The God who answered Joseph Smith in the sacred grove is a God who answers teenagers in times of trouble.
Speaking of Jesus: “It is neither His mission nor His character to condemn. He came to save.”
I like this series of quotes from Joseph Smith.
“The real resonance of the First Vision today is to know that it’s the nature of God to give to those who lack wisdom. … The God that reveals Himself to Joseph Smith in the sacred grove is a God who answers teenagers in times of trouble.”
Joseph and Oliver Cowdery knelt in solemn, silent prayer in the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple. We do not know what they prayed for, but their prayers likely included a plea for forgiveness, for, as they arose, the Savior appeared and declared, “Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me.”
In the months and years after this experience, Joseph and Oliver would sin again. And again. But in that moment, for that moment, in response to their plea and in preparation for the glorious restoration of priesthood keys that was about to happen, Jesus made them sinless.
Joseph’s life of regular repentance gives me confidence to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that [I] may obtain mercy.” I have learned that Jesus Christ truly is “of a forgiving disposition.” It is neither His mission nor His nature to condemn. He came to save.
That is an interesting concept that the Savior can make someone clean for a particular moment and event.
Jesus Christ truly is “of a forgiving disposition.” It is neither His mission nor His nature to condemn. He came to save.
- The Father and the Son have bodies “as tangible as man’s.”
- Jesus took upon Himself not only our sins but also our sicknesses, afflictions, and infirmities.
- His Atonement was so excruciating it caused Him to bleed from every pore.
- We are saved by His grace “after all we can do.”
- There are conditions to Christ’s mercy.
- As we come unto Christ, He will not only forgive our sins, but He will also change our very nature so “that we have no more disposition to do evil.”
- Christ always commands His people to build temples, where He manifests Himself unto them and endows them with power from on high.
What was said of John the Baptist might also be said of Joseph Smith: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was [Joseph]. … He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light,” “that all men through him might believe.”
I believe. I believe and am sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. I testify that the living God is our loving Father. I know this because the voice of the Lord has spoken it to me, and so has the voice of His servants, the apostles and prophets, including and beginning with Joseph Smith.
I testify that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, a witness and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was “blessed to open the last dispensation,” and we are blessed that he did.
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