Lesson 1- A Marvelous Work and a Wonder & Lesson 2 - The First Vision
"Throughout history, Heavenly Father has ended periods of apostasy by calling prophets who receive divine authority to restore the fulness of the gospel and establish the Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was this prophet in our dispensation. Understanding how God leads His people and establishes His Church through prophets will help students develop a deeper appreciation of the need for a Restoration and a greater ability to teach others about the Restoration." - Foundations of the Restoration
To learn more about Joseph Smith First Vision please use the link below.
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-06-01-joseph-smiths-first-vision?lang=eng
To start learning about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ it is important to understand the Apostasy. We learned about a famine that is described in the scriptures in the Old Testament in Amos 8:11-12
verse 11 " Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:
verse 12 " And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."
A quote that was shared shows some of the factors that lead up to the Apostasy when the fullness of the gospel was taken from the earth.
“After the death of Jesus Christ, wicked people persecuted the Apostles and Church members and killed many of them. With the death of the Apostles, priesthood keys and the presiding priesthood authority were taken from the earth. The Apostles had kept the doctrines of the gospel pure and maintained the order and standard of worthiness for Church members. Without the Apostles, over time the doctrines were corrupted, and unauthorized changes were made in Church organization and priesthood ordinances, such as baptism and conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“Without revelation and priesthood authority, people relied on human wisdom to interpret the scriptures and the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. False ideas were taught as truth. Much of the knowledge of the true character and nature of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost was lost. The doctrines of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost became distorted or forgotten. The priesthood authority given to Christ’s Apostles was no longer present on the earth” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 35)
- Knowing that there was a Great Apostasy can help us recognize the need for the Restoration of the gospel
This I thought was an important principle. Many people do not know that there was an Apostasy a great spiritual darkness.
“For centuries the heavens remained sealed. Good men and women, not a few—really great and wonderful people—tried to correct, strengthen, and improve their systems of worship and their body of doctrine. To them I pay honor and respect. How much better the world is because of their bold action. While I believe their work was inspired, it was not favored with the opening of the heavens, with the appearance of Deity” (“The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 80).
In 1820 the young boy Joseph Smith was searching for the true Church but could not find it. We were asked to read Joseph Smith—History 1:5–10 to look for phrases that describe challenges caused by the Great Apostasy.
Some of the phrases that impressed me described how Joseph Smith was feeling at the time he was searching for truth. Joseph says, "During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness." (v.8)
I feel that way when I have something on my mind and in the midst of a challenge. He describes this period of time as great excitement, lots of preaching and invitations to join in religion and yet Joseph was unsure. His questions were, 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?" (v.10)
I recall being taught by Elder Willardson and Elder Landon when I was just 14 years old. I finally received permission from my father to get baptized after nagging him on and off for years. What I remember is that they taught me about the Restoration of the Gospel and taught me about Joseph Smith. As I heard there words, and watch the film depicting the First Vision, I felt a peace and comforting feeling come over me. It was like I had heard this information before. It was logical to me that if there was an Apostasy that there had to be a Restoration.
I know that our Heavenly Father's plan was to restore the gospel for us in this dispensation. That all the priesthood blessings may be restored to us all. The Lord invites all to come unto Him and learn of Him. How wonderful it is to learn how Joseph Smith found truth, and to learn how the Lord laid the foundation to restore all things through His prophet Joseph Smith.
A quote that stood out to me from this lesson was from Elder Tad R. Callister
A quote that stood out to me from this lesson was from Elder Tad R. Callister
“Joseph Smith was the Lord’s anointed to restore Christ’s Church to the earth. When he emerged from the grove of trees, he eventually learned four fundamental truths not then taught by the majority of the contemporary Christian world.
“First, he learned that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are two separate, distinct beings. …
“The second great truth Joseph Smith discovered was that the Father and the Son have glorified bodies of flesh and bones. …
“The third truth that Joseph Smith learned was that God still speaks to man today—that the heavens are not closed. …
“The fourth truth that Joseph Smith learned was that the full and complete Church of Jesus Christ was not then upon the earth” (“Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 35–36)
God is our Father. We can pray to Him and He listens and answers our prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment