1398. Finding the Lord’s Tomb By Frances Stones · April 14, 2022, in Meridian Magazine.

This is fascinating!  

 I'm posting 2 blogs today.  I have been gone, and haven't posted for a couple of weeks.  

I was at this tomb in April 2018.  I took some pictures, but wasn't able to upload them here.  Perhaps another time!

Finding the Lord’s Tomb

By Frances Stones · April 14, 2022

Images by Scot Facer Proctor.

In the history and wellbeing of all mankind two of the most important events ever to occur were the sacrifice of the life of Christ, the Son of God, and His subsequent resurrection, without which we would all be lost. Only He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again.

The scriptures tell us that His death was so horrific that darkness prevailed over the face of the earth (Luke 23: 44; 3 Nephi 8: 20-23). Truly the light of life had gone out. His body was destined to be “cast into a common grave for executed criminals” (‘Jesus the Christ’ by James E. Talmage, p. 664).

It surely would have been disposed of in that manner had it not been for “a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher and departed” (Matthew 27: 57-60).

Joseph made this personal sacrifice, according to Talmage (p. 664) under “divinely directed intervention” and his love and devotion for the Savior. This act of Joseph made possible a sacred place for the serenity of Christ’s resurrection and a sanctuary for all mankind.

It was the custom of early Christian pilgrims, including Muslims and others, when a Biblical site was located, large cathedrals or mosques were built over them. Examples: At the birthplace of the Savior in a stable in Bethlehem, a large Catholic ‘Church of the Nativity’ was constructed over the site as a place of worship. At Hebron, a huge Muslim ‘Mosque of Abraham’ was built over the Tomb of the Patriarchs which was the Cave of Macpelah where Abraham and his wife Sarah, Isaac, and his wives Rebecca and Leah, as well as Jacob and Joseph, were buried. Instead of protecting these ancient sites, they were destroyed.

In the third century AD the Roman Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, converted to Christianity. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and identified a place within the northern section of the city Jerusalem, as Golgotha and where Christ’s tomb was located. Therefore, in 335 AD Constantine had a church built over that particular site (‘Our Visit to Israel’-Emmanuel Dehan 1976, p.23). Since then, on this site, reconstructions including the current ‘Church of the Holy Sepulcher’ have been recognized by Roman, Greek, and Armenian Orthodox Catholics and some others, as the ‘holiest place on earth’.

Following the death of the Savior in 33 AD, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Titus and the Roman Legions, most Jews were either killed or driven from their homeland, becoming a scattered people. From then on, their country was controlled by various foreign nations. Even to the extent under Syrian control in 135 AD, the name of Israel or Judah was changed to Palestine. It wasn’t until May 1948 the State of Israel was established by the United Nations and Jews were encouraged to return to their homeland. (‘Discovering the World of the Bible’ by Berrett and Ogden, 1996, pp 6-7).

In the 1800’s, Palestine was under the control of the Turkish Empire which was tolerant of the different religions in the region. This was beneficial for the adherents of those religions to be able to visit what they considered to be their Holy Sites.

 In 1883 among these visitors was a renowned and highly respected English General, Charles Gordon, who had taken temporary leave of absence from his military assignment in Sudan and Egypt. His greatest desire was to visit the Holy Land. He was a dedicated student of the scriptures and a very prayerful and religious man. Although he attended many different churches, he never aligned himself with or became a member of any church. He considered himself ‘an evangelical Christian’. His favorite scripture was Philippians 1:21 where the Apostle Paul wrote, ‘For to me to live in Christ and to die is gain”. In a letter dated December 11, 1882, two close friends in England, Sir Samuel, and Lady Baker, he tells them he is going to Palestine the next month. He states, “My cherished ambition is to go to Palestine searching to establish authoritatively the location of the site of the crucifixion… and the whereabouts of Christ’s tomb”. He felt destined by God in this desire.

Following is a brief background about his life from various references. Charles Gordon was the son of Major General Henry and Elizabeth Gordon, born January 28, 1833, in London, England. He was raised in a military family becoming the 5th generation of leaders in military service. He was very disciplined being known as a man of integrity and ‘having the ability to inspire men to follow him anywhere’. Perhaps because of that and being prayerful he was extra ordinarily successful in his military campaigns, becoming known as a ‘national hero’. Despite this he was modest, unassuming, and avoided publicity.

As a young child his best friend was his sister, Emily, who died of tuberculosis. Later, as an adult, he wrote “Humanly speaking it changed my life, it was never the same since”. Fortunately, his oldest sister, Augusta, being very religious, guided him through this tough time and he followed in her footsteps, also becoming devoted to the Lord and His teachings.

An interesting side note: During General Gordon’s stay in Jerusalem, he lived with the family of Horatio and Anna Spafford who were leaders of the American Colony in the Holy City. The Spafford’s had suffered several tragedies beginning with losing their home and business in the great Chicago Fire and seeing a son die of scarlet fever. In 1881, while sailing to Europe to relocate, their four remaining daughters drowned in a terrible shipwreck. They were overcome with grief causing them to turn to religion for consolation “where they came to find peace and give themselves to God in the Holy Land”. In the ensuing years three more children were born to Horatio and Anna. They, along with their children, became known for their wonderful Christian charitable service. (‘Discovering the World of the Bible’ by Berrett and Ogden, 1996, pg. 38).

Returning to General Gordon’s quest in 1883 to locate the actual places of the Lord’s crucifixion and burial, he could not have found a more congenial and supportive family than the Spafford’s to aid him. General Gordon was not married, and his sister Augusta and a few close friends, were the only ones with which he had confided his significant mission.

General Gordon was aware of the differing claims concerning the location of Christ’s crucifixion and burial. He had spent much time and research on the subject. In Jerusalem he immediately recognized the Church of the Holy Sepulcher did not fit the location. He would begin his search outside the city walls. Taking the Holy Scriptures as his guide he would find the real location “where (Jesus) bearing his cross went forth into a place called… Golgotha: where they crucified him.” (John 19:17-18). In verse 20 it states, “for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city” (Therefore, not in the city). General Gordon, citing Matthew 27:39 points out a highway was near by “they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads”. From General Gordon’s research this fit the description regarding the Roman’s practice of crucifixion, citing the Centurion Quintilian in his ‘Declamations’ “Whenever we crucify criminals, very crowded highways are chosen, so that many may see it, and many may be moved by the fear of it, because all punishment does not pertain as much to revenge as to example”. (“The Garden Tomb” published by the GARDEN TOMB ASSOCIATION, London, England).

General Gordon, armed with his scriptures, exited the walled city of Jerusalem by the Damascus Gate which stands at the beginning of the ancient road leading north. General Gordon’s view was partially obstructed by buildings and trees; however, he had only gone a short distance when he came in full view of the rocky limestone hill in front of him. There on the steep hillside was a definite resemblance of a human skull. Rereading John 19:17-18 he knew that fore-boding hill was Golgotha, the exact place where Christ was crucified!

Returning to the Spafford’s, he recorded and verified his find according to the scriptures. Taking quotes from a letter he sent his sister, Augusta, he also made this observation. “I feel, for myself, convinced that the hill near the Damascus Gate is Golgotha… Now, the place of execution in our Lord’s time must have been and continued to be an unclean place. So, to me this hill is left bare since it was first used as a place of execution.… It is very nice to see it so plain and simple, instead of having a huge church built on it” (Letters of General C. G. Gordon to his sister, M.A. Gordon; Publ. London,Macmillan 1888, pp, 289-290).

One might ask over all these years did not others see the horrible resemblance on that limestone rockyhillside? Evidently, they did, naming it ‘Skull Hill’ but it did not get the attention of being Golgothawhere Christ was crucified. Some referred to it as a possibility, but the ‘claims’ of the OrthodoxCatholics dominated, even to this day 2022, as being under where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher isbuilt. Thus “Skull Hill’ was basically ignored. Most guidebooks credit General Gordon as the first todraw significant attention to it.

Knowing he had located Golgotha; General Gordon knew the tomb must be close by. He was aware of John 19: 41-42, “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus”. He was excitedabout the prospect of locating that sacred tomb, feeling certain he would be directed to it.

The next day, General Gordon prayerfully followed the moss-covered base of the limestone hill he had identified as ‘Golgotha’. Going west about 100 yards he came to an overgrown area which could have been used at various times as a garden for there were remnants of a large ancient cistern on the property. Opposite on the rocky hillside under tangled moss and brush he noticed what appeared to be a collapsed entrance to a barely visible cave.

In a letter to his sister, General Gordon shared his feelings as he cleared away the moss and debris. “My heart began beating faster”. The more he exposed the opening the more he was overcome with emotion. “My heart was now pounding, knowing this was not a cave but a rock-cut tomb, the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea”. Humbly entering the tomb, the Spirit bore witness to him “this is the place where Jesus’ body laid and where He rose from the dead”. Charles Gordon was filled with profound reverence and deep gratitude for the Savior’s resurrection. He had never doubted the calling he received to find the Lord’s tomb. He was a man of great faith and obedience. He trusted God and he was trusted by God to accomplish it.

Likewise, was Joseph of Arimathea in his ‘divinely inspired role’ to bury the Savior’s body in his own tomb rather than allow the Roman soldiers to dispose of his beloved Lord in a common pit. What a privilege for both these humble men to follow the Spirit and become instruments in the Hands of God for His divine purposes.

We feel certain General Gordon shared his joy with Horatio and Anna Spafford who were undoubtedly helpful to him in providing lanterns and in examining and cleaning the tomb. Directly in front of the tomb was a trough or groove (as some historians described it) where a massive mill stone could be rolled to close the entrance. (‘Discovering the World of the Bible’, Berrett and Ogden, 1996, pp 62-63). That same reference states, Jewish tombs were often composed of two chambers: the first served as a vestibule or weeping chamber, and where relatives congregated to mourn for the dead; in the second, on a shelf cut into the rock, the corpse was laid.

This was the exact description of the tomb found by General Gordon. It was interesting to note that although there was room for two separate burial places, only one was finished, the other left unfinished. The greatest concern of General Gordon was this tomb must be protected and kept sacred. In no way should it be desecrated. He immediately contacted his sister and closest friends to organize support in raising funds to purchase the land in and around the tomb including Golgotha.

General Gordon wrote several letters in 1883 to Sir John E. Dowell, Controller of the Household of Buckingham Palace. With infinite care he executed sketches and maps to illustrate how this area fulfilled all Biblical requirements. These letters and documents have been preserved and are in the custody of The Garden Tomb Association. He, his sister, and friends were successful as The Garden Tomb Society, supported by many prominent Evangelicals in the Church of England, was formed to purchase the tomb and the surrounding land in 1885″. (https://ewn.Wikipedia.org/wiki/The Garden Tomb.)

Early in 1884, General Gordon felt the process of securing the land to protect the tomb was being handled properly; therefore, he returned to Military Service. While he was defending the city of Khartoum, Sudan against an Islamic takeover, he was sadly killed, January 26, 1885.

Even though care had been taken to preserve the Garden Tomb in 1885, the Trustees and others felt “the ground in front of the tomb and extending southward to the skull face’ needed to be acquired. In 1892 great effort was made in England to raise the needed funds which was accomplished, and the site was acquired by a trust in London. A more permanent society was formed for its preservation, called the Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association established in 1893. (Booklet ‘The Garden Tomb’, London, England, cover, and p. 8).

Since that time the Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association has kept beautiful this sacred site. There is no charge for entrance which is open Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sunday except for worship services arranged in advance by various Christian groups. These services take place near the tomb in an open benched area of the garden surrounded by pine and olive trees.

In 1960, Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Camilla, were given an assignment to visit the missions of the Church throughout the world. In the biography written about him in 1977, it refers to this worldwide trip and their visit to the Holy Land including the Garden Tomb.

“Of all the places on their travels, the place they said that moved them the most was the tomb where the body of Jesus laid. Unlike most other places for which an association with Christ’s ministry was claimed, it had not been overbuilt by a chapel but was much as it might have been at the time of His death. The place was quiet. Only a few people came during all the morning Spencer and Camilla spent there, wrapped in scarves but warmed by the brilliant sun of January. They read to one another from the scriptures. ‘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 lived and died and resurrected and rose and ascended and lives” (‘Spencer W. Kimball’ by Edward Kimball & Andrew Kimball Jr., p.331).

In September 1972, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arranged for a Sunday worship service to be held in the open-air rotunda near the tomb where President Harold B. Lee organized the Jerusalem Branch of the Church. Elder David B. Galbraith was called as the first president of the Branch. On his visit to the Garden Tomb President Lee said, “something seemed to impress us as we stood there that this was the holiest place of all, and we fancied we could have witnessed the dramatic scene that took place there.” (‘Discovering the World of the Bible’, Berrett and Ogden, 1996, p. 63).

Since that time, other visiting General Authorities have made similar observations. We know how they felt. My husband, Robert, son Nathan, and myself, had the opportunity to visit there twice, first in November 2006 and again in July 2007. One does not come here to worship the tomb. It is a holy place because of what took place here. Death was overcome for all mankind through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Glory, honor, and thanksgiving be unto Him forever and ever. As such, we are so grateful unto the Father that the Lord’s tomb was preserved and protected as a place of deep reverence and respect for our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our Savior and Redeemer.