Challenger Feb. 1989 and 2013

Elder and Sister DeCoursey, 

Dad wrote this up for this month.  It is a long one.  But I think the things you read here will be of value.  Dad found these to be of great help and value so many years ago on his mission. 

Love you,

Mom

The Challenger

New Zealand Auckland Mission – February 1989

President Herschel Pedersen

The Prayer of Faith

The Hebrews had been in bondage for 400 years and many believed the prophecies that there would be a deliverer.  In order to prevent the fulfillment of the prophecies the Egyptians commanded the midwives to kill every male child.  Amram and Jochabel were deeply saddened because she was heavy with child.  They besought the Lord God Almighty in mighty prayer with this reasoning: Surely God would have compassion upon those who had not transgressed the laws of His worship and surely He would afford them deliverance from the destruction of their enemies and thereby preserve the lives of their children by His power.

Accordingly their prayer was answered and the Lord stood by Amram during the night and told him He had not forgotten their piety towards Him and that He would reward them as He had their forefathers who had demonstrated similar piety and reverence.  Amram was promised that his son, Moses, would be famous as long as the world should last, along with many other things.

When the baby Moses was about three months old it became increasingly difficult for the parents to conceal the child.  They feared for their lives, knowing that if their male child was discovered not only would he be killed, but the whole family as well.  Their own safety grew more precarious daily, and in prayer they decided that they should put their trust in the Lord.  Amram’s reasoning was that all the things that God had promised in the vision and in His instructions should be taken care of by God.  God had made the promise, so let Him fulfill it.  As a consequence they placed Moses in the ark of reeds and set him upon the river in the trust of God (Antiquities page 76).

Moses reached the time as a prophet where he had led the children of Israel to the shores of the Red Sea.  The Egyptian army was in the rear, the sea was in front of them, and there were mountains on either side.  The masses became terrified, turned on Moses and were about to kill him and return to captivity, blaming him for their plight.  We find the exact words of Moses’ prayer of faith, as recorded by Josepheus:

     “Thou art not ignorant, Oh Lord that it is beyond human strength     and human contrivance to avoid the difficulties we are now under;   but it must be thy work altogether to produce deliverance to this       army, which has left Egypt at thy appointment.  We despair of any        other assistance or contrivance, and have recourse only to that           hope we have in thee; and if there be any method that can promise    us an escape by thy providence, we look up to thee for it.  And   let it come quickly, and manifest thy power to us; and do raise           up this people unto good courage and hope of deliverance, who are         deeply sunk into a desolate state of mind.  We are in a helpless     place, but still it is a place that thou possessest; still the    sea is thine, the mountains also that enclose us are thine; so         that these mountains will open themselves if thou commandest   them, and the sea also, if thou commandest it, will become dry        land.  Nay, we might escape by a flight through the air, if thou         shouldest determine we should have that way of salvation.”

After the prayer Moses turned and smote the sea with the rod, and the waters parted.

When considering the prayer of faith offered by Moses we find that it was the people who despaired, not Moses.  His words exuded confidence and he suggested several ways that the Lord could deliver them, all of which would be unacceptable to human reasoning.  We find that there was a degree of urgency as Moses asked that whatever God did, it must be done quickly.  His prayer voiced the fact that they were destitute of any human logic to bring about their deliverance and that he (Moses) had explicit faith in God as did his father, Amram when he cast him adrift on the river.  These are all ingredients of a prayer of faith.  Probably the greatest reason Moses placed before God as his claim that the prayer be answered was the fact that they had come to those precarious circumstances by the appointment of God and had been obedient and God would take the responsibility for the consequences and therefore deliver them.

As we consider the life we experience as a missionary we can find every part of the prayer of Moses in our circumstances.

 

     1. We arrived here because of our having answered a call from the                                                                         Lord, and we are here at his appointment.

     2. God will reward all those who are diligent and have not      transgressed their devotion and service to Him.

     3. We recognize our own weakness and inability to do some things     in life and are humble enough to accept any help God may choose    to send.

     4. We are at liberty to present our suggestions to Him and even      recognize that there are many ways God can perform that may fit      our present ability to understand or to reason.

     5. We must have complete trust and confidence in the method God      chooses to answer the prayer and accept that decision as binding.

     6. We must then act in faith and perform according to that      decision.

Joshua became the prophet and leader of Israel after the death of Moses and had conquered the city of Jerico.  His next encounter was to conquer the city of Ai, however, his army met with great disaster and failed.  When Joshua saw the great afflictions and forebodings of heaven which had come upon the people as a result of their failure he exercised great boldness and freedom in mighty prayer unto God.  These are the words of his prayer, as recorded in the Antiquities of the Jews, page 144:

     “We are not thus far out of any rashness of our own, as though we    thought ourselves able to subdue this land with our own weapons,        but at the instigation of Moses thy servant for this purpose,   because thou hast promised us, by many signs that thou wouldst make our army always superior in war to our enemies, and    accordingly some success has already attended upon us agreeably      to thy promises; but because we have now unexpectedly been      foiled, and have lost some men out of our army, we are grieved at      it, as fearing what thou hast promised us, and what Moses     foretold us, cannot be depended of by us; and our future      expectation troubles us the more, because we have met with such a      disaster in this our first attempt. But do thou, O Lord, free us     from these suspicions, for thou art able to find a cure for these    disorders, by giving us victory, which will both take away the     grief we are in at present, and prevent our distrust as to what is to come.”

In applying the prayer of faith to our work, we establish a goal of five baptisms monthly and five reactivations monthly [Or whatever your mission has established as mission goals or what you and your companion have established as your goals, the point is to set goals, make a plan to accomplish them and then go to work].  We plan our days and weeks, including an alternative plan if the first fails.  We then present our plan to the Lord along with the goal.  We do our part by being obedient, prepared, prayerful and by occasional fasting.  We then work diligently to perform and accomplish the goals.

About the 10^th of the month we analyze our situation and present the case to the Lord.  Then we work hard, expecting an answer and the needed help to reach the goals.  Now if we are not current on the goals and it looks like we may be losing we should experience a feeling of anxiety; that is; we become greatly concerned about not accomplishing the things we set out to do.  This concern can then be compared with the plight that Moses found himself in when trapped against the sea.  We now pray with more fervor and present the case before God with more faith and intensity.

About the 20^th of the month we again analyze our goals.  If we are not accomplishing them now, we evaluate our performance.  We assure ourselves that we are worthy, that we have worked hard, and that we have prepared by study and faith.  Our anxiety should then increase and become a much heavier burden and our desire to reach the goal should be a preoccupation.

There are many examples given in the scriptures about the anxiety various prophets experienced before they received the direction and accomplishment they sought (1 Nephi 1:16; 1 Nephi 6:3; Jacob 1:5; Alma 13:27).  In his writing James E. Talmage made this statement: “There is always a feeling of anxiety akin to that of troubled expectancy.”  This great concern we experience is not one of failure but of caring, loving the work of God and becoming one with God in purpose, having our minds on the things of God.  We are then in a position to reason with God.  Present your righteous case before Him.  Explain your worthiness and ask what you can do to become more worthy to develop the prayer of faith to accomplish your goals, both in the mission field and in life.

It is imperative that we develop our spiritual powers and faith before we finish our missions or else we will not be able to have sufficient faith to call down the powers of heaven when more serious problems arise in our lives.  Sooner or later into every life come experiences which bring great anxiety, trauma, fear, and terror.  Often the night of struggle and danger is far advanced before succor appears, and then too often it is mistaken not as help but as another burden to be dealt with.  We find that as our anxiousness for the accomplishment of those goals in the mission field increases and we give heed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we increase in faith, confidence and skill and we begin to accomplish all of those goals we established, and it becomes the foundation for all of our prayers to be answered.

When you as missionaries become as concerned and anxious about reaching your goals and baptizing people as you do about letters from home, your money late or trying to get a meal from the members, you will baptize five a month [Or whatever your goal is].

May God bless all of you as you develop the prayer of faith equal to that of Moses.  We commend you and love you and exhort you to greater effort and accomplishment.

Sincerely,

Herschel N. Pedersen, President.

Challenger Jan. 1989 and 2013 (sent to them in Jan.)

Elder and Sister DeCoursey,

When we were in Salt Lake City in December we were able to stop by the Pedersen's and visit with them. I found out that they had three daughters out on missions the same time they were out on their mission as Pres. and Sister over the New Zealand, Auckland Mission in 1987-1990.   One of his daughter's was in the England, London South Mission just before I got there.  She went home in Nov of 1988 and I got there in March of 1989. So with you and your brother out and Dallin, likely going to be going out by next fall, we will be similar in that respect. 

Dad and I were talking about his mission, and the amazing experiences he had listening to Pres. and Sister Pedersen.  He also remembered he would receive a monthly newsletter from Pres. Pedersen, called "The Challenger".  Dad was able to find them and we want to send you a copy of them out at the beginning of each month for you.   This is January's newsletter and it could not be more fitting for both of you but especially Amicherie.  Beginning your mission takes some getting use to and the story he shares will help. 

We love you both,
Mom

The Challenger-

New Zealand Auckland Mission,

January 1989 Pres. Herschel N Pedersen

As we go through the experiences of life we find that our lives take drastic turns and shocking experiences are encountered which we never contemplated.  Our carefully planned lives, the hopes and dreams we built are shattered from time to time.  We are led to believe that some things are one way when in actuality they are the opposite.   We wonder and ponder why those relating the experience did not tell the truth. 

A mission is sometimes that way.  We hear the glowing reports of returned missionaries, and their spiritual experiences and feel of the spirit and we desire to serve and experience those same things.  Then when we get to the mission field we find that our conduct is restricted by many rules that we find difficult to accept.  Some seem trivial, uninspired and unreasonable.  We find ourselves being held responsible for records, cleaning the flat, fixing meals, being told to be obedient.  We even have rules as to when to get up and go to bed.  This sudden change in the lives of people is not the easiest thing to adjust to.

As we consider this area and begin a new year, I would like to write about a few experiences that are personal and I hope will give enlightenment, hope and above all a spiritual understanding of some of the reasons “Why?”

When I went on my mission to Denmark I experienced the same frustrations and difficulties you do.  I found that the first few months were an eternal hell as I fixed my meals, made the bed, washed my clothes by hand, and never in that 30 months time did I ride in a car of any kind.  All my missionary work was done on a bike, and when we transferred it was by train or boat from island to island.  The greatest frustration came from tracting six hours everyday and being told where to go and how to get there.  This became a burden and I had a terrible struggle as did my companion in trying to answer all the little questions I could ask.  He became so frustrated with my incessant questions that he finally gave up and said “I do not know why it has to be this way, so just forget it and be obedient and everything will work out.” I was always obedient, but I still wondered why this or that?

Then one day my mind went back to home and what my uncles and relatives would be doing at that time of year.  I remembered the times we had gone to the western desert to catch wild horses.  We would make corals and lock them so the horses could not get into the water holes.  After several days of thirst the horses would be weak, and we would open the gate to the water hole and then at night the horses entered to drink.   A long rope tied to the gate would permit us to close the gate and trap the entire herd.

With the coming of daylight the horses would want to return to the desert in search of food.  In finding no exit and people around they would panic and run against the wire and poles that kept them entrapped.  Many were cut and bruised badly as they fought against the enclosure.  Then we would rope them, tie them down, place a hackamore on them, and then a team of horses would literally drag them from the corral and force them into a truck.  They squealed, whined, kicked, bucked and tried to jump out, but there were secured.

At home we placed them with tame horses and little by little they accepted the feed and water and lost their fear of us.  The wounds healed and they accepted being led around and fed and seemed to enjoy their new life.  Then came the day to begin breaking them.  This brought a closer association with us as we would spend several hours each day with each individual horse. Finally they could be trusted to refrain from bucking and could be used as cow ponies or a cutting horse and became beneficial to the farm. 

Those thoughts had a profound effect on me as I realized that the rules and questions and frustrations I was experiencing were a training and breaking period for me and that the more I fought against the inspiration of the Lord and His ways of doing things the more I would be injured and the longer it would take for my wounds to heal.  This was the day I finally learned to understand John 7:16-17 wherein Christ spoke of knowing if the doctrine, whether it was from God or from man, by doing.  I resolved to do rather than fight against it.  My life was immediately blessed. 

I found that many times in my life I was discouraged and thought there was no way I could succeed but I was always blessed, and gradually I learned that the seed spoken of by Alma in Alma 32 applied to many things, not just faith.  We overcome gradually and it may take weeks, months, and sometimes years before we realize the results we hope for.  

(Skipped area).......................

Paul kicked against the pricks as did Alma and the sons of Mosiah.  Each has had times when they had many problems and fought to overcome.  My favorite happens to be Peter in the 22^nd chapter of Luke.  It was the last supper, and Christ was addressing the apostles.  He looked at Peter and said “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”  Peter was chagrined and told the Lord he was ready to die and go to prison for him, upon which the Lord told him that he would deny Him thrice. 

If you can imagine the thoughts that have been in my heart over the many years concerning this scripture.  Peter was the Chief Apostle, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve and was to be the President of the Church.  He had been with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration and had seen Moses, Elijah, and had witnessed all the miracles, and then to be told, “When thou art converted…” Many of us are in the same position.  We have testimonies; we have witnessed many blessings and evidenced; but somewhere we still struggle as did Peter.  Think how Peter must have felt when he realized that Christ had been crucified and that he was now alone to guide the Church.   Christ was no longer there to give the daily direction; there would be questions and problems, and he was not converted.  

In Chapter 19 of Matthew, the Lord was speaking to the rich man and after the conversation the Apostle then asked, “then who can be saved?”  Christ answered that with men things are sometimes impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

The change in companionship, working with missionaries from many parts of the world, disciplining yourselves in areas never before necessary are all shock and designed to help you learn about yourself and what you have the potential for.  Peter never knew how to be an effective missionary and had little success until he understood on the Day of Pentecost when he and John baptized 3000 souls that day.

During the year 1989 (or for us 2013) let each labor to understand him or herself and recognize the power of godliness in each of us.  We commend you and love you.   It is a joy to see each of you grow spiritually and we know that you are all growing in the Lord.  Do not despair because of the trials or difficulties, and do not feel failure or quilt; but read Alma 32:42-43 and know this, that we commend you to God and know that many of you have already reached great heights and will continue doing so. 

You will all succeed, and we hope and pray that God will bless all of us as we continue. 

Sincerely,

Herschel N Pedersen. 

 

Lecture on Faith #3 by Joseph Smith

Elder and Sister DeCoursey,

I know that you and I have studied this when you were home, but I wanted to share it again with you.  I get to share lecture 3 and 4 next Saturday at Stake Women's Conference.  I am so thankful for that opportunity,  with Grandma on the Stake Relief Society Presidentcy, I will probably get to do a few things like this.  The teacher always benefits the most.   

These seven lectures can be found in copies of Older Doctrine and Covenants.  I have read these 7 lectures many time now.  I keep gathering additional knowledge each time I do so.  Lecture 3 and 4 are especially worth studing and gaining great knowledge and worth memorizing the Characteristics and Attributes that Our Heavenly Father has and is.  Knowing these will give us "power" that will enable us to know deception immediately, truth without doubt, and obtain the humble confidence, that Pres. Herschel Pedersen is an example of.    

I have included Lecture three only.  I will send Lecture 4 later. 

Just a quick review of what are on Lecture 1-2.  Lecture 1 is very short, Joseph Smith, this master teacher, talks about what the lectures will teach us.  What faith is itself, the object on which it rests, and the effects which flow from it.  Faith is the principle of action in all intelligent beings. It is the moving cause of all action.  For if you go back and reflect on your life you will see that all things that you have done has been because of faith.  You would not have knocked if you did not think it would be answered, or planted if you thought you would not have something to gather, nor asked if you did not believe you would be heard, or sought unless you had believed that you would find.  

This chapter shows that faith is power.  Hebrews 11:3 "Through the faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are not seen were not made of things which do appear." God himself used faith to power the creation.  "Faith, then is the first great govering principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God.  Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation nor existence!" Lec. 1:24

Lecture 2 is all about how the first thoughts were suggested to the mind of men that there was a God who created all things.  Joseph Smith goes over the book of Genesis, pointing out the history of how long Adam lived.  He lived nine generations.  Noah's father, Lamach was 56 when Adam died.  Noah's father knew Adam and walked and talked with Adam.  Adam walked and talked with God.  Just as I would share with you things on the spiritual nature that I know would influence you.  I am sure Adam shared all he thought his children needed to know.  And that one thing definetly would be that there is a God.  And who he is. 

Noah again began to populate the earth, after the flood, with his sons.  Noah received many manifestations from God.  He lived nine Generations also.  Abraham's father was 128 years old when Noah died, and two years later Abraham was born.  Again Noah would have taught his children as much as he could of God.  Think of the world as it is now.  There is a knowledge or belife of a superem being in every nation in the world. The Characteristics of God, over the years, have been destorted, twisted, forgotten, or completely made up by men over the years. Or made up by the author of him who deceives and destroys the faith in man. 

Bringing us to lecture 3.  For any "rational and intelligent being" to begin to "exercise faith in God unto life and salvation" we must understand three steps.:
      1. The idea that God actually exists.
      2. A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. 
      3. An actual knowledge that the course of life which he, his children are pursuing is according to
          God's will. 

For with out this knowledge "the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ". verse 5

Lectures on Faith #3:12-26
"From the foregoing testimonies we learn the following things respecting the character of God:
       First, that he was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was after it      was created
      Secondly, that he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be to everlasting
     Thirdly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation.
     Fourthly, that he is a God of truth and cannot lie.
     Fifthly, that he is no respecter of person: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him.
     Sixthly, that he is love. "

1. Knowledge that HE has all Power- faith can be WITHOUT WAVERING.

"An acquaintance with these attributes in the divine character is essentially necessary, in order that the faith of any rational being can center in him for the life and salvation. For if he did not, in the first instance, believe him to be God, that is, the creator and upholder of all things, he could not center his faith in him for life and salvation, for fear that should be greater than he who would thwart all his plans, and he, like the gods of the heathen, would be unable to fulfill his promised; but seeing he is God over all, from everlasting to everlasting, the Creator and upholder of all things, no such fear can exist in the minds of those who put their trust in him, so that in this respect their faith can be without wavering."

2.  Knowledge that HE is merciful and slow to anger - faith can be EXCEEDINGLY STRONG

"But secondly, unless he was merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness, such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith, and those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have of the Excellency of the character of God, that he is slow to anger and long-suffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong. 

3. Knowledge that HE is unchanging- faith will be UNSHAKENLY CONFIDENT.

"But it is equally as necessary that men should have the idea that he is God who changes not, in order to have faith in him, as it is to have the idea that he is gracious and long-suffering; for without the idea of unchangeableness in the character of the Deity, doubt would take the place of faith. But with the idea that he changes not, faith lays hold up on the Excellencies in his character with unshaken confidence, believing he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that his course is one eternal round. "

4. Knowledge that HE cannot lie- faith will be POWER TO THE MINDS OF MEN.

"And again, the idea that he is a God of truth and cannot lie is equally as necessary to the exercise of faith in him as the idea of his unchangeableness. For without the idea that he was a God of truth and could not lie, the confidence necessary to be placed in his word in order to the exercise of faith in him could not exist. But having the idea that he is not man, that he cannot lie, it gives power to the minds of men to exercise faith in him."

5. Knowledge that HE is no respector of persons - faith strengthened to believe you HAVE AUTHORITY TO LAY HOLD OF THE RICHEST BOONS OF HEAVEN.

"But it is also necessary that men should have an idea that he is no respecter of persons, for with the idea of all the other excellencies in his character, and this one wanting, men could not exercise faith in him; because if he were a respecter of persons, they could not tell what their privileges were, nor how far they were authorized to exercise faith in him, or whether they were authorized to do it at all, but all must be confusion; but no sooner are the minds of men made acquainted with the truth on this point, that he is no respecter of persons, than they see that they have authority by faith to lay hold on eternal life, the richest boon of heaven, because God is no respecter of persons, and that every man in every nation has an equal privilege. "

6. Knowledge that HE is love - faith that YOU ARE ON JUST GROUND.

"And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God, is the idea that he is love; for with all the other excellencies in his character, without this one to influence them, they could not have such powerful dominion over the minds of men; but when the idea is planted in the mind that he is love, who cannot see the just ground that men of every nation, kindred, and tongue, have to exercise faith in God so as to obtain eternal life?"

Knowledge of him gives us a SURE FOUNDATION for our faith to be build upon.

"From the above description of the character of the Deity, which is given him in the revelations to men, there is a sure foundation for the exercise of faith in him among every people, nation, and kindred, from age to age, and from generation to generation. 

Let us here observe that the foregoing is the character which is given of God in his revelations to the Former-Day saints, and it is also the character which is given of him in his revelations to the Latter- Day saints, so that the saints of former days and those of latter days are both alike in this respect; the Latter-day Saints having as good grounds to exercise faith in God as the Former-day Saints had, because the same character is given of him to both. "

Sister and Elder DeCoursey, memorize these 6 characteristic.  They are correct.  Power, Merciful, unchangeable, truth, no repector of persons, & love. 

You are loved and thought of often. 
Mom.

Orson Pratt's Works Lesson by Pres. Pedersen

Herschel N Pedersen

Missionary, General Missionary Representative, Mission President, and couple missionary put together this presentation when he was on his mission in Demark as a young man, after WWII. 

He gained this insight from reading the works of Orson Pratt, which was written in the late 1800’s.  He used these to teach missionaries everywhere he went as a representative; he taught it to and used it to help others come to the gospel in New Zealand, and again on his mission with his wife, Shirley, as they served in Demark.  He is a great man of humble confidence that has inspired my husband, Dale E DeCoursey as he served under him in the New Zealand Mission.  May the words that are presented here be taken in the spirit in which they are prepared to do so, with Love.  For if this church is an imposture, than where is the church that has been restored?

Forward written by Tracy L Brown DeCoursey

 

Joseph Smith as a fourteen year old boy seeking to know which church, if any, was true prayer in a sacred grove of trees near Palmyra, New York.  He was visited by Jesus Christ and God the Father and told that there was not a true church on the face of the earth at that time.  He was told that he would be the one to restore the true church.

We find this experience to be the fulfillment of a prophecy by Peter the chief apostle at eh time.  He said: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the lord;

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.”

“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began” Act 3:19-21

This verse speaks of a time of refreshing that shall come from the presence of the Lord; Christ had been crucified and resurrected.  His return was to be a time of refreshing and it states it would be from His presence.  Christ would be there in person simply stated.  It was prior to the Second Coming of the Lord.

Peter then states that he, that is God the Father, shall send Jesus Christ which had been preached to them before. Christ was under the direction of God and came because he was sent by God. 

Peter then states: They would come at the time of the restitution of all things as prophesied by all the prophets.

The question then, to all, is when was this prophecy about Christ coming to restore all thins fulfilled? Can you think of or even heard of any church claiming that Christ came and restored anything to any of them? There is none. Joseph Smith is the only one.  This is evidence that he as a young boy could not have understood theses verses and the appearance of God and Christ to him was planned and prophesied for centuries to come.  For no present day minister can understand the verse because they deny any restoration of anything prophesied. 

In verse 21 it speaks of the restoration of all things as spoken by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets.  Therefore, there must be other tings prophesied by those prophets that either have been fulfilled or which must be fulfilled before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith relates the event when the Angel Moroni appeared to him three times in one night and again the fourth time the next day repeating exactly the same message four times.  The message was that were gold plates buried by him (Moroni) in a hill.  Joseph Smith was instructed to go to the hill and would one day have the power to obtain and translate those ancient records written by his father and deposited there by him.  The translation of those plates is now known as the Book of Mormon. 

 

Reference to the visit of the angel I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on earth and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people can be found in Revelation 14:6.  “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

How many churches claim that an angel brought them the everlasting Gospel or that an angel visited them as prophesied by John the Revelator?  Joseph Smith seems to be the only one to do so.  It is quite remarkable that an unlearned farm boy could find so many verses to support his testimony. 

There are other scriptures that refer to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Ezekiel was commanded of the Lord to write concerning this event.  “Moreover, thou son of man, take thee on stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions; the take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions”.

“And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.”

“And when the children of Israel shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?”

“Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hands.”

“And the sticks where on thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.”

“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I will take the Children of Israel from among the heathen, wither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.” Ezekiel 37:16-21

Ezekiel was to write two books or sticks as many books and documents were often written upon sticks in those days.  One was for Judah, the bible, the other to be written for Joseph but his book would be in the hands of his son, Ephraim.  The need for the two records was that they would be separated.  Judah remained in the Land of Israel while the descendants of Joseph migrated to the Americas.  The Book of Mormon being the record or account of the dealing of God with the tribe of Joseph. The Bible is the record of the dealing with God with the tribe of Judah.

When the people asked Ezekiel what the two records meant, he explained that after the two records came together it was a sign that the gathering of Israel back to the land from which they had been dispersed would take place.   As the children of Israel returned to their home lands the two records would be the evidence that the tribes of Israel had the same teachings and ordinances.

In 1917 the Balfour Act in Britain established the land of Israel for the return of the Jews, or tribe of Judah as they were then known, to their native land of Israel.  In 1945 the United Nations voted for the repatriation of the Jews and Israel became an independent nation again.

The question then is: We know the Jews are returning to Israel but where area the two records written for the tribes that were separated? Does anyone have any evidence of two such records other than Joseph Smith? There is none.  Yet the Jews were not to gather  until after the two sticks must exist somewhere.  Once again Joseph Smith is the only person who can fulfill that prophecy.  Yet he was unlearned as to these prophecies. 

We find a strange account of a book written in the Book of Isaiah, “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed.”

“And the book is delivered unto him that is not learned, saying, read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.” Isaiah 29:11-12

When Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon he copied some of the ancient hieroglyphics and the translation.  Martin Harris took them to New York to a professor Charles Anthon.  Who said the translation and characters were true.  When told the book was sealed he replied that he could not read a sealed book.  Joseph Smith the unlearned translated the book saying that he was not learned.  There is no other account about any person on the earth having such an experience.  Joseph Smith is the only one.  This would be further evidence that an unlearned boy having such experiences was guided by the Lord. 

In Matthew chapter fourteen, John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod.  When you turn to Matthew chapter seventeen we find an unusual statement made by Jesuch Christ as he was teaching the apostles about what had taken place on the mountain of transfiguration.  The apostles, not fully understanding, asked Jesus: “Why then say the scribes that Elias must come first?” Matthew 17:10

The answer Jesus gave was very unusual, He said: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall come first and restore all things.”

“But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.  Likewise shall the son of man suffer of them.  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Matthew 17:11-13

John the Baptist was referred to by Jesus as Elias and the disciples understood that.  Yet when Christ said in verse 11, of chapter 17, that he would come and restore all things and that statement was made after John was beheaded in chapter 14.   Is there any record or any person or church that has any evidence that John the Baptist has returned and restored anything since his death?”  There is only one, Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith on 15 May 1929 reported the return of John the Baptist and he instructed Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to baptize one another and he restored the Aaronic Priesthood upon them.  (See Doctrines and Covenants, section 2, verse 13.)  Once again we see the events in the life of a young unlearned man fulfilling the prophecies of the Bible without any knowledge of such prophecies. 

We find another prophecy given by Malachi that indicated another event to take palce before the Second coming of the Lord.  “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

“And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

On April 3, 1936 Elijah the prophet appeared to Joseph Smith in Kirkland temple and fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi.  Do you know of any other church or person that even has a suggestion or claim to the fulfillment of that prophecy?  There is none.  Once again the history of an unlearned young man is fulfilling prophecies found in the Bible that there is no other church nor person on the face of the earth that even offers a suggestion as to their fulfillment or who it might be other than Joseph Smith. (See Doctrines and Covenants, section 110, verse 13-15.)

There is a little known doctrine taught by Paul that no church can understand or explain the meaning of the verse other than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was revealed to Joseph Smith.  It is the vicarious doctrine of performing baptisms for the dead. “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:20.

Again we find a very unique thing about Joseph Smith in the organization of the church.   He is the only founder of any church that has all the officers found in the church founded by Jesus Christ.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is founded upon the foundation of apostles and prophets as stated in Ephesians, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. See Ephesians 2:20-21. We find in Ephesians the mention of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teacher.  Ephesians 4:11-12, Elders are mentioned in many scriptures James 5:14, Titus 1:5, Deuteronomy 31:9 seventies are referred to.  In Exodus 24:1 & 9, Numbers 11:16, Luke 10:1 & 17, High Priests are found many places also Leviticus 21:10, Psalms 110:4, Hebrew 3:1 and 5:10.

These few verses are sufficient evidence that Joseph Smith was inspired as he restored the only true church on the face of this earth.