The Restoration of the Church on Earth

This week's Come Follow Me study covered Doctrine and Covenants 20-22, in April 1830 when the Church of Christ was restored on earth once again. 

A brief reminder of the timing:

• 1820 - At age 14, Joseph Smith went into the woods to pray (Joseph Smith History 1:14-20)
• 1829 - At age 23, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood (Section 13)
• 1830 - At age 24, Joseph Smith gathered with 40-ish believers in the home of Peter Whitmer and organized the church (Section 21)

The Come Follow Me manual references a history of the church called "Build Up My Church" by Jeffrey G. Cannon. It helps bring the experience and story to life, of what was happening in the restoration of the gospel on the earth at that time. It strengthens my testimony and understanding of the gospel as I read this account and picture 40-ish faithful followers of God squeezing into the home of Peter Whitmer, as they partook of the first sacrament of the restored church on earth and experienced something that, I, as someone who grew up learning about the gospel, and grew up attending church regularly, have always known as a part of my life.

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I taught Sunday School today, and we talked about the comparison of the full gospel of Christ on earth at this time (above). I want to highlight a couple of points discussed during class today:

• How true it was that the gospel was once again restored on the earth because you can see that having the doctrine, ordinances, priesthood authority, and prophets are the same.
• How slowly the gospel of Christ unfurled in ancient times (as they moved away from the law of Moses) and how relatively quickly the principles of the gospel came forth on the earth today.

In April 2020, President Russell M. Nelson, our prophet of God on the earth today, shared a proclamation, "The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." It's a great time to study this proclamation as we study the restoration of the church on the earth, and what that meant for those who were willing to listen and learn. I love how this proclamation starts with, 

"We solemnly proclaim that God loves his children in every nation of the world." 

In October 2020, President Russell M. Nelson reiterated the love of our Heavenly Father and Savior for us. 

"God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, 'black and white, bond and free, male and female.'" ("Let God Prevail," Russell M. Nelson, October 2020 General Conference).

The Lord Speaks through Prophets
In Doctrine and Covenants 21:5-6, the Lord says, "For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you ..."

What a blessing it is to have prophets on the earth today, that we can receive the Lord's word "as if from mine own mouth."

President Nelson has given us plenty of advice and encouragement over the last few years. For instance, he told us to in April 2018 that we should be taking more efforts to receive personal revelation. He encouraged us that as we pray and study, that we should write down the feelings and follow through on the promptings that come to our mind. As a result of his guidance, I have a notebook that I keep next to my bed stand and take with me to other parts of the house when I study scriptures. As I read, if something comes into my mind, I write it down. If I am a praying, and have a thought about something, I write it down. I'm not always great or consistent about this, but I am improving. President Nelson has counseloed us that "As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will "grow into the principle of revelation." ("Revelation for the Church, Revelation of Our Lives," Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference)

Also powerful in the above scripture is that, by following direction from the prophet, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against you."

The theme of "prevailing" has been particularly poignant in a year where the turmoils of individuals around the world are perhaps more shared evident, but where trials and tribulation in one's life are certainly nothing new.

President Nelson said, 

"The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives. For centuries, prophets have foretold this gathering, and it is happening right now! As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world." ("Let God Prevail," Russell M. Nelson, October 2020 General Conference)

Doctrine and Covenants 20 talks about the organization of the different duties of elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members. 

One thing that I want to emphasize here is that in our all responsibilities, President Uchtdorf said, 

"From the newest ordained deacon to the most senior high priest, we all have lists of what we could and should do in our priesthood responsibilities. That what is important in our work, and we need to attend to it. But it is in the why of priesthood service that we need to discover the fire, passion, and power of the priesthood. The what of priesthood service teaches us what to do. They why inspires our souls. The what informs, but the why transforms." ("The Why of Priesthood Service," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2012)

While Doctrine and Covenants 20 focuses on the duties of different priesthood callings, its focus, as it says in Doctrine and Covenants 20:38, is also "and members of the church of Christ," including ensuring they are baptized when ready and that they partake of the sacrament. 

The topic guide about priesthood power on www.churchofjesuschrist.org addresses this, quoting from Joseph Smith's teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women.

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I hope today's thoughts are one that fill you with a sense of purpose in how and WHY to overcome, and a feeling of hope that we CAN overcome. I love the reminder that the Lord loves all of us, no matter what kind of person that we are, where we were born, where we live now. What he cares about is that we know that he loves us and that because he does, he wants us to prevail. And, as we do, it will open the doors to let him help to carry us: 

"Now how does the Lord feel about people who will let God prevail? Nephi summed it up well, "[The Lord] loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and he remember[s] the covenants which he [has] made. And what is the Lord willing to do for Israel? The Lord has pledged that He will "fight [our] battles, and [our] children's battles, and our children's children's [battles] ... to the third and fourth generation."  ("Let God Prevail," Russell M. Nelson, October 2020 General Conference)