The Garden Tomb

In identifying truth and historical places, people can look to four things: archeology, written accounts, tradition, and feelings. In reading the accounts and noting tradition, these archeological findings are in line with the details of the burial of Jesus as written in the four gospels. The tomb is a first century weeping tomb. It was covered for 17 centuries until discovered in 1867.

An immersion font, which is required before burial, is outside the entrance. The font is filled with spring water, which a form of living water. The round entrance stone weighed 18 to 19 tons. 

Inside the tomb: a resting place, hastily carved out.

Immersion Font

Stone

But does it really feel like the right place?

“As soon as I entered, I felt like I was in the temple.”
-Greg DeVore

One can truly feel that this is the place Christ was laid and resurrected. What a holy site!


Upon visiting the Garden Tomb for the first time, President Spencer W. Kimball was met by a guide, the tomb’s caretaker, who did not care for Mormons.

When they entered the tomb, the guide said, “This is the place many believe Jesus was buried.”

President Kimball said, “Oh, I can see it! I can just imagine his head, resting against the stone; and his feet here. His body lying so peaceful.”

The guide snapped, “There is no way you can know that."

President Kimball turned to the guide, and responded softly, but with conviction, “We’ve been to hallowed places before.”

-as shared by Daniel Rona


"Of all the places visited on [President Kimball’s] travels, the tomb where the body of Jesus was laid moved [him] the most. … 'There was such a holy influence here that we stayed and stayed ... knelt together and each had a solemn prayer - a prayer of gratitude that we know the Lord and know our Heavenly Father, and know that Jesus Christ lived and died and resurrected and rose and ascended and lives."

-Spencer W. Kimball
Biography, 1978, p. 331