11 The Rise of the Church of Christ
The Rise of the Church of Christ
The Rise of the Church of Christ
With the bringing forth of The Book of Mormon: Another
Testament of Jesus Christ, the Restoration and the Gathering began!
The Lord restored His Doctrine and again gave priesthood
authority to man. And the Lord restored His Church in these latter days.
Doctrine
and Covenants 10:53: And for this cause have I said: If this
generation harden not their hearts, I will establish
my church among them.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the
Lord’s Church for the people of our day; and it is a precursor to The Church of
the Firstborn.
18:5:
Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my
gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against
you.
What a powerful blessing! Keep seeking to bring forth and
establish Zion. Make it the desire and truest wish of your heart.
On April 6, 1830, the Lord’s Church was again
established on the earth (with around 40 in attendance) in the home of Peter
Whitmer.
Organized religion is a great part of the Lord’s plan for
bringing about the immortality and eternal life of man.
Doctrine
and Covenants 20:1: The rise of the Church of Christ in
these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since
the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being
regularly organized and established agreeable to
the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the
fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—
See also Saints, 1:84–86
(I am continuing to listen to Saints while I exercise.)
For Kids
The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.
Doctrine and Covenants
20–21
Read section heading
for Doctrine and
Covenants 21: (See
in notes below)
Video: The Church of
Jesus Christ is Organized: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-stories-2025/10-the-church-is-organized?lang=eng
What blessings do we have
because Jesus Christ restored his Church? (scriptures in D&C 20 and
pictures)
verses 21–23 Mission of Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection
47 Ministering
72–74 Baptism
75–79 Sacramental prayers
Jesus Christ has restored His Church.
Doctrine and Covenants
20–21
Why should anyone question why we have a Church? Jesus is
the One who organized His Church on the earth in His day, and more fully after
His resurrection. And He organized it again in our day.
Matthew 16:15–19 Interchange between
Jesus and Peter, when Peter says, “Thou art the Christ.” He knew that through
revelation by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Lord told Peter that His Church
was built upon the Rock of Revelation. As the head Apostle, Jesus bestowed the
keys of the kingdom to Peter, so that he could continue on in directing the
Church after Jesus was gone.
John 7:16–17 Jesus taught the
doctrine His Father gave Him to teach. If we follow that doctrine, we will come
to know that it is of God.
Ephesians 2:19–22 We become brothers and
sisters in God’s church and kingdom. Jesus is the Head of the Church, its
Cornerstone; with its foundation apostles and prophets. As we live righteously,
we can be constantly led by His Spirit.
3 Nephi 11:23–26 The mode and manner of
baptism.
Moroni 4–5. The sacramental
prayers.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:17–25, 60, 72–79 The Plan of Salvation and the Doctrine of Christ, including baptism and
the sacramental prayers.
21:1–2 Joseph (and Oliver) was
called to be a prophet, seer, and revelator in The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints; much like Peter, James, and John were called to do so
anciently.
1 Behold, there
shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called
a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an
elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your
Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation
thereof, and to build it up unto the most holy faith.
For Kids
When I am baptized and confirmed, I promise to
follow Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:37, 41, 71–74
Show pictures of children getting baptized and confirmed.
Read Doctrine and Covenants
20:41, 71–74 A person who desires to
be baptized must have reached the age where accountability starts. These verses
describe how baptisms and confirmations are performed.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:37 The manner of baptism: Those
who desire baptism should be humble, and they should repent of all their sins.
They must be willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, and want to
serve Him to the end.
Video: The Baptism of Jesus This is a beautiful
video. When the voice representing the Father speaks, “This is my Beloved Son,
in Whom I am well pleased,” I wondered if he makes that proclamation for all
his children, even if we don’t have power yet to hear it.
Let those who have already been baptized to share their experience and memories
of that day. (You might want parents to supply pictures before this lesson.)
What are you doing now to follow Jesus? How do you feel His blessings in your
life because of your decision to be baptized?
For Kids
I can take Jesus’s name upon me and always remember
Him.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:75–79
Read Doctrine
and Covenants 20:37 (about baptism). Look for the word willing. “willing to
take upon them the name of Jesus Christ.”
Read verse 77
(the sacrament prayers). Look for the word willing. “that they are willing to
take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep
his commandments which he has given them.”
What does it mean to take
Jesus Christ’s name upon us?
Read Doctrine and Covenants
20:77
What are the promises
that we make when we take the sacrament? To “always remember him and keep
his commandments which he has given them.”
What promise do we
receive in return, if we always remember Him? “that they may always have
his Spirit to be with them.” And if we continue faithful, we have the
promise of Eternal Life with Him.
Sacred ordinances help me become like the Savior.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:37, 75–79; 22
The Lord teaches us about sacred ordinances, like baptism
and the sacrament. How do these ordinances help you feel connected to the
Savior?
verse 37 Do you have a
determination to follow Jesus to the very end?
verses 77, 79 What do the sacramental
prayers mean to you? How do they help to govern the choices that you make? Do
you feel His Spirit with you?
Priesthood service blesses Church members and their
families.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:38–60
Why do you think that it was important to the Savior to
restore Priesthood power to the earth again?
Doctrine and Covenants
20:38–60 Read what the Savior
wants his servants who hold the Priesthood to do? Think about how the Lord has
blessed you and your family in relation to these verses. (See notes below.)
The Relief Society was
established after the order of the Priesthood; and, while women are not
ordained into offices in the priesthood, they are called to the work and are
set apart with by priesthood power and authority to do the work they have been
called to do.
The Keys and Authority of
the Priesthood
Joseph Smith’s Teachings
about Priesthood, Temple, and Women
Obeying God’s word through His prophets will give
me divine protection.
Doctrine and
Covenants 21
Doctrine
and Covenants 21:4–9 Look for your own invitation to follow God’s prophets.
Look for God’s promises, too.
verses
4–5 We should give heed to the words of the prophet, because they are Jesus’s
words. We need to have patience and faith, because we might not always
understand first off.
verse
6 Blessing for following the prophet include having the gates of hell
closed to us, and having the heaven’s shake for our good and God’s glory. God
will make the necessary things happen for us for our happiness and progression.
Listen to the words of conference at the beginning of April.
Determine again to keep following the prophet and staying true to Jesus Christ.
Video: In all patience and faith: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/PTH_PRJ14361179_ApostolicVideosForComeFollowMe_InAllPatienceAndFaith-ElderAndersen_Delivery_05Feb2025_HDF-2398_ENG.?lang=eng&alang=eng
Video: Watchman on the Tower: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-03-110-watchman-on-the-tower?lang=eng
We
Listen to a Prophet’s Voice
For Kids
Jesus blesses me as I follow His prophet.
Doctrine and Covenants
21:4–6
Doctrine
and Covenants 21:4–6 Read the invitations and promises together.
Share a picture of the
current prophet. What is his name? What do you remember about him? How has
Jesus blessed you for following the prophet? Will you help your family to
listen to the prophet during General Conference?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20?lang=eng
Revelation on Church organization and government, given
through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of
this revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829. The complete
revelation, known at the time as the Articles and Covenants, was likely
recorded soon after April 6, 1830 (the day the Church was organized). The
Prophet wrote, “We obtained of Him [Jesus Christ] the following, by the spirit
of prophecy and revelation; which not only gave us much information, but also
pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to His will and
commandment, we should proceed to organize His Church once more here upon the
earth.”
Vs 32-33 Pray for
ourselves, our families, our church leaders, our friends and others, that we
will remain true.
Doctrine and Covenants
20:38–60 Read what the Savior
wants his servants who hold the Priesthood to do? Think about how the Lord has
blessed you and your family in relation to these verses.
I am thankful for the
blessings of the Priesthood ordinances and covenants in my life. I am thankful
for the opportunity to repent, follow Jesus, keep exercising faith, and
renewing my baptismal and temple covenants each time I partake of the sacrament
and participate in other ordinances. I am also thankful for blessings of
healing and comfort, and for the opportunities we have to minister to one
another.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/21?lang=eng
Revelation given to
Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Fayette, New York, April 6, 1830. This revelation
was given at the organization of the Church, on the date named, in the home of
Peter Whitmer Sr. Six men, who had previously been baptized, participated. By
unanimous vote these persons expressed their desire and determination to
organize, according to the commandment of God (see section 20). They also voted to
accept and sustain Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery as the presiding
officers of the Church. With the laying on of hands, Joseph then ordained
Oliver an elder of the Church, and Oliver similarly ordained Joseph. After
administration of the sacrament, Joseph and Oliver laid hands upon the
participants individually for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost and for the
confirmation of each as a member of the Church.
Stay true to the Lord's
church and His prophets. Be patient and be faithful, and wait on and for the
Lord. Join in the work of salvation.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/22?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet,
at Manchester, New York, April 16, 1830. This revelation was given to the
Church in consequence of some who had previously been baptized desiring to
unite with the Church without rebaptism.
Though some had already been baptized to
repentance, both in the days of Jesus and in these latter days, it was
important to again be baptized into the Lord's Church and into the new and
everlasting covenant.
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