Was Joseph Smith Really a Prophet of God?

Welcome to Day 27 of our 60-Day Challenge! But before we tackle today’s question, let’s take a moment to reflect on the question from Day 26 - a question that might just change how you think about spiritual authority.

In the New Testament, Jesus gave His apostles the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven (Matthew 16:19). But here’s the real question:

Who today claims that same authority?

If you’ve ever wondered about this, stick with me—we’re about to break it down in a way that makes sense and gets straight to the heart of God’s eternal plan.

What Did Jesus Mean by “Binding and Sealing” in Matthew 16:19?

First, let’s go back to where this authority was originally given. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells Peter:

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

That’s a huge statement. Jesus wasn’t just talking about casual decision-making—He was giving divine authority to His apostles. This power meant they could administer sacred ordinances that would be recognized in heaven, not just on earth.

But here’s the big question: Did that authority disappear after the apostles died? Or does it still exist today?

Who Claims This Power Today?

Now, if you Google this question, you’ll find that there is only one major Christian denomination that explicitly claims to still hold the sealing power in the way the apostles did—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Why? Because of an event that happened in 1836 that changed everything.

Elijah’s Return and the Restoration of Sealing Power

Let’s go back to Malachi 4:5-6, where it was prophesied:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”

On April 3, 1836, Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple and restored the sealing power to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy and restored the same priesthood authority that Jesus gave His apostles—the ability to bind families together for eternity, not just for this life.

That’s why Latter-day Saints build temples and perform sacred ordinances like eternal marriages and sealings. They believe this power allows families to be bound together forever, continuing in the afterlife.

What About Other Christian Denominations?

Now, you might be thinking: “Wait, don’t other churches claim to have spiritual authority?”

You’re right. The Catholic Church, for example, teaches that the Pope and bishops have authority to “bind and loose” based on Matthew 16:19. But here’s the difference:

🔹 In Catholicism, this refers mostly to church governance and forgiveness of sins—not sealing families together for eternity.
🔹 The Latter-day Saint view is that sealing power applies directly to binding families together forever—a doctrine unique to the restored church.

No other major Christian denomination teaches eternal family sealings or claims the same restoration of Elijah’s sealing power in the way The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does.

Why This Matters

Think about it. If God’s plan is truly a “Plan of Happiness,” wouldn’t it make sense that families are meant to be together forever?

Many people believe that when we die, we lose our identities and become part of a collective heavenly existence. But if God is a loving Father, wouldn’t He want us to continue the relationships that bring us joy—our spouses, children, parents, and loved ones?

That’s why this doctrine is so important. It teaches that our connections don’t end at death. Through the sealing power restored in 1836, families can continue into eternity.

What’s Next? Question 27

Now, here’s something to think about:

Who was Joseph Smith, and was he truly called as a prophet?

Prophets throughout history—like Moses, Isaiah, and John the Baptist—were called to lead and restore truth. But what about Joseph Smith? Could he have been the fulfillment of prophetic scripture?

To find out, check these scriptures:
- Isaiah 29:4, 11-14
- Ezekiel 37:15-17
- Acts 3:19-21
- Revelation 14:6-7
- Genesis 49:22-28

Do some research, and we’ll dive into it in the next lesson!

Transcription:

      Hi, my name is Joe Cirill0 with Gospel First, and thanks for your decision to follow me once again on this exciting journey. to find Christ restored church in our day. But before I give you question number 27, did you get the answer to question number 26? Why was there a sudden global interest in genealogical research?

Why were these genealogical societies formed immediately following Elijah's appearance in the temple in 1836? Well, if you've googled it, it says that there is no other major Christian denomination Besides the Restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which explicitly claims the same authority to bind and seal on earth and in heaven in the same way the Restored Church does, particularly in the context of temple ordinances like eternal marriage and family sealings.

Now, while some Christian denominations believe in a form of spiritual authority, such as the Catholic Church's belief in the power of the Pope and bishops to bind and loose, based on Matthew 16, verse 19. They do not claim the specific power to seal families for eternity in the way the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches.

In Catholicism, for example, the authority to bind and loose refers more to ecclesiastical authority, for example, forgiveness of sins, church governance, rather than sealing individuals and families for eternity in a literal sense. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doctrine of eternal families and temple ordinances, restored through the Prophet Elijah in 1836, is unique and central to its theology.

Therefore, the Lord's restored church stands alone in its claim to possess the sealing power that binds both on earth and in heaven in this specific context. God's plan truly is a plan of happiness because in the afterlife, we will not lose our identities. We will be together with our families and friends.

So here's question 27. Who was Joseph Smith, and was he truly called a prophet? You can find the answers in the following scriptures that foreshadow Joseph Smith's role in the Restoration. It's Isaiah 29: 4, 11 to 14, Ezekiel 37:15 to 17, Acts 3:19 - 21, Revelation 14: 6-7, and Genesis 49:22 to 28.

And I'd love to hear your thoughts.