Reuniting and Reaffirming Faith

Reuniting and Reaffirming Faith. . The gathering of Saints included welcoming back friends who had once lost their faith., At a meeting here in Kanesville on October 21, 1848, Elder Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suddenly stopped speaking in the middle of a sermon. He left the stand and embraced a man who had just come to the meeting. That man was Oliver Cowdery., About 20 years earlier, Oliver had served as a scribe when Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. He had participated in many events of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. But he had lost his faith and Church membership in 1838., Now, after years of corresponding with Latter-day Saint friends, Oliver returned to fellowship with them. Elder Hyde invited him to speak. Oliver began by testifying of the Book of Mormon. He declared, "If you will walk by its light, . . . you will be saved in the everlasting kingdom of God." He then testified of the authority of the priesthood., Oliver Cowdery's Testimony:, Oliver Cowdery , Testimony of the Priesthood , The priesthood is here. I was present with Joseph when a holy angel from God came down from heaven and conferred or restored the Aaronic Priesthood and said at the same time that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by the holy angels of God...This priesthood is also to remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This holy priesthood we conferred upon many and is just as good and valid as if God had conferred it in person. , Kanesville, Iowa | October 21, 1848