Area Leadership Message
The Heavens are Open
The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ began in 1820 when a boy who would become the Prophet Joseph Smith asked God which church he should join. Since then, divine revelations have restored to the earth fundamental truths about the nature of God, His priesthood authority and His plan for the salvation of man.
President Russell M. Nelson teaches that the Restoration continues today as the living, growing foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In this message, we explore some of President Nelson’s profound teachings about the Restoration and what it means to us and to the world.
The Restoration is an Ongoing Work
In 2020, President Nelson introduced a proclamation commemorating the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. It bears witness that God continues to make known His will through ongoing revelation.
This proclamation affirms that through the Restoration, God has once again made known His will, opened the heavens, and provided the means for all people to come unto Christ.
“We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will ‘gather together in one all things in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:10).”
President Nelson referred to this truth in 2018 when he said:
“We’re witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. . . . Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.”
Joseph Smith’s Pivotal Role in the Restoration
In 2021, President Nelson bore witness that the Prophet Joseph Smith “is the prophet of this last dispensation. A testimony of the Prophet Joseph’s pivotal role in the Restoration is crucial for all of us who are preaching the Lord’s gospel.”
He expounded:
“We marvel how Joseph was able to accomplish all that he did in his abbreviated lifetime. His amazing accomplishments were enabled by the miraculous and matchless power of Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ and many other heavenly beings. . . .
“Joseph was visited by, or saw in vision, dozens of ancient prophets and angels. . . .
“Through these remarkable experiences, Joseph came to understand that worldly knowledge pales when compared to heavenly knowledge.”
President Nelson then invites us to consider Joseph Smith’s contribution to our own knowledge of the restored gospel:
“Much of our precious body of scripture was revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through him we have received more pages of scripture than we have from any other prophet.”. . .
“Through Joseph Smith, the Lord brought forth scriptures that He knew were necessary for His disciples to understand. They teach of God’s eternal plan of happiness and of His covenant path to eternal glory.”
Engaging in the Work of the Restoration
The fervour that our prophet has for the Restoration is undeniable:
“I cannot speak of the Restoration in tempered tones. This fact of history is absolutely stunning! It is incredible! It is breathtaking! How amazing is it that messengers from heaven came to give authority and power to this work?
“Today, the Lord’s work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving forward at an accelerated pace.”
He exhorts us all to engage in the ongoing work of the Restoration, by gathering Israel on both sides of the veil and preparing the world for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
President Nelson warns that the days ahead will not be easy:
“Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord ‘shall suffer persecution.’ That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.”
Then he reminds us how the Lord bolsters us in His work:
“How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. . . . As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.”