A similar event took place in the Old World. Matthew tells us that at Jesus’ death “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matthew 27:51-53). Following his resurrection, they came forth and made their calls on those worthy of their presence in the Holy City.
“Many Graves Shall Be Opened”
This occurrence requires a brief comment. The rise of many Saints from the graves was not, strictly speaking, a sign of his death, but rather took place at the time of the Lord’s resurrection. Following the resurrection of Christ, who was the first to break the bands of death, came the resurrection of “many” of the faithful Saints who had lived and died since the days of Adam. These, we are told, would “appear unto many,” to whom they became apostles or special witnesses of the Resurrection. It stands to reason that these messengers of glory would choose first to visit their own progeny (see Teachings, pp. 295-96). The resurrection is the perfect and undeniable evidence that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and that he has, in reality, broken the bands of death.