God Tells His Own Story

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

This simple verse of scripture led a young boy named Joseph Smith to ask for wisdom from God. The purpose of this blog is to focus on what he learned about God and more especially, The Work of God, as told by God Himself.

When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other:

"This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

Joseph's humble prayer was answered in an unprecedented visit from God Himself. Later, an angel sent from God's presence declared:

Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

In fulfillment of this declaration,

A messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:

"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentence, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

In addition to receiving Heavenly Messengers, the boy prophet received words from the Lord Himself by the power of the Holy Ghost. The following are a few excerpts relating to the subject of this blog:

Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall. But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work; Except thou do this, thou shalt be delivered up and become as other men, and have no more gift.

Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people--

That they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved.

Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

In obedience to this commandment, Joseph began a new translation of the Bible relying on the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide him. He also translated from ancient papyrus a record that is now known as The Book of Abraham. This is currently the earliest known record of God's dealings with man on the earth. In it, He begins to tell us His Own story.