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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
not there. There were his linen clothes, but they could not believe
the good news that Jesus had risen from the dead. They returned
home marveling at the things they had seen, also at the report brought
them by the women. But Mary chose to linger around the sepulchre,
thinking of what she had seen, and distressed with the thought that she
might have been deceived. She felt that new trials awaited her. Her
grief was renewed, and she broke forth in
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bitter weeping. She stooped down to look again into the sepulchre, and
beheld two angels clothed in white. Their countenances were bright
and shining. One was sitting at the head, the other at the feet, where
Jesus had lain. They spoke to her tenderly, and asked her why she
wept. She replied, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not
where they have laid him.
And as she turned from the sepulchre, she saw Jesus standing by
her; but knew him not. Jesus spoke tenderly to Mary, and inquired
the cause of her sorrow, and asked her whom she was seeking. She
supposed he was the gardener, and begged of him, if he had borne away
her Lord, to tell her where he had laid him, and she would take him
away. Jesus spoke to her with his own heavenly voice, and said, Mary.
She was acquainted with the tones of that dear voice, and quickly
answered, Master! and with joy and gladness was about to embrace
him; but Jesus stood back, and said, Touch me not, for I am not yet
ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say unto them, I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your
God. Joyfully she hastened to the disciples with the good news. Jesus
quickly ascended up to his Father to hear from his lips that he accepted
the sacrifice, and that he had done all things well, and to receive all
power in heaven, and upon earth, from his Father.
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Angels like a cloud surrounded the Son of God, and bid the ev-
erlasting gates be lifted up, that the King of glory might come in. I
saw that while Jesus was with that bright, heavenly host, and in the
presence of his Father, and the excellent glory of God surrounded him,
he did not forget his poor disciples upon earth; but received power from
his Father, that he might return unto them, and while with them impart
power unto them. The same day he returned, and showed himself to
his disciples. He suffered them then to touch him, for he had ascended
to his Father, and had received power.