Where to begin.

I pondered to myself what the best place to begin was. I'm not sure I know, so I'll just start. My first thought on this was the question: Why the need for a restoration of the gospel? Perhaps prior to that is what is the gospel and what does it entail? The word gospel means good news. What is the good news? Primarily, that God the Father sent his son Jesus Christ to set us free from the bondage of sin and the condemnation accompanying it. It is also that we can now have the ability to return to live with Heavenly Father. Along with these, there is also the priesthood which is the power of God on earth. The priesthood carrying with it revelations, signs, wonders, healing, tongues, etc.

What happened to the gospel? After Jesus accomplished his earthly ministry and the work breaking the bonds of sin and death, he sent out his disciples (who became apostles) with the priesthood power given by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news throughout the world. It wasn't long after the death of the apostles that the church started to fall away from the truth and with it came the loss of the priesthood and of revelation. The teachings of men came into the church and eventually truth was decided by vote rather than by revelation through the Holy Spirit. I won't get into great detail of the history of the church, but it's decline can well be seen by the actions brought forth. Persecution of those who disagree, even to extremes of torture and extermination; popes, supposedly the voice of God on earth, steeped in corruption and sin, giving decrees based on expediency rather than revelation from God; the crusades; the inquisitions; and Martin Luther's favorite the selling of indulgences, which were basically permission to go out and sin as long as you contribute the right amount to the church; and much more. (Note: For those not familiar with Martin Luther, the selling of indulgences was one of his issues against the Catholic church and the one most cited.)

What about the reformation? It was led by men like Martin Luther, John Calvin and so forth who were perceptive enough to see lies in the doctrine of the church at that time and courageous enough to stand up for what they saw as truth. My question is, by whose authority did they make these stands? From God? or from man? You may decide for yourself. I personally believe from man. My reasons for that belief are as follows: 1. They came to different and sometimes completely contrary beliefs. God is a God of order and not confusion. If God had inspired all these men, they would have all known the same truth. 2. Also, they practiced the persecution of those who disagreed with their doctrine; taking from the sludge they were attempting to move away from, they persecuted through torture and sometimes extermination. This is the way of man and not of God. God is Love and the God of mercy and longsuffering. The result of the Reformation: Not only was the church fallen away from the truth, but it was splintered in many fragments, following the teachings of men. Well-meaning men perhaps, but men nevertheless.

How could the church return to the truth? Through God's intervention only.

Please read this before you add any comments

I said in the description of this blog that it is to be for presentation and friendly discussion. If you are wanting to get into fruitless debates, throw insults, or make snide comments; please take your thoughts elsewhere.