Study Guide for "Alive in Christ"

In this Easter message, President Dallin H. Oaks teaches two closely connected truths: because Jesus Christ was literally resurrected, all mankind will also be resurrected, and because we are alive in Christ, we should treat one another as beloved children of God. He explains how the doctrine of the Resurrection changes the way we view mortality, suffering, death, and family relationships. He then applies the Savior’s teachings on love, showing that disciples of Christ are commanded not only to love neighbors but also adversaries. President Oaks invites covenant followers of Jesus Christ to become peacemakers in a contentious world by rejecting harshness, showing Christlike love, and living faithfully without surrendering truth.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

How does a literal and universal Resurrection change the way I view mortality, suffering, and death?
What family responsibilities become more meaningful when I remember that death is not the end?
What does the Savior mean when He commands us to love our enemies or adversaries?
How can I show Christlike love without compromising my covenants and values?
What does it look like to be a peacemaker in my home, ward, community, and online interactions?
Are there people I currently view more as opponents than as children of God?

Topics

Trust in the literal and universal Resurrection

President Oaks begins by affirming that the literal Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pillar of faith and that the universal resurrection of all mankind is settled doctrine. He emphasizes that every person, regardless of age, status, gender, or righteousness, will be restored in a perfect form. This doctrine is not symbolic but real, certain, and foundational to Christian belief.

On this glorious Easter Sunday, I have chosen to speak first about the Resurrection, which is a pillar of our faith.

The literal Resurrection of Jesus is the subject of so many scriptures that it is settled doctrine for believers of the Bible and Book of Mormon.

For us, the universal Resurrection is equally certain.

The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form.

Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous.

What does President Oaks teach about the certainty of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
What does it mean that the Resurrection is universal?
According to Alma 11:43–44, who will be resurrected?
Why does President Oaks call the Resurrection a pillar of our faith?
How strong is my personal testimony of the literal Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
What can I do to deepen my faith in the universal Resurrection?
How might I speak more confidently about the Resurrection in conversations with family or friends?
When have I felt peace because I knew that death is not the end?

Let the Resurrection reshape your view of mortality

President Oaks teaches that belief in the Resurrection changes the whole perspective of mortal life. It gives strength to endure physical challenges, helps us face our own death and the death of loved ones, and reminds us that mortal limitations are temporary. The doctrine of resurrection gives hope, perspective, and courage in the face of suffering and loss.

I wonder if we fully appreciate the enormous significance of this belief in a literal, universal resurrection.

The conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity changes the whole perspective of our mortal life.

It affects how we look on the physical challenges of mortality.

It gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love.

It signifies that mortal deficiencies are only temporary!

It also gives us the courage to face our own death or that of loved ones—even deaths we might call premature.

How does belief in the Resurrection affect the way we view mortality?
What does President Oaks say the Resurrection helps us endure?
Why does the Resurrection give courage in the face of death?
What does President Oaks teach about mortal deficiencies?
What current challenge in mortality could I view differently because of the Resurrection?
How has the doctrine of resurrection helped me during grief, illness, or uncertainty?
What fears about death or physical limitation do I need to place in the context of eternal truth?
How can I use this doctrine to comfort someone who is suffering?

Strengthen family love through hope in eternal reunion

President Oaks explains that belief in the Resurrection encourages us to fulfill family responsibilities now. Knowing that joyful reunions and continued associations await in the next life helps us live together in love in this life. Eternal doctrine should shape daily family relationships and deepen commitment to those we love.

Our belief in the Resurrection also encourages us to fulfill our family responsibilities in mortality.

It helps us live together in love in this life in anticipation of joyful reunions and associations in the next.

How does belief in the Resurrection influence family responsibilities?
What future hope does President Oaks connect to present family love?
Why should eternal reunion affect the way we treat family members now?
How can I show greater love to family members because I believe relationships continue beyond death?
What family responsibility do I need to take more seriously?
How might hope in joyful reunion change the way I handle family conflict or neglect?
What can I do this week to strengthen love in my home?

Love your adversaries as children of God

President Oaks teaches that the Savior’s command to love extends beyond neighbors to enemies and adversaries. In a world marked by hostility and contempt, disciples of Christ are to see all mortals as beloved children of God. He broadens the meaning of enemies to include those who oppose us and reminds listeners that unselfish love for others is a powerful expression of love for God.

Living worthy to meet Christ is no easy task.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, taught us how to relate to one another.

The great commandments in the law, He taught, were to love—God and neighbor.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Today we might say that we are commanded to love our adversaries.

All mortals are beloved children of God.

There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one’s fellowmen.

What two great commandments does President Oaks highlight?
How did Jesus answer the question, "Who is my neighbour?"
How does President Oaks expand the meaning of "enemies" for our day?
What relationship does President Oaks draw between loving God and loving others?
Who in my life currently feels like an adversary, and how can I begin to see that person as a child of God?
What attitudes of contempt, irritation, or hostility do I need to repent of?
How can I better love people whose beliefs or actions oppose mine?
What is one concrete act of kindness I could offer to someone I find difficult to love?

See others through Heavenly Father’s love

Using the story of a nurse caring for a deeply offensive patient, President Oaks illustrates how Heavenly Father can transform our view of another person. The nurse moved from despising the man to feeling divine love for him and seeing him as a child of God. President Oaks teaches that this kind of spiritual vision can transform us and help us recognize that we belong to each other as God’s children.

She despised him.

In that moment, a profound change came over her.

She felt an almost electric current of love from our Heavenly Father to this man.

She saw him as a child of God.

She testified that being brought to see a despised enemy like this as a child of God was one of the great spiritual experiences of her life.

That lesson can transform all of us to see each other as children of God who belong to each other.

What changed in the nurse’s heart when she saw the patient differently?
How does this story illustrate Heavenly Father’s love for all His children?
What does President Oaks say this lesson can do for all of us?
Why is seeing others as children of God spiritually transformative?
When have I felt the Lord change my heart toward someone difficult?
Is there anyone I have reduced to a label, offense, or irritation instead of seeing them as a child of God?
What would it look like for me to ask Heavenly Father to help me feel His love for someone I struggle with?
How can I remember more often that we belong to each other as God’s children?

Reject bigotry and live with pure love

President Oaks quotes President Howard W. Hunter to show that the pure love of Christ has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence. Christlike love is kind, meek, and lowly, and it enables diverse people to live together in Christian love despite differences in religion, race, nationality, finances, education, or culture. This teaching calls disciples to reject prejudice and embrace charity.

The world in which we live would beneﬁt greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek, and lowly.

It has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence.

It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, ﬁnancial standing, education, or culture.

How is the pure love of Christ described in the talk?
What attitudes and behaviors are excluded by Christlike love?
What kinds of differences should not prevent Christian love?
Why is this teaching especially relevant in today’s world?
Do I harbor any prejudice, resentment, or dismissiveness toward certain groups of people?
How can I better reflect the pure love of Christ toward those with different backgrounds or beliefs?
What can I do to make my home, ward, or community more welcoming and Christlike?
How do my words and actions show whether I have room for bigotry or for charity?

Balance covenant faithfulness with Christlike love

President Oaks acknowledges that discipleship requires balancing multiple responsibilities. Keeping covenants places us in a contest between truth and error, yet we must still live peaceably and lovingly with those who do not share our values. He teaches that loving others does not require surrendering truth, and standing for truth should not excuse unloving behavior. In society, disciples should seek fairness for all and build mutual respect through personal contact.

This does not mean surrendering our values.

The covenants we have made inevitably position us as devoted participants in the eternal contest between truth and error.

We balance our various responsibilities.

When we seek to keep all the commandments in our personal lives, we are sometimes accused of having no love for those who don’t.

When we show personal love and support loving causes, we are sometimes misunderstood as implying support for results that contradict our other religious duties.

But as followers of Christ, we should seek to live peaceably and lovingly with other children of God who do not share our values and do not have the covenant obligations we have assumed.

In a democratic government we should seek fairness for all.

In countless circumstances, strangers’ suspicions or even hostility gradually gives way to friendship when personal contacts produce mutual respect.

Why does President Oaks say balancing responsibilities is not easy?
What does he teach about surrendering values?
How can disciples live lovingly with those who do not share their beliefs?
What role do fairness and mutual respect play in a democratic society?
Where do I need to better balance conviction and compassion?
Have I ever mistaken disagreement for unkindness or kindness for compromise?
How can I show respect to someone whose values differ from mine without weakening my discipleship?
What relationships in my life could improve through more personal contact and mutual respect?

Choose to become a peacemaker

President Oaks calls on followers of Christ to become peacemakers in word and deed. Drawing on the teachings of Joseph Smith, John, Jesus Christ, and President Russell M. Nelson, he teaches that disciples should pour forth love, choose peace, and avoid harsh and hurtful words. Peacemaking is a deliberate choice and a mark of the children of God.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that we should "pour forth love" to all people.

We love him, because he first loved us.

We can follow the example of Jesus Christ, who is our role model, by choosing to love others—even if they show little or no love toward us.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Peacemakers! How it would change the world if followers of Christ would forgo harsh and hurtful words in all their communications.

In general conference, President Russell M. Nelson challenged us "to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always."

What does President Oaks say motivates our love for God and others?
What promise is given to peacemakers?
How does President Oaks describe the effect of avoiding harsh and hurtful words?
What invitation from President Nelson does President Oaks repeat?
In what settings do I most need to choose to be a peacemaker?
What harsh or hurtful communication habits should I give up?
How can I "pour forth love" more intentionally in my daily interactions?
What would change in my relationships if I consistently chose peacemaking?

Practice peacemaking in everyday roles and service

President Oaks gives practical examples of peacemakers: bishops healing marriages and controversies, youth choosing service over selfishness, those reducing suffering and promoting understanding, parents and foster parents raising children in righteousness, and missionaries inviting people to repent and come unto Christ. Peacemaking is not abstract; it is lived in service, family life, leadership, and gospel ministry.

A bishop who seeks to heal a troubled marriage or resolve a personal controversy is working for peace.

Young men and women are peacemakers when they forgo the temporary pleasure of self-gratifying activities and involve themselves in service projects and other acts of kindness.

Persons who seek to reduce human suffering and persons who work to promote understanding among different peoples are also important workers for peace.

So are faithful mothers and fathers who lovingly care for their own children or shelter foster children and raise them in righteousness rather than leave them to be scarred and twisted by the sins of others.

Our missionaries seek to be peacemakers.

By inviting all to repent and come unto Christ, our missionaries are working for peace by helping individual men and women come unto Christ and experience "a mighty change" of heart and behavior.

What examples of peacemakers does President Oaks give?
How can youth act as peacemakers?
Why are parents and foster parents described as workers for peace?
How does missionary work contribute to peace?
What is the connection between repentance and peace?
Which example of peacemaking in the talk most applies to my current life?
How can I promote peace in my family, calling, or community this week?
What act of service or kindness could help reduce suffering for someone around me?
How can I support the Lord’s work of peace through repentance and inviting others to come unto Christ?

Forsake contention and become holy like the Savior

President Oaks closes with a direct invitation to followers of Christ: forgo contention, use the language and methods of peacemakers, avoid harsh and hateful behavior in families and relationships, and seek holiness. The call to peacemaking is ultimately a call to become more like Jesus Christ.

My brothers and sisters, as followers of Christ, let us follow Him by forgoing contention and by using the language and methods of peacemakers.

In our families and other personal relationships, let us avoid what is harsh and hateful.

Let us seek to be holy, like our Savior.

What final invitation does President Oaks give to followers of Christ?
What does he say we should avoid in our relationships?
How is peacemaking connected to becoming holy like the Savior?
Where is contention most likely to appear in my life right now?
What would using the "language and methods of peacemakers" look like in my home?
What harsh or hateful pattern do I need to replace with Christlike behavior?
How can I seek greater holiness through the way I treat others?