“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 1:3 (KJV)
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not the end of the gospel story. It is the beginning of a new creation, a divine turning point not only in human history—but in human hearts.
According to the record in the Book of Acts, the Savior continued His ministry for forty days following His resurrection, appearing to His disciples and speaking of “things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” This post-resurrection period is quietly profound. Though often overshadowed by the drama of Easter morning, it includes some of the most personal, intimate, and transformative moments in all of scripture.
He showed His wounds. He ate with His friends. He walked with two discouraged disciples. He restored Peter with a question of love. He appeared to the Nephites at their temple in Bountiful and declared, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ.” He spoke of the gathering of Israel, the scattering of the Jews, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the Father’s role in all things. He blessed children. He prayed with the people. He called them to covenant, peace, and perfection.
And, as He told the Nephites:
“Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold… they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
— John 10:16
The scope of His resurrected ministry is both known and unknown. We have the record of His appearances to the apostles in Jerusalem and Galilee. We have the detailed witness of His visit to the Nephites in the Americas. And we are told He visited other sheep—branches of the house of Israel lost to history but not to Him. For forty days He walked the earth in glory, fulfilling prophecy, confirming covenants, and preparing His disciples to carry His message to the world.
This series, 40 Days with the Risen Christ, is a daily journey through that sacred window of time. Each entry centers on something the resurrected Savior said—His actual words, recorded in scripture—and invites reflection on what they mean for us today. Though we may not walk with Him physically, His voice still calls to us through the Spirit, through the scriptures, and through personal revelation.
His first word as the risen Lord was “Woman, why weepest thou?”
His final commission was “Ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Words of the Risen Lord Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and […]
Words of the Risen Lord Peace be unto you. Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken,
Words of the Risen Lord Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.…Have ye here any meat?And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and
Words of the Risen Lord Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed
Words of the Risen Lord Children, have ye any meat?They answered him, No.And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.…Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.— John 21:5–12
Words of the Risen Lord Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.… He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?… And he said unto him, Lord, thou
Words of the Risen Lord Follow me. — John 21:19 (KJV) The Moment After His tender restoration of Peter by the Sea of Galilee, the Savior spoke two simple words that would define Peter’s future: “Follow me.” (see John 21:19). When Peter, curious about the future of John, asked, “And what shall this man do?”
Words of the Risen Lord All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. — Matthew 28:18 (KJV) The Moment After His Resurrection, the Savior appeared to the Eleven in Galilee, as He had directed them. Standing in their midst, the Risen Lord declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and
Words of the Risen Lord Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. — Matthew 28:19–20 (KJV) The Moment On a mountain in Galilee, the Risen Christ gave
Words of the Risen Lord Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.— Matthew 28:20 (KJV) The Moment These are the final recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. He had just commissioned His disciples to teach and baptize all nations. Then He offered a promise that
Words of the Risen Lord But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he
Words of the Risen Lord Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me… — 3 Nephi 11:10–11 The Moment Following storms, destruction,
Words of the Risen Lord Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole
Words of the People Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! — 3 Nephi 11:17 The Moment After each person had gone forth to feel the prints in His hands and feet—after they had received their witness of the Risen Lord—their response was not whispered: “Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the
Words of the Risen Lord Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church. — 3 Nephi 11:30 The Moment His first doctrinal instruction was not complex—it was clear and foundational: “This is my doctrine: whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.” (3 Nephi 11:30)
