Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 42
Our Heritage: Pages 117-119
Our Heritage: Pages 125-127
THE HEAVENS ARE OPEN
President
Spencer W. Kimball declared that the Church continues to be guided by
revelation:
“We testify to the world that revelation continues and that the vaults and files of the Church contain these revelations which come month to month and day to day. We testify also that there is, since 1830 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and will continue to be, so long as time shall last, a prophet, recognized of God and his people, who will continue to interpret the mind and will of the Lord. …
“Expecting the spectacular, one may not be fully alerted to the constant flow of revealed communication. I say, in the deepest of humility, but also by the power and force of a burning testimony in my soul, that from the prophet of the Restoration to the prophet of our own year, the communication line is unbroken, the authority is continuous, a light, brilliant and penetrating, continues to shine. The sound of the voice of the Lord is a continuous melody and a thunderous appeal. For nearly a century and a half there has been no interruption” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, 115; or Ensign, May 1977, 78).
Doctrine & Covenants 1:38
Doctrine & Covenants 68:1-4
CHURCH CORRELATION REFLECTS ONGOING REVELATION
Harold B. Lee
Underlying principles: *Maintain pure doctrine
*Emphasize family importance
*Place all work under priesthood direction
*Establish proper relationships among Church organizations
*Create unity and order in Church
*Ensure simplicity of Church programs and materials
Areas of Emphasis:
Church History in the Fulness of Times: 43 Era of Correlation & Consolidation
*Importance of FamilyFor Additional Reading See:
*Operation of Church Auxiliaries
*Preparation of Church Publications
*Home Teaching
Church History in the Fulness of Times: 43 Era of Correlation & Consolidation
PUBLICATION OF LATTER-DAY SAINT EDITION OF SCRIPTURES
Gordon B. Hinckley remarked:
“I look back to my own youth. Neither young men nor young women were doing much scripture reading at that time. What a marvelous change has been wrought. A new generation is arising who are familiar with the word of the Lord” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 117; or Ensign, May 1995, 87).
Elder Boyd K.
Packer prophesied:
“With the passing of years, these scriptures will produce successive generations of faithful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are disposed to obey His will.
… The revelations will be opened to them as to no other [generation] in the history of the world. Into their hands now are placed the sticks of Joseph and of Judah.
They will develop a gospel scholarship beyond that which their forebears could achieve. They will have the testimony that Jesus is the Christ and be competent to proclaim Him and to defend Him” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 75; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 53).
We see this inspired unfolding of scriptural access in the new 2013 Scripture edition.
GUIDING GROWTH OF CHURCH THRU ADDITIONAL SEVENTIES' QUORUMS
25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
34 The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve are the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews—
“With these respective quorums in place, we have established a pattern under which the Church may grow to any size with an organization of Area Presidencies and Area Authority Seventies, chosen and working across the world according to need. Now, the Lord is watching over His kingdom. He is inspiring its leadership to care for its ever growing membership” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 5; or Ensign, May 1997, 6).
REVELATION: EVERY WORTHY MALE TO HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD
President Gordon B. Hinckley was at the historic meeting. He remembered:“There was a hallowed and sanctified atmosphere in the room. For me, it felt as if a conduit opened between the heavenly throne and the kneeling, pleading prophet of God who was joined by his Brethren. …
“Every man in that circle, by the power of the Holy Ghost, knew the same thing. …
“… Not one of us who was present on that occasion was ever quite the same after that. Nor has the Church been quite the same. …
“Tremendous, eternal consequences for millions over the earth are flowing from that manifestation. …
“… This has opened great areas of the world to the teaching of the everlasting gospel. This has made it possible that ‘every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.’
Official Declaration 2: Pages 293-294 in Doctrine & Covenants
“We have cause to rejoice and to praise the God of our salvation that we have seen this glorious day.”16
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