Sunday Lesson, Jan 8th

This week we learned more of the Restoration of the Gospel - The Dawning of a Brighter Day. 

In 1820 Joseph Smith wanted to know which church he should join. He read James 1:5  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. He acted on that scripture and prayed to know which to join. Our teacher read part of Joseph Smith's account HERE. He was given the charge to restore Christ's church on earth again. It had been taken away during the apostasy. The renaissance and reform helped prepare the way for the restoration. People looked toward heaven again and churches began to be formed.

We learn of the importance of having the fullness of Christ's church back on the earth again. President Hinkley shares his testimony of the restoration. 

 "Every claim that we make concerning divine authority, every truth that we offer concerning the validity of this work, all finds its root in the First Vision of the boy prophet. Without it we would not have anything much to say. This was the great curtain-raiser on the dispensation of the fulness of times, when God promised that He would restore all the power, the gifts, the blessings, of all previous dispensations."

After more than 1,000 years without the gospel of Jesus Christ, why did the world need the church to be restored? What sets us apart from other religions?

• Godhead - Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, they are separate beings.
• Priesthood - This was the first thing to be restored. All the other churches were good, but lacked the priesthood. John the Baptist brought back the Aaronic. Peter, James and John brought back the Melchizedek. Only heavenly messengers could do this since no one on earth had the keys. Joseph couldn't give it to himself.
• Book of Mormon - Another testament of Jesus Christ.
• Church Organization - We are not paid for the church service we give.
• Modern Revelation - We receive guidance from a living Prophet.
• The Nature, Purpose and Potential of God's Children - They called and spoke to Joseph by name. God knows us all by name. We have a pre-existence relationship with Him as well as on earth and after this life.
• Salvation for the Dead - We do temple work for those who have left this life.
• Innocence of Children - We believe children are innocent. They are accountable for their own sins at the age of 8. This is when they can be baptized.
• Family - They can be eternal by Priesthood authority.

We were asked to ponder on this: Think of your own testimony of the Restoration. Do you have one? How much does this one event mean to you? How has it changed your life?  

IF YE LACK WISDOM ASK GOD