1 The Promised Restoration Goes Forward

 The Promised Restoration Goes Forward

The Promised Restoration Goes Forward

The 200^th anniversary of the First Vision was celebrated.

“We wondered if a monument should be erected,” President Russell M. Nelson recalled. “But as we considered the unique historic and international impact of that First Vision, we felt impressed to create a monument not of granite or stone but of words … , not to be carved in ‘tables of stone’ but rather to be etched in the ‘fleshy tables’ of our hearts.” (See 2 Corinthians 3:3)

Hear Him

The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World

(Bob and I read this together a few days ago.)  This is a monument to the First Vision and to all that the Lord has done and is doing since then in restoring truth to the earth. The Restoration started with Joseph turning His heart to the Lord, and it continues each time a new person does! As each person turns to the Lord and hearkens to His voice and hears (and does) His word and works, the restoration continues.

“God loves His children in every nation of the world.”

Heavenly Father has always wanted all His children to be aware of His Plan for our Happiness. God loves all His children and wants them to know that happiness, peace, and salvation our found in His Son and in His Church, restored to the earth again. It is no wonder that the proclamation about the restoration begins with these words, “We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world.”

How does the Restoration help you feel God’s love for you?

All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues

The Restoration began with an answer to a question.

Why is asking questions so important? Most learning we do, most answers we get, are because we ask questions. The Lord’s promise to us is to ask and we’ll receive, seek and we’ll find, knock and it will be opened to us.

The Restoration proclamation will help us understand better our Heavenly Father’s plan and why it was necessary to restore Christ’s Church on the earth in our day. He wants us to have all the advantages He can give us now and in eternity; and, He wants us to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of His Son.    

Read Joseph Smith—History 1:5–20

I am thankful that Joseph pondered James 1:5 and that he acted on what he learned. I am thankful that he had faith to persist in his pray and receive an answer. I am thankful that he was humble enough to be God’s chosen vessel to help bring about the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ in these last days, with the Priesthood power and authority to teach the doctrine of Christ and to administer the ordinances thereof. Questions are good. They can be followed by answers!

Seeking Answers: Introductory Video: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/seeking-answers/01-intro-seeking-answers?lang=eng

I can find multiple resources for myself (and for teaching others) here, either on the Church’s website or in the Gospel Library app.

“For faith to grow, we must choose to have faith” (Elder Renlund).

Seeking answers is a lifetime pursuit.

“Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth” (Elder Uchtdorf). 

For Kids:

“We solemnly proclaim.”

Read parts of the Restoration proclamation with the children, and have them look for phrases like “we proclaim,” “we declare,” or “we testify.” Talk about the truths found in the document and allow class members to share testimonies of those truths.

For Kids:

 “Joseph Smith … had questions.”

What are some of the questions that Joseph had that led to the Restoration?

Joseph Smith—History 1:10, 29, 68

Vs 10 Joseph wondered which religion was true, or if they were all wrong.

Vs 29 Joseph wanted to know that he was right with the Lord.

Vs 68 Joseph and Oliver prayed to know about baptism for the remission of sins.

What are some of the questions you have?

Do you know how you can find answers? (Look at Joseph’s example.)

As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:8–17 together, look for the ways Joseph Smith found answers.

Vs 3-4 tell us about Joseph’s family.

Song and video: This Is My Beloved Son

Jesus Christ has restored His Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ’s Church restored to the earth again. The Modern-day Church is patterned after Christ’s New Testament Church.

Matthew 16:15–19 Christ’s Church is built upon the Rock of Revelation. The President of the Church possesses the Keys of the Kingdom and has been given the sealing power.

Mark 16:15–18 The disciples in Christ’s Church are called upon to teach all nations the gospel. He that believes and is baptized will be saved. The believers in the Church will be blessed with the gifts of the Spirit.

Luke 6:12–13  The Lord’s Church has Twelve Apostles, who form a Quorum.

Acts 4:34–35 The Lord’s Church believes in the Law of Consecration; we can do better about being equal in earthly things, so that we can be equal in heavenly things.

1 Corinthians 15:29 Jesus Christ’s Church believes in baptisms for the dead and other sealing temple work.

Ephesians 4:11–15 The Restored Church has the same organization as Christ’s early Church:

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Doctrine and Covenants 18:37–38; 107:23–24: Oliver and David were called upon to help find the Twelve. The Twelve are special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world. They form a quorum equal in authority and power to the First Presidency.

Doctrine and Covenants 51:3; 70:14 Edward Partridge was the Presiding Bishop and distributed temporal things according to the needs of the people. We are asked to be equal in our temporal things. We all need to have more faith in order to do this.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:64–72 All those who believe in the teachings of the missionaries and are baptized will receive the Holy Ghost. They will be blessed with the gifts of the Spirit.

Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16 Moses appeared to Joseph and Oliver and restored the keys of the Gathering of Israel, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the north. Elias restored the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and in our seed all generations after us will be blessed. Elijah came to restore the sealing powers, so that families can be linked together forever.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:31, 36 Baptisms for the dead were also reinstituted in the Lord’s Church. Now that we have temples, they are to take place in our temples.

Articles of Faith 1:6 We have this same organization in the Lord’s Church today.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

I am grateful to have the Lord’s Church here on earth today, because there is Priesthood power to bless and enrich our lives. I am thankful that I have been taught of Heavenly Father and His Plan, and that I am developing faith in Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I have and can participate in sacred ordinances, both for myself and for others.

I am thankful to know that it is through Jesus Christ that all can be redeemed. Each of us will be resurrected and live as immortal, glorious beings. We can also choose to receive the Gift of Eternal Life, if we have faith in Jesus Christ, pattern our lives after His, repent and progress, and love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves.

A Perfect Brightness of Hope

How has the Restoration helped you fulfill your spiritual hopes.

Having a happily ever after with my Prince Charming is not a fairy tale. God wants it to be my reality.

Apostasy and the Restoration of the Gospel

For Kids:

 “Heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph.”

Who were the “heavenly messengers [who] came to instruct Joseph”?

Share gospel art pictures: 91, 93, 94, 95 Moroni;  John the Baptist; Peter, James, and John; Elijah

How did each of these messengers help “re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ”?

activity page with corresponding scripture verses.

For Kids:

Jesus Christ has restored His Church.

Help the children understand what restore means. Maybe they can help to reconstruct something.

Have you ever had to replace something that was broken or lost? That means you restored it.

Jesus Christ’s Church had been lost to the earth, so Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith; and, later they sent other messages so that the Church could be restored. Many things are in place for us now to enjoy the full blessings of the gospel. Will you continue to help with the work of Restoration?

Look for specific things in the Restoration proclamation that Jesus restored in His Church. 

 “The promised Restoration goes forward.”

We are now participants in the ongoing Restoration! “Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us. … In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now” (President Uchtdorf).

Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?

Read the Restoration proclamation with questions like these in mind:

How have I come to know that this is true?

How do I participate in the Restoration today?

“The heavens are open.”

What does the phrase “the heavens are open” mean to you? Being able to feel God’s love is available to everyone. What evidence do you see that the heavens are open?

The Morning Breaks

Every time we share principles of the gospel, and every time we bear witness of Jesus Christ, we are dispelling the darkness that is in the world. Every time we work to bring unity by loving and serving our borther and sisters, and also serving with them, we are inviting more light and truth into our circle.

Every time someone exercises faith in Jesus Christ and every time someone seeks repentance and is baptized and confirmed, the restoration continues to expand. Every time someone participates in temple ordinances for himself and for others, more light, protection and purpose shine forth. We are more fully cleansed when we are washed and anointed, and we are endowed with power from on high has we make and keep further covenants with God.

As we use this power to teach, love, guide and protect our families, and as we invite others to benefit from the gospel and doctrine of Christ, the restoration’s power and purpose expands to many more people. We are being prepared and helping others to prepare to meet Jesus when He comes again.

Truths from the past, and truths revealed are combining for the good and salvation of us all.

The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives

Hear Him President Nelson invited us to “study [the Restoration proclamation] privately and with [our] family members and friends.” How can I share this message with others? (I did share it on social media, with notes from me as well a few days back.)

For Kids:

 “The heavens are open.”

Share a message with the children from behind a closed door and then through an open window. What’s the difference? Allow them to take turnings share the message with you.

What messages has Jesus shared with all of us, by Himself and through His prophets? How do you know that the heavens are open to us?

Video: About the Doctrine and Covenants: The Lord speaks again: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-doctrine-and-covenants-2025/01-the-restoration?lang=eng

The Restoration: an image of the document: https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/bd/3e/bd3e2fe1c55711ee9e67eeeeac1ea5dfb2a1a11f/restoration_proclamation_8_5x11.pdf