Does God Still Speak Today?
The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Two Heavenly Visitors
In 1820, in New York, USA, a young man named Joseph Smith sought God's guidance as to which church to join. He could see bits of truth in every church, but they all seemed to contradict each other. Some churches claimed to have the power of God, while others claimed that God no longer spoke to his children. Discouraged and confused, Joseph Smith turned to the Bible for guidance. He read: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...". This scripture touched Joseph; he could get answers from God when he asked in faith.
"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!“ ~ Joseph Smith
One spring morning Joseph went to a grove of trees to pray, and ask God which of the churches was true. The miracle that followed that humble prayer changed the course of history forever.
In a "pillar of light" God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph and told him how much they loved him. They told him not to join any of the churches. Though they taught many good things, none of them contained the fulness of truth, even if they taught of the redeeming love of Christ.
The Restoration
The restoration of the original church and power of Jesus Christ was the answer to Joseph's search for truth. But what does restoration mean, and why is it important for you?
The word restoration means to restore something to its original glory, to restore it to its original form, or to preserve something that has been damaged. In this case, the original gospel and church of Jesus Christ were restored. But in order for it to be recovered, it must first be lost.
Have questions about Joseph Smith?
Meet with us to learn more about Joseph Smith and his vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Prophets Lead and Guide You
From the beginning, God has led His children. He loves all His children and wants the best for them. He speaks to them through the Holy Spirit and shows them the way to eternal happiness. He also guides His children by appointing prophets to act as mouthpieces for God. God calls prophets on Earth to lead and guide His children.
Prophets are an integral part of the church of Jesus Christ. They warn us of dangers, bring us out of the bondage of sin, and point us to the Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ built his church on the foundation of the prophets and apostles.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
After Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, He returned to Earth to give His Apostles final advice and direction. Jesus wanted to ensure that the children of God had access to the truth of the gospel that He taught while He was on the earth.
After Christ's ascension into heaven, the Christian communities split into factions, and the people began to pervert the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Apostles, who had been given the power of Jesus Christ, were killed, leaving the people without the proper authority to direct a church. Though God loves his children and wants to guide them, they did not receive direction because they were not listening to His voice. During this time the pure teachings of Christ were lost, along with the leadership of prophets.
Have questions about Jesus Christ?
Learn more about Jesus Christ and how He lived on Earth.
God can Speak to You
As children of God, we can receive our own individual guidance from Him. God loves us all individually, and as such, He communicates with us individually. For example, He wouldn't give you the same advice he gives your best friend, because you are different than your friend. You are 100 percent unique. Because Jesus Christ personally suffered for you and atoned for your sins and pains, He can empathize perfectly with you and knows how to guide you in times of need.
The Spcriptures Guide You
God often answers our questions and comforts us through the scriptures. Just as Joseph Smith was instructed to ask God in prayer which of the churches was true, we too can turn to the scriptures to hear God's voice.
Together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ. Together they contain the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All of these elements, the teachings and gospel of Christ, the foundation of the prophets and apostles, and the clear teachings of the Holy Scriptures, are available to you again. You can be a part of God's church. We invite you to read the Book of Mormon and find out for yourself if it is true.
Find your own answer.
Find your own answers about God's church in the Book of Mormon: Another Witness of Jesus Christ.
