Today's Favorite Verse: Articles of Faith 1:9
"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
I love change, and I always have. I reflected on all the changes made in the church that I have seen over the years. The first I can recall was during the 70's oil crises. Our ward was given permission to have a continuous 3 hour church block. Prior to that you went to Sunday School and classes with an afternoon break, and come back in the evening for sacrament. We used to go to Primary during the weekday but that all changed with the 3 hour block.
I remember the first set of personal scriptures that I had. It came with a paper insert of Joseph F. Smith's vision of the redemption of the dead. First, it went into the Pearl of Great Price and later it became section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It didn't seem to long after that the new scriptures came out with cross references between the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. They truly became one in thine hand.
Then came the exciting day when it was announced that all worthy males could receive the priesthood. We had speculated on how that blessing would come to all, and when it did we heard the news on TV. That taught me that we never know how revelation comes about.
I remember having fund raising projects to build our ward chapel and then one day we no longer had to pay the building fund. The church was able to financially handle it because we were paying our tithing. Speaking of tithing I was so excited when we could pay tithing and fast offerings online. Who would have guessed how important that was when Covid hit. I've seen the change from 3 hour church down to 2 hours, with the home study, church supported "Come, Follow Me".
I love seeing changes happen in the church. I love all the many changes in the temple and lots more of them popping up. I embrace it all. Yet, I know more is to come. The restoration is ongoing. I thought the church was fully restored, but it wasn't until President Nelson became prophet that we knew that was just the beginning. I don't know what's ahead, but I already love it, because I love change.
"As the Restoration continues, I know that God will continue to reveal many great and important things pertaining to His kingdom here on earth. That kingdom is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
(Russell M. Nelson, "Go Forward in Faith", Apr 2020 General Conference)
"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. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal.” Brethren, the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
This is one of the most remarkable periods of the world’s history! Ancient prophets yearned to see our day."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?", Apr 2014 General Conference)
"Elder James E. Talmage wrote: “The canon of scripture is still open; many lines, many precepts, are yet to be added; revelation, surpassing in importance and glorious fulness any that has been recorded, is yet to be given to the Church and declared to the world” (Articles of Faith, 311).
(Pearl of Great Price Student Manual, "Articles of Faith 1:5-13")
Day 3745

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