I want you to think of the most exciting thing that has happened in your life—a new job, the birth of a baby, a new car. Hold that thought. Allow the memory to course through you until you can remember exactly how you felt at the time. Whatever you’re thinking of, I’m sure it was a huge moment in your life…but was it the most important? You probably weren’t thinking of the topic of this post—the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ—as the most exciting thing to happen to you, but I want to assure you that it is just as exhilarating (even more, in my opinion) than that diamond tennis bracelet you received for your anniversary or the epic month-long vacation you took to England. Let’s start by talking about the fulness of times. It’s a great phrase, and I’ve often thought of using it for a book title. You may or may not know exactly what it means, so let’s discuss it as we talk about the restoration. What is it?Elder Orson F. Whitney once said at conference, “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.”[1] Joseph Fielding Smith also taught us about this great period of time. “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.”[2] The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times—the period of history we now live in—is an amazing era to be alive! Everything, and I mean everything, necessary to the salvation and exaltation of mankind has and will continue to be revealed. The scriptures are filled with passages that testify of this: Ephesians 1:10 - 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: D&C 27:13 - 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; See also: Acts 3:19–24; Revelation 14:6–7; Daniel 2; Ephesians 1:10. Isn’t that amazing? We get to experience things testified of by prophets of old, witness events people in the past only wished they could see. How blessed we are! Wilford Woodruff had this to say about the people living in this time: “…in the fulness of times the Lord has set his hand to establish his kingdom. This is the last dispensation. He has raised up men and women to carry on his work, and as I have often said, many of us have been held in the spirit world from the organization of this world, until the generation in which we live.”[3] We have been reserved to come to Earth exactly at this time, to do this work, receive these blessings, and to share the gospel with others.[4] All things will be restored in this dispensation.[5] This is the restoration. It’s a wonderful, amazing, glorious, and exciting time. And what’s even better? It’s not over yet. More will be revealed.Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Elijah Appearing in the Kirtland Temple Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal.”[6] At the end, he referenced the 9th Article of Faith. Articles of Faith 1:9 - We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Does that sound like the restoration is over? Does it sound like we’re even close? In 2018, President Nelson said something I want you to read.[7] That was in 2018. Think of all that has happened since then and how prepared the church was. Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families,[8] along with a two-hour block at church—leaving time reserved for learning at home—started in 2019. If those changes hadn’t been implemented then, if we hadn’t learned how to teach in our homes, where would we have been in 2020, during a pandemic, when churches closed, and without access to gospel lessons? What about the changes to ministering which enable us to care for others at a level we hadn’t before? Or the youth programs where growth is laser-focused on the individual and can be accomplished inside the home? These changes were made before they became necessary, so no one was left floundering. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The last word has not been spoken on any subject. Streams of living water shall yet flow from the Eternal Spring who is the source of all truth. There are more things we do not know about the doctrines of salvation than there are things we do know.”[9] This is a living church. It is continually changing and growing through revelation from the Lord. We know the Savior is leading His church through the prophet. But do we truly comprehend what that means? How involved is He? How often is He communicating with His prophets and apostles? Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Christ Ordains the Twelve Apostles In Sister Nelson’s book, The Heavens are Open, she shares incredible insight into how President Nelson receives revelation from the Lord. “During our nearly twelve years of marriage—to that point—I had become accustomed to my husband’s being awakened during the night with ideas for general conference talks and refinements to them. But since he became President of the Church, the number of nighttime interruptions from heaven has increased exponentially! The impressions he receives are private, for him and the leaders of the Church to discuss. We never discuss them. But I am usually aware when he slips out of the room to record the information he’s receiving. The sheer frequency of these nighttime experiences has allowed me to witness how willing the Lord is to talk to His prophet. I do indeed believe all that God will yet reveal (see Article of Faith 1:9). One early Saturday morning not long after President Monson’s passing was unforgettable. I was awakened earlier than I wanted to be awake, and I had a strong prompting to leave the room. Now! I did so and worked on several projects in the other rooms in our home. Two hours later, my husband emerged from our bedroom and said, “Wendy, you won’t believe what has been happening for the past two hours since you left,” indicating that the Lord had been tutoring him. So, I am a witness by being present, and I am a witness by being absent, that the Lord indeed instructs His prophet.”[10] The Savior is actively involved in the His church. He is guiding us. He is directing us. And the prophet is His mouthpiece. We’ve been told this in the scriptures: Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6 4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; 5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. Photo Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The First Presidency, 2018 These are exciting times.Joseph Smith spoke of how past and future generations viewed and will view this time in history by saying, “The blessings of the Most High will rest upon our tabernacles, and our name will be handed down to future ages; our children will rise up and call us blessed; and generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes that we have passed through, the privations that we have endured; the untiring zeal that we have manifested; the all but insurmountable difficulties that we have overcome in laying the foundation of a work that brought about the glory and blessing which they will realize; 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.”[11] Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said, “Brethren, the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is one of the most remarkable periods of the world’s history! Ancient prophets yearned to see our day.”[12] And this quote from Joseph Fielding Smith fills me with wonder about what’s to come: “Yet I maintain that had there been no restoration of the gospel, and no organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there would have been no radio; there would have been no airplane, and there would not have been the wonderful discoveries in medicine, chemistry, electricity, and the many other things wherein the world has been benefited by such discoveries. “Under such conditions these blessings would have been withheld, for they belong to the dispensation of the fulness of times of which the restoration of the gospel and the organization of the Church constitute the central point, from which radiates the Spirit of the Lord throughout the world. “…I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it, and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh.”[13] Just thinking of the inventions we have today, and what we might receive from the Lord in the near future, is incredible! It will be just as President Nelson said. “It’s going to be exciting.” So the question I have for you is…are you excited? Are you vibrating with joyful energy, waiting, watching, and wondering what miraculous thing the Lord will do next? I know I am. We are so blessed to live in this time—a time when the priesthood, church, and ordinances have all been restored, along with so many other wonderful truths. I can’t wait to see what’s next. -A Follower of Christ [1] Whitney, Orson F. Conference Report, Apr. 1920, p.122.
[2] Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 1:167–68. [3] Woodruff, Wilford. “Responsibilities of the Priesthood.” Ensign, Sept. 1971. [4] D&C 138:53–56. [5] D&C 128:18–21; 27:5–13; 110:11–16; 112:30–32. [6] Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Are you Sleeping through the Restoration?” General Conference, Apr. 2014. [7] Church Newsroom. “Interview with President Nelson and Elder Stevenson in Chile,” https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saint-prophet-wife-apostle-share-insights-global-ministry 6 Mar 2021. [8] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Come, Follow Me – For Individuals and Families. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/come-follow-me/individuals-and-families?lang=eng 6 Mar 2021. [9] McConkie, Bruce R. “A New Commandment: Save Thyself and Thy Kindred!” Ensign, Aug. 1976, p.11. [10] Nelson, Wendy W. The Heavens Are Open. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019, pp.127-29. [11] Smith, Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp.231–32. [12] Uchtdorf, Dieter F. “Are you Sleeping through the Restoration?” General Conference, Apr. 2014. [13] Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. Ed Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 1:182–83 Comments are closed.
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AuthorI am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am not a gospel scholar, but I hope to be one someday. While I’m learning and growing, I hope you join me on my journey for further light and knowledge. Archives
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