The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times Part One: Preparing a People for Great Millennium

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1 The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times Part One: Preparing a People for Great Millennium Introduction We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that the earth experiences seven thousand years of temporal existence from Adam to the end of the Millennium. The Prophet Joseph Smith ( ) stated: It has been the design of Jehovah, from the commencement of the world, and is His purpose now, to regulate the affairs of the world in His own time, to stand as a head of the universe, and take the reins of government in His own hand. Further, Joseph said, The Lord has at various times set up an earthly government tat would service the human family in a righteous manner. He established governments with Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Moses and the children of Israel. These governments were theocratic in nature. But for the most part, mankind rejected these governments and established their own. But, said the Prophet, every effort has failed; every plan and design has fallen to the ground; it needs the wisdom of God, the intelligence of God, and the power of God to accomplish this. The world has had a fair trial for six thousand years; the Lord will try the seventh thousand Himself; "He whose right it is, will possess the kingdom, and reign until He has put all things under His feet;"iniquity will hide its hoary head, Satan will be bound, and the works of darkness destroyed; righteousness will be put to the line, and judgment to the plummet, and "he that fears the Lord will alone be exalted in that day." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 250-2) Jesus Christ, the rightful heir of this earth, has promised to come to the earth and reign over His people. But He must have a people to rule over. The general apostasy left the world without a covenant people an authorized people of God, as ancient Israel was to Jehovah. But as it was when He came the first time, so it must be when He returns the second time: a messenger must be sent to prepare the way, a people must be prepared for their King. Malachi stated: Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me... even the messenger of the covenant (Mal. 3:1). As John the Baptist came to prepare a people, in the last days Joseph Smith would come and restore not only the gospel but the covenant people. This reading assignment focuses on preparing a people for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Like Moses, the Lord would call a prophet to act for Him on the earth. Joseph Smith was foreordained to this work. He would begin a work that would prepare a people a world-wide people, even Zion for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Key Concepts and Teachings The Work of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times is of Vast Magnitude We live in the final gospel dispensation of the Lord s plan. It is called the dispensation of the fulness of times (e.g., Eph. 1:10; D&C 27:13; 128:15). It is in this dispensation that the promises made to the fathers referring to the great covenants made by God to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the ancient nation of Israel, and King David will be fulfilled. In September 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith ( ) with his two counselors issued the following declaration to the Church regarding the importance of this dispensation: The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals. Its glories are past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable. It is the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the creation of the world down through every succeeding generation to the present time; and it is truly the dispensation of the fullness of times, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in Him, and when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; for in it will take place the glorious fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers, while the manifestations of the power of the Most High will be great, glorious, and sublime. We feel disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding of the Kingdom, and

2 establishing the Priesthood in their fullness and glory. The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet [see Daniel 2:34 35, 44 45]; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 512-3) Latter-day Work Divided into Three Periods or Phases Bruce R. McConkie ( ) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion in the latter days is divided into three periods or phases. The first phase is past; we are now living in the second phase; and the third lies ahead. Prophecies speak of them all. If we do not rightly divide the word of God, as Paul s expression is, we will face confusion and uncertainty. If on the other hand we correctly envision our proper role and know what should be done today, we shall then be able to use our time, talents, and means to the best advantage in building up the kingdom and preparing a people for the second coming of the Son of Man. The three phases of this great latter-day work are as follows: Phase I From the First Vision, the setting up of the kingdom on April 6, 1830, and the coming of Moses on April 3, 1836, to the secure establishment of the Church in the United States and Canada, a period of about 125 years. Phase II From the creation of stakes of Zion in overseas areas, beginning in the 1950s, to the second coming of the Son of Man, a period of unknown duration. Phase III From our Lord s second coming until the kingdom is perfected and the knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea, and from then until the end of the Millennium, a period of 1,000 years. ( Come: Let Israel Build Zion, Ensign, May 1977, 115) Phase I An extremely important aspect of the first phase is the restoration of the everlasting gospel and covenant. This will include restoration of gospel truths, priesthood (authority, keys, offices, and ordinances), and the Church. This phase begins the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth. Restoration of Doctrinal Truths Nephi saw the damage done by the great and abominable church in which many parts which are plain and most precious; and also may covenants were taken away, or taken out, or kept back from the gospel of the Lamb and from the book or the Bible (1 Ne. 13:5, 26-29, 32, 34). The restoration of doctrinal truths is a necessary aspect of the establishment of Zion which are a people who are of one heart and one mind (Moses 7:18). The main sources of doctrinal restoration are the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Abraham. Other sources include sermons, such as the King Follett Discourse, as well as writings including letters, declarations, and editorials found in Church owned news papers such as the Evening and Morning Star and Times and Seasons. Neal A. Maxwell ( ) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has pointed out how Joseph Smith has brought forth more printed pages of scripture than did any other mortal. In fact, though untrained in theology, he accomplished something remarkable. Elder Holland has also observed that more pages came through Joseph Smith than from Moses, Paul, Luke, and Mormon combined! Not only is the Restoration s quantity highly impressive; its quality is stunning! Dazzling truths came through the Prophet Joseph, including key truths lost for centuries during the prophesied doctrinal famine as to the word of the Lord (see Amos 8:11). ( The Wondrous Restoration, Ensign, Apr. 2003) List of doctrinal restoration (new or clarifications about) include (but not limited to) the following: The nature of God; plurality of gods Reality and clarifications of the Godhead The roles of Jesus Christ The roles of the Holy Ghost Reality of Satan Eternal nature and divine destiny of man The plan of happiness Premortal existence of man The earth: its creation and celestial destiny Purpose of Mortality Corrections regarding the Fall of Adam Purpose of the Atonement The fulness of the gospel History of the gospel from Adam to present Nature of Priesthood

3 Priesthood ordinances of salvation and non-salvation Continuing revelation for Church and individuals Eternal nature of marriage and family Abrahamic covenant clarifications Role of the house of Israel The gathering of Israel Millennium Postmortal existence of man (spirit world, kingdoms of glory and perdition) Resurrection clarifications The Last Judgment Day Restoration of Priesthood Authority, Keys, Offices, Quorums Priesthood authorities, keys, offices, ordinances, etc. were revealed from those in the past who held these dispensations. Joseph Smith said these were revealed from the days of Michael [Adam], the archangel; the voice of Gabriel [Noah], 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 (D&C 128:18, 21). Priesthood restoration included the following (1) Restoration of Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist including keys of the ministering angels, the gospel of repentance, baptism, administering in outward ordinances, and the letter (printing) the gospel. This also included the Aaronic Priesthood offices of Bishop, Priest, Teacher, and Deacon. (2) Restoration of Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James and John including the offices of elder and apostle, and keys of missionary work, organization of Church, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Later, from whom we do not know, the office of High Priest was restored. (3) Temple keys from Moses, Elias, and Elijah including the keys for the gathering of Israel, the restoration of the ten tribes, the marriage ordinance, and the sealing powers including the binding of husband and wife and the binding of the family of God. With these keys came the temple ordinances of washings and anointings, the endowment, the sealing ordinance of marriage, and the sealing ordinance of heirship. Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ During his mortal ministry, the Savior established a different kind of a kingdom than had existed in the patriarchal age or in the days of ancient Israel. Those were theocratic kingdoms where Jehovah was king and where there was no separation of church religion and society were one and the same. However in his day, the house of Israel had been scattered among the gentile nations of the world. The kingdom the Lord would organize would be a church that could exist in different nations at the same time. Of this, Elder D. Todd Christoferrson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: [I]n, in the meridian of time, Jesus organized His work in such a way that the gospel could be established simultaneously in multiple nations and among diverse peoples. That organization, the Church of Jesus Christ, was founded on apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. It included additional officers, such as seventies, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons. ( Why the Church, Ensign, Nov. 2015) This was essential for taking the gospel to the gentiles. Without an organization that could exist in any nation, it would not be possible to take the gospel to all the world. That same church organization was restored through Joseph Smith in our day for essentially the same reasons. Restoration of Temple Ordinances Earlier in the course, we learned that Adam and Eve received the fulness of the gospel with all its ordinances. We saw that they were taught faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins. Further, they were baptized by full immersion and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. As a result, they were born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man (Moses 6:65). We then read that they entered into the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years (Moses 6:67). Though this sounds like Adam received priesthood authority at this time, it is much more than that. Speaking of this verse, President Ezra Taft Benson said of this, To enter into the order of the Son of God is the equivalent today of entering into the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is only received in the house of the Lord. ( What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple, Ensign, Aug. 1985, pp. 6-10) We read in Moses 6:7 that this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also. As part of the restoration of the gospel, Joseph Smith also restored the temple ordinances. In restoring these ordinances, Joseph Smith stated that he had gathered a small group together in the upper room of his Red Brick Store in Nauvoo on May 4, 1842 where he attend[ed] to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchisedek Priesthood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of Days [i.e., Adam], and all those plans and principles by which any one is enabled

4 to secure the fullness of those blessings which have been prepared for the Church of the First Born, and come up and abide in the presence of the Eloheim in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the ancient order of things for the first time in these last days. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 413-4) With the introduction of temple ordinances for the living came the Temples Provide Place for Proxy Ordinances for the Dead With the organization of the earthly church commenced the gathering of Israel. But that gathering is going on in both sides of the veil. Russell M. Nelson Quorum of the Twelve Apostles God the Father and Jesus Christ called upon the Prophet Joseph Smith to be the prophet of this dispensation. All divine powers of previous dispensations were to be restored through him. This dispensation of the fulness of times would not be limited in time or in location. It would not end in apostasy, and it would fill the world. As prophesied by Peter and Paul, all things were to be restored in this dispensation. Therefore, there must come, as part of that restoration, the long-awaited gathering of scattered Israel. It is a necessary prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord. This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. ( The Gathering of Scattered Israel, Ensign, Nov. 2006) Through the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord has made available to all of His children on both sides of the veil the gospel. Missionary work among those in spirit prison began when Christ went to the spirit world upon his death. But it takes vicarious work for the dead to make available the atonement of Jesus Christ. The following is an interesting statement made by President Wilford Woodruff ( ) regarding Joseph Smith s role in the work for the dead on the other side of the veil: Joseph Smith remained with us about fourteen years. He remained until he had received all the keys of the kingdom of God which were necessary for the establishment of this church and kingdom, and which were necessary for those men who followed him to have those keys upon their shoulders, that they might continue to build upon the foundation that had been laid; but as soon as Joseph received the keys of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood, as soon as he received the keys from Moses for the gathering together of the House of Israel in the latter days, and from Elijah to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and children to the fathers when Joseph received all these keys, and had power to seal them upon the heads of other men, the Lord called him away. Why did he call him into the spirit world? Because he held the keys of this dispensation, not only before he came to this world and while he was in the flesh, but he would hold them throughout the endless ages of eternity. He held the keys of past generationsof the millions of people who dwelt on the earth in the fifty generations that had passed and gone who had not the law of the gospel, who never saw a prophet, never saw an Apostle, never heard the voice of any man who was inspired of God and had power to teach them the gospel of Christ, and to organize the church of Christ on earth. He went to unlock the prison doors to these people as far as they would receive his testimony, and the Saints of God who dwell in the flesh will build temples unto the name of the Lord, and enter these temples and perform certain ordinances for the redemption of the dead. This was the work of Joseph the prophet in the spirit world. (Conference Report, Apr. 1880, p. 7) The Church Represents the Introduction of the Kingdom of God on the Earth All that has been mentioned so far is in preparation for the Savior s kingdom that will be fully restored when He returns to the earth. John Taylor ( ) President God was desirous of introducing his kingdom upon the earth, and he had, in the first place, to organize his church, to organize the people that he had scattered among the nations and to bring them together, that there might be one fold and one shepherd [see John 10:16], and one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and one God, who should be in all and through all [see Ephesians 4:5 6], and by which all should be governed. To facilitate this object, he organized his holy priesthood as it existed in the heavens. We talk sometimes about the church of God, and why? We talk about the kingdom of God, and why? Because, before there could be a kingdom of God, there must be a church of God, and hence the first principles of the gospel were needed to be preached to all nations, as they were formerly when the Lord Jesus Christ and others made their appearance on the earth. And why so? Because of the impossibility of introducing the law of God among a people who would not be subject to and be guided by the spirit of revelation. God could not build up a kingdom on the earth unless he had a church and a people who had submitted to his law and were willing to submit to it; and with an organization of such a people, gathered from among the nations of the earth under the direction of a man inspired of God, the mouthpiece of

5 Jehovah to his people; I say that, with such an organization, there is a chance for the Lord God to be revealed, there is an opportunity for the laws of life to be made manifest, there is a chance for God to introduce the principles of heaven upon the earth and for the will of God to be done upon earth as it is done in heaven. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 223) Restoration of the Kingdom of God Brigham Young ( ) President Out of this Church will grow the Kingdom which Daniel saw. This is the very people that Daniel saw would continue to grow and spread and prosper; and if we are not faithful, others will take our places, for this is the Church and people that will possess the Kingdom for ever and ever. Our work is to bring forth Zion, and produce the Kingdom of God in its perfection and beauty upon the earth. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], p. 325) Phase II We will discuss this phase in class.