Jospeh Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Movie

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Joseph Smith

“Great blessings await us at this time, and will soon be poured out upon us, if we are faithful in all things, for we are even entitled to greater spiritual blessings than they [the faithful at the time of Christ] were, because they had Christ in person with them, to instruct them in the great plan of salvation. His personal presence we have not, therefore we have need of greater faith.” 

“When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”

“All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.”

Mormon Humanitarian Aid

Humanitarian Effort

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes in countries all over the world. Projects operate without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients.
• Humanitarian service may include emergency response to natural disasters, such as an earthquake or a tsunami, or man-made disasters, such as the effects of war and famine. It may also be part of a longer-term effort to meet serious and more entrenched human needs, such as the need to alleviate disease.
• Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then immediately sent to the area.
• After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to help with the long-term needs of the community. The Church’s approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self-sustained life.
• Donations, principally from Church members but also from people around the world, are used to make relief projects possible. One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.
• The humanitarian services arm of the Church sponsors five ongoing global projects to help people become more self-reliant. Initiatives include neonatal resuscitation training, clean water projects, wheelchair distribution, vision treatment and measles vaccinations.

Mormon Church: The Message of the Restoration

Your Spiritual Journey: You Know Enough

How Can I Find Happiness?

Mormon Messages: What Matters Most

THIEF ON THE CROSS

Doesn't the story of the thief on the cross prove that salvation can be instant apart from works?

Does that story really show that salvation can come instantly without conditions, without effort, without covenants, without baptism, without knowledge of the Gospel and without striving to obey Christ? Look at what the Bible actually says. To a thief also being crucified who asked the dying Lord to remember him, Christ said, "Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). But two days after this, when Christ was resurrected and had taken up a glorious, tangible body, he appeared to Mary and told her, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God, and your God" (John 20:17 - one of many passages, by the way, showing that God the Father and Christ are separate Beings). If Christ had been in paradise but had not yet ascended to heaven where the Father dwells, then what is paradise? It is obviously some other place besides heaven. See also 2 Cor. 12:2-4, where Paul speaks of someone being caught up to the third heaven and of someone being caught up to paradise, as if they were different places. Paradise appears to be a place where the spirits of the dead await the time of resurrection. I don't know what Aramaic word Christ may have used, but according to my non-LDS Greek Bible Lexicon, the Greek word for paradise can mean "the part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of pious until the resurrection: but some understand this to be a heavenly paradise." This agrees well with what Joseph Smith said that Christ meant: "This day thou shalt be with me in the world of spirits: then I will teach you all about it and answer your inquiries" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.309). Indeed, Peter explained that when Christ was dead, he went as a spirit to preach the Gospel to those who had died (1 Peter 3:18-20; I Peter 4:6). Christ was not offering instant salvation to the thief, who knew little of the Gospel and had not covenanted through baptism to follow Christ. He was simply telling him that they would be in the same place that day, in the world of spirits. There, the thief could learn of the Gospel of Christ and accept it. He would still need to accept baptism, which the early Christians and modern Latter-day Saints offer vicariously to the deceased via the sacred ordinance of baptism for the dead.
So many people have misunderstood the story of the thief on the cross, thinking that it shows deathbed repentance is all it takes for a terrible sinner to get into heaven without baptism or anything else. Remember, though, that Christ did not offer instant salvation or heaven to the thief, only that they would be in paradise that day. It would be at least two days after that before Christ ascended to heaven. (And do we know that the thief was a terrible sinner? The Romans executed him for allegedly being a thief - but that tells us nothing of his real spiritual state. A sinner, certainly, but perhaps he was a penitent soul seeking the truth.)
A related concept is the Biblical teaching that Christ ministered to the dead souls in the spirit world while he was in the grave for three days. Peter writes of this in the New Testament, where in 1 Peter 3:18-22, he speaks of Christ going to preach to the dead while He was physically dead, and further explains 1 Peter 4:6 that the Gospel was preached to the dead in order to offer them life, not torment as some anti-LDS critics have argued.
The theme of Christ rescuing the souls of the dead by descending into Hades is ancient and widespread in Christianity, one that persisted into the Middle Ages but seems to have been more fully lost since the Reformation. Christ's mission of rescuing souls in hell is sometimes called the Descensus or the "Harrowing of Hell." According to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church,

"Most Christian theologians believe that it [the Descensus] refers to the visit of the Lord after His death to the realm of existence, which is neither heaven nor hell in the ultimate sense, but a place or state where the souls of pre-Christian people waited for the message of the Gospel, and whither the penitent thief passed after his death on the cross (Lk. 23.43)." [F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone, eds. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983), 395, as cited by Daniel C. Peterson, FARMS Review of Books, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1997, p. 137.]

There you have respected non-LDS scholars discussing the ancient Christian concept of the Descensus, the descent of Christ to rescue the dead in a place where the thief went, a place which was not heaven. These truths were not invented by Joseph Smith - they've been restored. Now quit wasting time and start digging in!
(In response to the above comments, one reader argued that this crucial story would be meaningless unless Christ was offering salvation to the penitent man. But is the story really meaningless unless there was instant assurance of salvation? Jesus was offering the man hope. He would be in paradise, and so would Christ. It appears that the thief was going to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. But paradise - a word that refers to the waiting place of deceased souls prior to the resurrection - isn't heaven and isn't a final state of salvation, even though some will insist that it is, in spite of Christ not yet having ascended to His Father in heaven three days later.)

PRESIDENT MONSON: GRATITUDE

Organ Solo Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas

Mormon taberbacle choir: Joseph's first prayer

Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Redeemer of Israel"

Mormon Tabernacle Choir "I Need Thee Every Hour"

PLAN OF SALVATION

Kingdoms of Glory

During our mortal lives we make choices regarding good and evil. God rewards us
according to our works and desires. Because God rewards everyone according to deeds
done in the body, there are different kingdoms of glory to which we may be assigned
after the Judgment. Those who have repented of their sins and received the ordinances of
the gospel and kept the associated covenants will be cleansed by the Atonement of
Christ. They will receive exaltation in the highest kingdom, also known as the celestial
kingdom. They will live in God’s presence, become like Him, and receive a fulness of joy.
They will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify. In the
scriptures this kingdom is compared to the glory or brightness of the sun.
People who do not accept the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable
lives will receive a place in the terrestrial kingdom. This kingdom is compared to the
glory of the moon.
Those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life will receive their
reward in the lowest kingdom, which is called the telestial kingdom. This kingdom is
compared to the glory of the stars.


D&C 138 1 Peter 3:19–20 1 Peter 4:6
Death and the Spirit World
Alma 34:34 Alma 40:11–14 Ecclesiastes 12:7
Scripture Study

PLAN OF SALVATION

Our Life on Earth
Life on earth is an opportunity and a blessing. Our purpose in this life is to have joy
and prepare to return to God’s presence. In mortality we live in a condition where we are
subject to both physical and spiritual death. God has a perfect, glorified, immortal body
of flesh and bones. To become like God and return to His presence, we too must have a
perfect, immortal body of flesh and bones. However, because of the Fall of Adam and Eve,
every person on earth has an imperfect, mortal body and will eventually die. If not for the
Savior Jesus Christ, death would end all hope for a future existence with Heavenly Father.
Along with physical death, sin is a major obstacle that keeps us from becoming like our
Father in Heaven and returning to His presence. In our mortal condition we often yield to
temptation, break God’s commandments, and sin. During our life on earth each of us makes
mistakes. Although it sometimes appears otherwise, sin always leads to unhappiness. Sin
causes feelings of guilt and shame. Because of our sins, we are unable to return to live with
Heavenly Father unless we are first forgiven and cleansed.
While we are in mortality, we have experiences that bring us happiness. We also have
experiences that bring us pain and sorrow, some of which is caused by the sinful acts of
others. These experiences provide us opportunities to learn and to grow, to distinguish
good from evil, and to make choices. God influences us to do good; Satan tempts us to
commit sin. As with physical death, we cannot overcome the effects of sin by ourselves.
We are helpless without the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
In the Garden
2 Nephi 2 Moses 3:15–17 Genesis 1:26–31
Moses 2:26–31 Moses 5:11 Genesis 2:15–17
The Fall
2 Nephi 2:25 Moses 4 Genesis 3
Alma 12:22–34 Moses 5:10–12

:The Atonement
Before the world was organized, our Heavenly Father
chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Redeemer. The
atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ made it possible for us
to overcome the effects of the Fall. All of the prophets
since the world began have testified of Jesus Christ as
our Redeemer.
We will all suffer physical death, but Jesus Christ
overcame the obstacle of physical death for us. When
He died on the cross, His spirit became separated from
His body. On the third day, His spirit and His body
were reunited eternally, never to be separated again. He
appeared to many people, showing them that He had an
immortal body of flesh and bone. The reuniting of body and spirit is called resurrection
and is a gift promised to each of us. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will all
be resurrected regardless of whether we have done good or evil in this life. We will have
a perfect, immortal body of flesh and bones that will never again be subject to disease,
pain, or death. The resurrection makes it possible to return to God’s presence to be judged
but does not guarantee that we will be able to live in His presence. To receive that
blessing, we must also be cleansed from sin.
God sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to overcome the obstacle of sin in addition to
the obstacle of physical death. We are not responsible for the Fall of Adam and Eve, but
we are responsible for our own sins. God cannot look on sin with any degree of
allowance, and sin prevents us from living in His presence. Only through the Savior’s
grace and mercy can we become clean from sin so that we can live with God again. This is
possible through exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized, receiving the
gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
To fulfill the plan of salvation, Christ paid the penalty for our sins. He alone was able
to do that. He was called and prepared in pre-earth life.


2 Nephi 2:21 Alma 12:21–24 Abraham 3:25–26
2 Nephi 9:27 Alma 34:31–35
Mosiah 3:19 Alma 42:2–10
Choice
2 Nephi 2:26–29 Joshua 24:15
For the Strength of Youth, “Agency and Accountability”
Good and Evil
Moroni 7:12–19
Sin
Romans 3:23 1 John 1:8–10 1 John 3:4
The Unclean Cannot Be with God
1 Nephi 10:20–21 3 Nephi 27:19 Moses 6:57
Alma 41:10–11
  He was sinless and completely obedient to His Father. Though tempted, He
never gave in to temptation. When the Father asked His Beloved Son to pay the price of
the world’s sins, Jesus was prepared and willing. The Atonement included His suffering in
the Garden of Gethsemane and His suffering and death on the cross, and it ended with His
Resurrection. Though He suffered beyond comprehension—so much so that He bled
from every pore and asked whether it were possible that this burden be lifted from
Him—He submitted to the Father’s will in a supreme expression of love for His Father
and for us. This triumph of Jesus Christ over spiritual death by His suffering and over
physical death by His Resurrection is called the Atonement.
Christ promises to forgive our sins on the condition that we accept Him by exercising
faith in Him, repenting, receiving baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and striving faithfully to keep His commandments to the end
of our lives. Through continuing repentance, we may obtain forgiveness and be cleansed
of our sins by the power of the Holy Ghost. We are relieved of the burden of guilt and
shame, and through Jesus Christ we become worthy to return to the presence of God.
As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses,
and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life
can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
In paying the penalty for our sins, Jesus did not, however, eliminate our personal
responsibility. We must show that we accept Him and that we will follow His commandments.
Only through the gift of the Atonement can we return to live with God.

The Spirit World
Even though Christ conquered physical death, all people must die, for death is part of
the process by which we are transformed from mortality to immortality. At death our spirits
go to the spirit world. Death does not change our personality or our desires for good or
evil. Those who chose to obey God in this life live in a state of happiness, peace, and rest
from troubles and care. Those who chose not to obey in this life and did not repent live in
a state of unhappiness. In the spirit world the gospel is preached to those who did not
obey the gospel or have the opportunity to hear it while on earth. We remain in the spirit
world until we are resurrected.
Resurrection
2 Nephi 9:6–7 D&C 88:27–32 JST, 1 Corinthians 15:40
Alma 11:42–45 Luke 24:1–10, 36–39 Topical Guide, “Resurrection”
Alma 40:23 1 Corinthians 15:20–23 Bible Dictionary, “Death,” “Resurrection”
Helaman 14:15–19 1 Corinthians 15:41–42
Atonement
2 Nephi 2:6–8 D&C 19:15–19 1 John 1:7
Alma 7:11–13 D&C 45:3–5 Bible Dictionary, “Atonement”
Alma 34:8–10 John 3:16–17

2 Nephi 9:1–24 Alma 11:40 3 Nephi 27
2 Nephi 31 3 Nephi 11:31–41 Moroni 7:27–28
Scripture Study

The Resurrection, Judgment, and Immortality
When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the resurrection, we will be brought
into God’s presence to be judged. We will remember perfectly our righteousness and our
guilt. If we have repented, we will receive mercy. We will be rewarded according to our
works and our desires.
Through the resurrection all people will become immortal—they will live forever.
Immortality is a free gift to all people, whether they are righteous or wicked. Eternal life
is not, however, the same as immortality. Eternal life is a gift of God given only to those
who obey His gospel. It is the highest state that we can achieve. It comes to those who
are freed from sin and suffering through the Atonement of Christ. It is exaltation, which
means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ and
to experience the life they enjoy.

PLAN OF SALVATION

Pre-Earth Life:

God’s Purpose and Plan for Us
Many people wonder, “Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we
going?” The plan of salvation gives us the answers to these questions.
God is the Father of our spirits. We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived
as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth. We were not,
however, like our Heavenly Father, nor could we ever become like Him and enjoy all the
blessings that He enjoys without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body.
God’s whole purpose—His work and His glory—is to enable each of us to enjoy all
His blessings. He has provided a perfect plan to accomplish His purpose. We understood
and accepted this plan before we came to the earth. In the scriptures God’s plan is called
a merciful plan, the plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, and the plan of salvation.
Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan. Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ fulfilled His
Father’s purpose and made it possible for each of us to enjoy immortality and eternal life.
Satan, or the devil, is an enemy to God’s plan.
Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children. Our eternal
progression depends on how we use this gift. We must choose whether to follow Jesus
Christ or follow Satan.
We are physically separated from God during life on earth, but He wants every one of
His children to find peace in this life and a fulness of joy in His presence after this life.
He wants us to become like Him.
2 Nephi 2 Lehi testifies of the Savior as Redeemer.
2 Nephi 9 Jacob testifies of the Atonement.
2 Nephi 31–33 Nephi teaches the doctrine of Christ.
Enos Enos experiences the power of the Atonement.
Mosiah 2–5 King Benjamin teaches of Christ.
Mosiah 12–16 Abinadi gives his life in testifying of Jesus Christ.
Alma 5, 7 Alma testifies of the Savior.
Alma 17–22 Lamanites receive the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Alma 34 Amulek testifies of the Atonement.
Alma 36 Alma experiences the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Alma 40–42 Alma testifies of the resurrection and Atonement.
Helaman 5 Nephi and Lehi are instruments in God’s hands to witness of the Savior.
3 Nephi 9–10 The Savior invites people to come to Him.
3 Nephi 11–18 The Savior teaches the Nephites of the Father and of His doctrine.
3 Nephi 27 The Savior teaches His gospel.
Ether 3 The brother of Jared sees the Savior.
Ether 12 Ether and Moroni testify of the Savior and the power of His Atonement.
Moroni 7–8 Mormon teaches of the pure love of Christ and His Atonement.
Moroni 10 Moroni invites all to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.
The Living Christ Prophets and apostles testify of the Savior.


The Creation
Under the direction of the Father, Jesus Christ created the earth as a place for us to live
and gain experience. In order to progress and become like God, each of us had to obtain
a body and be tested during a time of probation on the earth. While on the earth we are
out of God’s physical presence. We do not remember our pre-earth life. We must walk by
faith rather than by sight.
Agency and the Fall of Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were the first of God’s children to come to the earth. God created
Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were created in
God’s image, with bodies of flesh and bones. While Adam and Eve were in the garden,
they were still in God’s presence and could have lived forever. They lived in innocence,
and God provided for their needs.
In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve their agency. He commanded them
not to eat the forbidden fruit, or the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Obeying this commandment meant that they could remain in the garden, but they could
not progress by experiencing opposition in mortality. They could not know joy because
they could not experience sorrow and pain.
Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and they chose to do so. This
was part of God’s plan. Because of this choice, they were cast from the garden and out of
God’s physical presence. This event is called the Fall. Separation from God’s presence is
spiritual death. Adam and Eve became mortal—subject to physical death, or separation
of the body and spirit. They could now experience disease and all types of suffering.
They had moral agency or the ability to choose between good and evil. This made it
possible for them to learn and progress. It also made it possible for them to make wrong
choices and to sin. In addition, they could now have children, so the rest of God’s spirit
children could come to earth, obtain physical bodies, and be tested. Only in this way
could God’s children progress and become like Him.
1 Nephi 17:36 Moses 2:1 JST, John 1:1–3
Alma 30:44 Moses 6:63 2 Corinthians 5:6–7
D&C 88:41–47 Abraham 3:24–25Children of God God’s Purpose
D&C 93:29 Hebrews 12:9 Moses 1:39 John 17:3
Acts 17:29
Premortal Life
D&C 138:53–56 Abraham 3:22–26
Moses 3:5 Jeremiah 1:5
In The Garden:
2 Nephi 2 Moses 3:15–17 Genesis 1:26–31
Moses 2:26–31 Moses 5:11 Genesis 2:15–17
The Fall
2 Nephi 2:25 Moses 4 Genesis 3
Alma 12:22–34 Moses 5:10–12

GREAT APOSTACY AND RESTORATION

The Great Apostasy
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. This apostasy eventually led to the emergence of many churches.

After centuries of spiritual darkness, truth-seeking men and women protested against

current religious practices. They recognized that many of the doctrines and ordinances of

the gospel had been changed or lost. They sought for greater spiritual light, and many

spoke of the need for a restoration of truth. They did not claim, however, that God had

called them to be a prophet. Instead, they tried to reform teachings and practices that

they believed had been changed or corrupted. Their efforts led to the organization of many

Protestant churches. This Reformation resulted in an increased emphasis on religious

freedom, which opened the way for the final Restoration.

The Savior’s Apostles foretold this universal apostasy. They also foretold that the

gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church would be restored once more upon the earth.

1 Nephi 13 Acts 20:28–30 Topical Guide: “Apostasy of

2 Nephi 26:20–21 Galatians 1:6–9 the Early Christian Church”

2 Nephi 28 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

4 Nephi 1:27 (JST verses 2, 3, 7–9)

D&C 86:1–3 1 Timothy 4:1–3

Matthew 24:9–11 2 Timothy 4:3–4 “The Long Night of Apostasy”

Mark 12:1–9 2 Peter 2:1–2

Acts 3:19–21 Amos 8:11–12

True to the Faith, “Apostasy,” pages 13–14Our Search for Happiness, pages 23–32Jesus the Christ, chapter 40,

Scripture Study

Articles of Faith 1:5 Luke 6:13 Hebrews 5:4

Matthew 10:1–10 John 15:16

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith

When the circumstances were right, Heavenly Father once again reached out to His

children in love. He called a young man named Joseph Smith as a prophet. 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. His family members were deeply religious and constantly sought for truth.

But many ministers claimed to have the true gospel. Joseph desired “to know which of

all the sects was right,” (Joseph Smith—History 1:18). The Bible taught there was “one

Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). Joseph attended different churches, but he

remained confused about which church he should join. He later wrote:

“So great were the confusions 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,

Investigators must understand that a universal apostasy occurred following the death of Jesus

Christ and His Apostles. If there had been no apostasy, there would have been no need of a

Restoration. As a diamond displayed on black velvet appears more brilliant, so the Restoration

stands in striking contrast to the dark background of the Great Apostasy. As guided by the Spirit,

teach investigators about the Great Apostasy at a level of detail appropriate to their needs and

circumstances. Your purpose is to help them understand the need for the Restoration of the

gospel of Jesus Christ.

Key Points

• The Church of Jesus Christ is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets (see Ephesians

2:19–20; 4:11–14). These leaders have divine priesthood authority. Through revelation they

direct the affairs of the Church. They maintain doctrinal purity, authorize the administration

of ordinances, and call and confer upon others the priesthood authority.

• People rejected and killed Jesus Christ and the Apostles (see Matthew 24:9; 1 Nephi 11:32–34;

2 Nephi 27:5). With the death of the Apostles, the presiding priesthood authority was absent

from the Church. Consequently, there was no longer authority to confer the Holy Ghost or

perform other saving ordinances. Revelation ceased, and doctrine became corrupted.

• Even before the death of the Apostles, many conflicts concerning doctrine arose. The Roman

Empire, which at first had persecuted the Christians, later adopted Christianity. Important

religious questions were settled by councils. The simple doctrines and ordinances taught by

the Savior were debated and changed to conform to worldly philosophies (see Isaiah 24:5).

They physically changed the scriptures, removing plain and precious doctrines from them

(1 Nephi 13:26–40). They created creeds, or statements of belief, based on false and changed

doctrine (see Joseph Smith—History 1:19). Because of pride, some aspired to positions of

influence (see 3 John 1:9–10). People accepted these false ideas and gave honor to false

teachers who taught pleasing doctrines rather than divine truth (see 2 Timothy 4:3–4).

• Throughout history, many people have sincerely believed false creeds and doctrines. They have

worshiped according to the light they possessed and have received answers to their prayers.

Yet they are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).

• Therefore, a restoration, not a reformation, was required. Priesthood authority did not continue

in an unbroken line of succession from the Apostle Peter. To reform is to change what already

exists; to restore is to bring back something in its original form. Thus, restoration of priesthood

authority through divine messengers was the only possible way to overcome the Great Apostasy.

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—

is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

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” and “all their creeds were

an abomination.” He 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).

Even though 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. 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. As God had done with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and other prophets, He

called Joseph Smith to be a prophet through whom the fulness of the gospel was restored

to the earth.

After the appearance of the Father and the Son, other heavenly messengers, or angels,

were sent to Joseph Smith and his associate Oliver Cowdery. John the Baptist appeared

and conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Aaronic Priesthood, which

includes the authority to perform the ordinance of baptism. Peter, James, and John (three

of Christ’s original Apostles) appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the same authority given to Christ’s Apostles

anciently. With this priesthood authority, Joseph Smith was directed to organize the Church

of Jesus Christ again on the earth. Through him, Jesus Christ called twelve Apostles.

The time in which we live is referred to by Bible prophets as the last days, the latter

days, or the dispensation of the fulness of times. It is the period of time just before the

Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is the final dispensation. This is why the Church is

named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A living prophet directs the Church today. This prophet, the President of The Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the authorized successor to Joseph Smith. He and

the present Apostles trace their authority to Jesus Christ in an unbroken chain of

ordinations through Joseph Smith.

This” (Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17).  

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Knowing that doubt, disbelief, and

misinformation would remain after centuries of

darkness, our loving Heavenly Father brought

forth an ancient volume of holy scripture

comparable to the Bible, which contains the

fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

This volume of holy scripture provides

convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a true

prophet of God. This record is the Book of

Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly

messenger named Moroni to a hill where gold

plates had lain hidden for centuries. These gold

plates contained the writings of prophets giving

an account of God’s dealings with some of the

ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Joseph Smith

translated the contents of these plates by the power of God. The prophets in the Book of

Mormon knew about the mission of the Savior and taught His gospel. After His

Resurrection, Christ appeared to these people. He taught them His gospel and established

His Church. The Book of Mormon proves that “God does inspire men and call them to

his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old” (D&C 20:11). In

order to know that the Book of Mormon is true, a person must read, ponder, and pray

about it. The honest seeker of truth will soon come to feel that the Book of Mormon is the

word of God.

Reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon are critical for an enduring

conversion. Those who begin reading the Book of Mormon for the first time take

important steps toward coming to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that

the true Church has been restored to the earth.

2 Nephi 3 Ephesians 4:5 Brochure,

The Testimony

D&C 112:30 James 1:5

of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Ephesians 1:10

 

Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

This message of the Restoration is either true

or it is not. We can know that it is true by the

Holy Ghost, as promised in Moroni 10:3–5. After

reading and pondering the message of the Book

of Mormon, any who desire to know the truth

must ask in prayer to our Heavenly Father in the

name of Jesus Christ if it is true. In order to do

this, we address our Heavenly Father. We thank

Him for our blessings and ask to know that the

message of the Book of Mormon is true. No one

can know of spiritual truths without prayer.

In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will

teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts.

Feelings that come from the Holy Ghost are

powerful, but they are also usually gentle and quiet. As we begin to feel that what we are

learning is true, we will desire to know all that we can about the Restoration.

Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true leads to a knowledge that Joseph Smith was

called as a prophet and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him.

GREAT APOSTACY AND RESTORATION

God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father

God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. He has a body of flesh and bone that

is glorified and perfected. He loves us. He weeps with us when we suffer and rejoices

when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us, and we can communicate

with Him through sincere prayer.

He has given us this experience on the earth so we can learn and grow. We can show

our love for Him through our choices and our obedience to His commandments.

Heavenly Father has provided us, His children, with a way to be successful in this life

and to return to live in His presence. However, we must be pure and clean through

obedience in order to do so. Disobedience moves us away from Him. Central to our

As you teach.

the Garden of Gethsemane as well as His suffering and death on the cross. Through the

Atonement we can be freed from the burden of our sins and develop faith and strength

to face our trials.

Father’s plan is Jesus Christ’s Atonement. The Atonement included His suffering in

The Gospel Blesses Families

The restored gospel blesses and helps husbands and wives, parents and children as

they strive to develop stronger relationships and spiritual strength in their families. These

blessings are available now and in eternity. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides help with

current concerns and challenges.

Because families are ordained of God, they are the most important social unit in time

and in eternity. God has established families to bring happiness to His children, allow

them to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and prepare them for eternal life.

The home is the best place to teach, learn, and apply principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A home established on gospel principles will be a place of refuge and safety. It will be a

place where the Spirit of the Lord can abide, blessing family members with peace, joy,

and happiness. Through prophets in every age, including our own, God has revealed His

plan of happiness for individuals and families.

Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation

One important way that God shows His love for us is by calling prophets, who are

given the priesthood—the power and authority given to man to act in God’s name for the

salvation of His children. Prophets learn the gospel of Jesus Christ by revelation. They in

turn teach the gospel to others and testify of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.

The teachings of prophets are found in sacred books called scriptures.

Our Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and to return to live with Him is

called the gospel of Jesus Christ, with Jesus’ Atonement at the center of that plan. Through

the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive eternal life if we exercise faith in Jesus

Christ, repent, are baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, receive the gift of the

Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. “This is the way; and there is none other way nor

name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now,

behold, this is the doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:21). All people have the gift of agency,

which includes the freedom to accept or reject the gospel as taught by the prophets and

apostles. Those who choose to obey are blessed, but those who ignore, reject, or distort

the gospel do not receive God’s promised blessings.

Whenever people choose to disregard, disobey, or distort any gospel principle or

ordinance, whenever they reject the Lord’s prophets, or whenever they fail to endure in

faith, they distance themselves from God and begin to live in spiritual darkness. Eventually

this leads to a condition called apostasy. When widespread apostasy occurs, God withdraws

His priesthood authority to teach and administer the ordinances of the gospel.

Biblical history has recorded many

instances of God speaking to prophets, and

it also tells of many instances of apostasy.

To end each period of general apostasy,

God has shown His love for His children

by calling another prophet and giving him

priesthood authority to restore and teach

the gospel of Jesus Christ anew. In essence,

the prophet acts as a steward to oversee

the household of God here on earth. Such

periods of time headed by prophetic

responsibility are called dispensations.

God revealed the gospel of Jesus Christ to Adam and gave him priesthood authority.

Adam was the first prophet on the earth. By revelation, Adam learned of mankind’s

proper relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost; of the

Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; and of the first principles and ordinances

of the gospel. Adam and Eve taught their children these truths and encouraged them to

develop faith and to live the gospel in all aspects of their lives. Adam was followed by

other prophets, but over time the posterity of Adam rejected the gospel and fell into

apostasy, choosing to be unrighteous.

Thus began the pattern of prophetic dispensations that makes up much of the recorded

history of the Old Testament. Heavenly Father revealed His gospel through direct

communication to prophets such as Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Each prophet was called

by God to begin a new dispensation of the gospel. To each of these prophets God granted

priesthood authority and revealed eternal truths. Unfortunately, in each dispensation

people eventually used their agency to choose to reject the gospel and then fell into apostasy.

You'll Never Walk Alone - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

6 Destructive Ds - Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Conquer Doubt

Alma 5:46

Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

---- Pray always, and if you ever find yourself in doubt, come unto our father in heaven through the power of the Holy Ghost, through much fasting in prayer. For there is strong power through fasting and prayer, that we may receive revelation and come to an assurance and a testimony of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ and our Father which is in heaven. That doubt may leave us, and we will have all confidence to share that same knowledge with others, that they too may enter into the kingdom of heaven.