“Take Part in the Ongoing Restoration,” New Era, Sept. 2020, 32.
Last Word
Take Part in the Ongoing Restoration
Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal” (Articles of Faith 1:9). The exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
When our time in mortality is complete, what experiences will we be able to share about our own contribution to this significant period of our lives and to the furthering of the Lord’s work? Will we be able to say that we rolled up our sleeves and labored with all our heart, might, mind, and strength? Or will we have to admit that our role was mostly that of an observer?
My dear friends, know that you are sons and daughters of light. Don’t be just observers. Don’t allow selfishness! Don’t allow habits that could lead to addiction! Don’t allow competing priorities to lull you into indifference or detachment from blessed discipleship and ennobling ministering! Minister to others by showing others why you love to be a member of the Savior’s Church. There is too much at stake for us as individuals, as families, and as Christ’s Church to give only a halfhearted effort to this sacred work.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all.
I testify that the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Ghost can heal and rescue mankind. It is our privilege, our sacred duty, and our joy to heed the Savior’s call to follow Him with a willing mind and full purpose of heart. Let us “shake off the chains with which [we] are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust” (2 Nephi 1:23).
Let us be awake and not be weary of well-doing, for we “are laying the foundation of a great work” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33), even preparing for the return of the Savior. When we add the light of our example as a witness to the beauty and power of restored truth, we take part in the ongoing Restoration, bringing the blessings of the work of salvation to all who are willing to hear Him.