We Believe: Doctrines of Mormonism: Restoration

List of Doctrines on "Restoration"

Restoration of the Gospel—and the Church—in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Time

637. The restoration of all things in the last days was foretold by prophets of God.

638. The land of America was prepared for the restoration of all things in the latter days.

639. All the keys, power, and authority of the priesthood have now been restored.

640. The gospel was restored to earth in these latter days by many ancient prophets, who visited the earth for that purpose.

641. The restored gospel will remain on earth until the end of time, never to be taken away again.

642. The restoration of the gospel in the latter days is the "marvelous work and a wonder" of the Lord.

643. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in these latter days by divine authority.

644. The Lord gave Joseph Smith the gift to translate the Book of Mormon plates, that this generation would have the word of the Lord.

645. Joseph Smith was chosen and called by the Lord to be a latter-day prophet.

637. The restoration of all things in the last days was foretold by prophets of God.

Joseph Smith
James E. Talmage
Peter
Paul
Nephi, son of Lehi
Ezra Taft Benson
John
Malachi
President Spencer W. Kimball
Daniel
James E. Talmage
James E. Talmage
Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith

All the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood under the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation, therefore all things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former period, shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets. ("History of Joseph Smith," Deseret News Weekly, Oct. 5, 1854, p. 107) TLDP:556

James E. Talmage

It is further evident from the scriptures that the dispensation of the Gospel in the latter days is to be one of restoration and restitution, truly a "dispensation of the fulness of times." Paul declares it to be the good pleasure of the Lord, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." This prediction finds a parallel in an utterance of the prophet Nephi: "Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed." And in accord with this is the teaching of Peter: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." AF:19

Peter,
recorded in Acts

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Peter preaches repentance) Acts 3:19-21

Paul

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Letter to the Saints at Ephesus in Asia Minor, about A.D. 62) Ephesians 1:9-10

Nephi, son of Lehi

Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed. . . . (Nephi foretells of the last days, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 30:18

Ezra Taft Benson

Seven centuries before the birth of Christ, Isaiah foresaw and foretold the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. He declared it would be a “marvelous work and a wonder” to all mankind (Isa. 29:14). When Jesus appeared to the Nephites in America, He confirmed the prophecy of Isaiah in these words: “For my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work” among the people of the land of America in the last days (3 Ne. 21:9). (CR Apr; A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, Ensign, May 1980, p.32)

Related Witnesses:

John

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (John sees the gospel restored in the last days by angelic ministry) Revelation 14:6-7

Malachi

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (To the people of Israel, about 430 B.C.) Malachi 3:1

President Spencer W. Kimball

Now, with the doctrines perverted, the priesthood gone, the organization corrupted, and the knowledge lost, there must come another awakening. And, as the prophet Daniel prophesied millennia ago, there finally came a day when another restoration of truth should come, this time never to be lost. We have that promise now, that even though individuals may fall the Church and the gospel are here to stay, and all the powers of the earth and hell cannot effect total apostasy again. ("Absolute Truth," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1977, p. 141) TLDP:559

Daniel

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; . . .
34. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35. . . . and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a stone cut from the mountain without hands) Daniel 2:27-28,34-35

James E. Talmage

The visiting angel, Moroni, then repeated several prophecies which are recorded in the ancient scriptures. . . . Among other scriptures, Moroni cited the prophecies of Isaiah relating to the restoration of scattered Israel, and the promised reign of righteousness on earth, saying that the predictions were about to be fulfilled; also the words of Peter to the Jews, concerning the prophet who Moses said would be raised up, explaining that the prophet referred to was Jesus Christ, and that the day was near at hand when all who rejected the words of the Savior would be cut off from among the people. AF:11-12

James E. Talmage

Ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in the restoration of the Gospel and the reestablishment of the Church upon the earth through his instrumentality. AF:14

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
47. And I said unto them that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers; (Revelation in respect to the lost 116 manuscript pages, 1828) D&C 10:46-47

638. The land of America was prepared for the restoration of all things in the latter days.

Elder Joseph F. Smith
President Spencer W. Kimball
Mark E. Petersen
Mark E. Petersen

Elder Joseph F. Smith

The Lord Almighty has prepared the way for the coming forth of the kingdom of God in this dispensation by establishing the republican government of the United States; a government affording the widest liberty and the greatest freedom to man that has ever been known to exist among men, outside of those governed by the direct communication of heaven. It was part of the design of the Almighty when He influenced our fathers to leave the old world and come to this continent; He had a hand in the establishment of this government; He inspired the framers of the Constitution and the fathers of this nation to contend for their liberties; and He did this upon natural principles, that the way might be prepared, and that it might be possible for Him to establish His kingdom upon the earth, no more to be thrown down. (At Logan, Utah, Feb. 6, 1881, JD22:44-45) TLDP:557

President Spencer W. Kimball

This restoration was preceded by a long period of preparation. The Pilgrims and other Europeans were inspired to find this American haven of refuge and thus people this land with honest and God-fearing citizens. Washington and his fellows were inspired to revolt from England and bring political liberty to this land, along with the more valuable treasure of religious liberty so that the soil might be prepared for the seed of the truth when it should again be sown. ("Absolute Truth," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1977, p. 141) TLDP:557

Mark E. Petersen

The restoration of the gospel should be viewed through a perspective of two thousand years.
It was not a sudden thing. Neither was it "done in a corner," . . .
In its preparation it was a world movement requiring centuries of time. It involved the discovery of a new continent and its colonization by selected peoples.
It encompassed wars between world powers of two centuries ago. Even the renaissance of medieval Europe was a part of this mighty drama, for an awakening of mankind was stimulated in the Dark Ages.
The fundamental element of freedom in the world—the fight for both religious and political liberty—the firm establishment of human rights beginning with the Magna Charta—were all involved. (The Great Prologue, p. 1) TLDP:557-58

Mark E. Petersen

Do you understand the steps that were taken? There was the great apostasy, then the preservation of the Western Hemisphere, next Columbus and the colonization movement, the Revolutionary War to set the colonists free, and then a constitutional form of government which guaranteed free speech and free religion, free assembly and free press.
All of these events were acts of God leading up to one thing—the restoration of the gospel. It was only half a dozen years or so after America was established as a free constitutional nation that one of the great spirits in the preexistence was sent to earth to be born on December 23, 1805, in a little farmhouse; and he was named Joseph Smith. ("The Great Prologue," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1974, p. 468) TLDP:558

639. All the keys, power, and authority of the priesthood have now been restored.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
Joseph Smith
President Brigham Young
James E. Talmage
Orson F. Whitney
Joseph Smith

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

In this restoration it is necessary that the Church of Jesus Christ in its simplicity and truth be restored. All the keys and powers of priesthood held by the prophets of former dispensations must be conferred upon God's chosen representatives on the earth. In this manner all the authority and keys of priesthood of the past are to flow into the most glorious and greatest of dispensations, like clear streams flowing into a mighty river. The everlasting covenant once given to the ancients, and which Isaiah says was broken, must be restored. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:167-68) DGSM:63

President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay

(First Presidency)
We solemnly declare that in these the latter-days, God has again spoken from the heavens through His chosen Prophet, Joseph Smith; that the Lord has, through that same Prophet, again revealed in its fulness His gospel,—the plan of life and salvation; that through that Prophet and his associates He has restored His holy Priesthood to the earth, from which it had been taken because of the wickedness of men; and that all the rights, powers, keys, and functions appertaining to the Priesthood as so restored are now vested in and exercised by the chosen and inspired leadership of His Church,—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even as the Priesthood has been exercised on the earth from the Beginning until this day, whenever His Church was here or His work had place among the children of men. CR1942Apr:88

Joseph Smith

For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
31. Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation;
32. For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you. (Revelation for Thomas B. Marsh concerning the Twelve Apostles, July 23, 1837) D&C 112:30-32

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

James E. Talmage

However, [the restoration of the Book of Mormon scripture which is] a record of the Gospel is not the Gospel itself. Authority to administer in the saving ordinances of the Gospel is essential to the effective preaching and administration thereof; this was restored through John the Baptist, who brought the Aaronic Priesthood, and through Peter, James, and John, who brought again to earth the Melchizedek Priesthood. AF:415

Orson F. Whitney

Joseph Smith's next great service to the race was in opening this gospel dispensation—the Dispensation of the Fulness of times. What does that mean? To dispense is to distribute or deal out in portions, as when the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is dispensed to a religious congregation. In a larger sense, it signifies the opening of the heavens and the sending forth of the gospel and the powers of the Priesthood, as a boon and blessing to mankind. The term "dispensation" also defines the period during which these saving and exalting principles, thus sent forth, continue operative in pristine power and purity. There have been many dispensations of the gospel, though men know little concerning them. The gospel of Christ is more than "the power of God unto salvation;" it is the power of God unto exaltation, and was instituted as such before this earth rolled into existence, before Adam fell, and consequently before man had need of redemption and salvation. It is the way of eternal progress, the path to perfection, and has been upon earth in a series of dispensations reaching like a mighty chain from the days of Adam down to the present time. The great difference between this dispensation and all others is, that this is the last and the greatest, virtually all dispensations rolled into one. CR1920Apr:122

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;
6. And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days;
7. And also John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;
8. Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
9. And also Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;
10. And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;
11. And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;
12. And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
13. Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; (Revelation to Joseph Smith through a heavenly messenger, Aug. 1830) D&C 27:5-13

Author's Note: As to "Dispensations," President John Taylor spoke the following:
"We have had in the different ages various dispensations; for instance what may be called the Adamic dispensation, the dispensation of Noah, the dispensation of Abraham, the dispensation of Moses and of the Prophets who associated with that dispensation; the dispensation of Jesus Christ, when he came to take away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of himself, and in and through those various dispensations, certain principles, powers, privileges and Priesthoods have been developed. But in the dispensation of the fullness of times a combination or a fullness, a completeness of all those dispensations was to be introduced among the human family. If there was anything pertaining to the Adamic, (or what we may term more particularly the patriarchal) dispensation, it would be made manifest in the last days. If there was anything associated with Enoch and his city, and the gathering together of his people, or of the translation of his city, it would be manifested in the last days. If there was anything associated with the Melchizedek Priesthood in all its forms, powers, privileges and blessings at any time or in any part of the earth, it would be restored in the last days. If there was anything connected with the Aaronic Priesthood, that also would be developed in the last times. If there was anything associated with the Apostleship and Presidency that existed in the days of Jesus, or that existed in this continent, it would be developed in the last times; for this is the dispensation of the fullness of times, embracing all other times, all principles, all powers, all manifestations, all Priesthoods and the powers thereof that have existed in any age, in any part of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this the dispensation of the fullness of times." (JD22:298-99; TLDP:143)

640. The gospel was restored to earth in these latter days by many ancient prophets, who visited the earth for that purpose.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
James E. Talmage
Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor and Willard Richards
Mark E. Petersen
LeGrand Richards
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Russell M. Nelson
Joseph Smith

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

The Elias who was to restore all things is a composite Elias. In other words, the restoration was not made by one personage, but many, and in speaking of Elias coming to restore all things, the Lord was using that title in a plural meaning, having in mind all the prophets who came to restore the fulness of the gospel. This would include John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, and every ancient prophet who restored keys from the days of Adam down. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:174) TLDP:559

James E. Talmage

Restoration of the Church—From the facts already stated it is evident that the Church was literally driven from the earth; in the first ten centuries immediately following the ministry of Christ the authority of the Holy Priesthood was lost from among men, and no human power could restore it. But the Lord in His mercy provided for the reestablishment of His Church in the last days, and for the last time; and prophets of olden time foresaw this era of renewed enlightenment, and sang in joyous tones of its coming. This restoration was effected by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, together with Oliver Cowdery, in 1829, received the Aaronic Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist; and later the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of the former-day apostles, Peter, James, and John . By the authority thus bestowed the Church has been again organized with all its former completeness, and mankind once more rejoices in the priceless privileges of the counsels of God. The Latter-day Saints declare their high claim to the true Church organization, similar in all essentials to the organization effected by Christ among the Jews. This people of the last days profess to have the Priesthood of the Almighty, the power to act in the name of God, which power commands respect both on earth and in heaven. AF:185

Parley P. Pratt, John Taylor,
and Willard Richards

Remember, REMEMBER that the priesthood and the keys of power are held in eternity as well as in time, and, therefore, the servants of God who pass the veil of death are prepared to enter upon a greater and more effectual work, in the speedy accomplishment of the restoration of all things spoken of by his holy prophets.
Remember that all the prophets and saints who have existed since the world began, are engaged in this holy work, and are yet in the vineyard, as well as the laborers of the eleventh hour, and are all pledged to establish the kingdom of God on the earth, and to give judgment unto the saints: therefore, none can hinder the rolling on of the eternal purposes of the great Jehovah. (Excerpt from a letter—also signed by W. W. Phelps—from Nauvoo, Ill., shortly after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, July 15, 1844) HC7:189

Mark E. Petersen

Adam brought the keys of the First Presidency. Joseph Smith received the keys of the First Presidency from Adam, who came back and visited him. Joseph Smith received the power of the gathering of Israel through Moses, who came back to see him. Elijah brought back the powers that we use in connection with our temple work. ACR(Mexico City)1972:61

LeGrand Richards

The Lord has raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith, as has been testified in this conference, and we have more revealed truth through him than any prophet that has ever lived upon the face of this earth as far as our records show. He has brought us things from those dead prophets who were to come to restore all things before the Savior could come again. CR1975Oct:76

Joseph Smith

[I]t is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. 19. Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them 20. And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times 21. And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope (Written directions to the Church on baptism for the dead, Sept. 6, 1842) D&C 128:18-21

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Russell M. Nelson

The Aaronic Priesthood was restored May 15, 1829, by John the Baptist; the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored shortly thereafter by Peter, James, and John. Other heavenly messengers conveyed specific keys of the priesthood. Moroni held keys of the Book of Mormon. Moses brought keys of the gathering of Israel and the leading of the ten tribes. Elias conveyed keys of the restoration of all things, including the Abrahamic covenant. And Elijah conferred keys of the sealing authority. (CR 2003Oct; Personal Priesthood Responsibility, Ensign, November 2003, p.44)

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
12. After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
13. After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14. Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16. Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. (Vision manifested to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836) D&C 110:11-16

641. The restored gospel will remain on earth until the end of time, never to be taken away again.

President Spencer W. Kimball
Daniel
LeGrand Richards
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Gordon B. Hinckley
L. Tom Perry
Parley P. Pratt
Robert D. Hales
President Brigham Young
Bruce R. McConkie

President Spencer W. Kimball

Daniel

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a stone cut from the mountain without hands) Daniel 2:44

LeGrand Richards,

also quoting Daniel
Then he [Daniel] told him [king Nebuchadnezzar] about the rise and fall of the kingdoms of this world until the latter days (and we live in the latter days), when the God of heaven would "set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people." (Daniel 2:44) How could God set up such a kingdom as that which would endure forever without a prophet through whom he could work to establish his kingdom?
Then he said it would be as a stone, cut without hands—in other words, it would have a small beginning, and this kingdom started with six men and has grown, as Daniel said it would, to become a great mountain and fill the whole earth. (See Daniel 2:35.) No other group of religious worshipers is growing by leaps and bounds as is this church today, because the God of heaven has established it according to his promise. CR1975Oct:76

Elder Ezra Taft Benson,

also paraphrasing Daniel
The prophet Daniel described the beginning and remarkable growth of the Church as a small stone which would become a great mountain and fill the entire earth (see Daniel 2:34-35,44).
. . . . The growth of the Church, like the growth of grass or trees, has been almost imperceptible to the eye, but little by little, line by line, precept by precept, the Church has matured. . . .
There were those who thought the Church would fail with the deaths of the martyrs Joseph and Hyrum, but they did not perceive, as Daniel foretold, that this latter-day kingdom should "never be destroyed." (Daniel 2:44). CR1980Apr:44-45

Gordon B. Hinckley,

also quoting Daniel
Under President Benson's leadership, the work of the Lord will continue to move forward. No power under the heavens can deflect it from its course. We may expect that there will be some who will try. Their efforts will be like chipping away at a granite block with a chisel of wood. The stone will not be damaged, but the chisel will be broken.
As Daniel declared in prophecy: "The God of heaven set up [this] kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, . . . and it shall stand for ever." (Ezra Taft Benson was sustained as President of the Church at this conference) CR1986Apr:62

L. Tom Perry

The Lord was preparing for the establishment of the gospel again on the earth for the last time, and starting preparation for the return of his Son. This time the Restoration was to be permanent. ("He Hath Given a Law unto All Things," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1977, p. 185) TLDP:559

Parley P. Pratt

This court of inquisition inquired diligently into our belief of the seventh chapter of Daniel concerning the kingdom of God, which should subdue all other kingdoms and stand forever. And when told that we believed in that prophecy, the court turned to the clerk and said: "Write that down; it is a strong point for treason." Our lawyer observed as follows: "Judge, you had better make the Bible treason." The court made no reply. (A civil court trial in which the judge asked "much concerning our views of the prophecy of Daniel . . . as if it were treason to believe the Bible," [Joseph Smith], Nov. 1838.) Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 230) HC3:212 f.n.

Robert D. Hales

This gospel light would never again be taken from the earth. In 1844 Joseph Smith conferred all the keys of the priesthood upon Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and their fellow Apostles. The Prophet said: "I have lived until I have seen this burden, which has rested on my shoulders, rolled on to the shoulders of other men; . . . the keys of the kingdom are planted on the earth to be taken away no more for ever. . . . No matter what becomes of me." (Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: "My Hand Shall Be over Thee", CR October 2005)

Related Witnesses:

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

All is right. God can carry on his own work. This Kingdom will stand forever. (In Tabernacle, June 3, 1860, JD8:69) DBY:442

Bruce R. McConkie

Truly the world is and will be in commotion, but the Zion of God will be unmoved. The wicked and ungodly shall be swept from the Church, and the little stone will continue to grow until it fills the whole earth. CR1980Apr:99

642. The restoration of the gospel in the latter days is the "marvelous work and a wonder" of the Lord.

John A. Widtsoe
President Heber J. Grant
Nephi, son of Lehi
Orson F. Whitney
John A. Widtsoe
Elder Howard W. Hunter
Joseph Smith
Isaiah
Isaiah
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Anthony W. Ivins

John A. Widtsoe

Unknown, untaught, with no reputation, [Joseph Smith] should have been forgotten in the small hamlet, almost nameless, in the backwoods of a great state; but he dared to say that the work that he was doing, under God's instruction, was to become a marvel and a wonder in the world. We know, my brethren and sisters, that whether it be friend or enemy who speaks of us, if he is a sober-thinking, honest man, he will declare that whatever in his opinion the foundations of this work may be—we know the foundations—it is a marvelous work and a wonder, none like it in the long history of the world. The truths set loose by the Prophet Joseph Smith have touched every man of faith throughout the whole civilized world, and measurable changed their beliefs for good. CR1946Apr:21-22

President Heber J. Grant

This "marvelous work and a wonder" has come to pass and has spread all over the world where there has been religious liberty; and from every land and from every clime honest, faithful, God-fearing men and women have heard the sound of the true voice of the shepherd through his servants who have gone forth to proclaim the Gospel. And men of great influence have been gathered into this Church. Men like John Taylor, who presided over the Church, heard the sound of this Gospel and embraced it and gathered to Zion, and labored with all the power and ability that they possessed for the advancement of God's kingdom. Year by year this great and wonderful work has rolled on and we are becoming known as God-fearing people, as a people with a destiny that is sure to be fulfilled. CR1929Oct:9

Nephi, son of Lehi

And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men. (Nephi prophesies, about 559-554 B.C.) 2 Nephi 25:17

Orson F. Whitney

Seven hundred years before the birth of our Savior, a prophet of God upon the eastern hemisphere predicted the coming forth of "a marvelous work and a wonder." "Mormonism," so called, according the faith of its adherents, is the fulfilment of that ancient prediction. And indeed it would be difficult to conceive of anything more marvelous, more wonderful, than the foundation facts upon which rests the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What could be more strange, more unexpected, than the re-opening of the heavens in an age when it was believed and asserted that the heavens were permanently sealed, that God no longer spoke to man, that revelation had ceased, and that angels would never again commune with earth's inhabitants? But lo the heavens are opened; angels come to earth; and not only this, but God himself descends from his glorious throne and appears unto man, opening the last and greatest of the gospel dispensations. An angel reveals the hidden past of the American continent—the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of the gospel, a history of the Americans in pre-historic times, and a prophecy of their wondrous future. An angel restores the Aaronic priesthood, which holds the keys of repentance and baptism; and other angels bring back the higher or Melchizedek priesthood, holding the keys of heavenly mysteries; and under this delegated divine authority, without which no man can lawfully represent God, or administer the sacred ordinances of the gospel, the Church of Christ is organized once more upon the earth. Truly, a marvelous work and a wonder—so marvelous, so wonderful, that most men reject it, deeming it a fable. And yet it is nothing more nor less than the plain fulfilment of prophecy. CR1916Oct:51

John A. Widtsoe

Not only in numbers have we become a "marvelous work and a wonder" in a little less than one hundred years; but in a greater and a larger sense have we become a marvelous people, for we have impressed our thought upon the whole world. The world does not believe today as it did ninety years ago. A few days ago I picked up a recent number of a great magazine, and my feelings were roused within me and my testimony increased, when I found one of the writers declaring to the readers of the magazine that "God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of tolerance," borrowed almost word for word, from section one of the Doctrine and Covenants. In such a way have the doctrines taught by the despised Latter-day Saints been appropriated by the nations of the earth; and whether the people of the earth accept the inspiration of Joseph Smith, nevertheless, in fact, the whole current of human thought has been changed by the doctrines of this people. That is perhaps the greatest achievement of "Mormonism." . . . CR1921Oct:108-09

Howard W. Hunter

On the sixth of April, 1830, 161 years ago yesterday, a group of men and women, acting in obedience to a commandment of God, assembled in the house of Mr. Peter Whitmer to organize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This church, in whose annual worldwide conference we are gathered today and that had been prophesied to be a latter-day marvelous work and a wonder, has come forth from the most humble of beginnings. (CR 1991Apr; The Sixth Day of April, 1830, Ensign, May 1991, p.63)

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the kingdom of my Father. (Revelation, June 1829) D&C 18:44

Isaiah,
quoted by Nephi, son of Lehi,

Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid. (Nephi records on the plates, about 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 27:26

Isaiah

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. (The Apostasy, the Restoration, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are foretold by Isaiah, 740-659 B.C.) Isaiah 29:14

Joseph Smith

Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. (Revelation for his father, Feb. 1829) D&C 4:1

Joseph Smith

A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men. (Revelation to Joseph and to Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:1

Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

[I]t is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory, "the dispensation of the fulness of times, when God will gather together all things that are in heaven, and all things that are upon the earth," "even in one," . . . a work that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and prophets; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family. (Editorial in Times and Seasons, April 1842) TPJS:231-32; DGSM:63

Anthony W. Ivins

This is a dispensation, the greatest that was ever ushered in in the history of the world, because it comprehends all that has been before it and all that shall come after it. CR1932Oct:5

643. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in these latter days by divine authority.

President Joseph F. Smith
Joseph Smith
Hugh B. Brown
President Wilford Woodruff
President David O. McKay
Joseph Smith
Hugh B. Brown
Joseph Smith

President Joseph F. Smith

We affirm that through the ministration of immortal personages, the Holy Priesthood has been conferred upon men in the present age, and that under this divine authority the Church of Christ has been organized. (Address from the First Presidency of the Church to the world, delivered to and accepted by vote of the Church in general conference, April 1907) CR1907Apr(Appendix)4

Joseph Smith

The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—
2. Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;
3. And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand;
4. And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen. (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830) D&C 20:1-4

Hugh B. Brown

The Church of Jesus Christ was established and is now directed by revelation, and that fact is largely responsible for the appeal which this new Church makes, and when I say "new," I wish to emphasize that to us it is not new but a restoration of that which was. CR1961Oct:95

President Wilford Woodruff

Joseph Smith was an illiterate man; but afterwards his teachers and instructors were angels—Apostles who had dwelt in the flesh in the days of Jesus. He was in a condition where he received testimonies and teachings from men that the world did not receive; and he had power to organize the Church in a manner that all the Christian world combined could not do. Why? Because a man, no matter how wealthy or how learned, cannot give a thing that he does not possess. They had not power to organize this Church, because they did not possess the Priesthood. But Joseph Smith held that Priesthood and had power to organize the Church. (At stake conference in Logan, Utah, Nov. 1, 1891) MOFP3:223; TLDP:558

President David O. McKay

This organization [the Church] is established by divine revelation, and there is nothing else in all the world that can so effectively take care of its members. (President David O. McKay quoted by Henry D. Taylor in "The Church Welfare Plan") MPSG1989:105

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith

I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Times and Seasons, Feb. 1840, p. 55) TLDP:558

Hugh B. Brown

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ does not base its claim to authority on apostolic succession, nor did it begin with a protest against or attempt to reform other churches. Furthermore, this Church did not have its beginning in scholarly analysis of the gospel as taught in the Bible. Its founder, at the time of his first vision, did not claim to be a profound student of theology, and he knew little of the writings of the early church fathers. His message came as a direct revelation from heaven. CR1958Apr:109

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given. . . . (Revelation, March 7, 1831) D&C 45:1

644. The Lord gave Joseph Smith the gift to translate the Book of Mormon plates, that this generation would have the word of the Lord.

Joseph Smith
Elder John Taylor
Joseph Smith
President Brigham Young
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
President Spencer W. Kimball

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished. . . .
6. For hereafter you shall be ordained and go forth and deliver my words unto the children of men. . . .
10. But this generation shall have my word through you; (Revelation, March 1829) D&C 5:4,6,10

Elder John Taylor

In the short space of twenty years, he [Joseph Smith] has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. (John Taylor records the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 27, 1844) D&C 135:3

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon. (Revelation during conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:29

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;
9. Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;
10. Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—
11. Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;
12. Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830; the Book of Mormon proves the divinity of the latter-day work) D&C 20:8-12

Related Witnesses:

President Spencer W. Kimball

By the power of God other books of scripture [in addition to the Bible] have come into being. Vital and priceless records of ancient America, with teachings of Christ, another testimony of his divinity, form the Book of Mormon, which we declare to be divine scripture, contemporary with and sustaining the Bible. CR1977Apr:115

645. Joseph Smith was chosen and called by the Lord to be a latter-day prophet.

President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
Gordon B. Hinckley
Stephen L. Richards
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
President Brigham Young
President Brigham Young
Russell M. Nelson
N. Eldon Tanner
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Elder John Taylor
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Marion G. Romney
Lehi
Joseph Smith
President Wilford Woodruff
Melvin J. Ballard
Mark E. Petersen
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
HYMNS Written by Prophets
Parley P. Pratt
Parley P. Pratt
Parley P. Pratt

President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay

Gordon B. Hinckley,

also quoting Parley P. Pratt
Is it any wonder that this work moves on from nation to nation, from people to people? Is it any wonder that it grows in strength and numbers, in influence and interest, notwithstanding its critics and naysayers? It is the work of God restored to the earth through a prophet [Joseph Smith] of whom Parley P. Pratt his contemporary, said:
"His works will live to endless ages, and unnumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor, as a noble instrument in the hands of God, who, during his short and youthful career, laid the foundation of that kingdom spoken of by Daniel, the prophet, which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever." (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, p.46) ("The Lengthened Shadow of the Hand of God," EN1987May:59) MPSG1989:230-31

Stephen L. Richards

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the living God, and the work he was instrumental in setting upon the earth is the veritable kingdom of our Father in heaven. CR1951Oct:118

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; (Revelation on Church Organization and Government, April 1830) D&C 20:2

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, (Revelation received at the organization of the Church, April 6, 1830; Joseph Smith is called by the Lord to be a seer, translator, prophet, Apostle and elder of the Church) D&C 21:1

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

When Joseph first received the knowledge of the plates that were in the hill Cumorah, he did not then receive the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, he merely received the knowledge that the plates were there, and that the Lord would bring them forth, and that they contained the history of the aborigines of this country. He received the knowledge that they were once in possession of the Gospel, and from that time he went on, step by step, until he obtained the plates, and the Urim and Thummim and had power to translate them.
This did not make him an Apostle, it did not give to him the keys of the Kingdom, nor make him an Elder in Israel. He was a Prophet, and had the spirit of prophecy, and had received all this before the Lord ordained him. And when the Lord, by revelation, told him to go to Pennsylvania, he did so, and finished the translation of the Book of Mormon; and when the Lord, in another revelation, told him to come back into New York State, and to go to old Father Whitmer's . . . he did so, and had meetings, and gathered up a few who believed in his testimony. He received the Aaronic Priesthood, and then he received the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and organized the Church. He first received the power to baptize, and still did not know that he was to receive any more until the Lord told him there was more for him. Then he received the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and had power to confirm after he had baptized, which he had not before. He would have stood precisely as John the Baptist stood had not the Lord sent his other messengers, Peter, James and John, to ordain Joseph to the Melchizedek Priesthood. (In Third Ward Meeting House, June 23, 1874, JD18:239-40) DBY:461

President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe

It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father's father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1859, JD7:289) DBY:108

Russell M. Nelson

The Prophet Joseph Smith was chosen to reestablish the Church, to receive and administer priesthood authority, and to restore plain and precious truths lost to human knowledge. (CR 1994Oct; The Spirit of Elijah, Ensign, November 1994, p.84)

N. Eldon Tanner

As Adam and Noah and Abraham and Moses had been chosen by God as his prophets in the respective dispensations in which they lived, so was Joseph Smith chosen in these the latter days and called of God as his prophet, seer, and revelator. (CR 1979Oct; The Contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Ensign, November 1979, p.50)

Related Witnesses:

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Behold thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord. . . . (Revelation, July 1828) D&C 3:9

Joseph Smith

He . . . said . . . he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me . . . that God had a work for me to do. (Joseph relates the angel Moroni's visit to him Sept. 21, 1823) JS-H 1:33

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; (Revelation received during conference of elders of the Church, Nov. 1, 1831) D&C 1:17

Elder John Taylor

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated (John Taylor records the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 27, 1844) D&C 135:3

Joseph Smith

I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer, and prophet. (Revelation, Jan. 19, 1841) D&C 124:125

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

Verily, I say unto you, that woe shall come unto the inhabitants of the earth if they will not hearken unto my words;
6. For hereafter you shall be ordained and go forth and deliver my words unto the children of men.
7. Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you.
8. Oh, this unbelieving and stiffnecked generation—mine anger is kindled against them.
9. Behold, verily I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph, for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations;
10. But this generation shall have my word through you; (Revelation received at the request of Martin Harris, March 1829) D&C 5:5-10

Marion G. Romney

Some people have said that Joseph Smith was an unlearned man. He was an unlearned man in the things of the world, but the day he came out of the grove, following the first vision, he was the most learned person in the world in the things that count. When he came out of that grove, he knew more than all the world put together about the great question of the resurrection, which had been argued from the time man began to think seriously, because he had seen standing before him, the resurrected Christ. When he came out of that grove, he knew more about the nature of God than all the world. There had been many books written; philosophers had spent their lives trying to find out the nature of God, but when God took Joseph in hand to reach him, he cut through all material things and taught Joseph the truth about these and many other important things. CR1946Apr:37

Lehi,
quoted by his son Nephi

Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off, nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light—yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.
6. For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
7. Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8. And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9. And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10. And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.
11. But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them. (Lehi speaks to his son—named Joseph—saying that the Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt received revelation from the Lord foretelling that a seer would be raised up by the Lord whose name would be Joseph, and his father's name would also be Joseph, and this seer [Joseph Smith] would be like unto Joseph in Egypt and like Moses ) 2 Nephi 3:5-11

Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord

And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him; (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, Dec. 1830) D&C 35:17

President Wilford Woodruff

Melvin J. Ballard

I understand from this that the Lord plainly knew the condition of the world, what it was in 1830, and what it would be today. . . . Knowing the calamities that were coming to his children, unless they changed their course, knowing their disposition that there would be no repentance in their hearts, and yet with a great desire to save them, he called upon his servant, Joseph Smith, to warn men, to call repentance, and others to join in this great proclamation to all men: "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." CR1923Oct:30-31

Mark E. Petersen

It was only half a dozen years or so after America was established as a free constitutional nation that one of the great spirits in the preexistence was sent to earth to be born on December 23, 1805, in a little farmhouse; and he was named Joseph Smith. ("The Great Prologue," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1974, p. 468) TLDP:558

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth when he said that he stood in the presence of angels sent from the Lord, and obtained keys of authority, and the commandment to organize the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth, then this knowledge is of the most vital importance to the entire world. No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God. It is, therefore, the duty of every man to investigate that he may weigh this matter carefully and know the truth. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:189-90) TLDP:559

HYMNS Written by Prophets Applicable to this Topic

Parley P. Pratt

The Morning Breaks, Verses 3,4,5
HYMNS:1
The Gentile fulness now comes in,
And Israel's blessings are at hand.
Lo, Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin,
Lo, Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin,
Shall in their promised Canaan stand.
Jehovah speaks Let earth give ear,
And Gentile nations turn and live.
His mighty arm is making bare,
His mighty arm is making bare
His cov'nant people to receive.
Angels from heav'n and truth from earth
Have met, and both have record borne;
Thus Zion's light is bursting forth,
Thus Zion's light is bursting forth
To bring her ransomed children home.

Parley P. Pratt

An Angel from on High
HYMNS:13
An angel from on high
The long, long silence broke;
Descending from the sky,
These gracious words he spoke:
Lo in Cumorah's lonely hill
A sacred record lies concealed.
Lo in Cumorah's lonely hill
A sacred record lies concealed.
Sealed by Moroni's hand,
It has for ages lain
To wait the Lord's command,
From dust to speak again.
It shall again to light come forth
To usher in Christ's reign on earth.
It shall again to light come forth
To usher in Christ's reign on earth.
It speaks of Joseph's seed
And makes the remnant known
Of nations long since dead,
Who once had dwelt alone.
The fulness of the gospel, too,
Its pages will reveal to view.
The fulness of the gospel, too,
Its pages will reveal to view.
The time is now fulfilled,
The long-expected day;
Let earth obedience yield
And darkness flee away.
Remove the seals; be wide unfurled
Its light and glory to the world.
Remove the seals; be wide unfurled
Its light and glory to the world.
Lo Israel filled with joy
Shall now be gathered home,
Their wealth and means employ
To build Jerusalem,
While Zion shall arise and shine
And fill the earth with truth divine,
While Zion shall arise and shine
And fill the earth with truth divine.

Parley P. Pratt

Truth Eternal
HYMNS:4
Truth eternal, truth divine,
In thine ancient fulness shine
Burst the fetters of the mind
From the millions of mankind
Truth again restored to earth,
Opened with a prophet's birth.
Priests of heaven's royal line
Bear the keys of truth divine
Truth shall triumph as the light
Chases far the misty night.
Endless ages own its sway,
Clad in everlasting day.

We Believe: Doctrines and Principles

Monday, December 30, 2013

Restoration

Restoration of the Gospel—and the Church—in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Time

637. The restoration of all things in the last days was foretold by prophets of God.

Related Witnesses:

638. The land of America was prepared for the restoration of all things in the latter days.

639. All the keys, power, and authority of the priesthood have now been restored.

640. The gospel was restored to earth in these latter days by many ancient prophets, who visited the earth for that purpose.

Related Witnesses:

641. The restored gospel will remain on earth until the end of time, never to be taken away again.

Related Witnesses:

642. The restoration of the gospel in the latter days is the "marvelous work and a wonder" of the Lord.

Related Witnesses:

643. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in these latter days by divine authority.

Related Witnesses:

644. The Lord gave Joseph Smith the gift to translate the Book of Mormon plates, that this generation would have the word of the Lord.

Related Witnesses:

645. Joseph Smith was chosen and called by the Lord to be a latter-day prophet.

Related Witnesses:

HYMNS Written by Prophets Applicable to this Topic