Uncovering the Hidden Foundation of the LDS Restoration
The foundation of the LDS restoration that Joseph Smith laid has become too difficult to see under the thick dust layer of history. From rewritten histories to forged revelations to faith-promoting rumors, Joseph’s restored foundational teachings have been somewhat side-stepped by modern curriculum committees. These foundational teachings should be sought after, discovered and rediscovered in our search for the true revelations of modern times.
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Baptism of Fire & The Holy Ghost – Scripture Matrix (Excel file).
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Scripture Study Tips
- Don’t accept definitions from church manuals. Believe the scriptures themselves!
- Heavens are open again
- Search multiple entries of the same word and allow God to define terms
- The Lord’s “servants” are back helping piece together the doctrines that were closed to us a few years ago (D&C 10)
- They are tasked with awakening the LDS Gentiles (3 Nephi 16 & 21) by declaring the fulness by the power of the Holy Ghost
- The D&C is full of instructions from Joseph to Joseph, the servants, to us.
- A new perspective – How does this apply TODAY?
- Look for terms pointing to the end times
- “Gentiles“
- “Second time,” “third and fourth generation“
- “At that day,” “in those days“
- “A little season“
- “Sons of God,” “house of Israel,” “children of men“
- “Elect,” “called,” “chosen“
- “Prophet,” “apostle,” “servant,” “friend“
The Original Foundation of the LDS Restoration
- Scriptures teach that Joseph only laid the foundation of the restoration. He did not restore the entire structure.
- The fulness comes during the dispensation of the fulness of times
- We have been living in the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham since 1836
D&C 110:11-12 (April 3, 1836)
11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham [preparatory gospel], saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
D&C 1:29 (November 1, 1831)
29 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon.30 And also those [other servants] to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually.
D&C 21:1-2 (April 6, 1830)
Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou [Joseph] shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, Being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof.The Foundation is the Doctrine of Christ
What is the foundation of the LDS restoration movement? The exact same foundation as the Christian foundation (33 AD) or any other dispensation throughout history, including Adam, Noah, Enoch, Moses, Abraham, Lehi, Alma, or anyone else’s restoration.
Solid Foundation
- The Rock (Jesus Christ)
- Jesus Christ’s teachings
Sandy Foundation
- Church institution
- Ecclesiastical leaders
- The temple
Where is the Doctrine of Christ Found?
The doctrine of Christ is found in the scriptures that God preserved for our use. Some places (among many) to find it in it’s clarity and purity is 2 Nephi 31-32 and 3 Nephi 11-12.
- New & Everlasting Covenant – Offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit with full purpose of heart (2 Nephi 31:13; 3 Nephi 9:20; 3 Nephi 11:37-38, 12:3-5,19)
- Baptism by water – to fulfill the commandment (2 Nephi 31:11-14; 3 Nephi 11:21-34)
- Baptism by fire & the Holy Ghost – to be redeemed from the fall of Adam, or admittance into the church of Christ (2 Nephi 31:17-18; 3 Nephi 11:35-36, 12:1-2,6)
- Receiving the Lord in the flesh (the second Comforter) to inherit eternal life, church of the Firstborn (2 Nephi 32:6; 3 Nephi 12:8)
- Enduring to the End – overcoming by faith (2 Nephi 31:19-21; 3 Nephi 12:9-12)
3 Nephi 11:39-40 (Book of Mormon)
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such…
3 Nephi 11:39-40 (Book of Mormon)
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such…
The Foundation Begins to Crumble
So how does the foundation of being built upon the Rock begin to fail? Simply put, it’s when people or churches begin to “teach for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).
Lets examine how well we’re teaching the full doctrine of Christ as Christ taught it. Remember, Christ warned us that “anything more or less than this” cometh of evil.
“Anything Less Than This” Cometh of Evil
| Doctrine of Christ | Common Understanding |
|---|---|
| New & Everlasting Covenant | ❌ Temple marriage (polygamy) |
| Baptism by Water | ✅ Correct, although a preparatory baptism |
| Baptism by Fire & Holy Ghost | ❌ “We got it when we turned 8” |
| Second Comforter | ❌ “It’s a thing, but it’s too sacred to discuss” |
| Endure to the End | 🔶 “We do our best” |
“Anything More Than This” Cometh of Evil
The temple recommend questions are set as worthiness requirements for full participation in the church. They serve as a gateway to help people experience a “fullness of blessings.” So naturally, they should coincide with living the fullness of the gospel, as defined by Christ.
| Doctrine of Christ | Temple Worthiness |
|---|---|
| New & Everlasting Covenant | ✅ “Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?” ✅ “Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?” ✅ “Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?” ✅ “Do you strive to be honest in all that you do?” 🔶 “Do you strive to keep the Sabbath day holy, at home and at church; attend your meetings; prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament; and live in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?” |
| Baptism by Water | |
| Baptism by Fire & Holy Ghost | |
| Second Comforter | |
| Endure to the End | 🔶 “Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?” |
| ? | ❌ “Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?” (D&C 90:3) ❌ “Do you sustain the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators?” ❌ “Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local leaders of the Church?” ❌ “Do you support or promote any teachings, practices, or doctrine contrary to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?” ❌ “Are you a full-tithe payer?” (Mormon 8:32) ❌ “Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?” (D&C 89:2) ❌ “Do you have any financial or other obligations to a former spouse or to children?” ❌ “Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment?“ ❌ “Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?” |
3 Nephi 11:28 (Book of Mormon)
And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.Parable of the Redemption of Zion
D&C 101’s “Parable of the Redemption of Zion” foretells the story that the church will reject the foundation. The goal of the parable for the servants is to build a tower upon the foundation (Christ) so that they may “see the enemy when he is still afar off” and warn the Lord’s people. The Lord’s tower project was cut short as the servants (after Joseph) became slothful and disobedient, ignoring the Lord’s instructions.
D&C 101:44-49 (December 17, 1833)
44 A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my vineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees;45 And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.
46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower.
47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?
48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?
49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.
- The servants after Joseph didn’t understand the purpose of the tower (lacked spiritual maturity)
- OR, they hijacked leadership for power, gain, influence, propagation of polygamy
- In fact, they took the church funds and invested them in the stock market ($100B EPA)
- Joseph never completed the tower (condemnation from D&C 84), meaning the members never ascended into the presence of God (they were unprepared also)
- Over time, the original foundation began to decay (plain and precious truths were forgotten and removed over time)
- Everlasting covenant, Baptism by water, fire, Holy Ghost, Second Comforter, Endure
- Today, we only have crumbled, decayed remnants of the foundation
D&C 101:50-51 (December 17, 1833)
50 And while they [the servants after Joseph] were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord [to build the tower].51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge [of protection]; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.
