The Restoration

 

The Restoration

Stake Conference, General Session, September 22, 2024

 

One of the most significant events in history occurred in the Spring of the year 1820.  The world was a different place back then.  In 1820 The United States of America had only been operating under the Constitution for 31 years.  James Monroe was serving as the fifth president of the United States and Maine was admitted as the 23^rd state in the Union.

Internationally, Britain was still considered the most important power in the world.¹  Britain was ruled by King George IV.  Following Britain were Russia, France and Prussia.  In early 1820 those countries were ruled by Czar Alexander I, King Louis XVIII, and King Frederick William III respectively.

There were literally only a couple of people in the whole world who would know on that day what happened.  A young boy in a small town in upstate New York would go into the woods to pray.  In the region where this young boy, named Joseph Smith, lived there had been a great religious fervor.  This young boy with an innocent and open mind wanted nothing more than to know what was true.  He felt confused as he listened to the philosophies of the various churches so he had determined that we would go into a grove of trees and pray to our Heavenly Father that He might enlightened his mind and let him know where he could find God’s truth.

In Joseph Smith’s own words, this is what happened when he prayed. “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!”²

God the Father and His son Jesus Christ had appeared to young Joseph.  The Heavens had been opened and God had descended to call a modern-day prophet in order to commence the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it had existed at the time of Christ.  This event, known only to a few initially, would be one of the most significant events to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The scriptures state that when Christ was upon the earth, and growing up, that he increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.³  Much the same happened with Joseph Smith over the next few years.  He was only 14 years old when God appeared to him.  He faced much tribulation over the next several years, but he was growing in wisdom.  In stature, he even became a tall and strong young man.  Eventually, as he recognized his weaknesses and humbled himself before the Lord, another heavenly messenger appeared to him.  This time it was a person who identified himself and Moroni.  Moroni had been a great prophet in the Americas anciently and had hidden a record of his people.  He told Joseph that he would be instrumental in translating the ancient record that contained the fullness of the gospel and would be the means of spreading the gospel throughout the world.

This translation, which we now have as the Book of Mormon, would be key in the process of restoring truths to the earth that had been lost after the Savior was crucified and his early Apostles were killed.  In the midst of translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph learned about baptism.  Through inquiring of the Lord concerning baptism, the Aaronic Priesthood, which held the authority to baptize, was restored to Joseph by another heavenly messenger, John the Baptist.  Shortly thereafter the keys of the Melchizedek priesthood were restored through yet another set of messengers sent from heaven.  This time it was Peter, James, and John, the Lord’s apostles who held this authority anciently.  Throughout the translation of the Book of Mormon, Joseph learned important truths about the great Plan of Happiness or the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us here on earth.  Other marvelous truths were restored over time.  A church was organized in order to administer the affairs of the newly restored gospel.  Further revelation taught Joseph how to organize this church and how to manage its affairs.  He was taught that he needed to again call apostles as Christ had done anciently.  He was instructed to spread the word through missionary work and begin to teach the people of the world that Christ’s true church had been restored to the earth.

Let’s consider for a minute the consequences of the Heavenly Visit in 1820 and why it is the most significant event in the past thousand years

God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to a young boy and called him as a prophet.  Telling him that we would be instrumental is restoring the gospel to the earth.

As a prophet, seer, and revelator, Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon which contains the fullness of the gospel.

As a prophet, the keys of the priesthood were restored to Joseph Smith.  The divine authority could then be passed on to others directly in an unbroken chain from those Heavenly messengers.

Temple ordinances and covenants were restored to the earth which further enable man to repent, follow Jesus Christ, and return to the presence of our Father.

The sealing power was restored that allowed families to continue in their familial relationships throughout eternity.

As a prophet, Joseph Smith could show the world that God could speak to them again through those with the proper authority.

As this authority was passed from prophet to prophet, revelation continued to come from Heaven that was pertinent to our specific time and circumstances.

A firm faith in and testimony of the events of that Spring day in 1820 lays the foundation for everything we need in these latter days.  Because of the events of that day, we have a prophet here on the earth today.  We have additional scripture that teaches of how to return to our Heavenly Father.  We have priesthood authority which allows us to continue in the ordinances and covenants needed to return to Father and to bless our fellow man here on the earth.  We have everything we need to be exalted.

Now we know that we will face the fiery darts of the adversary in these latter-days.  We will have the philosophies of men heaped upon us in books, movies. Podcasts, and social media.  But, having a testimony of God the Father and in the atonement of his son Jesus Christ. Having a testimony of the restoration of the gospel, and a testimony of our current prophets and apostles will be a foundation upon which we can answer all our questions, combat all our weaknesses, and find the joy in this life that the savior promises.

Building from that basic testimony we can know that what the prophets say is the word of God.  We can avoid the confusion and noise of the world as we hear the philosophies of men trying to teach as truth things contrary to the word of God.  We can know that even though we feel inadequate we can rely on the Atonement to help us change our hearts and become better people.  We can look to the prophets to teach us that Discipleship is rarely convenient or in fashion.  We can have the courage to stand for what we know to be true despite ridicule from both inside and outside the church.

From time to time the prophets of these latter-days have issued proclamations to the world.  In April 2020, in commemoration of the heavenly vision Joseph Smith received, our current prophet and apostles issued a new proclamation titled “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.”

In part this proclamation reads: We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.

We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, … is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.⁴

As the first presidency and the quorum of the twelve apostles have proclaimed, the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ includes the authority to baptize, the priesthood authority to perform the ordinances of salvation, the sealing power, the church as Christ would have it organized, and the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ, along with so much more.

If we just consider the Book or Mormon, it is evidence of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.  If we come to believe that the Book of Mormon is true and contains the word of God, we know that only a prophet of God could have brought that forth.  And if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, then all the other truths that he restored stand as truth from our Heavenly Father.

There is a video series, hosted by Scott Christopher, that I have watched that focuses on evidence for different aspects of the Book of Mormon.⁵  One episode explores geographic evidence, another historical evidence, another literary evidence and so forth.  But each episode ends with the admonition that none of this evidence will prove anything for certain.  The only way to know for certain that the Book of Mormon is true is to pray about it and gain a spiritual witness that it is true.  The things of God can only be learned from God and not from mortal philosophy or experiment.

The prophet Moroni knew this and ended the book with the admonition to the reader to seek this spiritual confirmation.  Moroni says in chapter 10 verses 4 and 5, “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”⁶

The only way to know of the truth of the Book of Mormon is to have that manifest to you by the power of the Holy Ghost.  I know that for some that manifestation comes at a very powerful moment.  For others, that manifestation comes over time as you read and study.  I don’t think I remember a specific time when I came to know the Book of Mormon was true. I remember believing it as a youth at some level.  Over time as I had experiences with the Book of Mormon that testimony grew to the point where today I have a very strong testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and that it can change lives.

There is one more thing I have learned in Moroni’s admonition.  If we back up one verse to verse 3, he says, “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, … that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.”

He tells us that we should remember how merciful the Lord has been and ponder that in our heart.  I find that gratitude and humility are very closely tied together.  As we consider the mercies of the Lord and become truly grateful for all that he has done, it opens up our hearts.  So, in verse 3 he asks us to remember the mercies of God and in verse 4 he tells us to ask with a sincere heart.  I believe that developing the gratitude spoken of in verse 3 will allow us to have the sincere heart spoken of in verse 4.

One other truth that we have been taught is that we must remember.  Here are a few examples of this teaching from the Book of Mormon.

·         remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God.

·         And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

·         O, my beloved brethren, remember my words.

·         And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him,

·         remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

One might say, I have read the Book of Mormon many, many times.  I have a strong testimony of the Book.  Why do I need to keep reading it?  It doesn’t ever change.  The answer is in remembering.  We have just read about this in 3 Nephi chapter 2.  Not many years after an indisputable sign was given of the Saviors birth we read that, “the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen”⁷

We need to make a conscious effort to continue to remember the things we know to be true.  We need to constantly remember the words of the Book of Mormon and the words of our current prophets.  Without daily remembering the words of Christ we will begin to forget and then become hard in our hearts and blind in our minds.

Brothers and sisters, I bear testimony to you that God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. I bear testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in these latter days.  I know that Russell M Nelson is a modern-day prophet that gives to us today the words of Christ.  I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that makes these things known to me.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_relations_(1814%E2%80%931919)#:~:text=Britain%20continued%20as%20the%20most,defeat%20of%20Mexico%20in%201848.
2. Joseph Smith – History 1:17 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng#p17
3. Luke 2:52 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/2?lang=eng#p52
4. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-restoration-of-the-fulness-of-the-gospel-of-jesus-christ/a-bicentennial-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng#subtitle1
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6030mVPhoaw
6. Moroni 10: 4-5 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/10?lang=eng#p4
7. 3 Nephi 2:1 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/2?lang=eng#p1 

 

Education and Employment

 

Education and Employment

Stake Conference, Leadership Session, September 21, 2024

Brothers and Sisters, thank you so much for making the effort to be here with us today.  Each of you are in leadership positions with our wards and stake and can make a difference in the lives of our members.  I hope as you listen to the training we are receiving today that you will know of those within your stewardship or friends or neighbors that could benefit from what you have learned.  You are the ones that can influence their lives.  As I was writing my talk, I kept switching back and forth between my audience being our leaders that will teach these principles and those that the principles are taught to.  I think both exist in this audience today so hopefully I am consistent and you can take what you need for yourself and what you need to share with others.

As I meet people throughout the stake, I can see those that have challenges in life that could be addressed with better education or employment.  I also see our young people in some cases not being prepared to support themselves in the world.  It is increasingly difficult to survive economically today.  Often our members must look at their situations and decide if further education or enhanced employment opportunities would make a difference.

Fortunately, the church has provided some resources to help.  There is also a growing source of assistance coming from the community.

The Lord has always taught us to be educated.  In Doctrine and Covenants he mentions this many times.  In D&C 88:118 he says, “seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

In D&C 90:15 he says, “and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.”

D&C 109:7 ”seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;”

Education begins when we are young and continues throughout our life.  There are so many different opportunities now to learn in interesting and new ways that were not available just a short time ago.  When I was a young boy, public education was really the only alternative.  You nearly always went to the school within your boundaries.  As I visit with people now, I have found many who go to public schools outside their boundaries for the purpose of language immersion or other academic pursuits.  There are those that choose from a wide variety of charter schools and other forms of elementary and secondary education.  There is also a vast array of online resources for those that choose to educate their children at home.  I have talked to several people lately who have chosen this approach and have found great success.  There are many online services that can help with funding, curriculum, and support groups to help you.  Whatever sort of education structure works best for you and your children, the important thing is that our children become educated.  They need to emerge having a solid ability to read, write, and communicate effectively.  They need to have a basic knowledge of math, science, history, cultural arts, social studies, and as much more as possible.  Having a wide range of knowledge will benefit them throughout their lives and make them better people. 

Now education is not only secular but religious as well.  For our young people, their efforts to earn a degree, pursue athletics, and accomplish as much as possible in High School, should not result in a neglect of their religious studies.  Seminary will be a very important part of their education.  As they study the things of this world in context with the things of God, they will discover many precious truths.  Help them keep their mind as spiritually focused as it is career focused.  Do all you can to encourage seminary attendance.  They will be much more successful in their careers if they have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with them.  Precious knowledge of God’s truths to guide their endeavors.

I may have mentioned before one of my favorite stories of President Nelson.  This story applies to so many principles, but we can apply it here.  The story is about a time when he was to perform heart surgery.  It was a complicated situation, and he really didn’t know what he was going to do.  As the surgery proceeded and he opened the man’s heart, in his mind he saw exactly what to do.  He saw every nip, tuck and stitch to make to repair the man’s heart.  Now President Nelson had to be extremely educated about the science of the heart and the function of the human body to even understand that vision.  But he also needed to have continued in his spiritual studies and kept in close contact with the Holy Ghost for that revelation to be received.

Once we have arrived at the point of a high school diploma, signifying our completion of a proper secondary education, then the question of further education arises.  President Hickley has said, “You face great challenges that lie ahead. You are moving into a world of fierce competition. You must get all of the education you can. The Lord has instructed us concerning the importance of education. It will qualify you for greater opportunities. It will equip you to do something worthwhile in the great world of opportunity that lies ahead. If you can go to college and that is your wish, then do it. If you have no desire to attend college, then go to a vocational or business school to sharpen your skills and increase your capacity.”¹ 

Again, we must guide our young adults to pursue additional education of some sort.  Opportunities abound for further education.  Bro Curfew has shared the wonderful BYU Pathways  Worldwide program.²  This is such an affordable and convenient way to gain additional credentials.  Even if you want to pursue higher education at a college or university and are waiting to save up some money, this is a program that can lead to waiving some of your future required classes and keeps you focused on having a learning mentality.  It also contains an Institute component that will augment your personal spiritual studies.  It demonstrates for us the perfect balance.  Teach our young adults that they should seek out an institute class no matter where they are going to school or even if they are not attending school and are already employed.

There are resources within the community that can help.   Elders Quorum Presidents and Relief Society Presidents, you should be talking to your members about the interests they have for pursuing a career and if they know how to pursue it.  If they are unsure how to proceed, you will have the combined experience of the Ward Council to help you find answers.  I know of a few people who have been able to finish training in one of the trades with the help of community, union, or employer assistance.  Someone will help put you in touch with these people to share with you their experiences and point you in the right direction.

There is so much that can now be learned online that can lead to degrees, certificates, or other credentials.  Sometimes it can just be for our own edification. The more we learn, the more we can help the world around us.  As we pursue lifelong learning, we are preparing ourselves for future service opportunities in this life and in the life to come.  The Lord has promised us that, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”³

 Education can help our people to start in a satisfying career or help to advance their career options.  I think one of the most unused resources we have in the church is the LDS Employment Services.  The opening statement on the Employment Services website says, “No one should go through a job search alone. At Employment Services, we have a team of experts, support groups, webinars, workshops, and other resources available to help you achieve your self-reliance goals.”⁴

Employment services is available both online and in-person. A simple Google search for LDS employment services will take you to the church website.  You will find resources for job seekers, employers, and church leaders like you that are helping those with employment needs, either new employment or improved employment opportunities.

Finding a job is itself a job.  And just like any other job, there are certain skills and talents that will help us to be more successful at performing our job.  Many years ago, I found myself unemployed and turned to Employment Services.  At the time, my preconception was that Employment Services was for people looking for entry-level jobs or part-time work.  I had a lot of work experience at that point in my life and wanted a more advanced professional job that would allow me to support my family.  I found that they offered just what I was looking for.  They offered classes and training for people in my situation who were looking for work.  I took a class in resume writing, in another we learned interviewing skills, recorded mock interviews, and then critiqued them.  The wonderful thing about this experience is that I not only developed skills that helped me find a good job, but I have been able to teach those skills to others over the years. I have helped mostly my kids and their spouses with writing resumes, cover letters, and other things to help get an interview.

If you know of someone within your stewardship that is trying to find a job or needs to find a better job, take the time to look at LDS Employment Services.  If you go onsite to their office over by the Deseret Industries, the service missionaries that are there can help guide you through all that they have to offer.  Go over to the employment center.  See what they have to offer.  I think you will be amazed at all they can do to help in a job search.

Brothers and Sisters, as you go back to your presidencies and councils, think about those people in your wards that could benefit from some of these things.  As we become more educated and self-reliant we become better able to serve the Lord and build His Kingdom here on earth.  I pray that you will have the courage to move forward in your stewardship, that the Lord will guide and direct you and that you will know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become better people.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

1.  “Converts and Young Men,” Ensign, May 1997, 49–50. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1997/04/converts-and-young-men?lang=eng#p60
2.  https://www.byupathway.edu/
3.  Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130?lang=eng#p18
4.  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/life/employment-services?lang=eng