and did not understand everything, they moved toward Jesus Christ because of love, reverence, and faith.

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

They came desiring to provide a loving act of service as a measure of their devotion and love for the man they honored and followed as the promised Messiah.

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

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

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.

Key Points:

The women at the tomb experienced deep grief, helplessness, and unanswered questions.
They did not go to the tomb expecting a miracle or with full understanding.
Their love for Jesus Christ motivated them to act in devotion and service.
When life feels dark, the right direction is toward the Savior’s light.
Modern disciples also move forward in faith even before all questions are answered.

Experiences:

When have you chosen to turn to the Savior during a time of grief, confusion, or disappointment?
What experience has taught you that you do not need to understand everything before acting in faith?
When have love for the Savior motivated you to serve even while carrying personal burdens?
How have you felt the Savior’s light during a spiritually dark season?
What simple act of devotion has helped you stay close to Jesus Christ?

Rejoice that Jesus Christ lives today

A central message of the talk is that Jesus Christ is not merely a figure from history. Because He rose from the dead, He lives now and continues to guide, comfort, and bless His followers.

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.

Key Points:

The empty tomb declares that Jesus Christ is risen.
The Savior is not only someone who lived in the past; He lives in the present.
He is actively involved in His Church and in individual lives.
The living Christ guides, comforts, listens, and strengthens His disciples.
His victory over death assures us that He can help us overcome every challenge.

Experiences:

When have you felt that Jesus Christ was a living, present influence in your life?
How has the reality of the Resurrection changed the way you think about trials or death?
When has the Savior calmed your fears or comforted your heart?
What experience has helped you speak of Christ in the present tense, not just as a historical figure?
How have you seen the Savior help you overcome confusion, doubt, or danger?

Become a witness of the Resurrection

The women at the tomb received two invitations: to come and see, and to go and tell. President Uchtdorf teaches that all disciples are likewise invited to gain their own witness of the risen Christ and then share it with others.

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

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

We must all do the same.

We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means, and, in turn, share that witness with others.

The Savior has entrusted each of us personally with sacred spiritual experiences and knowledge.

Because of those experiences, we can see for ourselves the meaning of the empty tomb: that Jesus Christ lives and is actively blessing all who seek Him.

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

Key Points:

The first witnesses of the Resurrection were invited to see and then testify.
The Savior later extended the call to preach the gospel to all the world.
Disciples today must also personally encounter the reality of the Resurrection.
Sacred spiritual experiences help us know for ourselves that Christ lives.
A personal witness naturally leads to sharing that truth with others.

Experiences:

What spiritual experiences have helped you know that Jesus Christ lives?
When have you felt prompted to share your testimony of the Savior with someone else?
How has your witness of Christ grown as you have spoken about Him?
What does it mean to you to both “come and see” and “go and tell”?
When have you recognized that the Lord entrusted you with an experience to bless someone else?

Share your witness through missionary discipleship

President Uchtdorf broadens the invitation to testify of Christ by emphasizing missionary work and everyday discipleship. He teaches that faithful service, humble courage, and consistent love often testify of Christ more powerfully than words alone.

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.

Key Points:

Sharing the message of the risen Christ includes formal missionary service and daily discipleship.
Full-time missionary service brings lasting blessings.
All members can become lifelong missionaries through daily acts of faith and courage.
Walking in Christ’s way includes diligent service to God.
Service and love can be powerful forms of testimony.

Experiences:

When have you seen quiet acts of service testify of Christ more powerfully than words?
How have you tried to be a missionary in everyday life?
What blessings have come to you or your family through missionary work?
When has courage in discipleship opened a door to share the gospel?
How has serving God and His children strengthened your own testimony of the risen Christ?

Move forward in faith despite unanswered questions

The talk acknowledges that some hesitate because of unresolved questions about life, the gospel, or the Church. President Uchtdorf teaches that discipleship often begins with faithful movement toward the Savior before full understanding comes.

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.

Key Points:

Unanswered questions can make commitment feel difficult.
Faith does not require complete understanding before we act.
Courage and humility help us continue moving toward Christ.
Understanding often comes gradually after faithful action.
The Savior brings healing, light, and clarity over time.

Experiences:

When have you acted in faith before receiving full answers?
What gospel question or life challenge has taught you patience with the Lord’s timing?
How have courage and humility helped you stay on the covenant path?
When has understanding come only after you continued forward in faith?
How have you felt the healing love of the Son of God during uncertainty?

Let the risen Christ change your heart

President Uchtdorf teaches that coming to know the reality of the Resurrection changes disciples personally. A witness of the risen Lord inspires us to take His name upon us, receive His light, and experience a mighty change of heart.

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.

Key Points:

A personal witness of the Resurrection transforms disciples.
Knowing Christ is risen helps us overcome fear.
This witness leads us to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.
The Light of Christ grows within us and changes our desires.
Jesus Christ and His restored gospel provide strength, guidance, joy, and eternal hope.

Experiences:

How has your testimony of Jesus Christ changed the way you live?
When have you felt the Light of Christ growing within you?
What experience has helped you feel less fear because of the Savior’s Resurrection?
How has the gospel brought about a change in your heart or desires?
When has Jesus Christ guided an important choice in your life?

Walk as a joyful and constant disciple

In the closing portion of the talk, President Uchtdorf invites us to remember Christ daily, seek Him earnestly, and walk in His way with joy and constancy. He bears personal witness that the risen Savior makes all the difference.

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.

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?

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.

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.

My dear friends, let us walk in His way as joyful and constant disciples of our beloved Savior, the Risen One.

Key Points:

Daily reminders can help us remember that Christ is our light and guide.
Though we were not physically present at the tomb, we can still become witnesses through spiritual experience.
Each disciple should reflect on what they have seen, felt, and experienced of Christ.
President Uchtdorf bears personal testimony that the risen Christ changes lives.
Earnest seekers can become joyful and steady disciples of the Savior.

Experiences:

What daily reminders help you remember Jesus Christ?
What have you seen, felt, or experienced that has strengthened your witness of the Savior?
How has your testimony of the risen Christ made a difference in your life?
When have you felt joy in walking as a disciple of Jesus Christ?
What does it look like for you to be a constant disciple in ordinary daily life?