In his April 2026 General Conference address, “He Is Risen,” Ronald A. Rasband teaches that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral belief—it is the very foundation of our faith and the source of our greatest hope.
In a world where many view the Resurrection as symbolic or distant, an important question emerges: What changes when we truly place Christ’s Resurrection at the center of our belief?
Jesus Christ and His Resurrection are at the very core of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Common Criticism: “The Resurrection is symbolic, not literal.”
Some view the Resurrection as a meaningful story or spiritual metaphor—something that inspires hope, but not something that actually happened in a physical, literal sense.
Fallacy at Work: Symbolic Reduction
This perspective reduces sacred events to symbolism, removing their real-world implications.
If the Resurrection is only symbolic:
- Death remains final
- Justice remains incomplete
- Hope becomes uncertain
Doctrine: The Resurrection Is Literal and Foundational
Elder Rasband teaches that Jesus Christ literally rose from the dead, and that this event is central to everything we believe.
- His body and spirit were reunited
- He was seen, touched, and heard
- He appeared to many witnesses
“With His Resurrection, He secured salvation from physical death for us, all of God’s children throughout the ages.”
This truth is not secondary. It is foundational.
Elder Rasband’s Correction
Elder Rasband emphasizes that when the Resurrection is placed at the center of our belief, it reshapes everything:
- How we view death
- How we understand suffering
- How we approach life itself
Solution
When we accept the Resurrection as literal and central, it becomes the lens through which we understand both mortality and eternity.
Living Apologetics: Living with Resurrection at the Center
If the Resurrection is truly at the core of our belief, it should shape how we live.
Elder Rasband’s account of his grandson Paxton illustrates this power. Though his life included deep challenges and eventual loss, the promise of the Resurrection reframed that experience with hope and certainty.
Because I live, ye shall live also.
When Christ’s Resurrection is central:
- Loss is not permanent
- Imperfection will be made whole
- Joy will come again
This doctrine moves from abstract belief to lived reality.
Practical Apologetic Use
- If someone says: “The Resurrection is just symbolic.”
- You can respond: “Elder Rasband teaches that it’s actually the core of our doctrine. Because it’s real, it changes how we understand life, death, and hope.”
Ways to Apply Today
1️⃣ Center your thoughts on Christ by reflecting on what His Resurrection means personally.
2️⃣ Let hope in the Resurrection influence how you face a current challenge.
3️⃣ Look for ways to live and speak as someone who truly believes Christ lives.
Keep This Talk With You
Elder Rasband invites us to do more than acknowledge the Resurrection.
He invites us to center our lives on it.
Because it is real.
This week:
- Put Christ at the center. Let His Resurrection shape your perspective.
- Choose hope. Even in difficulty, remember what is already secured.
- Live your testimony. Let your actions reflect your belief.
As we do, fear gives way to peace, grief is softened by hope, and faith becomes steady.
And we begin to understand, more deeply than ever before, the truth that defines everything: He is risen.
What would change in my life if I truly placed Christ’s Resurrection at the center of everything I believe and do?
The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.
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