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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

What do we know about the Millennium and how can that give us hope for the future?

These are some of the scriptures listed under "Millennium" in the Topical Guide:
   - Isaiah 65:17 - "I create new heavens and a new earth"
   - Ezekiel 36:35 - "land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden"
   - Hosea 2:18 - "I will . . . make them to lie down safely"
   - Joel 3:17 - "Lord your God dwelling in Zion"
   - Matthew 16:28 - "Son of Man coming in his kingdom"
   - Matthew 25:31 - "Son of Man shall come in his glory"
   - Revelation 20:4 - "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years"
   - 1 Nephi 22:26 - "because of the righteousness . . . Satan has no power"
   - 2 Nephi 21:9 - "earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord"
   - 2 Nephi 30:18 - "all things . . . shall at that day be revealed"
   - D&C 88:110 - "Satan shall be bound . . . a thousand years"
   - JS-H 1:38 - "coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord"
   - Article of Faith 10 - "Christ will reign personally upon the earth"

From these scriptures, we can see that at Christ's Second Coming, He will rule and reign on the earth for one thousand years. During this time, Satan will be bound and he cannot tempt us. The earth will be filled with missionary work and temples.

How can we use this knowledge of the Millennium to live today in these troubled times without fear? 

Elder Boyd K. Packer, in his talk "Counsel to Youth" from October 2011 General Conference, said that none of us will make a major mistake without first being warned by the Spirit. Even though we live in troubled times, we are still blessed with the gift of the Spirit to keep us on the right track.

The family is the eternal plan. If we follow God's eternal plan, we will be blessed with strong righteous families who will last to the Millennium.

All those who have bodies have power over those who don't. Satan has power to tempt us, but because we have bodies we have even more power to overcome those temptations. We can be aware of when he is tempting us, and we can use the strength of the Lord to overcome our trials and have hope for the future.

All of this teaches me that I don't have to worry so much about the world--I just have to live righteously and protect my family. I can draw strength from God through prayer. His power is stronger than Satan's power.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mosiah 1:16 - How do similarities between Joseph Smith and ancient prophets prove that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God?

As King Benjamin transferred the kingdom to his son Mosiah, he showed his son the brass plates, the plates of Nephi, the sword of Laban, and the Liahona. These objects were also shown to the three witnesses in Joseph Smith's time (See D&C 17:1; Testimony of the Three Witnesses, Book of Mormon, preliminary pages).

Moses saw Jesus Christ in an exceedingly high mountain in Sinai. He also saw God the Father and Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. Joseph Smith had similar experiences. Joseph saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (see D&C 76:23-24).

The order of the Priesthood, which was restored onto the earth in Joseph Smith's time, was instituted in the days of Adam (see D&C 107:41; see also D&C 84:6-22). John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and the Apostles Peter, James, and John appeared later to restore the Melchizedek Priestood (see D&C 13; D&C 27:12-13). At other times, additional keys of the Priesthood were restored on the earth to Joseph Smith (see D&C 128:21).



In an article from the February 1989 Ensign, it was written that "Ephesians 2:19–20 and 4:11–14 affirm that Apostles and prophets form the essential foundation of the Church, and the New Testament contains references to bishops, seventies, elders, priests, deacons, and other offices. (See Luke 10:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3:1, 8; Rev. 20:6.) Traces of this organization survived in the first few centuries after Christ. . . . With the death of the Apostles, however, priesthood keys no longer existed in the church, and apostate ideas soon replaced these earlier teachings. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, correct concepts and divine authority were restored."

Like the Apostle Paul, Joseph Smith believed that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Cannon, Dahl, and Welch wrote that "Matthew, Paul, and Jesus himself led the way in showing, as Joseph Smith did, the need for expounding, searching, and interpreting the scriptures in light of current conditions and true perceptions (see Matt. 22:23–33; Matt. 24:27; John 5:39), and in issuing new commandments (see John 13:34; 1 Cor. 6:7–8). They recognized the impossibility of restricting their spiritual knowledge to a finite number of pages. (See John 21:25.) Thus we see an open and complex idea of scripture in the early Christian movement that is comparable to the expanding view of scripture understood by Joseph Smith."

Like the ancient Nephites, Joseph Smith understood the importance of temples for performing specific ordinances. (See 2 Nephi 5:16; Mosiah 2:1; 3 Nephi 11:1.) It was said that "the idea of sacred temple worship was indigenous to early Christianity. The early Saints in Jerusalem did not repudiate the temple but worshipped there daily. (See Acts 2:46.) Paul brought alms to the Jews—such offerings were traditionally offered in the temple. (See Acts 24:17–18.) In John’s vision of Jesus Christ, the temple was featured prominently. (See Rev. 3:12, Rev. 7:15, Rev. 11:1.)"

(See Donald Q. Cannon, Larry E. Dahl, and John W. Welch, "The Restoration of Major Doctrines through Joseph Smith: Priesthood, the Word of God, and the Temple," Ensign, February 1989.)



The following paragraphs come from a talk given by Neal A. Maxwell in 1986 called "A Choice Seer":

Like the prophet Nephi, Joseph served "notwithstanding [his] weakness" (2 Nephi 33:11). "Joseph Smith was also an eyewitness of the resurrected Christ. Yet, as with all true disciples, Joseph went through a process of proving, reproving, and improving, while simultaneously serving as the human conduit through whom God chose to give his word to this generation. (See D&C 5:10.)"

In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord reminded Joseph that even through all his suffering, he did not suffer as much as Job. (See D&C 121:10.)

As Joseph suffered, he empathized with those who suffered in ancient times. Neal A. Maxwell said that Joseph "actually saw his prison sufferings as helping and expanding him 'to understand the minds of the Ancients.' (Writings, p. 387.) He felt a linkage with their 'afflictions,' so that, said Joseph, 'in the day of judgment . . . we may hold an even weight in the balances with them.' (Writings, p. 395.)"

The day Joseph Smith was released from Liberty Jail, April 6, 1839, has much significance. April 6 is the day Jesus was born, as well as the day his latter-day Church was formed on the earth. (See D&C 20:1.) This day is also a part of the season of Passover when Jews celebrate the deliverance of ancient Israel from bondage in Egypt.

The ancient Joseph of Egypt spoke of Joseph Smith as the "choice seer" (2 Nephi 3:6-11) who was to come and benefit the world. When Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail, he wrote in a letter that he felt like Joseph in Egypt. Ancient Joseph wrote of Joseph Smith, "And he shall be like unto me" (2 Nephi 3:15). Neal A. Maxwell said, "When Joseph Smith, Jr., was given a blessing by Father Smith in December 1834, an extensive portion of that blessing informed modern Joseph of his special relationship to ancient Joseph. (See Joseph Smith, Sr., blessing, 9 Dec. 1834, Church Historical Department, 1:3–4.) . . . The comparisons between the two Josephs, of course, reflect varying degrees of exactitude, but they are, nevertheless, quite striking. Some similarities are situational, others are dispositional. Some are strategic, such as ancient Joseph’s making stored grain available in time of famine (see Genesis 41:56), while modern Joseph opened the granary of the gospel after years of famine."

Elder Maxwell listed the following similarities of Joseph Smith and ancient Joseph of Egypt:

"First, both Josephs had inauspicious beginnings. Initially, they were unlikely candidates to have had the impact they did on Egyptian history and American history, respectively.

"Both had visions at a young and tender age. (See Genesis 37:2-5; JS-H 1:7-54.)

"The visions brought to both men hate from their fellowmen. (See Genesis 37:5-8; JS-H 1:21-26.) Both knew sibling jealousy. Modern Joseph had to contend with a mercurial brother, William, whom Joseph forgave many times. (See History of the Church, 2:353–54.)

"Both Josephs were generous to those who betrayed them. Ancient Joseph was generous to his once-betraying brothers whom he later saved from starvation. (See Genesis 45:1–15.)

"Both prophesied remarkably of the future of their nations and the challenges their governments would face. (See Genesis 41:29–31; D&C 87.)

"They both knew what it was to be falsely accused, and they both were jailed.

"Both, in their extremities, helped others who shared their imprisonment but later forgot their benefactors. In the case of ancient Joseph, it was the chief butler. (See Genesis 40:20–23.) Joseph Smith worried over an ill cell-mate, Sidney Rigdon, who was freed in January 1839. The Prophet rejoiced. . . .

"Both Josephs were torn from their families, although ancient Joseph suffered through this for a much, much longer time.

"Very significantly, both were 'like unto' each other in being amazingly resilient in the midst of adversity. This, in each man, is a truly striking quality.

"Both were understandably anxious about their loved ones and friends. Ancient Joseph, when his true identity became known, inquired tenderly of his brothers, 'Doth my father yet live?' (Genesis 45:3.) From Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith, with comparative awareness, wrote, 'Doth my friends yet live [and] if they live do they remember me [?]' (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, comp. Dean Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 409.)

"Indeed, these two uncommon men had much in common, being truly 'like unto' each other!"

(See Neal A. Maxwell, "A Choice Seer," Ensign August 19861 Nephi 13:34, 39-40).


In 2 Nephi 3, Lehi gives a father's blessing to his youngest son, Joseph, where he discusses Joseph of Egypt, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Joseph Smith, Sr. Lehi talks about Joseph of Egypt in verses 4-6, where he discusses  that a righteous branch should be raised up from the fruit of his loins. In verse 6, it is prophesied that a seer would be raised up, "who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins." This seer refers to Joseph Smith.

Like young Joseph, the son of Lehi, Joseph Smith was the son of a visionary man. Joseph Smith, Sr. had seven visions between 1811 and 1819 which confirmed to him that he was not to join any organized church and that he would eventually find the truth that would lead him toward salvation. (See Bushman, Richard Lyman (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, New York: Knopf, p. 26)

In 2 Nephi 3:9 Joseph Smith is compared to Moses, "whom I [the Lord] have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel." Like Moses, Joseph Smith was given power to deliver the people of the Lord (see verse 11). Moses was given a spokesman, Aaron, and likewise Joseph Smith was given a spokesman, Sidney Rigdon, as Joseph was not mighty in speaking (see verse 18).

In verse 15 Joseph of Egypt says, "And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation."



Comparing the Josephs, Russell M. Nelson said the following in his talk "The Exodus Repeated":

"Jacob’s son Joseph and Joseph Smith had even more in common. At age 17 Joseph was informed of his great destiny (see Gen. 37:2–11). At the same age Joseph Smith was informed of his destiny regarding the Book of Mormon. At age 17 he was first visited by the angel Moroni, who informed the boy prophet that 'God had a work for [him] to do.' He was to translate a book written upon golden plates containing the fulness of the everlasting gospel. His 'name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues' (JS—H 1:33; see also JS—H 1:34–41).

"Both Josephs endured persecution. Joseph of old was falsely accused of a crime he did not commit and was put into prison (see Gen. 39:11–20). Joseph Smith suffered incarceration on trumped-up charges and false accusations.

"Joseph’s coat of many colors was taken from him by his brothers in a cruel attempt to convince their father that Joseph had been killed (see Gen. 37:2–33). Joseph Smith’s life was cruelly taken from him, largely because of betrayals by false brethren.

"Anciently, when 'all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do' (Gen. 41:55). In the latter days, people starving for nourishment that only the gospel can provide are again to be fed—by Joseph. The Lord declared that 'this generation shall have my word through [Joseph Smith]' (D&C 5:10). Today we may 'feast upon the words of Christ' (2 Ne. 32:3) because of Joseph Smith."

(See Russell M. Nelson, "The Exodus Repeated," CES Fireside [September 7, 1997])




These examples give evidence that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. There are many more evidences not listed here. Joseph Smith restored the true church of God upon this earth, evidenced by the similarities of the ancients who lived by God's commandments.