The Gospel Is Restored

By Vicki F. Matsumori

“For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (D&C 115:4).

What things do you think you will remember from Primary after you leave it? A favorite song? A special scripture story? One of the gospel standards?

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says that in Primary he learned the names of all the Apostles serving then, as well as all the Articles of Faith. When he tried to remember them as an adult, he says, “I discovered I could still name the Twelve Apostles. … [But] after the first five articles of faith, I had trouble remembering their order and their full content.”

So Elder Perry again studied the Articles of Faith, and as he did he had “a deep conviction … that they were given by revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith.”

The Prophet Joseph wrote a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor. The Prophet wrote about many things that happened when the gospel was restored. He told about the First Vision and about translating the Book of Mormon. Then he wrote the Articles of Faith—13 statements explaining Latter-day Saints’ beliefs.

Elder Perry promises: “If you will use [the Articles of Faith] as a guide to direct your studies of the Savior’s doctrine, you will find yourselves prepared to declare your witness of the restored, true church of the Lord. You will be able to declare with conviction: ‘We believe these things’” (“The Articles of Faith,” Ensign, May 1998, 22–24).

Articles of Faith Matching Game

Mount page 5 on heavy paper. Cut out each card. As you memorize an article of faith, find the corresponding picture card. Play a matching game by placing the cards facedown on a flat surface. Take turns turning over two cards to try to make a match.

Illustrations by Scott Greer

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.	We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.	We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.	We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.	We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.	We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.	We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Sharing Time Ideas

To help the children learn about the blessings of the Restoration, review some of the events recounted in Joseph Smith—History. Invite four people to come dressed in simple costumes and portray Joseph Smith’s friends or family members. Have each tell about an event as if Joseph had told them about it, using the scriptures as appropriate. Divide the children into four groups, and using stations (see Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 179), have the groups rotate and listen to each visitor testify about the truths revealed because of an event: the First Vision (JS—H 1:14–17); the need for the Restoration (JS—H 1:18–19); receiving and translating the Book of Mormon (JS—H 1:59–60); the restoration of the priesthood (JS—H 1:68–72). Sing songs or hymns about Joseph Smith, the First Vision, the Book of Mormon, and the priesthood.
To help the children understand the blessing of having the priesthood of God restored to the earth, have them read aloud together 1 Pet. 2:9. Discuss the blessings and obligations that come from being “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” Place these wordstrips in a container: BLESSING A BABY, BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, BLESSING THE SACRAMENT, GIVING A HEALING BLESSING, SETTING SOMEONE APART FOR A CALLING, DEDICATING A BUILDING, THE TEMPLE, MISSIONARIES, A BISHOP, and THE PROPHET. Have the children choose a wordstrip and then draw what it says while the rest of the children guess what blessing from the priesthood is being drawn. Discuss how the priesthood blesses us in that instance or through that person. Sing an appropriate song or hymn after you discuss each wordstrip.