In 1830, the Lord directed the Prophet Joseph Smith, through revelation, to organize His Church. Thus, the long prophesied and anticipated restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ took place in Fayette, New York, on April 6, 1830. All ancient prophets looked forward to that day. It was the same Church that existed during the meridian of time and described by the Apostle Paul as being: “….built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.” (Ephesians 2:20) The same pattern and organization exists today in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christ’s modern-day Church which He himself named by revelation. (D&C 115:4)
What transpired that day was the culmination of a series of events that began when the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph in the spring of 1820, which ushered in the “dispensation of the fullness of times for the last time when all things will be gathered together in one in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth.” (Ephesians 1:10, D&C 27:13) Ours is the greatest of all dispensations, the dispensation that will usher in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
From its humble beginning with six original members, the Church now has 17 million members, in 31,490 church units divided into over four thousand stakes and districts and located in more than a hundred nations and territories all over the world. It is blessing God’s children in marvelous ways. Stakes of Zion are organized so that they can be a strength and refuge for the saints. (D&C 115:6)
“There is an important interdependency between loving the Lord and loving one another….our ability to follow Jesus Christ depends upon our strength and power to live the first and second commandments with balance and equal devotion to both.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Jesus Christ established His Church to enable individuals and families to assist God in fulfilling His work of salvation and exaltation. To help accomplish this divine purpose, the Church and its leaders provide: priesthood authority and keys, covenants and ordinances, prophetic direction, scriptures, gospel learning and teaching support, service and leadership opportunities, and a community of Saints. (General Handbook 1.3)
When we were baptized members of the Church, we made a covenant to obey God’s commandments and to serve others. We promised to “mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort and stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and, in all places….even until death…”(Mosiah 18:9) While it is true that the Church is organized to help us on our journey back to our Father in Heaven, we also have the responsibility to bring others with us. In addition to asking how the Church can help us, we should also actively and willingly ask- “What can I do for the Church and my brothers and sisters?”
The genius of God’s plan of salvation is that our growth and progression is dependent upon how well we keep the two great commandments: First, to love God and Second, to love our neighbor.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught: “There is an important interdependency between loving the Lord and loving one another….our ability to follow Jesus Christ depends upon our strength and power to live the first and second commandments with balance and equal devotion to both.”(Gary E. Stevenson, “Bridging the Two Great Commandments”, Liahona, May 2024, 107) The Church provides opportunities for us to do both.
It is not enough for us to look heavenward but not be mindful of those around us. The Savior taught us this clearly through His example. He was loyal to the Father and also went about doing good. There are wonderful growth opportunities to be had as we help build God’s kingdom and serve others. As members embrace opportunities to serve, our ward and branch families become a community of saints who joyfully serve and love each other.
I have found this community of saints in my many travels. How wonderful it is to discover that wherever there is an organized unit of the Church, we find a group of people who welcome us as brothers and sisters. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” (Ephesians 2:19) We literally feel at home, welcomed, accepted, and safe in whatever Church unit we find ourselves.
It is our hope and prayer that in the hearts of every member of the Church there exists a longing, not only to be a part of, but to also serve and help build God’s kingdom. We also hope that when our friends and visitors join us in our worship services or other activities, they will find a loving community of saints, as if they are seeing a figurative neon sign in our hearts and countenances flashing the phrase: “Welcome to the Church of Joy!” (Elder Patrick Kearon, “Welcome to the Church of Joy!”, Liahona, Nov. 2024)