"I saw a pillar of light..."

"I saw a pillar of light..." Joseph Smith History 1:16

Today's Relief Society lesson was on the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ today.  I drew this poster as a reminder of Joseph Smith's first vision.  This did not happen in a historical vacuum.  There was a lot of preparation to go from the Apostasy of the Dark Ages to a time and place where  Joseph Smith could have a Bible in his home that he could read and have the freedom to act on his inspiration.  Elder Robert D. Hales spoke on the historical preparation for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the 2005 fall General Conference. (here)   We owe much to the early reformers that set the stage.

He closed his remarks with this:

I testify that the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith is the Savior’s work. In the Lord’s service the path is not always easy. It often requires sacrifices, and we will likely experience adversity. But in serving Him, we discover that His hand is truly over us. So it was for Wycliffe, Tyndale, and thousands of others who prepared the way for the Restoration. So it was for the Prophet Joseph Smith and all who helped usher in the restored gospel. So it is and will be for us.

The Lord expects us to be as faithful, as devoted, as courageous as those who went before us. They were called to give their lives for the gospel. We are called to live our lives for the same purpose. In these last days we have special reason to do so.

Before that sacred night in Bethlehem, the events of history and the words of the prophets of all dispensations prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord and His Atonement. Similarly, history and prophecy laid the groundwork for the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Do we have eyes to see that the events and prophecies of our time are preparing us for the Savior’s Second Coming?