Vieren mormonen Pasen?

Isn’t it wonderful that God gives us seasons of joy and celebration? Easter is one of those truly special times, a time when Christians all across this beautiful world remember something absolutely amazing – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! You might be wondering, “What about our good friends in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Do they share in this incredible joy, this powerful hope?”

Well, let me tell you, the answer is a definite, wholehearted YES! For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Easter is a profoundly important Christian holy day. It’s a time they dedicate to celebrating the literal, actual Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the incredible hope and amazing potential for a fresh start His victory over death brings to every single one of us! 1 We’re going to explore just how these wonderful folks commemorate Easter Sunday, the deep, rich spiritual meaning it holds for them, how their unique scriptures shine even more light on this glorious event, and how their heartfelt observances compare with other Christian traditions, even looking back at the early days of the Church. Get ready to be uplifted!

Vieren heiligen der laatste dagen (mormonen) Pasen?

Een duidelijke bevestiging – Ja, dat doen ze!

Let me be absolutely clear, my friends: when it comes to celebrating Easter, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are filled with joy and enthusiasm! It is one of the most major and sacred holidays on their calendar, and every bit of their focus is on the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. They see this incredible event as the ultimate victory over sin and death, a victory that offers boundless hope, complete redemption, and the promise of eternal life to all of God’s precious children! 1 The Church’s own official website declares with such joy, “Easter is a joyous celebration of what’s possible because of Jesus Christ”! 1 And another official Church resource clearly defines Easter as “the Christian holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 2 those are powerful, clear statements that leave no doubt – they embrace this sacred day with open hearts!

Deze vreugdevolle en open bevestiging van Pasen door de kerk is zo'n prachtige brug van begrip met al onze christelijke broeders en zusters. Voor elke christelijke lezer is Pasen het hart van hun geloof. Weten dat heiligen der laatste dagen deze dag ook als heilig beschouwen, dat zij ook de triomfantelijke opstanding van Christus vieren, is een fundamenteel stuk informatie dat eventuele misverstanden kan wegnemen en een gemeenschappelijke basis kan vormen voor een centraal geloofspunt van ons geloof. De kerk wil heel duidelijk zijn en zichzelf midden in die prachtige, brede christelijke traditie van het eren van de opstanding van Christus plaatsen.

Official Recognition and Deep Importance

This isn’t just a casual observance, friends. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially recognizes and deeply reveres Easter. Their teachings and all their published materials consistently highlight Easter as a sacred time to remember Jesus Christ’s infinite, unconditional love, His atoning sacrifice that paid the price for the sins of the world, and His glorious, powerful triumph over death. They see it as a season of spiritual renewal, a time for overwhelming gratitude, and a moment for powerful reflection on the Savior’s incredible life and His divine mission.¹ The Church encourages all its members to “Celebrate the Glory of His Resurrection this Easter,” viewing it as “a time of renewal and a season to remember the love of Jesus Christ.” 1 This official view just underscores how incredibly sacred and important this holiday is within their faith.

Gedeelde timing met het wereldwijde christendom – Een prachtige verbinding!

And isn’t it wonderful how God works to bring His children together? Latter-day Saints observe Easter on the very same day as most other Christian denominations all around this globe! The date is set by that long-established heavenly calendar, connected to the spring equinox and the first full moon that shines on or after that equinox.¹ As the Church itself states, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates Easter on the same day as most other Christian denominations around the world—a schedule that depends on the moon. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the ecclesiastical spring equinox.” 1

This alignment of the Easter date is so much more than just a detail on a calendar; it’s a practical point of beautiful commonality. It reinforces that even with some unique doctrines, Latter-day Saints are part of a shared Christian calendar for this key, pivotal event. The way Easter’s date is determined is a tradition that goes way back in Christianity. By following this same method, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joins in a shared historical and spiritual rhythm, which can be a gentle but powerful reminder of our shared heritage for all Christians, showing that we are all looking to the same cosmic and historical signs to celebrate this singular, glorious event!

Hoe vieren heiligen der laatste dagen Paaszondag?

Christusgerichte kerkdiensten – Alles draait om Jezus!

Wanneer Paaszondag aanbreekt, kun je er absoluut zeker van zijn dat in gemeenten van heiligen der laatste dagen de focus messcherp ligt op de verzoening en opstanding van Jezus Christus! Hoewel hun reguliere wekelijkse diensten altijd op Christus gericht zijn, brengt Pasen een nog grotere, meer geconcentreerde nadruk op deze cruciale, levensveranderende gebeurtenissen.¹

The sermons, which they call “talks,” are usually given by members of the congregation themselves, ordinary people sharing from their hearts, rather than by a single pastor. And on Easter Sunday, you better believe those messages are dedicated to exploring the powerful, deep significance of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice – how He paid the price for every human sin – and His triumphant, glorious resurrection from the dead! 1 The Church states it beautifully: “On Easter Sunday, sermons are focused specifically on Jesus’s sacrifice for us and His Resurrection.” 1

A central, sacred part of every Latter-day Saint Sunday worship service is something they call the ordinance of the sacrament, which is very much like communion in other Christian churches. Members who have been baptized partake of a small piece of bread and a little cup of water in solemn, heartfelt remembrance of Christ’s broken body and His shed blood. On Easter, this sacred ordinance often feels even more poignant, even more powerful, as members reflect deeply on the events it commemorates—the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice and the incredible promise of eternal life made possible only through Him! 1 The sacrament offers a precious opportunity “to take a small piece of bread and cup of water to remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us, as He taught His disciples during the Last Supper.” 1

En oh, de muziek, vrienden! Muziek speelt zo'n vitale rol in hun paasdiensten. Gemeenten voegen hun stemmen samen, zingen lofzangen die specifiek de opstanding vieren, en hun plaatselijke kerkkoren (die zij wijkkoren noemen) bereiden vaak speciale, opbeurende muzikale presentaties of cantates voor, speciaal voor deze gelegenheid! 2 Deze focus op muziek versterkt de feestelijke, aanbiddende sfeer van deze geweldige dag. Hun kerkgebouwen, of kapellen, zijn vaak versierd met symbolen van leven, zuiverheid en vernieuwing, zoals prachtige witte lelies, die de hoop en de gloednieuwe beginnen weerspiegelen die met de opstanding van Christus komen! 2

Deze kernelementen van de paasdiensten van de heiligen der laatste dagen—preken die volledig over Jezus gaan, het heilige avondmaal en muziek met als thema Zijn opstanding—spiegelen nauw de fundamentele onderdelen van de paasverering in zoveel andere christelijke kerken. Dit benadrukt echt een gedeeld patroon van aanbidding, allemaal gecentreerd rond de opstanding, zelfs als de specifieke manieren van doen of de woorden die ze gebruiken een beetje anders kunnen zijn. Deze gelijkenis kan een heerlijk gevoel van vertrouwdheid en verbondenheid creëren, wat laat zien dat de manier ze de opstanding vieren, terwijl het zijn eigen unieke uitingen van de heiligen der laatste dagen heeft, geworteld is in gemeenschappelijke christelijke tradities van aanbidding.

Betekenisvolle familietradities – Geloof in huis!

But the celebration doesn’t just stay within the church walls! Easter is also a precious time for family-centered activities that reinforce its deep spiritual meaning and allow for personal, quiet reflection. Many Latter-day Saint families make it a special point to read the accounts of Christ’s crucifixion and His glorious resurrection together, drawing inspiration from both the Bible and their other sacred book, the Book of Mormon.¹ Family activities “might look like families reading passages about the Resurrection from the Bible together.” 1 And their church services also traditionally “review New Testament and Book of Mormon accounts of Christ’s crucifixion, His Resurrection, and surrounding events” 2, a practice that is often beautifully mirrored right in their homes.

Het delen van een speciale maaltijd met familie en vrienden is een andere gebruikelijke en prachtige manier om de dag te markeren, wat een gevoel van saamhorigheid, vreugde en viering bevordert! 1 Hoewel de Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen geen formele kerkbrede vieringen heeft voor de dagen voorafgaand aan paaszondag (vaak bekend als de Goede Week), zullen veel leden, individueel of als gezin, de tijd nemen om de gebeurtenissen van de laatste week van Christus te bestuderen. Dit kan inhouden dat ze lezen over Zijn triomfantelijke intocht in Jeruzalem (Palmzondag) of Zijn krachtige lijden en kruisiging (Goede Vrijdag), luisteren naar heilige, opbeurende muziek en deelnemen aan andere activiteiten die hen helpen hun hart en geest te richten op de Heiland en de ongelooflijke betekenis van Zijn offer.¹

Deze prachtige combinatie van formele kerkelijke vieringen met een grote nadruk op familiegerichte tradities onthult een belangrijk aspect van het leven van de heiligen der laatste dagen: zij geloven dat geloof zowel in de gemeenschap van gelovigen als, heel belangrijk, in het hart van het huis wordt gevoed. Pasen wordt daarom zowel een gemeenschappelijk heilig evenement als een diep persoonlijk en familiaal evenement. Deze dubbele nadruk weerspiegelt een kernovertuiging van de heiligen der laatste dagen dat het gezin een fundamentele eenheid is in Gods grote plan en een primaire plek voor religieus onderwijs en ervaring. De individuele en gezinsstudie van de gebeurtenissen in de Goede Week, zelfs zonder officiële kerkbrede diensten voor die specifieke dagen, toont een persoonlijke eerbied voor het hele verhaal van het lijden van Christus. Dit is zo'n belangrijk punt: alleen omdat ze bijvoorbeeld geen formele kerkdienst hebben voor Goede Vrijdag, betekent dit niet dat heiligen der laatste dagen het lijden en de dood van Christus negeren of devalueren. Helemaal niet! Het suggereert dat hun manier manier van herdenken voor die specifieke dagen persoonlijker of meer gezinsgericht kan zijn, hoewel hun eerbied voor de gebeurtenissen zelf ongelooflijk sterk blijft.

Wat is de centrale betekenis van Pasen voor heiligen der laatste dagen?

De verzoening en opstanding van Jezus Christus – Het hart van alles!

If you want to know what Easter truly means, what beats at the very heart of it for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day it’s two powerful, life-changing concepts: the Atonement and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! This holy day joyously celebrates Christ’s atoning sacrifice—His incredible suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and His death on the cross for the sins of every single one of us—and His literal, physical resurrection from that tomb, which absolutely conquered both sin and death forever! 1 The Church teaches with such conviction that “Easter is a joyous celebration of what’s possible because of Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we can have a fresh start as we repent and are forgiven for our sins.” 1 Yes! And they also declare, “The spiritual significance of Easter is centered on the death, Atonement, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 4 The Latter-day Saint understanding of the Atonement often gives a broader view to the sacrifice we remember at Easter, including Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane as a pivotal moment where He took upon Himself all our sins and sorrows, as well as His suffering and death on the cross.¹ Although the crucifixion is undeniably central and vitally important 6, this broader perspective sees Easter as remembering an entire redemptive journey that began even before the cross and reached its glorious peak in the Resurrection!

Verlossing, vergeving en een frisse start – Een geschenk voor jou!

Because of Christ’s infinite, amazing sacrifice, Latter-day Saints believe that every individual, yes, that means you, has the wonderful opportunity to repent of their sins and be completely forgiven by God. Easter is such a powerful, beautiful reminder of this incredible gift, offering every single person the chance for a “fresh start” and ultimate reconciliation with God, making them “worthy to live with God again someday.” 1 Isn’t that the best news you’ve heard all day?

De belofte van universele opstanding – Iedereen zal weer leven!

And here’s a cornerstone of Latter-day Saint Easter belief that will fill your heart with hope: because of Jesus Christ’s victory over death, every single person who has ever lived or ever will live on this earth will be resurrected! That’s right! This means their spirit and their physical body will be reunited in a perfected, immortal state, never again to be separated! 2 “Easter is a celebration not only of the Resurrection of Christ but also of the universal Resurrection. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected.” 2 The Book of Mormon teaches so powerfully that “Jesus Christ loosed the bands of death for all.” 7 This powerful emphasis on a universele lichamelijke opstanding voor de hele mensheid, een onvoorwaardelijk geschenk, is een bijzonder hoopvolle en onderscheidende overtuiging. Dit scheidt het geschenk van simpelweg weer opstaan van het voorwaardelijke geschenk van eeuwig leven of verhoging, waardoor het een krachtige boodschap is van Gods allesomvattende liefde en Christus' volledige overwinning op de lichamelijke dood voor ieder mens, ongeacht welke keuzes ze in het leven hebben gemaakt!

Hoop op het eeuwige leven bij God en gezinnen – Voor altijd samen!

But the Resurrection of Christ doesn’t just promise that we’ll live again; it opens the pathway to eternal life! For Latter-day this means the incredible potential to live forever in God’s glorious presence, inheriting all that our Heavenly Father has, and, so significantly, to do so with our families! 1 “If we live Christ’s gospel, we can look forward to living with God and our families for eternity.” 1 Easter is seen as “a celebration of the promise of eternal life through Christ.” 2 This direct, beautiful connection made between Christ’s resurrection and the eternal nature of families fills Easter with a unique and deeply personal meaning, linking this grand, cosmic event to their most cherished human relationships and making the Resurrection the enabling power for this ultimate hope for families.

Fulfillment of God’s Eternal Plan – It Was Always the Plan!

Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection are understood as the central, absolutely essential events in God’s overall “plan of happiness” for His children—a plan He established before the world even began, to enable them to progress and become like Him! 1 The Book of Mormon connects “the Creation, Fall, birth of Jesus Christ, Atonement, Resurrection, and Judgment are all inextricably connected as parts of God’s plan for His children.” 8

Een getuigenis van de levende, leidende Christus – Hij leeft vandaag!

Easter powerfully affirms the Latter-day Saint belief that Jesus Christ is not just some historical figure from long ago a living, resurrected, glorified Being who continues to lead and guide His Church today through living prophets and apostles! 1 “Jesus Christ Still Lives Today. Jesus Christ is a living, Resurrected being. He leads and guides His prophets and apostles today through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” 1 The Prophet Joseph Smith’s powerful testimony, “That he lives!” 9, is absolutely central to this conviction. He’s not just a memory; He’s a reality!

Vieren heiligen der laatste dagen de vastentijd, Aswoensdag of Goede Vrijdag?

Geen formele kerkbrede viering – Een andere aanpak

You might be wondering about some of the traditions many Christians observe, like Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent, or specific Holy Week services such as Good Friday or Maundy Thursday. Well, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn’t have formal, prescribed church-wide liturgical observances for these.² The Church states it quite plainly: “Latter-day Saints conduct Easter Sunday services but do not follow the religious observances of Ash Wednesday, Lent, or Holy Week.” 2

This non-observance mostly reflects their theological emphasis on continuous, daily discipleship and consistent Sabbath worship, rather than a structured liturgical calendar filled with special seasons. It’s simply a different approach to spiritual discipline and remembrance. So, the absence of Lent in Latter-day Saint practice isn’t a rejection of repentance or spiritual reflection at all rather an integration of these important principles into a daily, consistent pattern of living the gospel.

Nadruk op een voortdurend christocentrisch leven – Elke dag met Jezus!

Instead of specific liturgical seasons for things like penitence or fasting, such as Lent, the Church emphasizes a year-round, heartfelt commitment to Christ-centered living. The Sabbath day (Sunday) is observed every single week as a special time for worship, for spiritual renewal, for partaking of the sacrament, and for drawing closer to Jesus Christ.¹ “Year-round, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints try to keep the Sabbath day holy by worshipping at church and focusing the day on activities that help us draw closer to Jesus Christ.” 1

Persoonlijke of familiale erkenning van de Goede Week – Herdenken op eigen wijze

But here’s an important point, friends: Although these aren’t official Church practices, it is very common for many Latter-day Saint individuals and families to privately study and reflect on the events of Christ’s final week. This often includes learning about events traditionally associated with Palm Sunday and Good Friday as part of their personal Easter preparations.¹ The Church notes that “Many Latter-day Saints celebrate events leading up to Easter, like Palm Sunday and Good Friday, by studying the events of Holy Week, listening to songs about Jesus Christ, and enjoying a special meal with family and friends.” 1

Het feit dat veel heiligen der laatste dagen persoonlijk de gebeurtenissen van de Goede Week bestuderen en erover nadenken, zelfs zonder formele kerkdiensten voor dagen als Goede Vrijdag, is een belangrijk inzicht. Het toont aan dat er diep ontzag is voor het historische verhaal van Christus' lijden en dood, zelfs als de manier manier waarop ze het vieren meer geïndividualiseerd of gezinsgericht is. Dit onderscheid is cruciaal: het is een verschil in hoe de kerk als instituut viert in plaats van een volledig gebrek aan personal reverence voor de gebeurtenissen zelf. Dit helpt ons het misverstand te voorkomen dat heiligen der laatste dagen het belang van de laatste dagen van Christus negeren.

Onderliggende redenen voor het niet vieren – Hun unieke pad

Several factors contribute to this approach. Their focus is on living gospel principles every single day, rather than through a structured liturgical calendar of special feasts and fasts. Latter-day Saint worship is primarily based on teachings from the Bible, their unique scriptures (like the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price), and guidance from living prophets, and none of these outline these specific liturgical seasons for the Church today. Historically, as a church that believes it is a restoration of original Christianity, there’s often an emphasis on practices they believe were part of the very early Christian perhaps bypassing some liturgical developments that came about later in Christian history. Their foundational story of being a “restored” church often leads them to focus on doctrines and practices they believe are core and original, and they may not adopt liturgical traditions like Lent or Ash Wednesday that developed over many centuries in other branches of Christianity after the time of the apostles.

Welke rol spelen paaseieren en de paashaas in de vieringen van heiligen der laatste dagen?

Cultural Traditions for Children’s Enjoyment – Fun for the Family!

Hoe zit het met al die leuke, bekende paastradities, zoals het versieren van kleurrijke paaseieren, het houden van spannende paaseierzoektochten en de vriendelijke paashaas? Welnu, veel gezinnen in De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen nemen deze algemene wereldlijke tradities absoluut op in hun gezinsvieringen! Deze activiteiten worden over het algemeen als leuk en plezierig beschouwd, vooral voor de kinderen, en zorgen voor glimlachen en gelach.²

This approach shows a wonderful, practical balance: they allow participation in harmless cultural customs for family enjoyment while clearly marking out what holds actual religious significance. This strategy helps their members navigate cultural norms without compromising the sacredness of the holiday’s core message. By not discouraging these popular customs but also stating they have “no religious significance” 2, the Church allows for cultural participation while keeping the spiritual focus strong.

Geen toegewezen religieuze betekenis – Het heilige heilig houden

Although these customs are very common in our wider culture and have even been given symbolic Christian meanings in some other wonderful faiths (for example, the egg as a symbol of the empty tomb or new life 10), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not officially assign religious meaning to them. These traditions are not discouraged by the not at all they are not considered part of the religious observance of Easter itself.² The Church clarifies that “Such traditions are not officially discouraged, though they have no religious significance to Latter-day Saints.” 2

This position is a little different from some other Christian denominations that have more deeply woven these secular elements into their traditions and given them Christian meanings. The Latter-day Saint stance suggests they prefer to maintain a clearer distinction between divinely revealed religious practices and adopted cultural traditions. This might reflect their broader “restorationist” approach, focusing on what they believe are the core, original elements of faith and worship.

De religieuze focus behouden – Jezus is het middelpunt!

The most important thing, the absolute paramount concern for Latter-day is that the true, Christ-centered meaning of Easter—the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s glorious resurrection—remains the central focus of the holiday. Any secular activities are considered secondary, enjoyable extras not the main event.² “The focus of the holiday is religious” 2, a statement that powerfully underscores the Church’s priority. This implies a wonderful flexibility: as long as Christ’s resurrection is the central theme, the inclusion of some secular fun is a matter of family choice and is considered perfectly acceptable.

Heiligen der laatste dagen zijn er over het algemeen van op de hoogte dat symbolen zoals paaseieren in andere tradities een christelijke betekenis krijgen 10, en dat respecteren zij. Hun benadering is simpelweg om ze te behandelen als plezierige culturele toevoegingen voor gezinnen, zonder ze formeel op te nemen in hun kernreligieuze aanbidding of leer met betrekking tot Pasen.

How Do Latter-day Saint Scriptures, like the Book of Mormon, Emphasize Christ’s Resurrection?

Het Boek van Mormon: Een ander testament van Jezus Christus – Meer getuigen!

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day the Book of Mormon stands right alongside the Holy Bible as a sacred volume of scripture. It even has a subtitle: “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” And let me tell you, it is filled with numerous ancient prophecies, powerful teachings, and powerful eyewitness accounts all related to Jesus Christ’s Atonement and, so importantly, His glorious Resurrection! It serves as a independent witness to these divine, world-changing events, enriching and deepening their understanding of Easter.² Their Easter services often “review New Testament and Book of Mormon accounts of Christ’s crucifixion, His Resurrection, and surrounding events.” 2

Belangrijke leringen over de opstanding in het Boek van Mormon – Geweldige inzichten!

Het Boek van Mormon biedt verschillende unieke en wonderbaarlijk verhelderende perspectieven op de opstanding die uw hart zullen verheugen:

• Ancient Prophecies of Christ’s Resurrection: Stelt u zich dit eens voor! Profeten in het Boek van Mormon, die eeuwen leefden voordat Christus werd zelfs in Bethlehem geboren, profeteerden expliciet over Zijn verzoenend lijden, Zijn dood en Zijn daaropvolgende opstanding. Ongelooflijke figuren zoals Lehi, Nephi, koning Benjamin en Abinadi getuigden allemaal met kracht over deze toekomstige gebeurtenissen! 7
• Christ’s Post-Resurrection Visit to the Americas: Here’s a central and absolutely unparalleled event recorded in the Book of Mormon: the literal, physical appearance of the resurrected Jesus Christ to people who lived in ancient America, known as the Nephites! These people saw Him descend from heaven, they heard Him teach His beautiful gospel, and He invited them to physically touch the wound prints in His hands, His feet, and His side. This gave them a tangible, undeniable witness of His resurrected, glorified body! 1 This account in the book of 3 Nephi 7 isn’t just another story for Latter-day Saints; they believe it’s a literal historical event that solidifies their faith in a resurrected, physical Christ and shows that the Resurrection event was for the whole world, not just the Holy Land!
• Clarification on Universal and Perfected Resurrection: Het Boek van Mormon biedt gedetailleerde en specifieke leringen dat de opstanding universeel is – wat betekent alle people who have ever lived will be resurrected, no matter if they were righteous or not. It clarifies that their bodies will be restored to a perfect, immortal form, with their spirit and body inseparably reconnected, never again to be subject to death or decay! 7 “Jesus Christ loosed the bands of death for all.” 7 The Book of Mormon makes it “beautifully clear that resurrection is universal… ‘The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form… This restoration shall come to all…’.” 8 This specific doctrine answers fundamental human questions about what happens after death and is a key contribution of their unique scriptures to their Easter understanding.
• Resurrection as a Necessary Part of God’s Plan: Het Boek van Mormon leert dat de opstanding een noodzakelijk gevolg is van de val van Adam (die de fysieke dood in de wereld bracht) en een vitaal, onmisbaar onderdeel is van het geweldige, allesomvattende plan van onze hemelse Vader voor de verlossing en verhoging van Zijn kinderen! 7
• Resurrection Leads to Judgment: Na hun opstanding zal ieder individu teruggebracht worden in de tegenwoordigheid van God om geoordeeld te worden naar hun werken en de verlangens van hun hart.⁷

De Leer en Verbonden: Moderne openbaringen van de opgestane Christus – Hij spreekt vandaag!

Latter-day Saints also have another volume of scripture unique to them, called the Doctrine and Covenants. This incredible book is a collection of modern revelations, primarily given to Joseph Smith, the first prophet and President of the Church in modern times, as well as to some of his successors. This book also powerfully affirms the reality of the living, resurrected Christ and His ongoing direction of His Church. It contains modern testimonies of prophets who have actually seen the resurrected Savior in vision! 9 For example, it records Christ ministering in the spirit world while His body was in the tomb (Doctrine and Covenants 138).¹³ It also contains the powerful declaration of the risen Savior Himself appearing in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, proclaiming, “I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:4)! 9 And Joseph Smith’s powerful testimony is also recorded: “After the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22).⁹ These modern testimonies bring the reality of the Resurrection right into our contemporary era for Latter-day making it not just an ancient event but a continuing, living reality!

Bijbelse verslagen aanvullen en bevestigen – Samen sterker!

For Latter-day these additional scriptures—the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants—do not replace or diminish the Holy Bible in any way. Instead, they see them as confirming, clarifying, and expanding upon the biblical accounts of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection. They provide multiple witnesses and deeper doctrinal understanding of these sacred events, strengthening faith in Jesus Christ as the resurrected Lord and Savior of all mankind! 1

Why Don’t Latter-day Saints Typically Emphasize the Cross Symbol as Much as Other Christians, Especially Around Easter?

You might notice that the cross symbol isn’t usually seen on most Latter-day Saint chapels, and they don’t often use it in their personal religious expression. This is a noticeable difference for many other Christians, and it comes from specific theological emphases, not from any disregard for Christ’s suffering.

Focus op de levende, opgestane Christus – Hij is opgestaan!

De belangrijkste reden voor deze verminderde nadruk is een krachtige focus op de triomf van de opstanding en de realiteit van de living, active Christ today, rather than on the instrument of His death.⁶ President Gordon B. Hinckley, a past President of the explained it this way: “for us, the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the Living Christ.” 6 Another Church resource states, “But because the Savior lives, we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith.” 19 This is a key distinction in their devotional focus: they prioritize the uitkomst van de verzoening (opstanding, de levende Christus) boven de instrument van lijden.

De kruisiging is van vitaal belang, maar wordt anders uitgedrukt – Het offer wordt geëerd

This doesn’t mean that the suffering of Christ on the cross is unimportant to Latter-day Saints. Not at all! On the contrary, it is acknowledged as a vital, sacred, and inseparable part of His atoning sacrifice.¹ They believe that the “preaching of the cross”—that is, teaching and testifying of what happened there and its incredible significance—is far more important than displaying the physical symbol itself.⁶ “Is the cross important to our faith? The answer is an unequivocal yes! The Redeemer’s suffering on the cross is vitally important to us and is an inseparable part of the Atonement.” 6

“Taking Up One’s Cross” – A Metaphor for Discipleship – Living for Him

Latter-day Saints interpret Jesus’s scriptural command to “take up Uw cross and follow me” (Matthew 10:38) primarily in a metaphorical sense. They understand it as a call to deny oneself of ungodliness and worldly desires, to keep God’s commandments, and to live a life of dedicated service, sacrifice, and obedience to the Savior.¹ “The Savior was clear when He stated that in following Him we should take upon ourselves a cross—not the Roman cross that was the instrument of death but our own cross, whereby we present a sacrifice to the Lord of our own heart to be obedient to His commandments.” 6 This interpretation transforms the cross from a passive symbol into an active, daily principle of discipleship, which aligns perfectly with the Latter-day Saint emphasis on works and continuous striving in faith.

Levens als symbool van geloof – Geloof tonen door daden

The most meaningful expression of faith and devotion to Christ, in the Latter-day Saint understanding, is shown through the way members live their lives—their actions, their kindness, their integrity, and their service to others—rather than through wearing or displaying a physical cross.⁶ “Our lives must be the expression of our faith.” 19 President Hinckley further stated, “The lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship.”⁶

Geen belediging bedoeld voor andere geloven – Respect voor iedereen

Church leaders have consistently expressed deep respect for other Christians who use the cross symbol reverently in their worship and personal devotion. The Latter-day Saint approach is simply a matter of their own doctrinal emphasis and is not intended as a criticism of other Christian traditions at all.⁶ President Hinckley specifically said, “I do not wish to give offense to any of my Christian colleagues who use the cross on the steeples of their cathedrals and at the altars of their chapels…”.⁶ Understanding this theological reasoning is so crucial for interfaith dialogue, as it’s not about disrespecting the cross about a different way of expressing reverence for Christ’s incredible sacrifice.

Tabel: Belangrijkste paasovertuigingen en -gebruiken: Een vergelijkend overzicht

Conclusie: Een gedeelde viering van de verrezen Heer – verenigd in hoop!

Laat er dus absoluut geen twijfel over bestaan: leden van De Kerk van Jezus Christus van de Heiligen der Laatste Dagen vieren Pasen met diepe religieuze overtuiging en overstromende, vreugdevolle eerbied! Voor hen is het een heilige, kostbare tijd om de verzoening en, het meest centraal, de letterlijke, glorieuze opstanding van hun Heiland, Jezus Christus, te herdenken! 1 Hun paasvieringen zijn volledig op Christus gericht, met speciale kerkdiensten met inspirerende preken, prachtige muziek en het heilige avondmaal, allemaal gericht op de ongelooflijke overwinning van de Heiland over zonde en dood.

Hoewel heiligen der laatste dagen dat kernchristelijke geloof in de verrezen Christus als onze Verlosser delen, worden hun begrip en viering van Pasen ook verrijkt door krachtige inzichten uit hun unieke Schriften, zoals het verbazingwekkende verslag in het Boek van Mormon van de verschijning van Christus in het oude Amerika en de gedetailleerde leringen over het universele karakter van de opstanding.⁷ Verschillen in de praktijk, zoals het niet in acht nemen van de vastentijd of een andere nadruk op het symbool van het kruis, komen voort uit hun eigen theologische kader en hun geloof in een hersteld christendom met voortdurende openbaring van God.²

Ondanks deze variaties in specifieke praktijken of enkele theologische nuances, vormt het fundamentele geloof in Jezus Christus—Zijn goddelijk zoonschap, Zijn verzoenend offer, Zijn letterlijke opstanding en Zijn rol als de Heiland van de hele mensheid—een krachtige, prachtige brug van gedeeld geloof met andere christelijke tradities. Pasen is voor heiligen der laatste dagen, net als voor christenen over de hele wereld, uiteindelijk een getuigenis van de blijvende kracht van Gods ongelooflijke liefde, de triomf van het leven over de dood en de heldere, stralende hoop op opstanding en eeuwig leven die alleen mogelijk is door Jezus Christus, onze verrezen Heer! En voortdurende respectvolle dialoog en een oprechte bereidheid om verschillende uitingen van een gemeenschappelijk geloof in Christus te begrijpen, kunnen alleen maar dienen om het collectieve christelijke getuigenis in de wereld te versterken. God zegene u!

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