The Restoration

So the dark night of Apostasy started a few decades after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and lasted until early in the Spring of 1820. That isn't to say that during that span of time there weren't good people. And it does not mean that during that time period there was no light given to the world. It just means that the keys of the kingdom of God and with them the Lords Church in it's fullness was not to be found on the earth.

For those of you who are familiar with American History you might recall that in and around 1820 much of New York was referred to as the "Burned over District". It had been ground zero of what was called the "Second Great Awakening".

Revivals sprouted up in many places and a great religious excitement prevailed. There were ministers of different Christian sects that were all vying for converts.

At first they would say it didn't matter what church you joined, but just that you joined one.

But soon after people started making their choices hard feelings prevailed and the different sects started to turn on each other.

Doctrines were hotly debated and confusion arose as to who was interpreting the Bible correctly.

It was in this scene that we find a young farm boy named Joseph Smith. His family had been among the crowds that were being proselyted. They attended different meetings that heard the different preachers make their claims.

Four of the Smith family decided to unite with the Presbyterians. Joseph thought he might join the Methodists.

But he was confused. He wanted to make sure that he made the correct choice. Said he: (Joseph Smith History 1: 10-20)

10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.
13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.
14 So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?


Joseph had read a passage in the Bible, and had the audacity to believe it enough to actually try it out. One of the striking things about Joseph Smith to me is that he wasn't a man who just said "I talked with God follow me" but he said that anyone can talk with God and God will tell them that what I'm saying is true.

The visions were not exclusive to Joseph, but on other occasions God answered Josephs associates with visions for themselves.

Most striking is that Joseph told us that anyone can have their prayers answered by the power of the Holy Ghost. That would include me and you.

In answer to Josephs humble prayer.. God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. This was the start of a new dispensation. It was the start of the "Restitution of All things" spoken of by Peter in the Bible. (Acts 3:21)

It was the start of the preparing of the world for Jesus Christ's second coming.

Many other revelations would follow this first vision. Including the restoring of the keys that are needed to establish the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth, the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, and the Priesthood of God.

I testify that all of this really did happen. It's not just a nice story. But it is indeed the real thing. I also testify that you can know for yourself if these things are true.

The promise has been given to all that if a person will humble themselves, study it out, and ask in faith, God will answer them. Jesus said:
Matt. 21: 22
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall bask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.


I testify that Jesus really lives. He is our savior. He is the way to heaven. The way to Jesus is by obedience to the principles, commandments, and ordinances of the gospel. They way to Jesus is through His church. If you are in Jesus' Church and live by His teachings, you will have the blessing of Jesus' grace. And if you have Jesus grace, you have Heaven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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