Blessings of the Restoration
(Sister Brooklyn Ashby’s Farewell Address)
Sunday, April 29, 2018
In preparation for this day, knowing I had to prepare a talk, I had been praying lot…trying to figure out how to find the motivation and time to do this. So, I go to bed and the next morning, at 5 a.m., my mom came in banging pots and pans saying, “Alright! It’s time to work out!” And I said, “Heavenly Father, this is not what I meant.” So, after about 3 mornings of doing that, I prayed to Heavenly Father again and asked for no more of that and my mom got sick and that was the end of my working out.
So, today I’ve been asked to speak about the blessings of restoration. I am so excited for this topic because I will be serving a performing mission this summer in Nauvoo. Nauvoo was one of the earliest Mormon settlements when the restoration of the gospel took place. My mom told me that I am a seventh generation Mormon and many of my ancestors lived in Nauvoo and knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord chose Joseph Smith to help restore the gospel of Jesus Christ here upon the earth during the latter day. Joseph Smith went alone to grove of trees where he prayed to know which church to join. As Gordon B Hinckley said,
“There came in response a glorious manifestation. God the Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ appeared and spoke with him. The curtains which had been closed for much of two millennia were parted to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times…Do you recognize our place in the great drama of human history? This is the focal point of all that has gone before. This is the season of restitution. These are the days of restoration.” [At the Summit of the Ages, General Conference, Oct. 1999]
The Prophet Joseph Smith himself compared the Church he helped to restore to a mighty tree springing from a tiny seed:
“Let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, … branching forth, yea, even towering, with lofty branches, and God-like majesty, until it, like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. And it is truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, … and God is sending down His powers, gifts and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof.” [History of the Church, 2:268]
Testimonies have grown in the hearts of millions of people who have praised the Prophet Joseph Smith. Their testimonies have become the backbone of the church. Think about it. Our testimonies provide us with hope and power to carry on everyday lives. Our testimonies provide us with hope and power to carry on in our everyday lives. In the publication True to the Faith, we read this.
“For your testimony of the restored gospel to be complete, it must include a testimony of Joseph Smith’s divine mission. The truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rests on the truthfulness of the First Vision and the other revelations the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph. President John Taylor, the third President of the Church, wrote, ‘Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).
Being a descendent of those who witnessed the restoration of the gospel, my life is blessed with the knowledge that I have an obligation to live the gospel to its fullest and utilize the blessing of the restoration in my daily life. During the last week, knowing that I was to give this talk about the blessings of the restoration, I thought about and the related my daily experiences to the blessings of the restoration. Without drawing too much attention to myself, I have decided to share my experiences as an example of how each of us can be blessed by the restoration of the gospel.
Last Sunday, my dad returned home from a work trip after being gone for over a week. His absence, although brief, helped me to realize how much we miss him when he is gone. I am fortunate enough to have a righteous priesthood holder in my home. He is able to bless my family and others in time need. I am grateful for the blessing I’m having the priesthood in my everyday life to help guide and aide me along the way. Pres. Boyd K Packer said,
“Following the Crucifixion of Christ an apostasy occurred. Leaders began to ‘teach for doctrines the commandments of men’ [JS—H 1:19]. They lost the keys of authority and closed themselves off from the channels of revelation. That lost authority could not just be repossessed. It had to be restored by those who held the keys of authority anciently” [“The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected”, Ensign, Nov. 2003, 24].
Because of the restoration, I know that my dad has been given the authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ.
On Monday, I knelt and prayed before leaving for school. Because of the restoration, I knew I was praying to a loving Heavenly Father and that I am His daughter created in His image. I also read from the Book of Mormon. Because of the restoration, I have another witness that Jesus Christ really lived. That night, my mother and I shared thoughts about this topic. Because of the restoration, I have been blessed with loving parents who teach me the truth. I love the first verse of “I Am a Child of God”.
“I am a child of God
And He has sent me here,
Has given me and earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.
Help me find the way.
Teach me that I must do
To live with Him someday.”
[Children’s Songbook, p. 2]
On Tuesday, I went to one of my last institute classes this semester on the foundations of restoration. My testimony Joseph Smith has been strengthened. I have loved learning about him, the doctrine, and the events related to the restoration. Because of the restoration, the Spirit has helped me gain a greater assurance of the reality of that sacred moment in the grove of trees. We can learn eternal truth and gain wisdom because of the restoration. The pattern of the restoration teaches us how to receive revelation in our lives and build our testimonies. Elder Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles said, “Follow the example of Joseph Smith and the pattern of the Restoration. Turn to the scriptures. Kneel in prayer. Ask in faith. Listen to the Holy Ghost. Learn that your name and needs are known by our Heavenly Father, just as Joseph’s were. Live the gospel with patience and persistence.”
On Wednesday night, I spent some quality time with my family. We went to see this little Broadway musical called “Hamilton”. You may have heard of it. It was fantastic, by the way. And I got to experience it with my favorite people…my family. We sang the whole way there and at the whole way home…something we quite often do together. They are all very important to me and I am so grateful for the love and support they have given me. Because of the restoration, I am sealed to this family of mine eternally. We will get to sing together forever. I have also been trying to spend some more time with my little sister, Dakota. Dakota will be getting brain surgery, for not the first time, but the second time, the same morning I leave for my mission. Because of the restoration, our family has been comforted through this trying time and I know that she is in good hands and that she will be blessed. The message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families. Because of the restoration we understand God’s purpose for families. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we read,
“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally”.
President Harold B. Lee taught,
“On earth, family associations can be the source of some of our greatest joy. Satan is attacking the family on many fronts, and too many families are being destroyed by his efforts. The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ makes it possible for families to be united now and in eternity. By living the principles of the gospel, families can experience peace, joy, and a sense of belonging and identity in this life.” [The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 280]
On Thursday, I hopped on the Front Runner train to get to school. I get to think a lot on my daily commute. I thought about the fact that every day I make dozens of choices: what to wear, what to eat, what to listen to, what to say, what to do with my time, where to sit, who to talk to, etc. I try my best to live the gospel. Because of the restoration, I have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost as my constant companion to help me with these choices always. I also have a bishop and other church leaders to watch over me as special advisors. Because of the restoration, I know about the Atonement so that when I make a mistake I can repent and be forgiven. In the Book of Mormon, I know Moroni taught us that,
“…by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” [Moroni 10:5]
On Friday, I enjoyed being with my friends. I surround myself with some pretty amazing people, who I call friends, who are true blessings in my life. They lift me up, comforted me, and offer aide when I need it. Many of my friends are LDS and I’m grateful for their great examples of choosing right. I also have some dear friends who are not members of our church. They help me, too. I have been given the opportunity to share the gospel through love, acceptance, and brotherhood. Because of the restoration, I have been blessed with friends make me want to be a better person. We have the responsibility to teach the gospel to our friends. In the publication, Preach My Gospel, we learn that we are to teach. It says,
“Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”
In fact, what I just read, constitutes the whole of what is known as the doctrine of Christ.
In the Doctrine and Covenants 88:81, we read:
“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”
And again, in Doctrine and Covenants 38:41, we read:
“And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.”
On Saturday I was able to attend the Jordan River Temple open house. It is a beautiful building that invites peace and quiet into my heart and mind. Although I have only been able to participate in the ordinance of baptisms for the dead, I am so grateful for all the work that is done within these buildings. Because of the restoration we are able to help those who died without the gospel in their lives gain eternal blessings. The restoration included return of all the necessary ordinances we need to return our father in heaven. Elder David a Bednar taught,
“The ordinances of salvation and exaltation administered in the Lord’s restored Church are far more than rituals or symbolic performances. Rather, they constitute authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives.” [Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins, General Conference, April 2016]
Many years ago, President Boyd K. Packer warned,
“Good conduct without the ordinances of the gospel will neither redeem nor exalt mankind.” [The Only True Church, General Conference, Oct. 1985]
In fact, we not only need the ordinances and covenants to return to our Father, but we also need His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement.
Today is Sunday again, the last Sunday before I leave for Nauvoo. I am grateful for Heavenly Father’s plan and for the role the Savior plays in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to come to church each week for the purpose of learning, feeling the spirit, and partaking of the sacrament. Because of the restoration, I was able to renew my promise to follow Jesus Christ. Elder Taniela B. Wakolo gave a recent talk. He said,
“The sacrament is an ordinance that helps us stay on the path, and worthily partaking is evidence that we are keeping the covenants associated with all the other ordinances.” [Saving Ordinances Will Bring Us Marvelous Light, General Conference, April 2018]
As you can see the restoration of the gospel blesses my everyday life and I am sure each of you could look back on your week to find connections to the restoration. If not, I challenge you to do so. We all should rejoice in the restoration of the gospel. We are so lucky to be able to live in this dispensation. This is a time of enlightenment. It was not always so.
In conclusion, I quote Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who said,
“We can best express our gratitude for this glorious fulness by developing a more full love for all of humankind. And why not, for the Restoration tells us who our neighbors really are! Let our gratitude likewise be expressed by striving to become, attribute by attribute, more and more as Jesus is.” [From the Beginning, General Conference, Oct 1993
I know that living prophets are guiding us today and I know that the scriptures are true. I know that this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. I know the through the restored temple ordinances, my family can be together forever. And I am so, so grateful for the opportunity to serve in Beautiful Nauvoo. I am humbled to walk the very streets Joseph Smith did and share the gospel through music. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
