You can watch Elder Cook’s talk here.

Elder Cook teaches that Easter—through the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ—is central to God’s plan, and that its blessings are made fully available through priesthood keys and sacred covenants.

He emphasises that the restoration of sealing keys (especially through Elijah in the Kirtland Temple) enables families to be bound eternally and connects us to Christ’s redeeming power. 

His central message: as we honour covenants and follow Christ, we draw closer to Him and receive the full blessings of His Atonement. 

Key quotes:

‘It is my witness that His Atonement accomplished His Father’s plan of salvation and provides the way for everyone who has ever lived to be free of death unconditionally and free of sin on condition of repentance.’ (Paragraph 2)

‘The role of Elijah in restoring the priesthood keys of the sealing power is crucial in our journey of returning to our Father as a covenant people.’ (Paragraph 4)

‘Because of the Restoration, we understand the important and pivotal role Elijah has played in the salvation of mankind. Elijah committed to Joseph Smith the priesthood keys pertaining to the sealing power to bind sacred ordinances and covenants on earth and in heaven.’ (Paragraph 17)

‘The sealing ordinances are effective after this life and in the eternities—to seal husbands and wives, parents and children. Without these keys, there are no eternal families, and “the whole earth would be utterly wasted.”’ (Paragraph 17)

‘I promise to you on this Easter Day that as you adhere to His ordinances, covenants, and commandments, you will grow closer in your relationship with our Savior as well as your appreciation and gratitude for the sealing keys that have been restored in this dispensation.’ (Paragraph 29)

‘I testify that the keys committed by ancient prophets to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple are an essential part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.’ (Paragraph 30)

Questions to discuss or ponder:

 How does Christ’s Atonement enable us to be free of death and sin? (Paragraph 2)

Why are priesthood keys crucial in our journey of returning to our Heavenly Father? (Paragraphs 4 and Paragraph 30)

Why do you think Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith three times in the same night? (Paragraph 6)

‘

Why would the whole earth be wasted if the children did not turn their hearts to their fathers and remember the promises made to them?’ (Paragraph 11 and Paragraph 17 )

Have you experienced the knowledge and spiritual confirmation described in Paragraph 28?

How can keeping covenants help us feel closer to the Saviour? (Paragraph 29)

Why do we need temples? (Footnote 7)

Invitations and application

Study the life of Jesus Christ, the restoration of the priesthood and the return of the sealing keys.  (Paragraph 28)

Adhere to His ordinances, covenants and commandments. (Paragraph 29)

If we live your covenants more intentionally they become the pathway to a closer relationship with Christ.

Additional thoughts:

‘Each Easter spring season testifies that spiritual sequence and convergence are both part of the divine pattern of atonement, resurrection, and restoration through Jesus Christ. This sacred and symbolic convergence comes not by accident or coincidence. Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter celebrate Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection. As today, every April 6 we commemorate the establishment and organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Restoration is a reason we gather the first Sunday each April in general conference.

Restoration also came as the resurrected Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah returned priesthood keys and authority at the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple on Easter Sunday, 1836. In that setting on that day to the restored Church of Jesus Christ came God’s authority and blessings to gather His children, prepare His children to return to Him, and unite families for eternity. Restoration that day fulfilled prophecy by occurring both on Easter and Passover.’ (Elder Gong, April 2025)

‘Six years after the formal organization of the Church, in the Kirtland Temple, Moses, Elias, and Elijah committed to Joseph the additional authority necessary to accomplish God’s work in the latter days.

Moses committed the keys of the gathering of Israel.

Elias committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, including the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant.

Elijah committed the keys of the sealing power, providing the authority that allows ordinances performed on earth to be binding in eternity, such as joining families together in eternal relationships that transcend death.’ (Elder Bednar April 2025)

‘While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. Only those who are married in the temple and whose marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise will continue as spouses after death and receive the highest degree of celestial glory, or exaltation. A temple marriage is also called a celestial marriage. Within the celestial glory are three levels. To obtain the highest, a husband and wife must be sealed for time and all eternity and keep their covenants made in a holy temple. 

The noblest yearning of the human heart is for a marriage that can endure beyond death. Fidelity to a temple marriage does that. It allows families to be together forever.

This goal is glorious. All Church activities, advancements, quorums, and classes are means to the end of an exalted family. 

To make this goal possible, our Heavenly Father has restored priesthood keys in this dispensation so that essential ordinances in His plan can be performed by proper authority. Heavenly messengers—including John the Baptist; Moses, Elias, and Elijah have participated in that restoration.’ (Russell M Nelson, General Conference, October 2008)

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