A few years ago, I visited a beautiful church near Jerusalem. From the outside, its high roofline, warm stone walls, and intricately carved facade were incredible.
My delight only grew when I walked inside for a closer look. Unlike other churches I had toured, the doors didn’t open onto a cold cathedral but a sunny courtyard filled with the smell of citrus trees. Exploring further, I found doors that opened into an impossibly high, light, and airy worship space. The soft white ceiling was held up by a stunning weave of crisscrossing golden ribs that caught the light, inviting me farther in. I had loved the building before I ever stepped inside, but seeing the artistry and ingenuity of the interior deepened my appreciation for its majesty.
My appreciation for the Easter story has likewise deepened as I’ve explored it from different angles. The story as presented in the Bible offers a beautiful narrative of the Savior’s birth, ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. However, the Easter story is not limited to that sacred text alone. When we look through the lens of restored scripture and the teachings of modern prophets, the architecture of Easter takes on added detail, color, and richness.
Restored Truths About the Eternal Origins of Easter
When taught from a Biblical point of view, we often bracket our Easter study between the crowded Passover streets of Palm Sunday and the quiet sunrise of the Garden Tomb. However, the Pearl of Great Price pushes those brackets infinitely farther out.
In the writings of Abraham and Moses, new details are restored. From these mighty prophets, we learn the mechanics of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness and its center point: the atoning gift of Jesus Christ.
For example, during Abraham’s vision of the premortal realm, he was taught the true beginnings of the Easter story. He learned that when Heavenly Father asked, “Whom shall I send?” Jesus, the beloved firstborn of all the Father’s spirit children, answered, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27). In that single, transcendent sentence, the miracle we celebrate at Easter was set in motion.
Jesus Christ’s premortal commitment shines out with greater detail in the Moses account. Standing on a high mountain, Moses was shown the earth and all of its inhabitants from a divine vantage point. He called upon God to know “why these things are so” (Moses 1:30). In response, the Lord taught Moses the motive behind His grand, Savior-centered plan of happiness: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:38–39).
These restorations, when read alongside the Bible, remind us that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is not only an isolated event in the New Testament account but also the fulfillment of a premortal promise.
These Scriptures Can Illuminate Our Understanding
I often think back to my experience in that beautiful church near Jerusalem. As inspiring as the architecture was, it was the light within that truly moved me. It gleamed through the gardens, streamed through the archways, and filtered through the stained-glass windows, creating a kaleidoscope of color. It illuminated my understanding and opened my eyes to beauty I might have otherwise missed.
Similarly, every spring, as I renew my efforts to explore the miracle of Easter, new details catch my eye. Whether I am studying the pages of the Bible or exploring the verses of restored scripture, the light that emanates from this story fills my heart with hope. I see my struggles with more patience and my blessings in more abundance.
President Dallin H. Oaks taught, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ [is] the most glorious of all messages to mankind.” This Easter, may we celebrate that message by walking through all the areas of that sacred story, searching for inspiration and understanding. As we do, His light will dispel the darkness in our lives, bringing us joy, hope, and a peace “which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Editor's note: This article first appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of LDS Living magazine.
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