When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He established His Church among His followers. After His Crucifixion and the deaths of His Apostles, the fulness of the gospel was taken from the earth because of widespread apostasy.
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ restored the fullness of the gospel. The true Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. Because of the Restoration, the teachings and ordinances necessary for salvation are available to all people.
The following outline summarizes a few of the important events in the restoration of the gospel and the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which the Lord has declared is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30).
Early spring, 1820. Seeking the true Church of Jesus Christ, 14-year-old Joseph Smith prayed in a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York. In answer to his humble prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ visited him and told him that he must not join any of the churches on the earth at that time. In the Church, we refer to this experience as Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
However, on April 6th, 1830, the church was restored. The true church must meet the following scriptural requirements or it cannot be of God. Only “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” meets every key point.
Christ organized the church. Ephesians 4:11–15
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…
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro…
15 But speaking the truth in love…
The true church must bear the name of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:23
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church…
Ephesians 2:19–20
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners…
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets…
Ephesians 4:11–14
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets…
12 For the perfecting of the saints…
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith…
14 That we henceforth be no more children…
Hebrews 5:4–10
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God…
5 So also Christ glorified not himself…
6 Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7–10 Christ’s obedience, suffering, and divine calling.
Isaiah 45:13 and 1 Peter 5:2
Isaiah 45:13 …not for price nor reward…
1 Peter 5:2 …not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.
Matthew 3:13–16 and Mark 1:10
13–16 Jesus is baptized by immersion.
Mark 1:10 …coming up out of the water…
Acts 8:14–17
14–17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Mark 3:14–15
14–15 …power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.
John 17:11 and John 20:17
John 17:11 …that they may be one, as we are.
John 20:17 …I ascend unto my Father, and your Father…
Luke 24:36–39 and Acts 1:9–11
Luke 24:39 …for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Acts 1:9–11 …this same Jesus… shall so come in like manner…
Hebrews 5:4, Exodus 28:1, Exodus 40:13–16
Hebrews 5:4 …called of God, as was Aaron.
Exodus 28:1 …that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 40:13–16 …anoint them… that they may minister unto me…
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Matthew 28:19–20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…
20 …I am with you alway…
Acts 3:19–20
19–20 …when the times of refreshing shall come…
1 Corinthians 15:16–29
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead…?
Matthew 7:20
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
The Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon together testify of Jesus Christ and His work among all the house of Israel.
Approaching my eighteenth birthday, I was deeply moved by the understanding that the Bible supports the Book of Mormon. Though some may perceive it differently, its true meaning is profound.
Hosea 4:6 — My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…
There are over 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide. Yet God is not the author of confusion. Truth is singular.
Many reject truth because it conflicts with their traditions.
2 Timothy 3:7 — Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Join us in embracing faith by connecting with missionaries, studying truth, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
I hope you found this message uplifting. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Sincerely,
Timothy Thompson
Malachi 4:5–6 — Elijah will return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.