THE RESTORATION AND THE COMING FORTH OF NEW SCRIPTURES 2

THE BOOK OF MORMON HELPS BRING PEOPLE TO CHRIST

1 Nephi 6:4

• We need to come closer to Christ.
• Christ wants us to com unto God
• "that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham."

• The Book of Mormon helps bring people to Christ in many ways. In this scripture from the Book of Mormon Christ himself is speaking, even telling men to come unto God.
• "For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham."

1 Nephi 19:18

• Nephi is also trying to 'persuade' them.
• "I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer."

2 Nephi 25:23

• The word 'persuade' is used again in this scripture. "to persuade our children.. to beleive in Christ."
• Believe in Christ. "Labor diligently" so that we may 'persuade' others to believe in Christ with us.

THE BOOK OF MORMON IS CONVINCING EVIDENCE OT THE RESTORATION

1 Nephi 13:40

• These 'plain and precious things' have been taken from the earth (apostasy) and now through Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon we have them back agian restored on earth.
• "The lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world."

D&C 20:8-12

• Wow. That sums it all up right there. Right from the first verse I felt the Spirit really strong.
• "And gave him power from on high." How awesome is that?
• Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and through him this church was restored again to the earth, bringing the world out of apostasy.
• He was blessed with the power. Power from on high. And through revelation, even personal revelation, we can know that that is true and that the Book of Mormon is true, that a true prophet who holds the keys restored the church. We can know that.

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

Acts 3:20-21

• Heavenly Father sent His son Jesus Christ, and He will send Him again.
• The prophets have testified of it and they still do today.
• Jesus is our teacher, our Savior, our brother.

D&C 1:30

• This church was brought out of 'Obscurity and out of darkness'
  
• Those who the Lord called had the 'power to lay the foundation of this church'.
  

The Restoration and the coming forth of new scripture

GOD CALLED JOSEPH SMITH TO BE THE PROPHET OF THE RESTORATION

D&C 136:37

• Jesus Christ brought forth His work. So did Joseph Smith
• "Ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my words."

JS History 1:17

• Joseph Smith was literally called by God.
• In a grove of trees God the Father and His son appeared to Joseph Smith in person. "This is my beloved son. Hear Him!"

JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATED THE BOOK OF MORMON AND BROUGHT FORTH OTHER SCRIPTURES BY THE GIFT AND POWER OF GOD

1 Nephi 13:39-40

• "I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them."
• "The records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true."

2 Nephi 1:29

• God gave Joseph Smith that power, the power to translate.
• "My servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God by the power of God, the Book of Mormon."
  

PROPHETS AND APOSTASY 2

THE REJECTION OF THE SAVIOR, HIS TEACHINGS, AND PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY RESULTED IN THE APOSTASY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Matt 24:24

• There are false prophets even in the world today. We must not be fooled.
• So great is their deceitfulness that, "If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Acts 20:29-30

• There will be many who will and have tried to decieve and they have been succuessfull. Do not let them be successfull in you.
• Men will, "Speak perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Don't be deceived.

THE EUROPEAN REFORMATION HELPED PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE FINAL RESTORATION

Joel 2:28-29

• He will pour out His spirit.
• And show many signs, "I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
  

PROPHETS AND APOSTASY

THE LORD PROVIDES TRUTH, PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY, ORDINANCES, AND ORGANIZATION THROUGH HIS PROPHETS

Alma 12:27-30

• Like angels, prophets speak with the voice of God
• Heavenly Father speaks through them and He makes things known unto us through the prophets according to our faith repentance

Matt 16:18-19

• To the prophets are given unto them "the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
• And what they say on earth, shall also be bound in heaven. They speak from God.

THROUGHOUT HISTORY THERE HAS BEEN A RECURRING PATTERN OF APOSTASY AND RESTORATION

2 Thesalonians 2:1-3

• The church fell through (scripture mastery)
• There have been many 'falling aways' before in the past. This is called an apostasy.

2 Nephi 25:17

• After a fallen state (apostasy) the Lord will restore His people for a second time.
• Then, my favorite part of the scripture, "He will proceed to do a marvelous work and wonder among the children of men."