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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 1: December 30–January 5: “The Promised Restoration Goes Forward”

“The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • The proclamation begins with a universal truth: God loves His children and provided a Savior for them through the divine mission of Jesus Christ. This emphasizes that all aspects of the Restoration, including priesthood authority and continuing revelation, are centered on Christ.
  • The Atonement of Christ is not only about overcoming sin but also death. By overcoming sin and rising from the dead, Jesus Christ made repentance and resurrection possible for all humanity, showing God’s ultimate love and power over mortality.
  • Christ’s atoning sacrifice is described as infinite, meaning it extends to all people, all sins, and all suffering. His literal resurrection ensures that every person will also be resurrected.
  • This doctrine links the Restoration directly to the fulfillment of Christ’s mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the organization that teaches and administers the ordinances necessary for individuals to fully access the blessings of the Atonement.
  • The First Vision is described as the event that initiated the “restitution of all things” prophesied in Acts 3:21. It shows that God’s work with humanity continues in modern times.
  • Joseph’s experience addresses humanity’s universal need for guidance in a confusing religious landscape. The appearance of both God the Father and Jesus Christ confirms the Restoration’s divine origin and reaffirms the separateness of the Godhead.
  • After the death of the Apostles, the Church Christ established was lost due to apostasy. The First Vision revealed that none of the existing churches held the full truth or authority of Christ’s original Church.
  • The Great Apostasy refers to a period following the death of the original Apostles when the Church Jesus Christ established lost key elements of its authority, doctrine, and organization. While there were Christians meeting and worshipping, the fullness of Christ’s original Church, including its priesthood authority, was no longer present. Here’s an explanation of how this occurred:
  • The Foundation of Christ’s Church:
    Christ established His Church on a foundation of apostles and prophets, with Himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). These apostles held priesthood keys, or divine authority, to administer ordinances, govern the Church, and receive revelation.
  • The Apostles’ Deaths:
    After the Apostles were martyred, the priesthood keys they held were no longer passed on. Without these keys, essential ordinances and guidance could not continue in their divinely authorized form.
    • The priesthood authority necessary for saving ordinances was no longer on the earth, even though individuals continued to worship Christ sincerely.
  • Confusion and Divergence:
    After the Apostles’ deaths, doctrinal disputes arose. Without unified prophetic leadership, various interpretations of scripture and doctrine emerged, leading to divisions and the establishment of many sects.
    • Example: Disputes over the nature of the Godhead led to creeds such as the Nicene Creed (AD 325), which deviated from the simple, biblical teaching of God as three distinct beings (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) with one purpose.
    • Over time, doctrinal truths were obscured or altered, resulting in a loss of clarity about key principles like baptism, the Atonement, and the role of grace and works.
  • Shift in Governance:
    The original structure of Christ’s Church, led by apostles, prophets, and local priesthood leaders, changed to accommodate political and cultural pressures. Over time, church governance became more centralized, hierarchical, and influenced by secular authority.
    • Example: The bishop of Rome gained prominence, evolving into the role of the pope, which shifted the organizational structure away from the New Testament model.
    • The divinely appointed leadership of Christ’s Church was replaced with a structure that lacked priesthood keys and prophetic revelation.
  • Loss of Direct Access to Scripture:
    As Church councils standardized scripture and prohibited certain writings, the general population lost access to the word of God. For centuries, the Bible was available only in Latin and to clergy.
    • This limited personal study and reliance on God’s word, leaving many dependent on church leaders who lacked the original priesthood authority.
  • Biblical Warnings of Apostasy:
    Scriptures foretell a falling away from the truth:
    • Amos 8:11-12: A famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
    • 2 Thessalonians 2:3: A “falling away” before the Second Coming of Christ.
    • Isaiah 24:5: The earth is defiled because the people “have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.”
    • These prophecies affirm that the apostasy was foreseen and necessitated a future restoration of truth.
  • Sincere Worship Without Fullness:
    Even during the Great Apostasy, many individuals and communities worshipped Christ with devotion and sincerity. Their faith preserved many principles of Christianity and laid the groundwork for the Restoration.
    • While their worship was meaningful, the absence of priesthood keys and the fullness of doctrine meant the ordinances and teachings were incomplete.
  • This act reestablished the essential ordinance of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, performed under proper authority.
  • Without this restoration, key aspects of Christ’s gospel, such as baptism by proper authority, would be unavailable to humanity.
  • This restoration reintroduced the apostleship and the keys of priesthood leadership, allowing for the governance of Christ’s Church.
  • These priesthood keys are critical for administering saving ordinances and leading the Church according to divine direction.
  • Elijah’s return fulfills Malachi’s prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6) and enables temple ordinances that seal families together eternally.
  • This doctrine is unique to the Church and central to its mission of family history and temple work.
  • The Book of Mormon is described as another testament of Jesus Christ, complementing and supporting the Bible in testifying of His divinity.
  • The Book of Mormon answers questions left unclear in the Bible, such as the purpose of life, the nature of the Fall, and the doctrine of Christ. 
    • Through its narratives, the Book of Mormon provides practical guidance on how to follow Christ and understand our role in God’s plan.
    • Its teachings on faith, repentance, and the Atonement are central to understanding the gospel restored in modern times.
  • The proclamation declares that God’s communication with humanity did not end with biblical prophets.
  • Modern prophets and apostles continue to receive revelation, ensuring the Church is guided to meet contemporary challenges.
  • The Restoration is part of God’s plan to “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).
  • This global gathering includes missionary work, temple building, and strengthening families, all of which prepare the earth for the Savior’s return.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • Joseph Smith lived in a time of great religious fervor, where many churches competed for followers but offered conflicting doctrines.
  • This environment created a pressing need for clarity and authority in spiritual matters, which Joseph sought through prayer.
  • This article gives insight into the religious landscape of Joseph Smith’s youth: Christian Churches in Joseph Smith’s Day
  • This section of Saints, Vol 1 is also insightful.
  • The confusion and division among churches highlighted the absence of unified truth.
  • Religious sectarianism refers to the division and conflict among religious groups or denominations, often marked by competing doctrines, practices, and claims of authority, which can lead to confusion and a lack of unity in spiritual truth.
  • The First Vision not only answered Joseph’s personal question but also set the stage for the restoration of divine truth.
  • The loss of priesthood authority following the Apostolic era led to centuries of doctrinal confusion and spiritual darkness.
  • The Restoration was necessary to reestablish the ordinances and doctrines essential for salvation.
  • The proclamation connects the Restoration to prophecies such as Acts 3:21 (restitution of all things) and Ephesians 1:10 (gathering in Christ).
  • These connections emphasize that the Restoration is not establishing a new religion but is in fulfillment of ancient promises.
  • Presented during General Conference in 2020, the proclamation celebrates two centuries of God’s ongoing work.
  • This milestone emphasizes the global impact of the Restoration and the continued relevance of its message.
  • Here is President Nelson’s introduction to the proclamation. 
  • The proclamation invites individuals to prayerfully study and seek their own witness of the Restoration.
  • This call to action reflects the Restoration’s central goal: to bring individuals to Christ through personal faith and revelation.
  • To reaffirm that Jesus Christ is central to all aspects of the Restoration.
  • The proclamation emphasizes Christ’s atonement, resurrection, and continued guidance through His restored Church, grounding the Restoration firmly in His divine mission.
  • To invite all people worldwide, regardless of background or faith tradition, to come unto Christ through the restored gospel.
  • The proclamation’s universal language underscores the inclusive nature of the Restoration and its relevance for every person, emphasizing that God’s work is ongoing and global.
  • To provide a concise and authoritative statement that members and missionaries can use to strengthen faith, answer questions, and address criticisms about the Restoration.
  • The proclamation serves as both a doctrinal anchor and a tool for sharing and defending the faith.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: Joseph Smith invented the story of the First Vision.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence: Joseph Smith’s First Vision is documented in multiple accounts, recorded at different times. While the details vary slightly (as is natural in personal retellings), the core message is consistent: God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph, answering his prayer and initiating the Restoration.
    2. 2. Eyewitness Support: Joseph shared his vision with trusted individuals, some of whom bore testimony of its reality.
    3. 3. Spiritual Confirmation: Millions of believers worldwide have received personal witness of the truth of the First Vision through prayer and study.
    4. 4. Logical Analysis: Critics often point to differences in the accounts, yet this actually strengthens their credibility. Eyewitness accounts with perfect uniformity are often rehearsed or fabricated, while authentic recollections naturally emphasize different aspects.
  • The proclamation begins with a universal truth: God loves His children and provided a Savior for them through the divine mission of Jesus Christ. This emphasizes that all aspects of the Restoration, including priesthood authority and continuing revelation, are centered on Christ.
  • The Atonement of Christ is not only about overcoming sin but also death. By overcoming sin and rising from the dead, Jesus Christ made repentance and resurrection possible for all humanity, showing God’s ultimate love and power over mortality.
  • Christ’s atoning sacrifice is described as infinite, meaning it extends to all people, all sins, and all suffering. His literal resurrection ensures that every person will also be resurrected.
  • This doctrine links the Restoration directly to the fulfillment of Christ’s mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the organization that teaches and administers the ordinances necessary for individuals to fully access the blessings of the Atonement.
  • Claim: Christ’s Church has always existed; there was no Great Apostasy.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Biblical Evidence:
      • – Amos 8:11-12 prophesies a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, signifying a loss of true doctrine.
      • – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 foretells a “falling away” before the Second Coming.
      • – Acts 3:21 references the “restitution of all things,” implying a need for restoration.
    2. 2. Historical Evidence:
      • After the deaths of the original Apostles, early Christian writings document divisions, loss of authority, and doctrinal corruption.
      • The Nicene Creed and other councils demonstrate shifts in doctrine to align with political and cultural influences.
    3. 3. Logical Conclusion: The Restoration restored not only priesthood authority but also doctrinal clarity, including truths about the Godhead, salvation, and ordinances.
  • Claim: The Book of Mormon is a product of Joseph Smith’s imagination.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Archaeological Evidence:
      • Artifacts and practices of ancient American civilizations align with descriptions in the Book of Mormon, such as written records on metal plates, cities, and advanced agriculture.
    2. 2. Linguistic Evidence:
      • The Book of Mormon contains chiasmus (an ancient Hebrew literary form), Semitic language structures, and names consistent with ancient Near Eastern and Mesoamerican cultures.
    3. 3. Witnesses:
      • Eleven witnesses testified of seeing the golden plates, and none ever recanted their testimonies, even under duress.
    4. 4. Spiritual Evidence:
      • Millions worldwide attest to receiving a witness of the Book of Mormon’s truth through the power of the Holy Ghost.
    5. 5. Logical Analysis:
      • A young, uneducated farm boy could not have written a complex work like the Book of Mormon, particularly in the short time it was produced. Critics often overlook the complexity and doctrinal depth of the text.
  • Claim: The priesthood did not need to be restored because it was never lost.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Biblical Precedent:
      • Hebrews 5:4 states that no one takes the priesthood upon themselves but must be called by God. The Restoration reestablished this divine calling.
      • The appearance of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John aligns with biblical examples of heavenly messengers delivering authority (e.g., Moses and Elijah appearing on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-3).
    2. 2. Historical Context:
      • The Apostolic succession claimed by some traditions is not supported by evidence of unbroken authority. Schisms, changes in doctrine, and loss of original practices demonstrate a break in continuity.
    3. 3. Modern Revelation:
      • Witnesses, including Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, bore testimony of these divine visitations, confirmed by the fruits of the priesthood in restored ordinances and blessings.
  • Claim: The Bible is sufficient, and no further revelation is needed.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Biblical Support for Revelation:
      • – Amos 3:7: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
      • – Ephesians 4:11-13: Apostles, prophets, and other Church offices are needed until we all come to a unity of faith, which has not yet been achieved.
    2. 2. Logical Analysis:
      • If God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6), He would continue to reveal His will through prophets as He did in biblical times.
      • Modern challenges require modern guidance; continuing revelation addresses contemporary issues while reaffirming eternal truths.
    3. 3. Spiritual Witness:
      • Many testify of receiving personal answers to prayers and guidance through modern prophets, demonstrating the need for ongoing revelation.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Ask God directly about the truth of the Restoration.

  • Faith crises often stem from unanswered questions or doubts. Personal revelation can provide clarity and peace.
  • – Set aside time for meaningful prayer, specifically asking God about the Restoration and the truths it proclaims.
  • – Pair prayer with study of the Book of Mormon and the proclamation itself.
  • – Write down impressions or feelings that come during or after the process.

Encouraging Thought:
Elder Uchtdorf taught, “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” Acting in faith opens the door for divine confirmation.

Action Step: Examine the historical evidence behind the Restoration in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

  • Faith crises often arise from misunderstandings or incomplete knowledge of Church history. Learning the context and evidence strengthens trust in God’s work.
  • – Study trusted resources like Saints, FAIR articles, and accounts of the First Vision.
  • – Engage with Church-approved media, like videos about Joseph Smith’s life or Restoration events.
  • – Ask open-ended questions in a supportive discussion group or with a trusted mentor.

Encouraging Thought:
Seeking knowledge can be an act of faith. As President Nelson promised, “The restoration of the gospel is a process, not an event, and will continue until the Lord comes again.”

Action Step: Identify and hold onto aspects of faith that resonate personally, even amidst doubt.

  • During a crisis, it’s important to focus on the fruits of the gospel, like peace, hope, and purpose, which can anchor a person while they navigate uncertainty.
  • – Reflect on personal experiences with God, the Atonement, or priesthood ordinances.
  • – Stay engaged in activities that bring peace, like scripture study, temple worship, or service.
  • – Keep a gratitude journal, focusing on blessings that come through faith.

Encouraging Thought:
Faith is like a seed; even small acts of nurturing it can lead to growth and understanding over time.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help students see the Restoration as a series of divinely guided events leading to the present day.

  • – Large poster board or butcher paper (or a digital timeline app like Trello or Canva).
  • – Printable images or symbols representing key events (e.g., First Vision, restoration of priesthood keys, translation of the Book of Mormon, organization of the Church).
  • – Scripture references and quotes from the proclamation.
  • – Divide the class into small groups and give each group 2-3 events from the Restoration. Provide them with the event descriptions, scriptures, and proclamation excerpts.
  • – Have them research their events and create visual or written summaries to add to the timeline.
  • – As each group presents their events, add them to the timeline chronologically.
  • – Discuss how each event connects to the next, emphasizing God’s hand in the process.

Follow-Up Question: Why do you think the Restoration happened step-by-step instead of all at once?

Objective: Help students relate Restoration events to modern contexts.

  • – Paper or whiteboards for brainstorming.
  • – Prompts for discussion.
  • 1. Present the scenario: “What if Joseph Smith’s First Vision or the Restoration events occurred in today’s world? How might it be received, shared, or criticized?”
  • 2. Divide the class into groups, assigning each a Restoration event (e.g., First Vision, translation of the Book of Mormon, restoration of priesthood authority).
  • 3. Have groups brainstorm answers to questions like:
    • – How would people react on social media?
    • – What would critics or supporters say?
    • – How could technology aid or hinder the process?
  • 4. Have each group present their modern-day scenario and discuss similarities and differences compared to 1820s America.

Follow-Up Question:What can we learn about faith and courage from how Joseph Smith navigated the challenges of his time?

Objective: Encourage teens to understand and share the message of the proclamation in their own voice.

  • – Copies of the proclamation (digital or print).
  • – Art supplies (for posters or comics) or access to devices (for video or podcast creation).
  • 1. Assign groups or individuals a specific section of the proclamation. Have them study it and identify its key message.
  • 2. Allow them to choose a creative way to present their assigned section:
    • – Video: Create a short video or TikTok summarizing their section.
    • – Poster/Comic Strip: Illustrate the proclamation in a visually engaging way.
    • – Podcast Segment: Record a brief discussion or testimony about their section.
  • 3. Share the creations with the class and discuss how these presentations could help others understand the Restoration.
  •  

Follow-Up Question:How can sharing the message of the Restoration strengthen your own testimony?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – Initiated by Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 1820.
  • – Priesthood keys restored by angelic messengers.
  • – The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.
  • – Continuing revelation prepares us for Christ’s return.
  • – Historical and scriptural evidence support the Restoration.
  • – Witnesses and spiritual confirmations validate Joseph Smith’s work.
  • Acts 3:21
  • Ephesians 1:10
  • Amos 8:11-12
  • -Saints: The Standard of Truth
  • -“The First Vision” accounts (Joseph Smith History 1:7-20)