Elder David A. Bednar’s message from this last General Conference was titled, The Times of Restitution of All Things. He spoke of restoration and it really resonated with me. With our study this year of the Doctrine and Covenants, my mind has thought a lot about those early days of the Church. Days that I probably take for granted too often.
Elder Bednar shared how there were at least three miraculous “necessary prerequisites to the organization of the Lord’s restored Church.” He shared about the First Vision, the translation and coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and priesthood authority and keys.
These are events that I have been taught about my entire life but I appreciated this message which has given me pause to slow down and really put myself into those situations. What an incredible time that must have been! I often find my mind going through all the difficulties the early Saints had to endure (which shouldn’t be forgotten) but perhaps I have allowed myself to let all of the beautiful, joyful experiences be dimmed in my mind.
These were amazing times. So much light and goodness was being poured on the earth and on these wonderful early Saints. And how amazing is it that we get to live in this time of fulness that has been prophesied about since the world began?! There is so much to be grateful for.
I am humbled and grateful to have been born in this chapter of our world’s story. To have living prophets and apostles on the earth and to hear their words and guidance on a regular basis. To have the word of God with me at all times – the opportunity to hear His voice and learn of Him. And to have priesthood restored so that I can make covenants which bind me to Him. It’s incredible.
Prompting
I feel a pull to study the message of the restoration deeper and make that personal connection to these miraculous events that have changed my life and countless others. And I want to act in faith, trusting before I pray, that what I will receive, I will act upon.
Invitation
To learn abou the restoration of Christ’s gospel and Church in the latter days and prove it.
Promise
Individuals “who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed [through the power of the Holy Ghost] to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promise Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.“
My Favorite Takeaways
“The formal organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the culmination of a sequence of miraculous experiences.
In the spring of 1820, a young boy named Joseph Smith went into the woods near his home to pray…Joseph trusted that God would answer his prayer and direct him.
Please note that Joseph did not pray merely to know what was right. Rather, he prayed to know what was right so he could do what was right. Joseph asked in faith and was determined to act in accordance with the answers he received.
Joseph Smith would be instrumental in restoring once again the doctrine, the authority, and the covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s ancient Church.
Through this vision and subsequent supernal experiences, Joseph Smith came to understand that God and Jesus Christ knew him as an individual, cared about his eternal salvation, and had a mission for him to perform. He also learned vital lessons about the attributes, character, and perfections of the Godhead – and that the Father and the Son are separate and distinct Beings. Jesus Christ is the liternal Son of God in spirit and in the flesh.
I testify the visitation of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith was the initiating event in the grand “restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began.”
The second in the sequence of miraculous experiences that led to the formal organization of the Savior’s restored Church was the translation and coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, confirms the truthfulness of the Bible, and restores plain and precious truths that were lost from the Bible.
As part of the prophesied restoration of all things in the latter days, ancient prophets and apostles personally conferred priesthood authority upon Joseph Smith and committed priesthood keys to him. This was the third in the sequence of miraculous experiences that led to the formal organization of the Savior’s restored Church.
The Church was organized in proper sequence only after the restoration of the priesthood and the publication of the Book of Mormon.
The appearance of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith, the translation and coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of priesthood authority and keys were necessary prerequisites to the organization of the Lord’s restored Church.
I testify: The Lord is fulfilling His promise. The Savior’s restored Church is being established throughout the world and is the instrument by which God will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”
The Lord Jesus Christ has restored His gospel and Church in the latter days.
I invite all to learn about and prove this message…As you pray earnestly with the expectation to both receive and act upon an answer from God…your capacity to recognize and respond to that divine witness will be increased.
I joyfully witness that the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, thus initiating the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and contains the word of God. Priesthood authority to represent the Savior and act in His name again is found on the earth. And The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s New Testament Church restored.”
FULL text and video of Elder David A. Bednar’s message can be found HERE.
Other message from the April 2025 General Conference that I found particularly impactful:
- Confidence in the Presence of God by President Russell M. Nelson
- Right Before Our Eyes by Elder Ronald A. Rasband
- Faith: A Bond of Trust and Loyalty by Elder Sandino Roman
- Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior by Elder Dale G. Renlund
- Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy by Sister Tamara W. Runia
