The Doctrine & Covenants is full of people with questions, and God giving answers with truth. And one of the eternal truths that we see the most is that God loves His children. In fact that is the first line in the Restoration Proclamation that was read in General Conference by President Nelson. To start our study of church history and the D&C we have five scholars to discuss their thoughts on that landmark proclamation.
Segment 1 - Jenet
Scriptures:
Moses 1:12-13 (Divine identity)
We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. (Restoration Proclamation, Delivered in April 2020 General Conference)
Words of the General Authorities:
If I were to rank in order of importance the designations that could be applied to me, I would say: First, I am a child of God—a son of God—then a son of the covenant, then a disciple of Jesus Christ and a devoted member of His restored Church. (Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity”, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with President Nelson, May 15, 2022)
Segment 2 - Janiece
Scriptures:
James 1:2-5 (God gives answers liberally)
Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him. In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. (Restoration Proclamation, Delivered in April 2020 General Conference)
Words of the General Authorities:
We pray…then we listen. If we will stay on our knees for a while after we finish our prayer, thoughts, feelings, and direction will come into our mind. Recording those impressions will help us remember what actions the Lord would have us take. As we repeat this process, we will, in the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, “grow into the principle of revelation.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Grow into the Principle of Revelation”, January 2021 Liahona; Joseph Smith quote from a discourse given on June 27, 1839, in Commerce, Illinois, reported by Willard Richards, recorded in History of the Church, 3:381)
Segment 3 - Kaylen
Scriptures:
Exodus 17:10-12 (Aaron and Hur supported Moses)
4 Nephi 1:11 (Married and given in marriage)
Jacob 2:27 (One man should have one wife)
D&C 1:30 (The true and living church)
Articles of Faith 1:9 (All that God reveals and will reveal)
We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity
In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” as foretold in the Bible. (Restoration Proclamation, Delivered in April 2020 General Conference)
Words of the General Authorities:
I had supposed that someone called to such an office would have an unusual, different, and greatly enlarged testimony and spiritual power…I was perhaps no different from those spoken of in the Book of Mormon: “And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not” (3 Nephi 9:20; emphasis added). (Boyd K. Packer, “The Weak and the Simple of the Church”, October 2007 General Conference)
Gone are the days when a student asked an honest question, and a teacher responded, “Don’t worry about it!” Gone are the days when a student raised a sincere concern and a teacher bore his or her testimony as a response intended to avoid the issue. Gone are the days when students were protected from people who attacked the Church…It is important that you know the content in these [Gospel Topics] essays like you know the back of your hand. (M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century”, Address to CES Religious Educators, February 26, 2016)
Segment 4 - Brandon
Scriptures:
D&C 27:6 (Restoration of all things)
D&C 110:11 (Keys of the gathering of Israel)
We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).
We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored.
We declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21). (Restoration Proclamation, Delivered in April 2020 General Conference)
Words of the General Authorities:
Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?”, April 2014 General Conference)
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes we use the terms gospel and Church interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are, however, exquisitely interconnected, and we need both. (Donald L. Hallstrom, “Converted to His Gospel through His Church”, April 2012 General Conference)
Its destiny is to establish Zion in preparation for the return and millennial rule of Jesus Christ. Before that day, it will not be a kingdom in any political sense—as the Savior said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Rather, it is the repository of His authority in the earth, the administrator of His holy covenants, the custodian of His temples, the protector and proclaimer of His truth, the gathering place for scattered Israel, and “a defense, and … a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Church”, October 2015 General Conference)
Segment 5 - Anthony
Scriptures:
D&C 124:2-3 (A solemn proclamation)
With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. (Restoration Proclamation, Delivered in April 2020 General Conference)
Segment 6 - Tammy
Scriptures:
D&C 101:32-36 (God will reveal all things)
View transcript here.