A few years ago, my testimony of Joseph Smith as the prophet of the Restoration took a big hit.
I really struggled. For a while.
While I was going through this period of deep concern, I leaned on the things that I KNEW to be true.
I loved my Savior Jesus Christ.
I knew I was a child of God.
I knew the Book of Mormon had totally transformed my life and taught me.
So I kept leaning on those truths and acting in faith.
And while I still did all the things, I prayed like I had never prayed before.
I kept wanting to turn to other resources, and sometimes I did. Books, podcasts, people’s advice that I love or admire.
But looking back, I can now see what was the most important. And when I read this sentence in the Restoration Proclamation, it all clicked:
“We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
I don’t think it’s a secret that for many people, their testimony of Joseph Smith and/or church history is less confident than other aspects of their testimony.
It’s possible that you might even be “dreading” this year and our study of church history.
If that’s the case, I see you.
But I also encourage you to put the promise at the end of the Declaration Proclamation to the test.
Prayerfully study scripture.
And then ACT in faith.
Do everything you can to fill your life with faith and the Spirit and the Book of Mormon.
Pray fervently.
And you WILL gain your own witness and testimony of the Restoration and its purpose in preparing the entire world for the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.
And I can say that because… I did the same thing.
A humble heart, sincere prayer, asking God more than I asked anyone else, reading my scriptures more than I read anything else, all lead me to confidently say that I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration. And what he did made so many other blessings possible for all of God’s children all over the earth.
It’s going to be a great year, and a year of great growth.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
