1. 1 Foundations of the Restoration Lee & Rosemary Huish

2. 2 Foundations of the Restoration Course requirements: Scriptures, minds, hearts, voices & journal

3. 3 A Marvelous Work and a Wonder~ Lesson 1

4. 4 When you read this title, what comes to your mind? A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

5. 5 Foundations of the Restoration A study of foundational revelations, doctrine, historical events, and people relevant to the unfolding Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ as found in the standard works, the teachings of modern prophets, and Church history.  Joseph Smith Jr.  The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith-History, and the Articles of Faith.  Events  People  The Church

6. 6 Apostasy Dark Ages Enlightenment/Renaissance Reformation Restoration

7. 7 Amos 8:11-12 Famine = What type of famine did Amos prophesy would occur?

8. 8 Amos 8:11-12 Famine = What type of famine did Amos prophesy would occur? What did Amos prophesy that people would do because of this famine?

9. 9 Amos 8:11-12 Famine = What type of famine did Amos prophesy would occur? What did Amos prophesy that people would do because of this famine? What evidence have you seen in the world that there has been a famine of ‘hearing the words of the Lord’?

10. 10 Isaiah 29:7-9, 13-14

11. 11 Acts 3 19 ¶Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts 20 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

12. 12 2 Thessalonians 2 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

13. 13 “After the death of Jesus Christ, wicked people persecuted the Apostles and Church members and killed many of them. With the death of the Apostles, priesthood keys and the presiding priesthood authority were taken from the earth. The Apostles had kept the doctrines of the gospel pure and maintained the order and standard of worthiness for Church members. Without the Apostles, over time the doctrines were corrupted, and unauthorized changes were made in Church organization and priesthood ordinances, such as baptism and conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 35).

14. 14 “Without revelation and priesthood authority, people relied on human wisdom to interpret the scriptures and the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. False ideas were taught as truth. Much of the knowledge of the true character and nature of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost was lost. The doctrines of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost became distorted or forgotten. The priesthood authority given to Christ’s Apostles was no longer present on the earth.” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 35).

15. 15 There is no regularly constituted church of Christ on earth, nor any person qualified to administer any church ordinances; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church for whose coming I am seeking. The apostasy… hath so far corrupted all, that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy until Christ shall send forth new apostles to plant churches anew. Roger Williams 1603 - 1683

16. 16

17. 17

18. 18 Whenever people choose to disregard, disobey, or distort any gospel principle or ordinance, whenever they reject the Lord’s prophets, or whenever they fail to endure in faith, they distance themselves from God and begin to live in spiritual darkness. Eventually this leads to a condition called apostasy. When widespread apostasy occurs, God withdraws His priesthood authority to teach and administer the ordinances of the gospel. (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004]).

19. 19 Without being irreverent or disrespectful of other religions, let’s look at a list of evidences of apostasy and spiritual darkness: general moral decay and great evil throughout the world multiple, conflicting religions (over 3,000 Christian religions, all based on the Bible) religions allowing abortion, homosexuality, etc. false traditions, false doctrines, and false practices, such as...

20. 20 Infant Baptism

21. 21

22. 22

23. 23

24. 24

25. 25

26. 26

27. 27

28. 28 More importantly (and more tragically), the world has suffered the loss of true doctrines, such as: the Godhead the purpose of our life on earth what happens after we die What happened that caused the world to lose the knowledge of these very important things?

29. 29 Doctrine and Principles Knowing that there was a Great Apostasy can help us recognize the need for the Restoration of the gospel.

30. 30 “[Prophets] have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day.”

31. 31 Elder Ezra Taft Benson testified unequivocally: “God, the Father of us all, uses the men of the earth, especially good men, to accomplish His purposes. It has been true in the past, it is true today, it will be true in the future.... God is using [and has used] more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work.”

32. 32 Martin Luther Huldrich Zwingli William Tyndale John Wycliffe Jan Hus

33. 33 “For centuries the heavens remained sealed. Good men and women, not a few - really great and wonderful people - tried to correct, strengthen, and improve their systems of worship and their body of doctrine. To them I pay honor and respect. How much better the world is because of their bold action. While I believe their work was inspired, it was not favored with the opening of the heavens, with the appearance of Deity.” Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

34. 34 Doctrine and Principles Knowing that there was a Great Apostasy can help us recognize the need for the Restoration of the gospel. After periods of general apostasy, God calls prophets and gives them authority to restore and teach the gospel again. Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the gospel in our dispensation.

35. 35 “My brethren and sisters, do you realize what we have? Do you recognize our place in the great drama of human history? This is the focal point of all that has gone before… “…The latter-day work of the Almighty, that of which the ancients spoke, that of which the prophets and apostles prophesied, is come. It is here. For some reason unknown to us, but in the wisdom of God, we have been privileged to come to earth in this glorious age…. Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

36. 36 “Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more Christlike, more forgiving, more helpful and considerate to all around us. “We stand on the summit of the ages, awed by a great and solemn sense of history. This is the last and final dispensation toward which all in the past has pointed. I bear testimony and witness of the reality and truth of these things”. Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

37. 37

38. 38

39. 39 Doctrine and Principles Knowing that there was a Great Apostasy can help us recognize the need for the Restoration of the gospel. After periods of general apostasy, God calls prophets and gives them authority to restore and teach the gospel again. Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the gospel in our dispensation. The Restoration of the gospel helps those who believe in Christ to increase in faith and overcome the calamities of the last days. The Restoration will spread across the globe and prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

40. 40 Doctrine & Covenants 1:14-23

41. 41 2016

42. 42 The First Vision~ Lesson 2 Next week: