Current Lesson No. Twenty-One

A Marvelous Flood of Light Changed the World On Both Sides of the Veil

The Bicentennial of the First Vision – Second only to the ministry and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most important event in world history took place 200 years ago in the early Spring of 1820 in a grove of trees near Palmyra New York.  At that time God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared as glorified and immortal men to Joseph Smith.  This marvelous theophany has become known as the First Vision, and it ushered in the restoration of the gospel and the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil.

Two hundred years later, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is celebrating the Bicentennial of the First Vision.  The First Vision was the beginning of a marvelous flood of light that is pouring over the earth.  This flood of light is changing and blessing the earth and all of its inhabitants.

In 1976 our nation celebrated the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence.  As part of that celebration the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published seven posters which described our belief that the founding of America was prolog to the restoration of the gospel.  The posters “Gospel Restored” and “America’s Future” are shown here, and they also apply to the Bicentennial of the First Vision.  All seven posters can be found at www.lessonsonlife.net in the book “Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism from the Book of Mormon”

The First Vision forever blessed and changed the world temporally –Scholars and students of modern history have written about how the world greatly changed for the better in 1820:

  • “Poor Until 1820” – This was the title of a Wall Street Journal article dated January 11, 1999 which  explored worldwide economic and population growth over the last millennium.  This article stated: “Between the years 1000 and 1995, world population increased about 20-fold; per capita income 12-fold; and GDP 255-fold. Compare that to the previous millennium, when population rose less than 10%, per capita income fell slightly, and world GDP rose by about 8%.”  The conclusion of this article was that the great majority of worldwide economic and population growth began in 1820, and that the whole world was “Poor until 1820.”  Significantly, 1820 was the year that light from the First Vision began to flood the earth.

  • “For all of human history until the 1820s, nobody went faster than a galloping horse.  Then within a generation it became routine to travel at speeds three time that fast and for hours at a time.  Has there ever been an innovation as tangible and dramatic as this?” (An insightful unknown author) 

The First Vision ushered in the restoration of the gospel and the gathering of Israel, and it changed the world on both sides of the veil:

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized on both sides of the veil – When righteous people die they are quickly given a calling and assigned to greater work in the spirit world.  In the spirit world the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an even more perfect and effective organization because the limitations and restrictions of mortality no longer exist.  (See Joseph Fielding Smith at the funeral of Richard L. Evans, Ensign, December 1971)    

  • Israel is gathered to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by missionary work taking place on both sides of the veil – Moses restored “the keys of the gathering of Israel form the four parts of the earth” (D&C 110:11).  In the premortal existence latter day missionaries were given the privileged and responsibility to “bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations” (Abraham 2:9).  Faithful members of the Church, “when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption…in the great world of the spirits of the dead” (D&C 138:57).

  • Israel is gathered in eternal families on both sides of the veil – The keys of the patriarchal order of the priesthood, known as celestial marriage, was restored by Elias.  (Elias as used here likely refers to Noah)  The keys of the sealing power, so that the ordinance of celestial marriage would be binding on earth and sealed in heaven, was restored by Elijah.  (See D&C 110:12-15)  The keys restored by Elias and Elijah, as used in temples, enable eternal families to be organized on both sides of the veil.

The Lord’s work does not fail, and it will prevail – The Lord said:  “The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught” (D&C 3:1). 

Joseph Smith wrote:  “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, (pandemics may threaten) but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purpose of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (addition and emphasis added).

Have confidence in the future – The world is now in the grip of a horrible pandemic.  Missionaries are being called home and temples are closed, but this is all temporary and according to the purposes of the Lord.  I believe the Lord will use the current situation to His advantage. 

The Lord will accept the fasting of His people, and He will hear and answer prayers from both sides of the veil.  Temples will be opened for extended hours, and many more will be dedicated.  Missionary work will increase and be more effective.  And the work of the Lord will go forward boldly, nobly, and independent, and in an accelerated and marvelous way on both sides of the veil.   

Therefore, have confidence in the future and “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power” (social distancing, hand washing, etc.), and then wait patiently “for His arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:17).