Appears to Nephites

3 Nephi 11:1-17 The scene shifts to the New World and there is a great multitude round about the temple. Isn’t it interesting that the Savior appears to a large multitude at the temple, His house. The people were conversing about the Savior, his death and resurrection and the sign that had been prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite and other prophets. As they are conversing they hear a still small voice that pierces them to the heart. They felt the voice three times, but they only understood the voice the last time. It also caused their hearts to burn within them. They understood the voice the third time, because they “did open their ears.” Then they looked up into heaven where the voice was coming from. Then Heavenly Father testifies of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. He counsels all to hear His son. As they looked up, they saw a man descending from heaven. He was clothed in a white robe and came down into the midst of them. They did not understand or know who it was. They thought that it was an angel. Then the Savior of the World introduces Himself to them. “I am Jesus Christ.” There was no doubt any more. He testifies that He is the light of the world and then testifies of His atonement, taking upon Himself the sins of the world and doing the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. The multitude falls to His feet not only out of respect but also to worship Him. They remembered the prophecies that He would show Himself unto them. Then in one of the most touching scenes in all recorded holy writ, the Savior invites the multitude to come forward and “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 earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.” The multitude came forth touches the wound in His side and the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. All go forth and have a first hand witness of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. They all cried with one accord: “Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

Ascends Into Heaven

Mark 16:19-20

Mark testifies that when the Savior had finished teaching them, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. The Apostles must have seen the Savior on the right hand of God. Therefore, they saw the Father as well. With this additional witness, they went forth everywhere. The Lord worked through them and they confirmed their word with the signs and miracles that follow the faithful and obedient.

Luke 24:50-53

In Luke’s account, the Savior led the disciples out to Bethany and blesses them. It is not clear whether it is a group blessing or individual blessings. He part from them and was carried up into heaven. It is interesting that the account says that they worshipped Him. It would be neat to know what they did to worship Him. Then they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. They were praising God for sending His only begotten Son.

Acts 1:9-12

After the Savior finished instructing the twelve, He was taken up into heaven in a cloud. Then two angels appeared and testify that the Savior will come again in a like manner that they saw Him leave. The Apostles then returned to Jerusalem. I have often wondered if the accounts of the Savior being taken into Heaven were from a single occurrence. I am sure that He visited and instructed the Apostles many times.