48
Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
secret. They offered them much money, saying, Say ye, His disciples
[69]
came by night and stole him away while we slept. And when the guard
inquired what should be done with them for sleeping at their post, the
priests and elders said that they would persuade the governor and save
them. For the sake of money the Roman guard sold their honor, and
agreed to follow the counsel of the priests and elders.
When Jesus, as he hung upon the cross, cried out, It is finished,
the rocks rent, the earth shook, and some of the graves where shaken
open; for when Jesus arose from the dead, and conquered death and
the grave; when he walked forth from his prison house a triumphant
conqueror; while the earth was reeling and shaking, and the excellent
glory of heaven clustered around the sacred spot, obedient to his call,
many of the righteous dead came forth as witnesses that he had risen.
Those favored, resurrected saints came forth glorified. They were a
few chosen and holy ones who had lived in every age from creation,
even down to the days of Christ. And while the chief priests and
Pharisees were seeking to cover up the resurrection of Christ, God
chose to bring up a company from their graves to testify that Jesus had
risen, and to declare his glory.
Those who were resurrected were of different stature and form.
I was informed that the inhabitants of earth had been degenerating,
losing their strength and comeliness. Satan has the power of disease
[70]
and death, and in every age the curse has been more visible, and the
power of Satan more plainly seen. Some of those raised were more
noble in appearance and form than others. I was informed that those
who lived in the days of Noah and Abraham were more like the angels
in form, in comeliness and strength. But every generation has been
growing weaker, and more subject to disease, and their lives of shorter
duration. Satan has been learning how to annoy men, and to enfeeble
the race.
Those holy ones who came forth after the resurrection of Jesus
appeared unto many, telling them that the sacrifice for man was com-
pleted, that Jesus, whom the Jews crucified, had risen from the dead,
and added, We be risen with him. They bore testimony that it was by
his mighty power that they had been called forth from their graves.
Notwithstanding the lying reports circulated, the matter could not be
concealed by Satan, his angels, or the chief priests; for this holy com-
pany, brought forth from their graves, spread the wonderful, joyful