Does the Lord Help Us When We Are in His Service?

My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to Matthew 9-10, Mark 5, and Luke 9 in a lesson titled “These Twelve Jesus Sent Forth.” A suggestion prior to the lesson encouraged us to “find personal meaning in the scriptures.” We should not allow study ideas to “replace personal revelation” that we “might receive about what passage to study or how to study them.” The lesson was introduced by the following paragraph: 

Word of Jesus’s healing miracles was spreading quickly. Multitudes followed Him, hoping for relief from their sicknesses. But when the Savior looked upon the multitudes, He saw more than their physical ailments. Filled with compassion, He saw “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). “The harvest truly is plenteous,” He observed, “but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). So He called twelve Apostles, “gave them power,” and sent them to teach and minister “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:1, 6). Today the need for more laborers to serve Heavenly Father’s children is just as great. There are still twelve Apostles, but there are more disciples of Jesus Christ than ever before – people who can declare to all the world, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

The scripture block contains many principles worthy of discussion, but I feel prompted to discuss this one: “When I am in the Lord’s service, He will inspire me with what to say” (Matthew 10:17-20). First, I will share the actual scripture:

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Jesus Christ foresaw that His disciples would be persecuted and questioned about their faith. This is something similar to the experiences of His disciples in our day. However, Christ promised His disciples that they would know by the Spirit what to say. I had an experience where the Spirit told me what to say.

I was teaching a class of five-year-old children, and a grandfather had come into the class to sit with his non-member granddaughter to help her to feel more comfortable. As I remember  the situation, I was teaching a lesson about baptism. I came to a certain point in the lesson, and the Spirit whispered that I should ask the grandfather to share his experience with performing baptisms. His answer was much better than how I would have taught baptism. I know that the Lord does not leave us alone when we are in His service.

Jesus Christ chose twelve men to serve as His Apostles and to take the gospel to the world. Christ has also called Apostles in our day, and there are actually fifteen men who hold the office of Apostle. The three members of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, and Henry B. Eyring – are all Apostles. Then there are the twelve members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These fifteen men direct the Lord’s work on earth, and they often travel to share the gospel throughout the world.

The Church of Jesus Christ will hold its annual general conference on April 1-2, 2023. All fifteen Apostles will speak at least once during ten hours of meetings. Most of them speak only once, but President Nelson and possibly other members of the First Presidency speak more than one time. I encourage you to listen to or to watch any or all of the General Conference sessions. You can find more information about the conference at this site. 

Special Witnesses of the Atonement of Christ

                Like the prophets of old, prophets and apostles today are living witnesses of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.  They are called “special witnesses” of Jesus Christ, and they invite all to partake of His Atonement.  The Holy Ghost bears witness when living prophets and apostles testify of Christ, and we can receive many blessings by heeding their counsel.

                We can learn much from the scriptures about how prophets are witnesses for Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  In ancient America, a prophet named Jacob taught an unbeliever named Sherem about the importance of studying and believing the scriptures.  “And I said unto him:  Believest thou the scriptures?  And he said, Yea.

                “And I said unto him:  Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ.  Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.

                “And this is not all – it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Jacob 7:10-12).

                Abinadi, another prophet in the Book of Mormon, testified that other prophets were witnesses of Christ:  “For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people?  Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began – have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?

                “Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?

                “Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and afflicted? (Mosiah 13:33-35).

                Abinadi continued his teachings about prophets:  “Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord – I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.

                “For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions.  And now, are they not his seed?” (Mosiah 15:11-12).

                Scriptures written in our day also testify that prophets and apostles are special witnesses of Christ:  “And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:12).

                The Lord told Joseph Smith the duties of the apostles:  “The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world – thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23).

                We also have the testimony of Jesus Christ given by Oliver Cowdery and the Prophet Joseph Smith:  “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him:  That he lives!

                “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father –

                “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24).

                The word “apostle” means “one sent forth.”  The Savior gave this name to the twelve men that He chose and ordained to help in His ministry.  He sent them forth to represent Him after He ascended into heaven.  “The calling of an apostle is to be a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world, particularly of his divinity and of his bodily resurrection from the dead.”

                Twelve “apostles” “constitute an administrative council in the work of the ministry.  When a vacancy occurred with the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was divinely appointed to that special office as a member of the council (Acts 1:15-26).  Today twelve men with this same divine calling and ordination constitute the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints….

                “Jesus is referred to as an apostle in Heb. 3:1-2, a designation meaning that he is the personal and select representative of the Father” (Bible Dictionary, p. 612).

                Fourteen years ago fifteen apostles published their joint testimony of Jesus Christ.  It is entitled “The Living Christ – The Testimony of the Apostles [of] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” 

                “As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

                “He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.  Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth.  `All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made’ (John 1:3).  Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He `went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it.  His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.  He entreated all to follow His example.  He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead.  He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come….

                “We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary.  He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world….

                “We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth….

                “We testify that He will someday return to earth….  He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him.  Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

                “We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles – that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.  He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father.  He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.  His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.  God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

                This magnificent proclamation was signed by Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust of the First Presidency and by Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

                Apostles also testify individually of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  Elder Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, taught:  “Throughout your life there may be times when you have gone places you never should have gone and done things you never should have done.  If you will turn away from sin, you will be able one day to know the peace that comes from following the pathway of complete repentance.

                “No matter what our transgressions have been, no matter how much our actions may have hurt others, that guilt can all be wiped out.  To me, perhaps the most beautiful phrase in all scripture is when the Lord said, `Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.’

                “That is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement:  to take anyone who comes, anyone who will join, and put them through an experience so that at the end of their life, they can go through the veil having repented of their sins and having been washed clean through the blood of Christ” (“The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov.2012, p. 77).  

                Another apostle, Elder Richard G. Scott, also testified of the Savior and His Atonement:  “It is Easter morning, that holy day designated throughout all Christendom to commemorate the victory of Jesus Christ over death.  His Resurrection broke what to that point had been the unyielding chains of death.  He opened the path whereby each of Heavenly Father’s children born to earth would have the opportunity to rise from death to live again.

                “How our Father in Heaven must have rejoiced that sacred day when His totally obedient, completely worthy Son shattered the chains of death….

                “Easter is that sacred season when the heart of each devout Christian turns in humble gratitude to our beloved Savior.  It is a season that should bring peace and joy to all who love Him and show it by obeying His commandments.  Easter brings thoughts of Jesus, His life, His Atonement, His Resurrection, His love.  He has risen from the dead `with healing in his wings’ (Malachi 4:2; 3 Nephi 25:2).  Oh, how we all need that healing the Redeemer can provide.  Mine is a message of hope based on principles embodied in the teachings of the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ….

                “The Savior loves each of us and will make it possible for our every need to be satisfied as we qualify by obedience for all of the blessings He wants us to have on this earth.  I love and adore Him.  As His authorized servant I solemnly testify with every capacity of my being that He lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen” (“He Lives!  All Glory to His Name!” Ensign, May 2010, pp. 75, 78).  

                Even though I am not a “special witness” for Jesus Christ, I too testify that He lives and will once again return to the earth “trailing clouds of glory.”  I also testify that prophets and apostles walk the earth today to testify of the Savior and to administer His gospel.

Church of Jesus Christ Today

Jesus Christ established His only true Church while He lived on earth. He wanted everyone to have the truths of His gospel and to receive the ordinances of it. He organized His Church in order that those truths and the ordinances could be administered with proper authority. It was through this organization that Christ could bring the blessings of salvation to all mankind. After Christ ascended into heaven men started changing the ordinances and doctrines of His gospel. The Apostles were killed, exiled, or otherwise incapacitated, and apostasy took place. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.) Because of the apostasy, there was no direct revelation from God, and the true Church of Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth. Other men organized different Churches and claimed them to be the true Church of Christ, but they taught conflicting doctrines. This brought much confusion and contention over religion. Ancient prophets foretold that the apostasy would take place and that the Lord's Church would be restored in the latter days. Christ told Isaiah, "I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and wonder" (Isaiah 29:14). People lived in spiritual darkness for many years. About 1700 years after the time of Christ, people started to search for truths about God and religion. By careful study of the scriptures, people could see that the gospel of Christ was no longer on earth. Some realized that there was no revelation or true authority on earth. The time had arrived for the Church of Jesus Christ to be restored to earth. One of the most important events in the history of the world happened in the spring of 1820 because it was time for the marvelous work and wonder spoken of by Isaiah to take place. Joseph Smith was searching for the true Church of Jesus Christ and went into the woods near his home to pray. With humility and real intent to know the truth, he asked Heavenly Father which church he should join. In answer to his humble prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared personally to Joseph Smith. The Savior told Joseph that he should join none of the churches because the true church was not on the earth. He also said that the creeds of the various churches presently on earth were "an abomination in his sight" (Joseph Smith-History 1:19; see also verses 7-18, 20). After this visit from the Father and the Son, there was direct revelation from heaven once more. The Lord chose a new prophet and the heavens opened again. Joseph was chosen to help restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and each of the chosen prophets continue to receive revelation to this day. As part of the restoration of the gospel, God gave the priesthood to men once again. John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829. (See Doctrine and Covenants 13; 27:8.) Later Peter, James, and John, who composed the office of the presidency of the Church in ancient times, came to Joseph and Oliver and gave them the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of God. (See Doctrine and Covenants 27:12-13.) Additional keys of the priesthood were restored later by other heavenly messengers such as Moses, Elias, and Elijah. (See Doctrine and Covenants 110:11-16.) The priesthood was returned to earth. Men who hold this priesthood today hold the authority to perform ordinances of the gospel such as baptism as well as to direct the Lord's work on earth. Under the direction of the Savior, His Church was organized on earth again on April 6, 1830. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:1.) His Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See Doctrine and Covenants 115:4.) Jesus Christ stands at the head of His Church today just as He did in ancient days. Jesus Christ Himself has said that this Church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30). Joseph Smith was sustained as prophet and "first elder" when the Church was first organized. He was sustained as President when the First Presidency was organized. The framework of the Church was set up when it was first organized. As the Church grew, the organization of the Church continued to develop. The Church was organized after the pattern of the ancient church. It has the same offices in the priesthood as were in the ancient church, including apostles, prophets, seventies, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (presiding officers), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons. Acting under the direction of the Lord, a prophet leads the Church. He is also the President of the Church and holds all the necessary authority to direct the Lord's work on earth. (See Doctrine and Covenants 107:65, 91.) Two counselors assist the President. The Twelve Apostles are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ who teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church all over the world. Other general officers of the Church have special assignments, such as the Quorums of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and the Twelve. Because the Church is much larger than in the days of Christ, He has revealed additional units of Church organization. Wherever the Church is fully organized in an area, the local divisions are called stakes. Each stake is presided over by a stake president and two counselors. They are assisted by twelve high counselors. Priesthood quorums are organized under the direction of the stake president. Each stake is divided into wards. Each ward is presided over by a bishop and two counselors. Districts and branches, similar to stakes and wards, are organized in developing areas of the Church. The Church today teaches the same principles and performs the same ordinances as were performed in the time of Christ. The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (See Article of Faith 1:4.) Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, which contains the plain and precious truths of the gospel, through the gift and power of God. He received other revelations, which are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Some of those important truths include the following: 1) Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real beings with tangible, perfected bodies of flesh and bones. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. 2) We existed as spiritual children of God in a premortal life. 3) The priesthood is necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel. 4) We will be punished for our own sins and not for Adam's transgression. 5) Children do not need baptism until they are accountable and are at least eight years old. 6) There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens. People will be rewarded according to the desires of their hearts and according to their actions. 7) Through the sealing power of the priesthood, family relationships can be eternal. 8) Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead. The Church of Jesus Christ will never be taken from the earth again. Its mission is to take the truth to every person on earth. There are now members of the Church in almost every nation on earth.

Former Day Church of Christ

Jesus established His church while he was upon the earth. He called His church the Church of Jesus Christ. The members of His church were called Saints (Ephesians 2:19-20). He received His instructions from His Father in Heaven. He then personally instructed and directed the leaders of His church. His church was directed by God and not by men. The Savior taught his followers that He would build His church on the "rock" of revelation (Matthew 16:16-18). Jesus continued to guide His church after He ascended into heaven. He sent the Holy Ghost to the members of His church to comfort them and to reveal information to them (Luke 1:12; John 14:26). He visited Saul in a vision (Acts 9:3-6). He taught Peter that the gospel was for the world and not just the Jews. The New Testament shows many ways that Jesus revealed His will for guidance to His Church and enlightenment of its members. The book of Revelation is a record of many glorious truths that were revealed to John Jesus received authority to organize His church from His Father (Hebrews 5:4-6). Then He ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood to direct the work of the ministry. Jesus organized His church very carefully. He compared the church to a properly constructed building. He said that He was the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) and that the Apostles and prophets were the foundation. Seventies were called to assist the Twelve Apostles and to do missionary work. Other people were called to the work of the ministry. The Church of Jesus Christ had two basic principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. After converts had faith that Jesus was the Son of God and the Savior of the world and repented of their sins, they received two ordinances - baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-6). Jesus taught that both the living and the dead needed the gospel ordinances in order to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5) and that the living could perform the ordinances for those who had died (1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:29). The New Testament shows that the church organization was intended to continue as Christ had established it. When Judas died, Matthias was chosen to be the twelfth Apostle, thus continuing the pattern of the church being led by twelve Apostles. Evil people have always tried to destroy the work of God. Even while the Apostles were living, false ideas and beliefs crept into the church. Some people openly rebelled at the teachings. Church members were persecuted, tortured and killed for their beliefs. The Apostles were killed one by one or otherwise taken away. The authority and priesthood keys given to the Apostles were taken from the earth because of wickedness, and the church organized by Jesus Christ ceased to exist on the earth. Pagan beliefs replaced the teachings of Christ, and the predicted Great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) came into being. God had foreseen the Apostasy and made preparations to restore His gospel to the earth again at a later day (Revelation 14:6).