Lesson 17:

 “The Joseph Smith Tribute Quilt “

“The Church of Jesus Christ Today”  given by Sister Seymour on September 12th.  

She began the lesson by referring to a time-line of important gospel events that had occurred beginning with the birth of savior through today.   When Jesus lived on the earth, He established His Church, the only true Church.  However, after the savior’s death and once the apostles were also dead, the priesthood authority no longer was on the earth.  The Lord had foreseen these conditions of apostasy, saying there would be “a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. … They shall … seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11–12).   We then discussed some of the conditions that occurred in the world that prepared the way for the Restoration of the gospel such as the translation of the bible, the invention of the printing press, Columbus discovering America to just name a few.  There were many years where the people on the earth lived in spiritual darkness until the gospel could be restored. 

Then, about 1,700 years after Christ, people were becoming more and more interested in knowing the truth about God and religion. The time had arrived for the Church of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth.  Through Joseph Smith, the gospel was restored.  He translated the Book of Mormon – another testament of Jesus Christ and was given the priesthood authority to establish the Lords church once again upon the earth. The church has been restored and organized the same as when Christ was on the earth - The Church today teaches the same principles and performs the same ordinances as were performed in the days of Jesus. These truths were returned in their fullness when the Church was restored.  Sister Seymour challenged all sisters to memorize the ARTICLES OF FAITH they are an excellent tool for not only gaining your own knowledge about the gospel and to share with others as well.

We discussed the 8 important truths that have been brought back with the Restoration of the Church which are:

1. Our Heavenly Father is a real being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones, and so is Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.

2. We existed in pre-mortal life as spirit children of God.

3. The priesthood is necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel.

4. We will be punished for our own sins and not for Adam’s transgression.

5. Children do not need to be baptized until they are accountable (eight years old).

6. There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts.

7. Family relationships can be eternal through the sealing power of the priesthood.

8. Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead.

The Church has grown much larger than it was in the days of Jesus. And much larger than it was when it was organized in 1830.  Today we have become the fourth or fifth largest church in North America with 13,824,854 members.  2,865 Stakes and 28, 424 wards with members in nearly every country in the world.  And according to President Hinckley, this is only the beginning.  This work will continue to grow and prosper and move across the earth fulfilling Maroni’s promise.    Sister Seymour displayed “The Joseph Smith Tribute Quilt “she made and gave a handout of the “Articles of Faith” to each sister.