What is the Message of the Restoration?
(Part one)
Important messages:
God wants to give all of His children the opportunity to accept the gospel.
The restoration teaches us some important doctrines and patterns:
Apostasy has been the outcome of each dispensation until now.
We can experience personal apostasy.
There must be an opposition in all things.
*We are fighting a battle against the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil – God will not take away the agency of man.
*God has allowed for periods of time when it appeared that all was lost. (Christ crucified, the apostles martyred, the widespread persecution of the Saints.)
God is at the helm. Satan will not triumph!
*1 Nephi 13 is an accurate description of many details of the apostasy, the reformation and the restoration that were given in vision to Nephi long before they came to pass. God did exert influence by sending to earth, pious, brilliant and influential men and women, who helped usher in the dispensation that began with the First Vision and will end with the Return of the Saviour of all Mankind.
Application:
1. Stay out of the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil.
It is not a building with a fixed address. We can be in it’s pews in a heart beat. Seek
the guidance of the Lord in all of our dealings and our decisions. We must trust that
as we humble ourselves and keep our covenants we will have the power to
overcome. (1 Nephi 22:10-17, 1 Nephi 14: 2-4 and 16-17. Compare 1 Nephi 13: 3-9/
Revelation 17 / Mormon 8:36-41)
2. As you try to find ways to share the gospel – remember the bold examples
and the integrity of the reformers - those who were willing to die for what they
believed. SO MUCH EASIER to share a loving message, than to be burnt at the stake!
Check out “Fires of Faith” at BYU TV website.
(The story of the martyrs who brought the King James Bible into existence.)
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