Amen, and amen.

IF only the world was listening.
Are WE ?????
Do we live each day by this SURE testimony from men who ARE his true witness?
Do we live every moment looking to He who is our Savior.... who DOES live.
I add my testimony to this wonderful message.
I TOO KNOW HE LIVES.
Every mortal negative we experience and every weakness that causes pain and sorrow.. can be ended
and we can be brought to light, love, peace and joy through Christ and the Atonement.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE. Because Christ died for us, and LIVES !!!!!

A beautiful message of hope and love, but if is a little deceptive to testify to something that one does not really know. It would be so much more honest to say they hope, desire, believe, think, pray, seek truth, live for, etc. rather than give testimony of something they can not demonstrate, prove or evidence.

Happy Easter!!

Easter is the most important event in all of Christianity; It was the Lord Jesus overcoming
the thing we call death.

This is one thing that most Christian denominations
have in Common: That He Died on that Friday
and that He Rose from the dead that
First Easter Morning.

"God so Loved the World that He gave His only Begotten Son."

Thank You God and Jesus....

We are so blessed to be led by a Prophet of God and I know this message is true. Jesus Christ our Savior died for us and we too will be resurrected and live with Heavenly Father one day. My testimony of this is my most precious gift. Have a happy Easter to all. God lives and our Savior Jesus Christ lives.We can know this by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Dear Ralph:

Receiving a witness of the Holy Ghost that Jesus lives is to "know" that something is true. Anyone that has received the sweet influence of the Spirit and has ever opened their mouth to testify of that Spiritual witness can say, with conviction, that they "know" the truth.

May you come to that same conviction. Happy Easter!

Ralph: Doesn't your logic go a little like this, "because I don't know, then no one can know?" How do YOU REALLY KNOW these people haven't heard or seen the Savior? Thousands have seen HIM since Mary and have given powerful testimonies of their experience, many more than would be required in any court case. More importantly, the Lord reveals Himself in a myriad of ways in answer to prayer so that a person can honestly say he "knows" rather than believes. For a most beautiful example of this process read Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon which in and of itself is a powerful second witness of the resurrected Christ.

As I look out my family room window and see the grass peaking out from the melting snow I think again of the most prescious gift my Saviour has given all, the gift of Eternal life. Because of his reserrection all will live forever. There is all around us evidence of Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ," When ever I hear the song of a bird ,or look at the blue ,blue sky, whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by, whenerver I touch a velvet rose or walk by a lilac tree I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me."
The spirit testifies of the love God has for his children, Ralph I hope with all my heart that you go to your Father in Heaven to recieve your own wittness, I am so blessed to have recieved that wittness , that he lives and knows each one of us personally , and he has a plan, and if we are obiedient to his Commandments we will be eternally happy.
Happy Easter to all.

May we show thanks to god by our example on this day, by showing love to anyone we comei in contact with.

"Isn't there anything new and exciting to report?"

Well, Jesus Christ was only resurrected once so there's not too much new to say about that event.

If this is the same message you've heard over and over for 30 years then obviously our world still needs to hear it.

This is the same message I have heard over and over for 30 years. Yes, it is a message of hope, but does it have to be delivered in the same way over and over? Isn't there anything new and exciting to report?

I've heard this message for over 60 years and it is still exciting!!! And for the millions on the earth who have not heard of Jesus' resurrection it is new and exciting.

Love and Happy Easter to all.

To QCmomon and tumbleweed, happy Easter. I do not have a problem with your feelings it is just that it is not supported by the truth of the matter and it is devisive, in the USA alone there are over 3000 different religious sects all claiming that each other is incorrect in what they think they know. This is not Jesus's way and what he died and lived for, it is the cause of hate and wars and suffering. When we become dogmatic thinking we are different and know Gods mind we go against God's plan. We need to believe, hope and have faith, only God knows.

Dear Ralph I am confused by your two entries.

In John 14:26 - we are taught that the Holy Ghost is sent by the Father to testify of the teachings of the Son, Jesus Christ. While I do not know what those who wrote this article have experienced, I do know that the Holy Ghost testifies of the truth of the gospel, and as we celebrate today, the life / death triumph of Jesus. This is revelation.

People's beliefs do not cause war. Intolerance for others causes war and crime. I don't think the writers of this article are fomenting intolerance in any form or fashion.

Best

Ralph,
It sounds like you know something! We should allow all men the privilege to believe what they want, and not pressure others to agree. I see no pressure from QCMormon or Tumbleweed.

To Ralph: I'm not here to quarrel but to put this to rest. There should be no more debate about it than this alone.

Which is: I can claim to know that God lives. I can argue "the spirit of the Holy Ghost has given testimony" or other forms of knowing. It does not matter what we argue because in the end we are only claiming knowledge of something.

The point is that if I claim to know God lives then by that same principal no person shall have claim against me. To say that you know what another person thinks would be false.

Arguing with the person who claims to know it would be a waste. The only things you really have in front of you are a few choices:

To walk your way and pay it no attention.

To listen to them and have a desire to have the same knowledge they might have.

But to claim to them or others that they cannot know is only stating that you do not acknowledge the possibility of others knowing more than yourself.

Seek knowledge here or elsewhere. But don't cut down another's claim. This defines Agency and Peace.

I'm not quite sure what this message means. It could mean.....have hope that after you leave this world of sorrow, chaos, trial, pain and suffering, that there is something else. I think a better message would have been......live your life responsibly, respect all living things, don't consume more than you need, treat others as you would like to be treated, don't judge, don't over populate, don't worship money. If that were the message, I'd consider looking at the LDS church. But this doesn't do it for me.

Can anybody else tell the difference between President Hinckley's writing style and President Monson's?

Uh Spanky,

This is an "Easter" message..hellooooo. All the other things you mention are tought weeky in our meetings, tought by the brethren in conferences and in the church magazines, and in the home of the memebers constantly...looks like you may want to start considering soon.

To Sean, sounds good but it just doesn't hold water. Your argument works if you are referring to the senses, or to sense something, but to know something is very different. Yes, there are many others that have knowlege of things that you and I do not know, but they are able to evidence the truth of their knowlege, like in science, etc. There are many people who know there are alien space craft because they have been beamed up and examined, etc. do you believe it, can you prove them wrong. The trouble with religion is there is too much opportunity for Elmer Gantrys and too many good people are duped by all the nonsense. When you know something you will be able to prove it to others, if not then just share with others what you wish to be true. Good thoughts and desires can prove good works, true or not, I wish for world peace.

To Ralph:

Applying the scientific method to the search for religious truth is akin to trying to see the rings of Saturn with an electron microscope. You're approaching the problem incorrectly. The "proof" you are seeking comes only one way: by obedience to the laws of God. The only way to "prove" it is to live it. Are you ready to invest in that experiment? Until you are, don't try to discredit those of us who KNOW through experience.

Every practioneer of the numerous faiths in the world believes their is the 'one' or they would not belong. Many muslims are willing to blow themselves up, they also know their is the 'truth'.Does their belief make it true? Claims of truth make one feel better and therefore you have that special feeling. Good for you, dont overplay your hand, as they says in cards.

To Freeman, following your supposition why is it that so many people of different believes make the investment you speak of and all say they know through experience but their answers are all different. Is what you know the truth or is what others know the truth, or is it all a conditional truth of ones self preception of the truth which means it is no more than ones wishfull thinking of those needing to justify their investment, glorify themselves and impress others.

There's knowing, then there's belief. There is NO way to know that any religion is true. No facts to support it. If you want to believe, then believe. But don't pass your beliefs off as knowing.

Uh SoCaCoug,

I was born and raised in the LDS church and spent 30 years of my life in it. You and I both know what I posted isn't the message that you receive in church on Sundays. So, please, don't try to sell that to someone who's been there. Save it for the unknowing possible converts.

Happy Easter Bunny. Makes more sense.

Do you really want to know? Here's how:

'And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ASK GOD, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a SINCERE HEART, with REAL INTENT, having FAITH in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost.

'And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may KNOW the truth of all things.'

This is how you know. There is no other way. Science can always be disproven by any naysayer. Men's knowledge is weak and can never be fully relied on. God is someone who you can put your full faith and trust in.

Spiritual things must be governed by faith, not by our 5 senses or through empirical evidence. The Lord requires that we put our full faith, hope, and trust in him before He imparts to us knowledge (Believe and then will you Understand). The first Commandment states that we 'Love the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength'. This is exhibited by our faith.

This was/is a Good Message and we thank the Church Leaders for it. Yes we really do know. There is a vast difference between a knowledge and a sure knowledge. I would not have spent all the time I have spent if I did not have a sure knowledge that what they said is True. I really know the Earth is Round but I have never seen it except in pictures, and prove to me that is the Earth in the picture. However I have a sure knowledge that that is true. I have a sure knowledge that life begins at the moment of conception. I have a sure knowledge that there is life on other Worlds. I also have a sure knowledge that we are far from them for a reason. These things are not sure hope but sure knowledge. I do not have to see because I Believe. I have a sure knowledge that Jesus, Saves, Heals and Redeems, man then convolutes that simple message for his own sometimes sick twisted agenda. I have a sure knowledge of the power of the Priesthood. Also Baptism, Laying on of Hands and Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ralph:

You seem to have a problem with the word "know". God has revealed that it is His desire to have all of his children "know" Him. Not just about Him, but know Him.

The question is how do you know? When you testify, you base your testimony on some evidence -- it may be weak or strong evidence. So there is nothing wrong with saying "I know . . .." As there is nothing wrong with asking "How do you know . . .." Whether you believe anyone's "testimony" depends upon the strength of the evidence upon which the testimony is based. Religious belief is subjective; hence, the reason why its foundation is what we call "faith."

So many Mormons "know" so much. That is why they are considered to be arrogant.

A lot of religious people "know" and have "sure knowledge". The religious people who flew the jets into the Twin Towers "knew" their religion was true, and they "knew" that God wanted them to do what they did, and they "knew" they would be blessed forever because of their righteous acts.

I am reminded of some relevant sayings by Mark Twain:

"Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish!"

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so!"

"It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand."

Ralph,

What these fine people are trying to tell you is that 1) all those powers of your MIND are useless in "knowing" about religious and spiritual truths; and 2) you must be COMPLETELY dedicated to God.

In other words, you must be completely out of your mind to believe these ideas!

MY MY! I see that ALL the know it alls are on here again. GEEZE! can't you guys ever just give it a small break now and then? It's EASTER, folks!
Can't you guys just find a little peace in being humble and kind to each other once in awhile? Instead of acting like a bunch of angry little demons and devils with forked tongues?

Christ said, 'And this is Life Eternal that they might KNOW thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent.'

It isn't arrogance, in my opinion. If it comes across as that, I sincerely apologize. Arrogance, or pride, is in direct contradiction to God's plan. Having a sure knowledge is based on a sincere desire to know the truth, taking the time and making the effort to kneel on your knees in a quiet, secluded place, and asking God. If you have faith that God does exist and you want to know for sure, He will answer you. The feeling is indescribable, but is as real as the sun.

This can neither be proven or disproved, but I personally have felt this feeling and have peace that I know that Jesus is the Christ and that God is our Eternal Father. I say this in humility and want everyone to experience the same. I am in no way better, smarter, definitely not better looking, or anything that would give me cause to be arrogant. I simply asked.

The greatest message of all is that this is available to everyone without prejudice.

Thanks Shauna, that does helps clear it up for me and now I feel better. It would make for a better world if others got your message. Between the mormons and the J wittnesses I am almost worn down.

In Church the little children are taught to parrott 'I know that the Church is true' and as they get older the intended effect kicks in. Lets face reality, no one really knows something until they actual know it as a 100% fact and standing up in Church saying the same thing you said as a child just wont do it. There are so many people who once said that they know, they then leave the Church because they realise that they really didnt. HOPE, as stated in the scriptures is the absolutle best that any of us can get close to. Also when I look around this world I see so many people who want to LIVE in this world, without the luxury of some romantic notion of the next.

The mind is a powerful tool, no doubt. It is a tool and can be filled with anything. Man has incredible capabilities, but they can be deceived. Who are you going to put your faith in? I can't in good conscious put my faith and trust in men who really know very little about who I am, where I came from and what happens to me after I die. These are really the most important questions to life, in my opinion.

There is nothing that says you have to be COMPLETELY dedicated to God to get answers. All that is required is a desire to know, a little bit of faith that God exists, and a little bit of effort to kneel and ask Him. That is in the capabilities of any breathing person.

I would encourage all to seek wherever they can, truth. How do you know it is truth? That leads to who you put your trust in. God or Man? Faith isn't easy, but it can mean the difference of knowing what is true and what isn't. Blessed is he who knows what faith is and more importantly it's purpose.

About knowing, or not knowing. Imagine two people conversing hundreds of years ago in Spain. One says, "I know the world is round." The other says, "I know it is not." The fact that the second guy said he "knew" and was wrong is NOT proof that the first guy didn't know, or that the thing was unknowable. Perhaps the first guy went on the Trinidad (Magellan); or, perhaps his brother did and told him about it (first-hand and second-hand witnesses).

My point, of course, is that just because a suicide bomber "knows" he is right (but is in fact wrong) does not mean that a prophet can't really "know" that he is right about the resurrection. There is no logic in that.

Yet so many people take refuge in their excuse that no one can really "know" anything about God, so they are absolved of all responsibility. It's lazy and cheap.

Finally, knowledge is rarely so absolute as many of these critics would have it be. They "know" that hydrogen has one proton, yet are aghast that anyone could claim to "know" that Jesus is the Savior and was resurrected. Two types of experience....two facts that I know.

Dear Bob,
Here's a NEW message for you:

Soon you will meet him. Prepare yourself.

He has many precious gifts he seeks to give to you and all who will seek and receive him. It will be him you thank for a resurrected body and for redemption for our many weaknesses and errors.

Don't fret about it. God does not force man to be happy. We have to want it and choose it. You'll get what it is you seek.
-L

I often wonder how many of us would say we knew "Christ" if he walked among and taught us today as he did in the testament times. Josephus, the Jewish Historian tells of Christ in his history, but never acknowledges him as the "Savior". Still our years are measured by His birth. His name is known throughout the world. He has been talked about from the beginning of time in history and in the bible. And indeed wars have been fought in His name. I guess if nothing else.....out of sheer curiosity, a person should find out just who He is and was. Then perhaps you can "know". Personally, I am just glad there are people who not only know but can testify that he lives and loves us no matter who we are, where we live, or what we do.

I am a believer. I have faith, I have hope. I walk by faith, not sight. I do not "know", I have faith. To know means just that, that you have sure knowledge, I don't. I remember, years ago, as a child sitting in Church with my non-member father and member mother and hearing people say things like "I know the Church is true". I thought, as a child would, they must really know. Wrong. Translation, for Mormon speak, "know" = "belief" in everyone's else's parlance. I don't often bear my testimony (I do have one, in my own way) because most people would be offended by my type of testimony that doesn't utilize the word "know" but instead uses words like "believe", "have faith", etc. I recall only a few years ago, President Hinckley gave a talk about how "everything we have is based on faith"--not knowledge. There's a big disconnect and I am in agreement with Ralph on this one. I can tell you that myself, family, friends, everyone I know well is just like me--they all have faith and they do not "know". Amen.

Ralph, you got your answer! Shauna said that you must be out of your mind to believe these ideas! I'm sure that comes as a relief...

Why did you even read the posts or comment (although it is completely in your right to do so)? Nobody is forcing you, right? It seems your purpose is to not seek the peace only Christ can give through the First Presidency's Message of hope through the Resurrection and the Atonement, but to find ways to find fault with the LDS Church. I ask again, why?

If it's to see how ridiculous, deceived, self-righteous, pompous, judgemental, arrogant, etc, etc, Mormons are then more power to you and please read on. However, if you would only think about the message for one small moment without any preconceived notions then I know you would cut us some slack. This message is the greatest one of all.

To Believer, It is refreshing to hear from a mormon with courage to be honest and truthful, if others were to follow your example it would be a lot easier for everyone to get along. It is the fanatics that claim to know everything that causes so much resentment against the church. President Hinckley's talk should be posted on all church bulitin boards so members can learn the difference between faith and knowing.

To Ralph and any other who reads. I was born in Salt Lake City to two parents who had married in the temple. I went through a time when I questioned all things that had anything to do with the predominant church in the Salt Lake Valley - the one that my ancestors crossed the plains to establish. I studied the Quran, I studied the Torah and the Talmud, I traveled to Europe and saw the Vatican. I went through an intense questioning period. The modern culture of the church was stand offish to me. I'm from one of the wealther areas of where the church is established and I wearied of the posh cars in the parking lots and what I thought was endless talk about business and money. I have always been a spiritual person by nature, but more than a 'religious' person, I'd consider myself a truth seeker. I didn't necessarily have questions about religion, but had questions about the origins of the earth and mankind. Study the Old and New Testaments with The Book of Mormon - then the Doctrine and Covenants and gather intelligence. You probably know already, but you'll really know.

Answers to the most profound questions come from God because God is all knowing. As real as are these words is as real as is the truth of the gospel. How can you know that what I write is true? How do you know that anything is true? - You think about it, you reason in your mind - GO TO THE SOURCE to know that it is true - you can speak with God directly - he will answer your prayers if you listen. God is aware of you and knows your needs. You need to seek him. Take your own time and read the scriptures heavily - even if you doubt, consider what they say - try to understand them - they contain the truth and I tell you that what they contain I KNOW to be true and I REALLY know that. Find the missionaries and take their discussions - listen to them. It's okay to question and that's great if you do. If you want to associate Christ's teachings with war then consider that the only war it would be would be a war between good and evil. All good comes from God.

Perhaps I sound a bit forward, but I just want to tell you that it's just as possible to know that the church as true as it is to read these words before you. That Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet who saw God and Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ was born to Mary and that he lived the life he did and that they crucified him and that he resurrected the third day. That The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets, and that prophets of God know the truth and work through 'the spirit of prophecy' to give us the words they do - all things can be known - you can know - I didn't serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the basis of blind faith. Faith is a different principle than knowledge. Faith is based on knowledge. Faith is not ignorance, it's just the opposite. Knowledge is power and faith and knowledge go hand in hand. I'd be a liar if I told you that I DON'T know - you can know and that is a great bless. FIND OUT!~ - best.

Nancy @ 8:59

The logical reason that the Jewish historian wrote about Christ but didnt believe him devine was that there was no evidence that he was. The stories about Christ in the Bible were written hundreds of years after he lived from stories passed down from generation to generation. In other words folklore.

Rational persons cannot deny that the increase of scientific knowledge has deprived parts of sacred scripture of the historical value which was generally attributed to them by our forefathers. Unless we play fast and loose either with words or with science, scriptural stories cannot be brought into harmony with what we have learnt from science.

As to the account given of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, it was the necessary counterpart to the story of his birth. His historians, having brought him into the world in a supernatural manner, were obliged to take him out again in the same manner, or the first part of the story must have fallen apart.

A thing which everybody is required to believe in order to be saved requires that the proof and evidence of it should be equal to all, and universal. But that evidence never was given. Instead, not more than eight or nine persons are introduced as proxies for the whole world, to say they saw it. But Thomas did not believe the resurrection, and would not believe without having ocular and manual demonstration himself. So neither will I, and the reason is equally as good for me as for Thomas.

Consider one example of contradiction in the book of Matthew. He relates a story that is not to be found in any of the other Gospels:

"Now, behold some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done; and when they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept; and if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the
money, and did as they were taught; and this saying [that his disciples stole him away] is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."

This is a story that contradicts itself, for though the guard might be made to say that the body was taken away while they were asleep, and to give that as a reason for their not having prevented it, that same sleep must also have prevented their knowing how, and by whom, it was done! And yet they are made to say that it was the disciples who did it.

I believe a testimony is built upon faith, not actual evidence.