Joseph Smith--Prophet of the Restoration

My thoughts on Elder Callister's talk "Joseph Smith--Prophet of the Restoration"

It was shortly before I read this talk that a son of mine told me that he didn't believe in Joseph Smith, so with that eyes I read this talk. I truly wish he would read this or at least listen to those who are leading the FHE lesson.

In the light of the religious conversations that are happening all over the world today--especially those in my community--I think it is very important for us to realize the things that Elder Callister spoke of in this talk.

1. Joseph Smith learned that God the Father and His Son are two separate beings. Not many Christians in the world today believe that. We are one of the few. The Prophet is yet another witness of this.

2. They have bodies of flesh and bones. This means that what happened in 3 Nephi could and is true. It also means that the resurrection is real. For me that is huge for it gives me hope and faith for my loved ones who have passed before me.

3. That God speaks to man today. To mean this is the biggest and the most huge thing around. I have a friend who went searching for the true church after she read that Moses spoke face to face--as a man does--with God and so there had to be a church around that believe that he still does. Likewise I have another friend who believes that God had closed the heavens. I can't believe in a loving God and Father who wouldn't communicate to his children. I believe he speaks to Pres. Monson as he did with Moses, Jacob, Abraham, Adam, Nephi, Benjamin, etc. I also believe that he speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.

If he is truly the same today, yesterday and forever then there is little doubt that he doesn't speak to his prophets today and likewise me too.

I also believe that angels still appear, we just don't hear about them. I've always wanted to see one, but it may never happen for many reasons mostly because I don't need one to visit me.

We are unique in these ideas (at least having all three of them) and it is important to remember that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and therefore the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that God is the same today, yesterday and forever.