Week 5, Day 1: From Humble Beginnings

 

I took this with my phone on my way to work today because I love the sweet and simple manger scene, especially with the temple in the background. As I was editing the picture a bit, though, I got thinking more about the symbolism of this picture. It makes my heart rejoice!

The baby Jesus was born on the Earth in such a humble and tender way. His mortal journey was certainly designed to be humble; his glory would not be fully recognized nor embraced. Then He died and the full truth of the gospel was taken from the Earth. In 1820, young Joseph Smith prayed in his confusion to know which church he should join. He was seeking for Truth.

Then a miraculous thing happened. This same humble and this time resurrected Jesus appeared with his Father to Joseph Smith, and they told Joseph that none of the churches at that time contained a fullness. Joseph's work and his calling would be to restore the gospel once more to earth. While the Church in Joseph's time was heavily persecuted, Joseph was promised that the Kingdom would not fail... and it didn't. In just 190 short years, Church membership now numbers 13,824,854. Temples fill the earth and will continue to do so until the Savior once again returns to the earth. 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

This past Sunday I taught about Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the stone cut out of the mountain without hands and rolling through all the earth. That very thing is happening and it makes me REJOICE!

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; . . . the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." - Joseph Smith

 I love the thought of the gospel going to all the world. I have been promised multiple times that I will participate in the rolling forward of this work. I am grateful that Christ came to the earth, and that He once again returned with His Father in 1820 to usher in this great and last dispensation. All from a seemingly small beginning...