The Reality of the Resurrection – Sunday, April 9, 1950
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when . . . his disciples came unto him: . . . he … taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The truth and beauty of the Beatitudes and of all the other ethical and doctrinal teachings of Jesus the Christ would be more than reason enough for His mission among men. But His mission meant much more than moral teaching, and His was much more than a great mortal mind. By His own utterance, and by all other evidence, He was the Son of God, the Savior of mankind—in a manner which admittedly we mortals do not altogether understand—but then there are so many things that are real and undeniable which are beyond the present limits of the minds of men. But this was His mission in mortality: to give unto men a pattern of principles that would lead to peace and progress and highest happiness here and hereafter—and to die that men might be redeemed from death. To say that we fully understand the necessity for this sacrifice would not be wholly true. But somehow, in the plan and purpose of our Father, it was and is essential to man’s eternal march. And somehow, the way to life without limit, the path to eternal progress, was opened up for all men by Him who did for us what we could not do for ourselves. And, so we accept the reality of resurrection with settled assurance; and we, accept as part of our Father’s plan and purpose … the renewal of association with those we love—for “men are, that they might have joy.” And to you who have lost those you love, take this comfort to your hearts this Easter day. If there be those who doubt, let them doubt no more. If there be those who mourn, let them be comforted. If there be those who love life, let them prepare to live it—always.
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April 9, 1950
Broadcast Number 1,077