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Spiritual Thoughts - April 3, 2020

The Gospel has been restored
Sister Jana Hyer McDonald new column header

This spring marks the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just the thought of this supernal event makes me want to shout from the highest mountain – or at least go to the Walmart parking lot and run around telling everyone. I can settle for sending it out on Facebook, telling family and friends, or putting it on a bumper sticker. I have chosen to share this wonderful anniversary in our beloved Nickel Belt News and Thompson Citizen newspaper.

Exactly how did The Restoration come about? What does it mean? How has the world changed because of it? In 1820 a young man had questions similar to the rest of us. He wondered about God, his standing before God, and what church would help him come unto God. He was reading in the scriptures and found his answer in 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.” That scripture and his searching heart were enough to bring him to find a secluded place and verbally pray to God for answers to his questions. He not only got answers, but he actually saw God and His Son Jesus Christ. They appeared to him, called him by name, and answered his questions. Now this is not so unusual considering Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. had also recorded such experiences. But, what this means to you and me is now the bigger answer.

Christian churches in 1820 had all but given up on God, His nature, His relationship to men and women, and what was required to come unto God. There was so much confusion, competition, dissension, outright apostasy and reformation in the churches of the day. With this new appearance to a young man of no consequence, position or renown, it became obvious that God was still well and alive. This appearance was proof positive that God is our loving Heavenly Father. We are created in His image. He has a body just like ours. God, our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ are two separate and distinct individuals. They will talk to us. They are invested in our wellbeing. They know us by name. There are answers to our questions that will bless individuals and families. God actually wants to have His true church, with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on the earth accessible to us, to alleviate the confusion.

Following this initial event, and over a process of 10 years, the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ began to unfold. The world changed gradually with each new event. The first change was the coming forth of scriptures additional to the Bible. These were recorded by ancient prophets and apostles from the New World. These are now translated into more than 100 languages. God has provided inspiration and direction to additional prophets in more than one area of the world, just as He had given to Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, etc. Early prophets in the Americas recorded His words, and hid up the records. Now their scriptures are made available to us. The priesthood authority to ordain, baptize, and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost was restored. Further knowledge of the Saviour Jesus Christ has been revealed with an increase of appearances by Him. Another Testament of Jesus Christ is available to the world. The organization and church structure set up by Christ during His ministry of prophets, apostles, seventies and authority are again on the earth to receive revelation, give leadership, and provide guidance. The simple ordinance of the Sacrament established by Christ to renew baptismal covenants and remember His Atonement for all people was restored. All temple covenants, ordinances, and rites were restored, with the building of Holy temples. There are now over 200 temples in operation, under construction, or announced for construction throughout the world.

Along with these more organizational restorations, the principles and doctrines of the Gospel of Christ have been restored. Simple truths such as our pre-mortal existence with our Heavenly Father, the creation of the earth, and people in the image of God, as well as eternal marriage between man and woman (Adam and Eve) were renewed. The agency of man to choose for oneself is a law of God, requiring the infinite Atonement of Christ in order to allow for repentance, forgiveness, resurrection, and eternal life in the presence of God. The wonderful reality of continual revelation from God, inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and the ministry of Christ to save souls is ongoing. His simple truths of love, faith, repentance, forgiveness, charity, honesty, respect, hope, and joy are still the guiding principles in relationships.

In short, the good news is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ have been restored. Millions throughout the world celebrate this truth. This is my most treasured testimony to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Jana Hyer McDonald is a member of he Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a former resident of Thompson who was relocated due to the COVID-19 pandemic but hopes to return with her husband Bruce McDonald in the coming months. 

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