What Is Taught in the Proclamation on the Restoration?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published this proclamation under the authority of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was presented to members of the Church of Jesus Christ and the world during the April 2020 General Conference.

The lesson was titled “The Promised Restoration Goes Forward – The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

How do you commemorate the 200th anniversary of an event that changed the world? That’s the question the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pondered as April 2020 approached, marking 200 years since Joseph Smith’s First Vision. “We wondered if a monument should be erected,” President Russell M. Nelson recalled. “But as we considered the unique historic and international impact of that First Vision, we felt impressed to create a monument not of granite or stone but of words … , not to be carved in ‘tables of stone’ but rather to be etched in the ‘fleshy tables’ of our hearts [2 Corinthians 3:3]” (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90).

The monument of words they created is titled “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” It’s a monument not just to the First Vision but also to everything Jesus Christ has done—and is still doing—since then. The Restoration of His gospel started when one person turned to God and heard Him. It continues that same way: one heart, one sacred experience at a time—including yours.

Through my studies, I discovered the following principles in the proclamation: (1) “God loves His children in every nation of the world,” (2) The Restoration began with an answer to a question, (3) Jesus Christ has restored His Church, (4) “The promised Restoration goes forward,” and (5) “The heavens are open.”

The Church of Jesus Christ teaches in numerous ways that “God loves His children in every nation of the world,” so it is only natural that this proclamation begins with a statement about God’s love. We are all brothers and sisters, no matter the color of our skin, our ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, age, or sex. He wants all of His children to return to His presence.

The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ began with a question and God’s answer to it. The question asked by teenaged Joseph Smith was, “which church should I join?” In answer to his question, Joseph was blessed with an experience known as the First Vision in which he saw and conversed with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph’s experience testifies that God hears and answers prayers – even though His answers are not usually so powerful.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of Christ’s New Testament Church. Here are a few features of the New Testament Church that was restored in our day.

·         Jesus Christ told His apostles that His Church is built on revelation from God and that His apostles hold the keys to seal or lose on earth and in heaven. (See Matthew 16:15-19.) Moses, Elias, and Elijah restored priesthood keys to earth. (See Doctrine and Covenants 110:11-16).

·         Jesus Christ told His apostles to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” and that signs would follow them. (See Mark 16:15-18.) Today missionaries are sent to preach the gospel to all the world and signs follow them. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:64-72.)

·         Jesus Christ prayed all night before selecting His apostles. (See Luke 6:12-13.) Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were given the assignment to seek the Twelve Apostles. (See D&C 18:37-38.)

·         Members of the New Testament Church lived the Law of Consecration. (See Acts 4:34-35.) Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covenant to live the Law of Consecration and have all things equal among them. (See Doctrine and Covenants 70:14.)

·         Members of the New Testament Church performed baptisms for their dead. (See

1 Corinthians 15:29.) Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perform baptisms for their dead in the temples. (See Doctrine and Covenants 124:31, 36.)

·         The Lord’s New Testament Church had apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (See Ephesians 4:11-15.) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has apostles, prophets, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (bishops), and teachers. (See Articles of Faith 1:6.)

The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is ongoing. It started with Joseph Smith, and it continues today. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us…. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now” (“Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 59). 

The heavens were open to Joseph Smith, and they are open today. They are open to prophets and apostles who lead the Church of Jesus Christ, and they are open to individual members for guidance in their personal lives. President Spencer W. Kimball taught the following about the heavens being open.

Of all things, that for which we should be most grateful today is that the heavens are indeed open and that the restored church of Jesus Christ is founded upon the rock of revelation. Continuous revelation is indeed the very lifeblood of the gospel of the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….

Revelation has not ceased and will not cease. This kingdom of God has been set up for the rest of time, never to be torn down nor given to another people. It is a continuous program and will grow instead of diminish. Its doctrines are well established, but because of growth and expansion, improved ways are afforded to teach the gospel all over the world. Additional servants are called to the increasing work for a bigger world. Revelation and other miracles will never cease unless faith ceases. Where there is adequate faith, these things will continue. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, “Chapter 22 Revelation: “A Continuous Melody and a Thunderous Appeal”)