Ryan answered...

In the early 1800s there was a religious upheaval occurring that prompted a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, to question why all the various churches were teaching different doctrines and which church among them was teaching correct doctrines. He came across a passage of scripture in James 1:5 that reads, "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Joseph determined to do exactly as that scripture instructed. He retired to a grove of trees adjacent to his family farm and knelt in prayer to inquire of God. While he was praying he was visited by God, himself, and his Son, Jesus Christ. Standing above him, in the air, and encircled by brilliant light, God and Jesus Christ spoke to Joseph. He was instructed that the true and correct doctrines of the gospel had deteriorated in the time since Christ's death. Many simple truths had been lost over time. Joseph was told that the time had come for the pure gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth, and that Joseph had been chosen to help fulfill this important work. I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary in upstate New York and I have, personally, visited the sacred grove of trees on the Smith family farm where this event took place. I have felt the spirit there and I firmly believe that this event happened as it has been related. Many important truths were subsequently revealed during the restoration of Christ's church, but one of the first invaluable misconceptions that was set straight was in the very fact that God and Christ are, indeed, two separate beings. Father and son. One in purpose.