missionarymtctalksaandr ( ** )

This presentation was usually given on Sunday afternoons in a training session:

The Apostasy and The Restoration

A) President Nelson’s experience – using The Apostasy as a wonderful introduction to the Restoration.  His example shows us that ‘interested friends’ must understand The Apostasy to appreciate the need for The Restoration.

B) “Interested friends must understand that a universal apostasy occurred following the death of Jesus Christ and His Apostles.  If there had been no apostasy, there would have been no need of a Restoration.  As a diamond displayed on black velvet appears more brilliant, so the Restoration stands in striking contrast to the dark background of the Great Apostasy.  As guided by the Spirit, teach friends about the Great Apostasy at a level of detail appropriate to their needs and circumstances.  You purpose is to help them understand the need for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Preach My Gospel, page 36.

C) Using beautiful prophecies from the Bible to introduce the Restoration – as companions, study the two associated scriptures listed below, along with the ‘Key Points’ on page 36 of PMG, and then role-play with your companion a conversation in which you smoothly transition from the Bible to The Restoration (initial role-play by the Taylors).

1. District A – Ephesians 2:19-20, D&C 135:3, and Key Point 1
2. District B – Matthew 24:9, 2 Nephi 27:5, and Key Point 2
3. District C – Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 29:13, JSH 1:19, and Key Point 3
4. District D – Colossians 2:8, Hebrews 13:8-9, D&C 123:12, and Key Point 4
5. District E – Revelation 14:6-7, D&C 1:17-18, D&C 1:30, and Key Point 5

The Apostasy, The Restoration, and Dispensations (the method used by President and Sister Cook)

• Define the three terms above, have missionaries find and answer
• Use Doctrine and Covenants 52:14 and ______ 27:23 to help with the answers.
• Dispensation heads are Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Christ, Joseph Smith.  There are waves of righteousness and apostasy  under these names.
• Amos 8:11-12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 describe a spiritual famine and a falling away
• The Pride Cycle: prophet called, preaching, accepted, righteousness, pride and prosperity, rejection, apostasy, another prophet called.
• Key points: patterns are important, apostasy, dispensations, Great Apostasy, Joseph Smith, Restoration
• Teach this to your companion in two minutes.

Purpose of councils – the Cook method

• The purpose of councils is to discuss and decide, counsel together to discern the Lord’s will
• See the purpose of councils in the Church handbook
• Power in purposes
• Power in participation
• Power in action
• Purpose in follow through
• The role of the leaders of a council

 

The Restoration – Divine Truths learned from The First Vision

D) The First Vision – WHO? (Why Joseph Smith?)

• Abraham 3:22-23 “…noble and great ones…”   Abraham was one, so was Joseph Smith!
• Mark 2:21-22 New wine…new bottle.   Total restoration…new prophet!
• 2 Nephi 3:15 Joseph Smith like unto Joseph of old – what an incredible comparison!
• D&C 135:3 “…save Jesus only…”
• 3 Nephi 22:9-11 a) shall be in My hand   b) not hurt him   c) shall be marred  d) I shall heal him e) shall give unto him power

E) The First Vision – WHEN and WHERE? (Why in the early 1800’s in America?)

• 1 Nephi 13:30 “…the land which is choice above all other lands…”
• Article of Faith # 11 No other land or country would have permitted this
• State-run and state-sponsored religions were the norm in most countries 

F)  The First Vision – What?  (What divine truths were revealed and taught that glorious day?)

• God lives! ____________________________________________________________
• God loves His son! “…my Beloved Son…” ____________________________________
• God has explicit confidence in His Son! “..HEAR Him..” ___________________________
• The Father and The Son are distinct beings! _________________________________
• The Father and The Son are men! _________________________________________
• Christ is RISEN! ________________________________________________________
• God revealed His true nature! “Unknowable, unreachable, etc.” ____________________
• God KNEW Joseph Smith by name! ________________________________________
• God said only EIGHT words to Joseph! Why? _______________________________
• God respects stewardships and keys! ______________________________________
• God honors lines of authority! ____________________________________________
• God answers prayers! ___________________________________________________
• God’s church was not on the earth! “..mouths.. hearts..” __________________________
• The Great Apostasy was truly GREAT! “…abomination, corrupt…” _________________
• God controls nature! “..brightness of the sun..” _______________________________
• God and Jesus stood in the air! Why? _____________________________________
• God speaks English! ____________________________________________________
• Joseph was mature beyond his years. ______________________________________
• Joseph chose a grove of trees. Why? “..previously designed to go..” _______________
• Joseph intended to ACT UPON the answer to his prayer. “..join..” ________________
• Joseph prayed and sought wisdom based upon his scripture study! ______________
• Satan’s power is very limited and dispelled and overcome by God’s power! _______
• Darkness is always dispelled by LIGHT! _____________________________________
• God looks upon the heart, not the outward appearance! 1 Samuel 16:7 ___________

Dispensations, the Apostasy, and the Restoration  (another method of sharing this information)

• President Nelson’s amazing experience of using the Apostasy as a wonderful introduction to the Restoration. His example shows us that ‘interested amigos’ must understand the Apostasy to appreciate the need for the Restoration.

• “As you teach, help your interested friends understand that a universal apostasy occurred following the death of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. If there had been no apostasy, there would have been no need of a Restoration.  As a diamond displayed on black velvet appears more brilliant, so the Restoration stands in striking contrast to the dark background of the Great Apostasy.  As guided by the Spirit, teach people about the Great Apostasy at a level of detail appropriate to their needs and circumstances.  Your purpose is to help them understand the need for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”  Preach My Gospel, page 36.

• An exercise in using beautiful Biblical prophecies to introduce the Restoration. As companions, study the two associated scriptures listed below, along with the “Key Points” on page 36 of Preach My Gospel, and then role-play with your companion a conversation in which you smoothly transition from the Bible to the Restoration.

• District A – Ephesians 2:19-20 and Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 (Key Point A)

• District B – Matthew 24:9 and 2 Nephi 27:5 (Key Point B)

• District C – Isaiah 24:5 and Isaiah 29:13 and JSH 1:19 (Key Point C)

• District D – Colossians 2:8 and Hebrews 13:8-9 and D&C 123:12 (Key Point D)

• District E – Revelation 14:6-7 and Doctrine & Covenants 1:17-18, 30 (Key Pt E)