The Gospel: REJECTED

Long ago, prophets, the spokesmen of God, were called to warn the people of dangers that would come upon them if they did not change their ways. There would be some that would listen, but over time, most would not. The prophet would then be killed, the city of people would be destroyed and/or would suffer in unusual ways. This pattern was set from the beginning of the world. God would call a prophet, the people wouldn't listen after a while, and they would reject the words of the prophet. This rejecting of the words of God is called an Apostasy.

During Jesus Christ's ministry, He told His apostles about the signs that would happen from that time, until end of the world. He said, "Then shall they deliver you up" (the apostles) "to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:9-11). This took place not too long after He said this. Jesus Christ was rejected and put on trial on false charges, then crucified and killed. The apostles from Peter on down the line to Paul were killed in many different and gruesome ways: upside-down crucifixion, beheaded, stoned, lanced, burned, hanged, etc. The apostles couldn't pass on their authority quick enough because of heavy persecution. The Great Apostasy begun.

It's called the Great Apostasy because it was the greatest period of time when the gospel wasn't on the earth. The some of the apostles had talked about his when they wrote their epistles. Concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ, Paul said, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come, a falling away first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). That "falling away," or apostasy, did happen. It is no coincidence that this time in our world's history is known as the Dark Ages. There was no light of the Gospel to bring people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

"For [Christ] is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him" (1 Nephi 10:18).

Just as prophets were called by the Lord in time's past, he has again called another prophet to the earth. He has again brought back the authority to say, "Thus saith the Lord..." because he speaks with Him. I know that a restoration (not a reformation) had to happen in order to come closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We have the authority again, we have continuing revelation again, we have the truth again.

Why 1820?

There are several people that come across our path who ask us, "If a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was necessary, why did the Lord wait until the year 1820 to do it?" I’d like to build a historical case for why I believe why 1820 was the only time the Gospel of Jesus Christ could have been restored and survive on the earth. This is going to be a little quick, but it will be accurate nonetheless. I want to first preface this by referencing John 6:66-69. It says, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." There was an apostasy, or rejecting of the truth. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" That's a very pointed question. I think Peter, the chief apostle, was a little shocked by this question. "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." We learn from this that the apostles were not going to abandon Jesus, but that everybody else did because there was heavy persecution going on at this time.

I got this from a man named Hyrum W. Smith. You may never see a time line like this again:

Mirrors

Did you ever go up to the funhouse to play

and look in the mirrors there?

They bend up your face and widen your waist

and alter the shape of your hair.

In one place you're as big as a hot air balloon

in another as thin as a stick.

First you're slim as a telephone pole

and everywhere else you are thick!

                                                

Some people are mirrors reflecting to us

an image we really are not.

If we listen to all that these people will say

we've been blinded to all that we've got.

Some might say that you're ornery, stupid or weird

or say that you're stuck up or fat,

but in others you'll view a reflection of you

that doesn't have any of that.

You've also got teachers and parents and friends

whose reflections are true and correct.

When peers say you're homely, you're haughty, you're dumb,

God says, "You're my child, you're elect."

So take out some paper and pick up a pen

and write down what others may say.

Then turn the page over and fill it with things

The Lord and the Prophets convey.
In one place you'll have all that others have said,
Some true, some are hard to conceive.
Then turn to God's side and ask of yourself,
"Which side am I going to believe?"

-John Bytheway



There have been many people I have come in contact with that don't feel they have any self worth. They have been told all their life that they are nothing, or stupid, or wrong in every thing they do. They have been told they are worthless, that they were an accident, or that their family had wished they were dead. I have even met someone that was told by their brother that if they wanted to commit suicide, he would help out with it.

If you are one of these people, or have been told anything you know isn't true, I am here to tell you that you are looking in the wrong mirrors. True mirrors are those people who reflect who you really are. You are a child of a loving Heavenly Father. He loves you with an infinite love. He wants the best for you. This knowledge changes everything. If only we understood who we are, and what is in store for us, our hearts would overflow with such gratitude and happiness, that would enlighten even the darkest souls with the light and love of God. I plead with you to look into the True Mirror and see your true reflection. It is my testimony that when you look at your reflection, you will be able to see beyond imperfections and self doubts, and recognize who you truly are, glorious sons and daughters of Heavenly Father.

I'd Like To Bear My Testimony...

I just wanted to share and bear my testimony on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it's affected my life up to this point. Hopefully what I say may influence others to both come unto Christ and to share what they've learned while doing so.

I know that Jesus Christ is the very Son of God. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Advocate with our Heavenly Father, our Counselor, our Friend, and our Brother. He loves us with an infinite love, so much so that he was willing to take upon Himself the sickness, pains, and sins of all the world. He was willing to die for us. He was willing to be a wonderful example to all the world. I love Him and I owe my life to Him. I would not be out here on a mission, being a representative of Him, if I didn't KNOW that He was The Christ. I know He was raised from the grave, and I know he directs this church that he set up from On High.

I have a love and a testimony of the Prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that with him saying a simple but powerful prayer, it gave birth to a whole new dispensation, The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times that was prophesied by Isaiah, Danial, Malachi, Paul, John, and others. I have a testimony that through Joseph Smith, we have received more truth than ever before, truth that would have been unknown to the world. I know that when Joseph Smith died, the church did not die as the Lord had promised. The persecutors of the church tried everything they could to stop this wonderful work from progressing, but God's purpose, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, was not going to be stopped by anyone. I know that through a continuing succession of authority, Prophets are still called by God to help direct His work.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that, just like the Bible, it was an inspired book that was written by Prophets from the American continent. I know that Joseph Smith did not write it, but he translated it. I know that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of this church's religion, structure, and Gospel. I know that if you want to know if this is the true church, all you have to do is read, search, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon and you will receive an answer that it is by the Holy Ghost. I have received such an answer. I know that the Book of Mormon has been attacked, deconstructed, and has been torn apart by almost every religious sect around the world. It stands next to the Bible as a witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives, and that He loves us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true.

I love this church. It has brought more happiness into my life than I have ever felt before. I wasn't always sure I would go on a mission, but I know that I am a lot happier because of my decision to do so. I love this work. I love the Lord, and in Him will my soul delight. I love my family and I know that through this wonderful Gospel, and through the Plan of Happiness that our Father in Heaven has set up for us, we can live in peace, knowing where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. I bear witness that these things are true. I am a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Himself. I KNOW these things are true.