Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 21- The Prophetic Mission of Joseph Smith & Lesson 22 - The Prophetic Mission of Joseph Smith

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 19 - The Doctrine of the Eternal Family & Lesson 20 Plural Marriage

"THE FAMILY is ordained of God." - The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Doctrine & Covenants 49:15-17

14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.

15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.

The earth's purpose for man to have a place to fulfill the purposes of God. The plan was given in the pre-mortal life.

Scriptures to Study

Doctrine & Covenants 101:32-33, 59:18, Moses 1:39, Abraham 3:25

Twain - implies seperation

Genesis 2:24

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

We have a dependency on our parents and when we get married we should then depend on each other. Husband and Wife

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 

“The subject of marriage is debated across the world, where various arrangements exist for conjugal living. My purpose in speaking out on this topic is to declare, as an Apostle of the Lord, that marriage between a man and a woman is sacred—it is ordained of God. I also assert the virtue of a temple marriage. It is the highest and most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to His children.

“While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. …

“… To qualify for eternal life, we must make an eternal and everlasting covenant with our Heavenly Father [see D&C 132:19]. This means that a temple marriage is not only between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God [see Matthew 19:6]” (“Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 92–93).

Lesson 20 was on Plural Marriage and I learned more about what was happening in the history of the church during this time and while I do not profess I understand all things, I support and sustain the Lord's prophet with the thought that I can know for myself what I am asked to do is right and true. 

"Marriage between one man and one woman is the Lord’s law unless He commands otherwise (see Jacob 2:27–30). The Prophet Joseph Smith was commanded to restore the practice of plural marriage, which was practiced in the Church for over half a century until President Wilford Woodruff was inspired by the Lord to discontinue the practice. Plural marriage was a significant test of faith for Joseph Smith and most who practiced it. As students exercise faith, they can come to know that the practice of plural marriage in the latter days was part of the Restoration of all things."

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 17 - Gospel Teachings in Nauvoo & Lesson 18 - The Relief Society & the Church

The main focus of our lesson was on the Relief Society and I am grateful to be a member of this inspired "relief" society. Once the priesthood was restored, the Lord organized the sisters.

“Relief Society prepares women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need” (“The Purpose of Relief Society,” lds.org/callings/relief-society/purposes). This lesson will help students better understand the establishment of the Relief Society and its purposes. Students will also see that women have great opportunities and responsibilities in building God’s kingdom that are unique to them.

A video on the Relief Society organization

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/relief-society?lang=eng

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), and ask a student to read it aloud:

“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 222–23).

• Do you know any women who exemplify happiness in righteous living?   
• How have they made a difference in the lives of those who know them?
• 
  
   I have been blessed to know many good women in and outside of the church. In all walks and stages of life I have been surrounded by righteous women. My mother was my first example who exemplified love, acceptance, kindness, and always believed people deserve many chances. She taught me the spirit of service. In the temple where I serve I am surrounded by my friends, my sisters who serve the Lord with love and each Sunday in whatever calling I have had I am able to serve and be served by sisters who struggle in life but are sustained through the strength and power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My daughter each of them have qualities that exemplify the Savior. Caitlynn is a loyal friend, and always thinking of others, Hailey has a kind heart and loves to serve her friends and family always thinking of the other person instead of herself, and Amber is tender heart and has the diligence to overcome challenges. I admire all of their faith.

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 15 - Strength amid Opposition & Lesson 16 - Redemption of the Dead

I was away for this lesson. However, early in the week I felt impressed to visit Amber and Hailey in Rexburg. I knew that Amber was struggling and as I prayed I felt strongly that I needed to go and visit and let her know that I love her. More importantly that the Lord loves her. I was able to talk with her, hug her and let her know that no matter what I love her. I don't know exactly what I accomplished, but I felt at peace. Hailey was so kind to allow me to stay at her apartment and have her bed while she stayed on a air mattress on the floor. I am thankful for her kindness. Caitlynn, Hailey and Amber have taught me so much in my life. It is because of them that I learn more about who I am as a person, and to improve in ways I would not have if I was not their mother. Each of their unique circumstances brings me to my knees to petition my Father in Heaven for guidance. After all, they are His children and has given me this opportunity to be their Mom. Oh how I love the Plan of Salvation that allows us to experience this earth life. To my daughters, I love you and I am so grateful for each of you. Thank-you for the joy you have brought to my life.

I have complete the readings for this lesson and wanted to include some of my favorite quotes from this week's study.

If we are humble, the Lord will lead us and give us answers to our prayers. The Lord requires that we sustain those leaders who hold the keys to preside over the Church.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 

“By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God. …

“Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened” (“Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 41–42).

Lesson 16 Redemption of the Dead

What is the provision in God’s plan for those people who died (or die) without the opportunity to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ or the ordinance of baptism? 

All people who die without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received this knowledge if they had heard it, will inherit the celestial kingdom.

When have you been comforted by this doctrine? 

When my father passed away, I felt an urgency to get his work completed in the temple, and I know that my father has accepted the gospel. A witness has been given to me too sacred to write in a blog, nevertheless, I have received a witness, and I am grateful to the Lord for providing a way for everyone to accept the gospel.

Read Doctrine & Covenants 127, 128 and 138

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“As members of Christ’s restored Church, we have the covenant responsibility to search out our ancestors and provide for them the saving ordinances of the gospel. ‘They without us should not be made perfect’ (Hebrews 11:40; see also Teachings: Joseph Smith, 475). And ‘neither can we without our dead be made perfect’ (D&C 128:15)” (“The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 25).

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 13 - The Vision & Lesson 14 - The Kirtland Temple and the Priesthood Keys

“Sacrifice is an amazing principle. As we willingly give our time and talents and all that we possess, it becomes one of our truest forms of worship. It can develop within us a profound love for each other and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through sacrifice our hearts can be changed; we live closer to the Spirit and have less of an appetite for things of the world” (“Sacrifice: An Eternal Investment,” Ensign, May 2001, 64) Sister Carol B. Thomas

Study Doctrine & Covenants

Outline of the First Vision

The Glory of the Father and the Son verses 19-24

The order of the Vision reminds me of when the Lord appeared to Moses preparing them to hear about the truths

Fall of Lucifer

vs. 25-27

The Degrees of Glory

Celestial - vs. 50-70, 92-96

Terrestrial - vs. 71-80,87,91,97

Telestial - vs. 81-86,88-90,98-112

The scriptures say, "are not" present tense not "were not" past tense (judging)

Study and look for things you find interesting/inspiring, things that teach you about God's character, things that clarify the truth 

Doctrine & Covenants 109

Honourably hold a name and standing - Elder Bednar

What does it mean to you to make an acceptable offering of temple worship?

How could you use the protection available through temple covenants?

Just being in the temple gives me strength. Each time I attend the temple I learn more about my Savior, the Plan of Salvation, and about my covenants. The covenants I have made with God strengthen me, and provide me a moral standard to live by, and as I keep my covenants, I know the Lord will keep His promises.

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 11 - The Lord's Voice in the Doctrine & Covenants & Lesson 12 Additional Scriptures in Our Day

In the early days of the church, what would it have been like to hear truths revealed..Revelations revealed in a short amount of time?

The saints were tried and struggled during this time and needed time to understand. Some had come from different religions and were learning God's plan.

Doctrine & Covenants 76:19

"And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about."

• The Lord will reveal to us as we are prepared to receive
• He lives, He speaks, He testifies, He is our Creator, He is our Father, He is worthy and worshipped. He was the only one who could be our Savior 

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994). 

“The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth’ [D&C 1:30]. I know that.

“The Book of Mormon is the ‘keystone’ of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone” (“The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, Jan. 2005, 26).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“Most Christians believe that God closed the scriptural canon—the authoritative collection of sacred books used as scriptures—shortly after the death of Christ and that there have been no comparable revelations since that time. Joseph Smith taught and demonstrated that the scriptural canon is open [see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 195]

“… Joseph Smith taught that God will guide His children by giving new additions to the canon of scriptures. The Book of Mormon is such an addition. So are the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Fundamental to Our Faith,” Ensign, Jan. 2011, 29).

• What does the phrase “scriptural canon” mean? (It is “a recognized, authoritative collection of sacred books. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the canonical books are called the standard works” [Guide to the Scriptures, “Canon,”scriptures.lds.org].)

Foundations of the Restoration Lesson 9 Follow the Living Prophet & Lesson 10 - Seek Truth

Lesson 9 Follow the Living Prophet & 10 by Echo Sikstrom on Scribd