To Seal the Testimony - Joseph Smith's Martyrdom

“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. ” (D&C 135:3)

So...Who is this Joseph Smith anyways? What has he done?  Why this verse of modern day scripture?

I will get to that in just a moment...

Today I had the opportunity to facilitate our adult gospel doctrine class during Sunday School.  I was given this opportunity to serve at the beginning of the year and be the instructor once every five weeks.  I, along with four other members of our ward were called to serve in this capacity.  As the instructor, we prepare the content and lead the discussion during this class.  The true teacher of the class, however, is the Holy Ghost which is always present when truths are being discussed.  It is a highlight of my week...to join with other Latter-day Saints and discuss the truths of the restored gospel and be inspired and uplifted by the spirit.

Today was no different; I felt the witness of the spirit testify and confirm to me the truths surrounding the prophet Joseph Smith's life and his martyrdom.  

Modern day scripture reveals the following truth:

2 Nephi 27:23
23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

God has always called prophets in each dispensation to lead His children upon the earth.

He was the first prophet called in this dispensation by our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore the precious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ and establish His church once again upon the earth in preparation for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 22:3

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

What exactly happened during the Restoration?

The Restoration of all things - click here

So what exactly did Joseph Smith do during his time as prophet as mentioned above in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3

Here are some of Joseph Smith's major achievements and revelations:

     Truths about the Godhead

D&C 130:22-23.  In the King Follett sermon given 7 April 1844, the Prophet taught: “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!  That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,—I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form of man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, and talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another”(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 345)  

·        The authority of the priesthood

Through the prophet Joseph Smith, heavenly messengers restored the Aaronic Priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the keys of the priesthood.  Then, the Lord gave revelations about priesthood offices, organization, covenants, ordinances, duties, and blessings.  Without those revelations, we would not understand the priesthood power or its operations.

·        Truths about our origin and our relationship to God

D&C 76:23-24; Abraham 3:22-28 teach that we are literally children of God and that we lived with him before we came to this earth as mortals.  Think about how this knowledge affects your daily life.

·        Scriptures

While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “[Joseph Smith] translated and published the Book of Mormon, a volume of 522 pages which has since been retranslated into [many] languages and which is accepted by millions across the earth as the word of God.  The revelations he received and other writings he produced are likewise scripture to these millions.  The total in book pages constitutes the equivalent of almost the entire Old Testament of the Bible, and it came through one man in the space of a few years” (Ensign, May 1977, 65)

·        Truths about the plan of salvation

·        Truths about the salvation of the dead

The Prophet taught that those who died without an opportunity to receive gospel ordinances and covenants would have an opportunity to accept or reject these ordinances and blessings just as if they had had the opportunity in this life.   He also taught that we need our dead and they need us for the whole human family to be joined together as the Father intended.  See D&C 128:18.

·        The building of temples and the performance of temple ordinances

The receipt of endowments and the sealing of families together forever were revealed through Joseph so that we might enjoy the blessings of eternal families.

·        Other contributions included:

The Church was restored through him

He began the gathering of Israel and the missionary work to spread the gospel throughout the earth

The Law of Consecration, a celestial principle, was revealed through him

The Lord’s law of health, the Word of Wisdom, was revealed through him

We learned about the future building of latter-day Zion and the New Jerusalem through him

He also wrote the Articles of Faith

I am very grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith.  Because he acted in faith and continued to do the Lord's will we have been greatly blessed in this last dispensation.  As I study and learn more about the prophet's life I am filled with gratitude.  I have gained a deeper understanding and greater appreciation for all that he went through to bring forth these revealed truths in our day.  These truths and the blessings that come from accepting them are available to all who will trust in the Lord.  If this post has touched you in anyway I invite you to pray unto your Heavenly Father and seek His will and confirmation of these truths.  I promise it will bless your life and enhance it in ways you may not have experienced  yet.

~ C. J. Poulsen

Mountains to Climb

Not a day goes by that I don't think of my sweet mother...Oh how I miss her!  I miss calling to see how her week is going.  I miss hearing her voice.  I miss seeing her at home when we go visit for holidays.  I miss her cheering me on.  I miss seeing her interact with her grandchildren.  I miss her hug, kiss, and "I love you" after each visit.

Today mark's twenty months since the passing of my dear mother.  On September 1, 2014 she left her mortal body and passed onto the other side of the veil to reunite with many who had gone before her. She has progressed beyond this mortal life into the next phase of her eternal existence.  Although life is fragile and our mortal journey can end suddenly, without much warning, at anytime, the gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace and assurance that we will reunite and live again with our loved ones.  "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22

We never know when we will take our last breath in this life; therefore we should make each day count.  This life is a time for us to prepare to meet God. (Alma 34:32-34) When a loved one passes, it brings new perspective, and we tend to take a step back and analyze our own life and standing with God.  We ponder the bigger picture of who we are and our eternal identity and destination.  I hope to return and live with my mother, loving Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.  I know this is possible through the exercise of our faith and obedience to the commandments we've been given.

With each new passing day, I feel my mother near and know that she is happy and cheering me on from above.  She is sad to be apart from us, her family, but she wants only the best for each one of us.  I know she loves me greatly and wants me to stay on the strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.  I know she is busy sharing her testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with all of its saving ordinances and promised blessings.  She is teaching and sharing with others the importance of family and temple covenants.  She is sharing her testimony of the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon.  She is testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ and His loving sacrifice and atonement in our behalf.  I am so grateful for this knowledge I've obtained of Christ's gospel through the witness and power of the Holy Ghost.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is so beautiful and truly is "Good News" to all who will listen and accept its glorious message.  For my friends who are suffering and feeling lost or alone, I submit to you that you're never alone.  Perhaps you've recently lost a loved one as well and are grieving their passing.  I testify that they're alive and well and have only separated from their mortal body for a time.  Jesus Christ has broken the bands of death and through His glorious resurrection has promised that same gift to all who come to this earth and die.  We will rise again and live with our loved ones.

Families are central to the message of Christ's gospel.  Our main purpose of being here on earth is to be tested.  We are being tested to see if we will exercise faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ and follow after Him and His teachings.  He wants us to follow Him into the waters of baptism and become members of His church where we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Once we have become a member of His church we can then continue progressing for more gifts and blessings in His holy temples.  I love the holy temples and the promises and blessings we can receive here if we are faithful.  We can be married and sealed to our eternal companion for time and eternity and have our children sealed to us!  This is great news!  For those who passed beyond the veil of death before hearing this glorious message we can also help them progress!  "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" 1 Corinthians 15:29

House of the Lord ~ Holiness to the Lord

 Salt Lake City Temple

 Washington D.C. Temple

Rexburg, Idaho Temple

 I know that families can be together forever through sacred, temple sealings.  One of the biggest blessings and benefits of the Restoration of Christ's Church and gospel is the blessings of family history and temple work.

• Ephesians 1:10

  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
   
• The Biblical prophet Malachi prophesied of the return of Elijah for the purpose of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers (see Malachi 4:5–6)

  This prophecy was actually fulfilled when the Prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (the man who helped Joseph translate the Book of Mormon) in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836. Elijah restored specific powers of the priesthood by conferring them upon Joseph and Oliver. This power is what makes it possible for families to be sealed throughout generations. Through family history work, we can participate in the continuing fulfillment of this prophecy. We can learn about our ancestors, and those who died without the opportunity to hear the gospel and receive ordinances, and increase our love for them. We can be inspired by their stories of courage and faith. We can pass that legacy on to our children.

  

I am so thankful for my knowledge and understanding of God's eternal plan of happiness and salvation.  His teachings anchor my soul and give me light and direction in a darkened world.  I am grateful for the opportunity this technology allows me to share my testimony with you and others.  I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves you and I.  I pray that you may feel peace and comfort.  As always, thank you for stopping by.

~ C.J. Poulsen