The Source of Divine Truth T h e truths of our H e a v e n l y F a t h e r ' s p l a n are eternal a n d u n c h a n g i n g . T h e y are the basis for all his c o m m a n d m e n f s . W e can f i n d lasting h a p p i n e s s a n d prepare for eternal life o n l y as w e learn the t r u t h about the p l a n of G o d , accept it, a n d l i v e according to it. K n o w l e d g e f r o m h u m a n sources is a l w a y s l i m i t e d a n d c h a n g i n g , so h u m a n w i s d o m a n d k n o w l e d g e can n e v e r lead to a f u l l u n d e r s t a n d i n g of eternal t r u t h . G o d is the o n l y source f r o m w h i c h eternal t r u t h can come. T o help u s u n d e r s t a n d the t r u t h , he speaks t h r o u g h h i s p r o p h e t s . T h e revelations to prophets are recorded i n the scriptures.
Additional Study T h e t r u t h of G o d is eternal a n d u n c h a n g i n g : P s a l m 117:2; M o s i a h 2:22 (p. 149);* M o r m o n 9:9 (p. 485) W e cannot look to h u m a n w i s d o m for k n o w l e d g e of G o d : P r o v e r b s 3:5-6; I s a i a h 55:8-9; 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 2:14; 2 N e p h i 28:31 (p. 109) G o d has r e v e a l e d the t r u t h t h r o u g h prophets: A m o s 3:7; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 N e p h i 22:2 ( p . 50)
The Apostasy D u r i n g h i s earthly m i n i s t r y Jesus established h i s C h u r c h . H e called apostles a n d prophets w h o w o u l d lead the C h u r c h t h r o u g h revelation after he w a s gone. H e gave t h e m the priesthood authority to speak a n d act i n h i s n a m e . T h e s e i n s p i r e d leaders m a d e sure the people could learn the t r u t h a n d not be m i s l e d by false teachings. W h e n the people rejected the t r u t h a n d k i l l e d the apostles, G o d took the priesthood authority a n d the C h u r c h f r o m the earth. T h e loss of revelation * References to the Book of Mormon are followed by the page number where the passage is found. A l l other references are to the Bible.
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t h r o u g h the C h u r c h l e d to great c o n f u s i o n , contention, a n d incorrect teachings. T h i s falling a w a y f r o m the t r u t h is called the A p o s t a s y .
Additional Study T h e apostles a n d p r o p h e t s led the C h u r c h of C h r i s t a n d taught the t r u t h t h r o u g h d i v i n e r e v e l a t i o n : E p h e s i a n s 4:11-15; 3 N e p h i 11:18-41 ( p . 429) M a n y gospel t r u t h s w e r e lost a n d w e r e replaced b y the teachings of m e n : I s a i a h 29:13-14; A m o s 8:11; 2 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 2:1-3; 1 T i m o t h y 1:5-7; 2 N e p h i 28:9-14 ( p . 107)
THE
APOSTASY
" F o r that day shall not come, except there come a falling away f i r s t . " 2 Thessalonians 2:3
The Restoration of the Truth T o overcome the effects of this apostasy, G o d h a s proclaimed h i s t r u t h t h r o u g h prophets i n o u r d a y , just as he d i d i n Bible times. I n 1820 G o d the Father a n d Jesus C h r i s t v i s i t e d J o s e p h S m i t h i n a n s w e r to h i s p r a y e r about w h i c h c h u r c h he s h o u l d j o i n . J o s e p h w a s told to j o i n none of the churches because all w e r e teaching incorrect doctrines. T h r o u g h J o s e p h S m i t h the L o r d brought forth the Book of M o r m o n . J o s e p h received other revelations f r o m G o d . T h e s e are recorded i n t w o v o l u m e s of m o d e r n - d a y s c r i p t u r e — t h e D o c t r i n e a n d C o v e n a n t s a n d the P e a r l of G r e a t Price. 2
Additional Study W h y do w e need prophets a n d additional scriptures i n our day? M a t t h e w 4:4; 2 T i m o t h y 3:14-17; 2 N e p h i 28:26-27 (p. 109); 2 N e p h i 29:1-3, 6-10 (p. 109); The Prophet Joseph Smith's Testimony
The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ G o d directed Joseph S m i t h to reestablish the true C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t . T o do this, J o s e p h needed the priesthood. T h e priesthood is the authority to act i n the name of G o d . J o h n the Baptist, w h o had the authority to baptize the Savior, restored the authority he h e l d to J o s e p h . T h i s authority is called the A a r o n i c P r i e s t h o o d . I n addition, Peter, James, a n d J o h n , the apostles to w h o m Jesus h a d g i v e n the a u t h o r i t y to lead h i s C h u r c h , restored the authority they h e l d to Joseph S m i t h . T h i s authority is called the Melchizedek Priesthood. 3
Joseph S m i t h organized the C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t on A p r i l 6,1830. T h e L o r d has p r o c l a i m e d that it is "the o n l y true a n d l i v i n g c h u r c h u p o n the face of the w h o l e e a r t h " (Doctrine a n d C o v e n a n t s 1:30).
Additional Study It w a s necessary for Joseph S m i t h to receive the priesthood before he c o u l d reestablish the C h u r c h : J o h n 15:16; H e b r e w s 5 : 1 , 4; M o s i a h 21:33-34 ( p . 189); The Prophet Joseph Smith's Testimony
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The True Church of Jesus Christ The C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of L a t t e r - d a y Saints is led today by a prophet a n d t w e l v e apostles. T h e y receive revelation from G o d j u s t as the apostles and prophets d i d i n earlier times. T h r o u g h priesthood authority, they teach the truths of G o d , perform his w o r k , a n d direct his C h u r c h . W e must come unto C h r i s t by being b a p t i z e d into his C h u r c h . O n l y i n T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of Latter-day Saints c a n w e f i n d all the truths that w i l l help us r e t u r n to our Father i n H e a v e n . O n l y i n the true C h u r c h of C h r i s t c a n w e find the authority to p e r f o r m the necessary gospel ordinances.
Additional Study T h r o u g h baptism into the C h u r c h of C h r i s t , w e accept C h r i s t a n d enjoy the blessings of h i s atonement: A c t s 2:37-38, 46-47; M o s i a h 18:16-22 (p. 182); 4 N e p h i 1:1 ( p . 465); M o r o n i 6:1-4 (p. 520)
Taking Part in the Church T h e L o r d h a s c o m m a n d e d h i s people to meet together often. I n w o r s h i p services, the m e m b e r s of the C h u r c h teach each other the gospel. T h e y strengthen each other i n f o l l o w i n g the e x a m p l e of the Savior. T h e y enjoy a sense of u n i t y , m u t u a l strength, a n d f e l l o w s h i p . A n i m p o r t a n t part of w o r s h i p services i n the C h u r c h is the sacrament. C h r i s t introduced this sacred ordinance d u r i n g h i s last s u p p e r w i t h the apostles. T h e bread a n d w i n e represent h i s body a n d blood. W e partake of these e m b l e m s i n remembrance of his sacrifice for u s a n d h i s resurrection. A s w i t h other o r d i n a n c e s , w e are making a covenant w i t h G o d . W e promise w e w i l l a l w a y s r e m e m b e r C h r i s t a n d keep h i s c o m m a n d m e n t s . G o d , i n t u r n , p r o m i s e s that if w e keep o u r c o v e n a n t , w e w i l l a l w a y s h a v e h i s Spirit w i t h u s .
Additional Study T h e L o r d ' s people meet together often: M a t t h e w 18:20; A c t s 20:7; H e b r e w s 10:24-25; M o s i a h 18:25 (p. 182); M o r o n i 6:5 ( p . 520) W h a t does the s a c r a m e n t represent? L u k e 22:19-20; 3 N e p h i 18:6-11 (p. 442); M o r o n i chapters 4 a n d 5 ( p . 519)
What Can You Do to Prepare for Baptism? 1 . C o n t i n u e r e a d i n g i n the B o o k of M o r m o n . Suggested readings:
D i s c u s s w h a t y o u h a v e read w i t h a m e m b e r of T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of L a t t e r - d a y Saints. 2. A t t e n d w o r s h i p services of the C h u r c h w i t h a Church member. Address: Time: 3. R e a d the p a m p h l e t The Prophet Joseph Smith's Testimony. P r a y to k n o w w h e t h e r J o s e p h S m i t h w a s a true prophet. 4. T a k e part i n the f o u r t h d i s c u s s i o n w i t h the missionaries. Next Appointments: Discussion 4 Discussion 5 Discussion 6 B a p t i s m a l Date:
Š 1986 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America
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