The Restoration - Friday Night Adult Class May 2017

In recent years, every time I talk or think about “The Restoration” I am reminded of a story I saw on the news.  It is a story about a fresco painted in the Sanctuary of Mercy in the Borja Spain.  The fresco was painted by Elias Garcia Martinez and is titled “Ecce Homo” or “Behold the Man.”  He painted in the 1930’s as a gift to the cathedral.

After several decades, the painting began to deteriorate and large sections of these began to chip off.  The painting was in desperate need of repair.

The fame of the painting comes from a good faith attempt to restore the painting.  An elderly woman, who is an untrained amateur artist, named Doña Cecilia Giménez attempted to restore the painting.  According to her account, she had permission to attempt to restore the fresco from the local clergy.  However, her limited abilities are apparent when you look at the restored image.  Comically, yet unfortunately, several people have changed the name of the fresco from “Ecce Homo” or “Behold the Man” to “Ecce Mono” or “Behold the Monkey.” 

Can we look at this fresco and really call it a restoration?  Of course not.  The word restore means to return to its original condition or state.  Although the basics of the picture may be there, the picture is not the same, or in other words, it was not restored.

I believe there is value in considering the attempt.  Do you think that Dona Gimenez intended to destroy the painting?  Was she malicious in her attempt?  I don’t believe so.  I think she did the best could with what she had.  Regardless of her intent, she didn’t have the abilities or tools necessary to restore the fresco.

Obviously, from here we are going to relate this example to the restoration of the gospel.  We know that after the death of the Apostles there was no one to lead Christ’s church.  The scriptures are replete with prophesies that tell us this would happen.  (See Isa. 24:5, Isa. 29:13, Isa. 60:2, Amos 8:11, Matt. 13:25, Matt. 24:5, Matt. 24:24, 1 Cor. 11:18, Gal. 1:6, 2 Thess. 2:3, 1 Tim. 1:6, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 2:18, 2 Tim. 3:5, 2 Tim. 4:4, Titus 1:16, 2 Pet. 3:17, 1 Jn. 2:18, 1 Jn. 4:1, Rev. 2:2, Rev. 3:16).  I think at this point we should consider the attempts of good, well-intentioned men and women who wanted to be part of Christ’s church.  Much like Dona Gimenez, I don’t believe that everyone was malicious in their attempts to “restore” the true gospel to the earth.  I believe many people where good, honest people trying to do the best with what they had: The bible, which had been interpreted and translated by several different people.  After the bible, that was about it!  

When Christ restored His church, He restored it exactly as it was before.  Hence, it was in every sense of the word a restoration.  As He had always done, He called a prophet.  The man we know as Joseph Smith.  Through Joseph Smith, He restored the truth, His gospel, and His church.  

Here is the beauty of the whole restoration.  He doesn’t expect us to just believe Joseph Smith.  We can learn for ourselves!  In fact, Joseph’s story is a perfect example of what we are invited to do.  Let’s look at a couple of aspects of the story of Joseph Smith and see what we can learn about how we are taught the truth:

I would invite you to read the following verses from Joseph’s account and look for the example set forth by Joseph.  What did he do and what can we do?  I will only mention a few aspects of what took place so we can learn a little about how and what we can learn

Joseph Smith History 1:10-20, 21-26, 28-33, 34-47, 48-54, 68-75

JS History 1:10 – I was one day reading the Epistle of James

JS History 1:12 – I reflected on it again and again

JS History 1:13 – At length I came to the conclusion that I must … ask of God

JS History 1:16 – Exerting all my powers to call upon God 

JS History 1:23 – It caused me serious reflection

JS History 1:44 – I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly

JS History 1:50 – I obeyed

There are several more aspects of Joseph’s story that teach us about revelation and finding the truth, but I believe we have the basics laid out right in front of us: Scripture study, pondering, asking in faith, receiving answers and obeying.

That is the marvelous work and wonder that is before us.  Christ restored His church exactly as He first established it.  He called a prophet, who set forth the example for us to know for ourselves.  I have included the video below.  It is called “What the restoration means to me.”  I would invite you to watch the video and turn the title into a question and ask, “What does the restoration mean to me?”

What the restoration means to me. from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

The Resurrection - Weekly Adult Class_April 20

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

This semester we have been studying the New Testament and focusing on the Four Gospels.  As we close this semester we ended with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Savior.  While I was preparing the lesson on the Resurrection, I came across a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith.  As I read the quote, it really made me think.  It started like this;

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are..."

Before we move on, let’s just stop here and ask ourselves the question, "How would I finish this statement?"  Chances are pretty good right now that most of us are reciting the following words: "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance, Third..."  I know the first time I read it I did the same thing.  

Here is what the Prophet said:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven: all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

There are several aspects of this quote that really caught my attention.  I thought it would be valuable to look at this quote, bit by bit, a section at a time and hopefully, really understand the message Joseph Smith had for us.

Let’s start here:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, 

I love that the Prophets says the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets!  Everything we do in this church is based on the testimony of the prophets and apostles.  Every time the Lord’s Covenant people were on the earth, He has called prophets and apostles.  He has done it again!  This is fundamental to our religion.

Let’s continue with the quote:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets,

concerning Jesus Christ,

We are “The Church of Jesus Christ” first and foremost.  Everything we do leads us to Christ.  I remember my institute director once told me “Every time you get asked to speak in Sacrament, ask them the topic and then add the words “and Christ” to the end of it.  If you do that you will always give an inspiring talk.”  In the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, we again see the importance of the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ:

“…to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”  Truly, we are a people who believe that “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

The next part of the quote is what I found to be the most intriguing.

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ,

that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven:

It seems that Joseph Smith is saying the fundamental principle of our religion is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It really made me think, why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the fundamental principle of our religion?  So, I thought I would follow the counsel of Joseph Smith and turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ.  Here is part of a conference talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  As you read, consider this question:  Why would the resurrection of Jesus Christ be fundamental to our testimony of Him?

“If Jesus was in fact literally resurrected, it necessarily follows that He is a divine being. No mere mortal has the power in himself to come to life again after dying. Because He was resurrected, Jesus cannot have been only a carpenter, a teacher, a rabbi, or a prophet. Because He was resurrected, Jesus had to have been a God, even the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

“Therefore, what He taught is true; God cannot lie [see Enos 1:6].

“Therefore, He was the Creator of the earth, as He said [see, for example, 3 Nephi 9:15].

“Therefore, heaven and hell are real, as He taught [see, for example, D&C 76].

“Therefore, there is a world of spirits, which He visited after His death [see D&C 138].

“Therefore, He will come again, as the angels said [see Acts 1:10–11], and ‘reign personally upon the earth’ [Articles of Faith 1:10; see also Topical Guide, “Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign”].

“Therefore, there is a resurrection and a final judgment for all [see, for example, 2 Nephi 9:15].

“Given the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, doubts about the omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence of God the Father—who gave His Only Begotten Son for the redemption of the world—are groundless. Doubts about the meaning and purpose of life are unfounded. Jesus Christ is in fact the only name or way by which salvation can come to mankind. The grace of Christ is real, affording both forgiveness and cleansing to the repentant sinner. Faith truly is more than imagination or psychological invention. There is ultimate and universal truth, and there are objective and unchanging moral standards, as taught by Him.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2014

Once we have a testimony of the Resurrection of the Savior and of His Divinity, the next question is, so how does the resurrection affect me and my life?  Again, I will turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles.  Here is a video clip of a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  As you listen, ponder the thought, “How does the fact of the resurrection affect me and my daily life?”

Elder Oaks_Resurrection from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection,” Ensign May, 2000

Here is the final part of the quote

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven:

all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

This does not mean that “all other things” are less important.  In Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us the importance of all things being one: “14 For the body is not one member, but many” and later he states “20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.”  There are many aspects of “appendages” of the gospel.  When all of them are placed together, they are “the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel.”  That is the beauty of what was restored by the Prophet Joseph.  Starting with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we gain a testimony of Him and His divinity.  Because He was resurrected, every thing He said is also true.  He teachings are true, His doctrine is pure, and He is our Savior and Redeemer.  We know that we will also be resurrected and desire to live our lives like Him, make covenants, and endure to end.  This is why the resurrection is the fundamental principle of our religion.