Thomas Talks in the LaSalle Ward

the world above
and the world below

Thomas gave this talk at the ZoomChurch for the LaSalle Ward, Montreal today.  I told him I would put  his notes on the family blog, as well as any pics he had.

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The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World

Proclamation of the Restoration that President Nelson read at the last General Conference (April) Basically, a summary of the Restoration. We all know the story of the Restoration

However, the Proclamation is short and it’s interesting to see what the apostles felt was most important to put into this Proclamation .

Today I’d like to bring your attention to 2 different parts of this Proclamation: the first paragraph, and the last two paragraphs These paragraphs aren’t actually about the Restoration itself, but the apostles chose to add these paragraphs nonetheless

First Paragraph; God loves us

.... barefoot Suinday experience
the toes can point the way ...

Jesus Christ is our Saviour

“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. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer.”

Very similar thing is mentioned as a recap of the BOM (Paragraph 5):

“the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old.”

Again, mentions the love that Heavenly Father has for us AND Jesus Christ
Although this proclamation is focused on the Restoration of the Gospel the apostles want us to remember these basic principles of the gospel:

The love Heavenly Father has for us
Jesus Christ is our saviour

Why did the apostles choose to put these two things?
Why didn’t they mention Repentance? Baptism? Prayer?

I believe it’s because at the very core of the Gospel, these two things answer the Why and the How.
I think the entire plan of salvation can be summed up by one thing:
God loves us.

The reason we are here is because God loves us
He wants us to learn and grow, make mistakes, be happy, and ultimately return to him.
When someone asks why are we here? What’s the point of this life? I think the best answer we can give is because God loves us.

The How can be answered through Jesus Christ
He is our Saviour.
It’s through him that we are able to return to Heavenly Father and gain eternal life

Last two Paragraphs:  Continuation of the Restoration through modern day revelation

“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).
With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters.” Most of us think of the Restoration as Joseph Smith -> First Vision -> Restoration of the Priesthood -> Translation of the Book of Mormon, but when does the Story of the Restoration of the Gospel end? When Joseph Smith finished translating the BOM? When the first temple was built? When Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in Carthage Jail?

The story of the Restoration is continuing on today with modern revelation. The Gospel continues to be restored through the words of the prophet and apostles such as this very proclamation.

What a blessing it is that we have modern revelation!

... a photo allowing us to adapt and pull together
the two worlds we are living in ...

Just think of the situation we are in now with COVID-19
Modern revelation allowed the church to prepare for this situation

Just last year we received the important revelation to change how church services work on Sundays.

Instead of having 3 hours at church every week, one of those hours was shifted to the home.
Church meetings became home centered church supported.

Now with COVID-19, being stuck at home without being able to hold church services, we are already prepared to have a home centered church which we can do despite the pandemic.

Come Follow Me was created which allows families to organize lessons and hold discussion within the home.

Not only is modern revelation a continuation of the Restoration of the Gospel but it’s a vital part of the Church giving guidance and direction through tough times such as what we are all in right now.

I hope that all of you will read this proclamation and I know that...you will receive your own personal revelation

Thomas Jarvis