THE RESTORATION OF THE TRUTH

"Men have come to speak of revelation as
long ago given and done, as if God were dead. It is the office of a
true teacher to show us that God is, not was, that he speaketh, not
spake. . .
The need was never greater of new revelation than now."
... - Ralph Waldo Emerson -
July 15, 1838

As God as done in the past, He would again reach out with love to His children in time of need. Our Father in Heaven again chose a prophet, restored the priesthood, and His gospel.

In 1820, In Palmyra, New York, there lived a family and a boy named Joseph Smith. He was 14 years old at the time. He was a farm boy. He was brought up in a Christian home. There was a lot of religious excitement in Palmyra near their home. Joseph became concerned for the welfare of his soul and salvation and sincerely wanted to know which church was right for him to join.

Which Church was God's Church?

Joseph in his journal recorded, " In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it? (Joseph Smith History 1:10)

Joseph read from the Bible. He one day read a verse in James Chapter 1 verse 5, which states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." Joseph says, " Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. " (Joseph Smith History 1:11-12)

Joseph came to the conclusion that he would do as James directs, to ask God. He went out near his fathers farm into a grove of trees in the morning of a beautiful spring day. Joseph went out determined to ask his question...which church was right for him to join? He found himself alone in the quiet grove, he keeled down and offered up the desires of his heart. This was the first time he had ever attempted to pray vocally. What happened next changed the world. He says,


"…I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith History 1:16-17)

Joseph got to ask his question to the source of all truth...God, our Heavenly Father and His Son. Jesus Christ answered by saying "They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof" (Joseph Smith History 1:19) Joseph was told not to join any of the churches. No church at that time had the fullness of His gospel and the priesthood authority. Joseph was called to be the first prophet for this period of time preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Through Joseph the gospel was restored!

The Testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith

"So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation" (Joseph Smith History 1:25)

My Testimony

I have been to the very place now called "The Sacred Grove" where Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have prayed about if Joseph Smith really did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and if he received an answer to restore God's church on the earth again, and the Spirit has witnessed to me that this is all true. I know it! I have had too many experiences so numerous and sacred to discuss now. The Spirit has born witness to me in a loving peaceful way that God has revealed truth for me and my family so that we can live with Him someday. Millions have found renewed complete faith in Jesus Christ and see clearly what Heavenly Fathers Plan is for all of us!

What has God done to prove these things are true?

My next posting will be about the evidence that you can read, ponder, and pray about and receive an important testimony or witness that Joseph was called to be a prophet for Jesus Christ and God's church is on the earth today completely restored.

THE GREAT APOSTASY

Ever wonder why there are so many churches?

After the death of Jesus Christ and the eventual death of His Apostles, the church fell and God withdrew His authority to speak to man and receive revelation for His church. Without the Priesthood authority error crept into church teachings. This period in time is known as The Great Apostasy.


To give illustration, if you have a piece of glass and you drop it on the floor what happens? You can expect lots of shattered pieces remaining. This is the same with Christ's church on the earth after the death of His apostles. There were bits and pieces of the truth, but not the complete whole piece of glass anymore. If there were to be a complete piece of glass again there would need to be a "restoration." As a result of the The Great Apostasy, many churches started forming and doctrines started to change and differ one from another. Today we have hundreds of Christian religions.

The ultimate question....which church is right? Or which church is God's true church?

JESUS CHRIST'S EARTHLY MINISTRY & ESTABLISHING HIS CHURCH

A few hundred years before Jesus Christ's birth, people had once again rejected the prophets messages and fell into a dark apostasy. Jesus was born and fulfilled prophecy of His divine mission. He began His ministry and taught and restored His gospel. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). He also established His divine Church on the earth. He built His Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, He himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

Jesus called twelve ordinary men to be His Apostles to preach the gospel, perform ordinances of salvation (including baptism), and continue to establish His church throughout the world. To do this He needed to give them the Priesthood, or the right to perform certain functions in His church. This is done by the laying on of hands.



The Savior was perfect and set for us all the example and showed us the way. He showed us how to live and the teachings for you and me to return to our Father in Heaven. The Savior performed the Atonement for all mankind. The Atonement is "The suffering and death of Jesus Christ, through which resurrection is provided to all mortals and eternal life is offered to those who have faith in Christ and repent of their sins. (Mormon.org) Jesus Christ was also the first to be Resurrected, meaning the soul reuniting with a perfected body of flesh and bone. He continued to lead His chosen Apostles by and through revelation, or "the making known of divine truths by communication from God." (Mormon.org)

In addition to the Twelve Apostles, Christ appointed other leaders to assist the Apostles in the work of His Church. These included: (Mormon.org)

* Seventies (missionaries)
* Evangelists (patriarchs)
* Pastors (presiding leaders)
* Elders
* Bishops
* Priests
* Teachers
* Deacons

These officers were also given the power and authority to act in the name of God. With that priesthood power they did missionary work throughout the land. The Church grew as long as there was priesthood leaders alive to govern the Church. God knew that eventually the Apostles chosen would be put to death or put to rest. He knew that the people would go into that pattern of apostasy for rejecting the teachings from God. He knew that when the time was right he would again reach out His loving hand and bring us all out of darkness and into light.

PROPHETS

What is a prophet?

An important way that God revealed His plan concerning you and me is through a prophet. According to "Preach My Gospel", a guide to missionary service, a prophet is: "A man who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives priesthood authority, commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, a prophet may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ."


There has been a pattern from the beginning of time where God has revealed His gospel in every dispensation. The Pattern is as follows:

• God Chooses a prophet
• The prophet teaches the gospel and leads the people.
• God blesses the people.
• The people gradually disregard or disobey the teachings of the prophet. They eventually reject the prophet and his teachings and fall into apostasy.
• Because of apostasy, people lose knowledge of the gospel. Priesthood authority is taken from among them.
• When the time is right and people are ready to follow Him again, God chooses another prophet, restores the priesthood, and the Church, and directs the prophet to teach the gospel.

THE GOSPEL & FAMILIES

Why is family so important?

The world says that family doesn't really matter. They say you matter, that is the only thing that matters. Put you first not your family. The message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is that families must be put first and they are the mot important social unit in time and eternity. God has put us into families from the beginning. Adam and Eve were our first parents. We all find deep within us a root for belonging and a need of identity from a family. The Gospel blesses families and whoever accepts and lives it. We can be with our loved ones forever through the plan that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. We can develop stronger relationships and grow spiritually within our own homes. A home established by gospel principles, centered on Jesus Christ, will be a place for refuge and safety. I know this is true! I have seen it in my own family. I love my family and want to be with them forever. The gospel principles and the saving ordinances are for everyone who is willing to submit to the Father and the Son. I urge you to do so and reap the blessings from Heaven.

Watch this video and ask yourself...WHAT MATTERS MOST?

THE NATURE OF GOD

Who is God?
Many people have this question. Preach My Gospel, the guide missionary service, says:

"God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. He has a body of flesh and bone that is glorified and perfected. He loves us. He weeps with us when we suffer and rejoices when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us, and we can communicate with Him through sincere prayer.
He has given us this experience on the earth so we can learn and grow. We can show our love for Him through our choices and our obedience to His commandments.
Heavenly Father has provided us, His children, with a way to be successful in this life and to return to live in His presence. However, we must be pure and clean through obedience in order to do so. Disobedience moves us away from Him. Central to our Father’s plan is Jesus Christ’s Atonement. The Atonement included His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane as well as His suffering and death on the cross. Through the Atonement we can be freed from the burden of our sins and develop faith and strength to face our trials" (Preach My Gospel Pg. 31-32).

I know that this is true. I know that if you pray and ask God if He knows, loves, and cares about you, like I have done, that you will receive an answer. I know He that does care about you. He sent His Son Jesus Christ so none of us have to suffer. He performed the Atonement for all human kind. The Atonement pays for the penalty of our sins. We can find peace and happiness if we trust in Him. You can know it! But first you have to trust Him!