"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.
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