The Restoration of the Gospel

Joseph Smith History 1:17

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Modern-Day Prophets

Modern-Day Prophets
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If God had prophets in ancient times, why would He not have them here in modern times?

Kiran - Leap of Faith

Kiran - Leap of Faith
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For me, investigating the Mormon Church was difficult. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around God visiting a young farm boy.

We Don't Worship Joseph Smith; We Worship God

We Don't Worship Joseph Smith; We Worship God
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Joseph Smith was chosen by God. Therefore, we ourselves must respect him. It is through him that we have Christ's restored truths and His Church.

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In 1820, as He had done throughout history, Father in Heaven again chose a prophet to restore the gospel and the priesthood to the earth.  He called a young man named Joseph Smith, and through him, the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth.

Joseph Smith lived in the United States, which was perhaps the only country to enjoy religious freedom at the time.  It was at a time of great religious excitement in the eastern United States, and Joseph Smith’s family members were deeply religious and constantly sought for truth.  The Holy Bible taught that there was “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” ( Ephesians 4:5), but many ministers claimed to have the true gospel.  Joseph attended different churches, but he was confused about which church he should join and desired “to know which of all the sects was right” ( Joseph Smith—History 1:18).  He later wrote:

“So great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was . . . to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. . . . 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 1:8, 10). 

As Joseph sought truth among the different faiths, he turned to the Bible for guidance.  He read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” ( James 1:5).  Because of this passage, Joseph decided to ask God what he should do. In the spring of 1820 he went to a nearby grove of trees and knelt in prayer. He described his experience: “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).  In this vision God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith.  The Savior told Joseph not to join any of the churches, for they “were all wrong.”  The Savior stated, “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).

Although many good people believed in Christ and tried to understand and teach His gospel, they did not have the fulness of truth or the priesthood authority to baptize and perform other saving ordinances at that time.  They had inherited a state of apostasy, as each generation was influenced by what the previous one passed on, including changes in the doctrines and in ordinances, such as baptism.

Joseph Smith’s First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth.  In subsequent years, Christ restored His priesthood and reorganized His Church.  He has continued to reveal truths to His prophets and to restore the blessings that were taken from the earth for a time.

The Apostle Peter prophesied of the “restitution of all things” before Christ’s Second Coming ( Acts 3:19–21).  The Restoration of Christ’s Church on the earth has made available the opportunity for all to once again receive all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Priesthood

The power and authority of God, given to men on earth to act in all things for the salvation of God’s children.

Holy Bible

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Bible is divided into two main books: the Old Testament, which contains a history of God’s people before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which is a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Each of these books is broken up into smaller books, which are divided into chapters and verses. A reference from the Bible may look like this: Matthew 7:21.

Ordinance

A sacred rite or ceremony performed by the power of the priesthood and intended to bless God’s children. Some ordinances, such as baptism, are essential for salvation. Other ordinances, such as administering to the sick, constitute gifts from God to His children which are not essential for salvation. Many ordinances have symbolic meaning.

Apostasy

1. A condition of spiritual withdrawal from our Father in Heaven.
2. A period of time when the priesthood and the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness were not on the earth.

First Vision, the

The personal visitation in 1820 of God the Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in answer to the prayer Joseph Smith offered, asking which of the churches he should join.

Restoration, The

A series of events, beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 1820, that marked the restoration or restitution of Jesus Christ’s Church and gospel to the earth.

Prophet

A person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives 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, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ. The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s prophet on earth today. Members of the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators.