Today’s Reading: Mosiah 25
22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.
One of my absolute favorite things is knowing that this church is true. It’s just as true when I sit on the left side of Chapel as on the right, and it’s just as true and constant when I sit in a completely different congregation of Latter Day Saints. This church is the same church, wherever and whenever you are in the world. Just like it was in the days of Mosiah. There may have been seven or so churches organized in the land, and they were all the same church – the church of God. And that thought just gives me goosebumps!
It makes me reflect back on the boy Joseph and his earnest frustrations and pleadings with the Lord to know which of all of the churches that seemed to be springing up willy nilly in his humble town were the true church. There was and is a distinct difference between being Christian and belonging to the true church of God.
Have you asked the Lord in faith if your church is true?
Have you asked Him in faith if this church is true?
Do you have a firm foundation and testimony that God lives and loves you?
If you haven’t read or listened to this talk by Marion G Romney I challenge you to do so this week, and do so in faith so that you might come to know what Joseph new. That this church is the restored gospel on the earth today, and that the Lord has a need and a plan for each of us.
From Marion G. Romney’s talk in Oct. 1972:
…Perplexed by the conflicting claims of the churches; motivated by the admonition and promise of James, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, … and it shall be given him” (James 1:5), Joseph, in childlike faith, inquired of the Lord “which of all the sects was right,” that he “might know which to join.”
“… I kneeled down [he said] and began to offer up the desire of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, …
“But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me … and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction— … I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
“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!” (JS—H 1:15–18).
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By the Son, with whom he conversed in the heavenly vision, Joseph was told to join none of the existing churches because they “were all wrong.” (JS—H 1:19.) They lacked both necessary components of the church of Jesus Christ, namely, His gospel and His name.
Indispensable elements of the gospel, which they lacked, included:
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The truth concerning the personality of God and man’s relationship to him,
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A knowledge of its saving principles and ordinances,
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The priesthood of God, and
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Continuing revelation.
Wife to Eric. Mom to Quinn. And Twins Avery & Rhys. I believe that I am a child of God. Who loves me & I love him. I believe in date nights to the Temple. To the movies. Out to dinner and especially long hikes.
Wednesday’s are my fave day of the week because, ‘it’s Wednesday David’. Red is simply the best color. And black takes a close second.