1. Wouldn't it have been such a mix of feelings to have been at the meeting when the church was organized. I assume everyone had strong testimonies of the restored gospel, but would I have had that assurance? My initial thoughts when I read this were that I might have been apprehensive as to whether this was just another start-up church or the real thing. It would have been amazing to hear Joseph Smith say anything let alone the statement that the church would fill the earth. I can see that being fulfilled but I'm also excited to see how it will yet be fulfilled.
2. I think it's interesting that they did ordinations, they used the priesthood. You definitely feel the power of God when his power is being used on Earth. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have more meetings with that.
3. The Savior has always chosen his prophets, it is His church. When he was on earth he organized his church in the holy land, and then again in the Americas. When he was no longer on the Earth, he still chose his prophets. There was the apostacy and the Nephites eventually experienced there apostacy and it wasn't until the Lord called Joseph Smith to open the restoration that he called his prophets again. How amazing it is that this time he has only called one prophet and the apostles to support him are responsible for the entire earth. One Lord, one prophet, one church, and technology makes it possible and even more efficient than it ever was in any dispensation of time. (And yet we're not quite able to be as good as Enoch and the people that were translated. Makes you wonder how that was ever even possible.)
4. It is no wonder that we need leaders to maintain the organization of the Church. The Lord chooses all types of people to lead and assigns them at the right time to govern throughout the world.
As I listen to General Conference I'm reminded that some talks will strike deep in my heart and affect me. Others I don't seem to feel quite as deeply. The difference is that there are different types of teaching and leading styles and we need them all. Someone was affected by the one that I wasn't. Small example of how we need all sorts to help in the management and leadership of the church and all levels and in all things.
5. Each generation sees a clearer fulfillment of Joseph Smith's prophecy that the church would fill the Earth. Little could they know (maybe Joseph Smith did) that modern communication methods would make it easy for news and influence to spread the world in minutes. I think again and again that I need to continue to improve my willingness to respresent the Savior and His church through any means I can over the web and email, etc.
6. If someone asked me why I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I would say first of all that I believe it is the only true church on the face of the earth. My membersihp is important to me for how it helps me and allows me access to the knowledge and power to return to God. What is more it allows me the opportunity to return with my family. I could not do this without a true prophet to guide and revelation and ordinances made possible through the Priesthood.
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