Restoration

Mormon doctrine has a unique explanation for why there are so many different Christian denominations in the world today. Mormons believe that the “great falling away” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 refers to the Great Apostasy. Mormons use this term to describe what happened after Christ and all the apostles left this earth. With no authority left on the earth, the leadership of the early church fell into the hands of philosophers. The influence of the Greek and Roman schools of thought were so great, that doctrine was steadily dismantled by men who simply wanted to “discuss” things. Because many doctrines were contrary to popular belief, the doctrines were changed to accommodate society, as happened with the Council of Nicaea.

When a young man named Joseph Smith was confused by all the conflicting interpretations of scripture he heard from the different denominations in his area, he prayed to God to know which church was the true church. He had a surprising answer: a vision of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The First Vision by itself proved false centuries of “doctrine” decided upon by men at the Council of Nicaea. The Godhead was not three beings, incomprehensibly in one: it was made up of three distinct beings who were one in purpose.

After this First Vision, Joseph continued to receive visions in which heavenly messengers trained him and taught him. Joseph Smith had been chosen of God to restore the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in the latter days. Joseph was led to an ancient record, kept on plates of brass, which told of Jesus Christ’s visit to the Americas after his death and resurrection in Jerusalem. The ancient inhabitants of the Americas had all been led there by the hand of God, and the record (which came to be called the Book of Mormon) serves as another witness that Jesus is the Christ.

Joseph translated this ancient record by the power of God. As he translated, he received more revelation from God regarding specific doctrinal questions he had concerning things like baptism, the priesthood, the nature of God, heaven, and many other things. Many of these revelations are included in the Mormon book of scripture called the Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph asked God about the priesthood, the priesthood was restored to the earth, never to be taken away again.

Over the ten year period from the time of the First Vision, in 1820, to the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as the Mormon Church is officially known) on  April 6, 1830, Joseph received much instruction and guidance in order to establish the Lord’s church again on the earth in its fullness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only one established by the hand of God, wherein God’s authority is present through the power of the priesthood. A prophet leads and directs the Mormon Church today, and each time one passes away, the succession is immediate. The most-senior apostle is always the one to receive the power of the presidency of the church. There is no voting and no confusion. The process is known to everyone and is immediate.

There are many unique things about the Latter-day Saints, but one is that Jesus Christ is leading their church. It is not led by man. The prophet is simply the mouthpiece of the Lord during the time he fulfills his calling. The next prophet is also the mouthpiece of the Lord. The Mormon Church is not a democracy; it is a theocracy. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ restored in its fullness today on the earth.