The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times Reading Assignment No.18 Part One: Preparing a People for the Second Coming The restoration of the Gospel, the gathering of scattered Israel from among the nations of the world, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God Zion in all the world to prepare a people for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the great Millennium. Introduction We now come to the last dispensation, the dispensation of the fulness of times the dispensation for which we have been held in reserve. The work of this dispensation will be completed at the end of the Millennium and after the little season which follows when Satan and his host will be banished to perdition (D&C 29:22-3; 43:31; 88:110-116; 88:Rev 20:7-10). Then, when the fulness of times is complete, and Christ shall be subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work then he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father spotless... Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever (D&C 76:106-8). The perfection of His work, is the perfection of Zion, the collective name for all those who have overcome by faith (D&C 76:53-60, 66-67) and during the Millennium will have learned how to reigned with Christ (Rev. 20:4-6; D&C 43:29). And when Jesus sits on His throne to reign forever and ever than all of Zion will sit on His throne with Him, as the Lord promised: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Rev 3:21). Then with the Father and the Son, they shall reign, for ever and ever (Rev 22:5). The work of the last dispensation is completed in two parts. The first part is the preparation of a people for the second coming of Jesus Christ, which initiates the the great Millennium (D&C 43:30). The second phase is the work of the Millennium: reclaiming the family of God and preparing them to live forever in the presence of Heavenly Father and Mother in the celestial kingdom. Key Concepts and Teaching The following review of the promises made to the fathers is NOT required but will be helpful in understanding what I have been able to teach you very well Review of Promises Made to the Fathers We now come to the climax of God s work and glory. From the beginning, the Lord has had is eye on this last gospel dispensation the dispensation of the fulness of times when the Lord will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth (D&C 27:13; Eph. 1:9-10). Joseph Smith declared "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. He then declared that this work will be achieved through the glorious fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007],512). Promises made to Enoch The Lord promised Enoch that He would not destroy wickedness by a flood of waters; that He would call upon Noah s posterity (that they might repent and accept the fulness of the gospel); and that with an unalterable decree Enoch s seed the chosen seed through whom God would call all Noah s seed should be found among all nations, while the earth should stand (Moses 7:51-52;emphasis added).
Obviously, this last promise, made by an unalterable decree tells us that this promise is imperative to the fulfillment of the Lord s plans! Enoch was told that these promises would be ultimately fulfilled in last days (Moses 7:60) when the Lord would flood the earth with righteousness and truth gathering the elect Enoch s posterity, the chosen seed from the four quarters of the earth. That is, the elect are gathering from the midst of wickedness to the God of truth and righteousness (D&C 133:14). Enoch was told that this gathering was to an Holy City called Zion, a New Jerusalem (Moses 7:60, 62). Obviously, since Enoch s seed are to be found among all nations, while the earth should stand, we must conclude that the city of Zion, or New Jerusalem, will be the center place of a world wide Zion found among all nations. This was revealed to Joseph Smith when the Lord revealed the place where New Jerusalem is to be built (see D&C 57:2-3). In every nation where the elect have accepted the gospel, they will meet as saints of Zion in what Isaiah called stakes (Isa. 52:1-2; 3 ne. 22:1-2; Moroni 10:31; D&C 68:25; 82:14; 101:21-22; 109:59 115:18). A world wide Zion the Kingdom of our God and his Christ (D&C 105:32 is the kingdom the Prophet Daniel saw that would fill the whole earth and stand for ever (Dan. 2:35, 44). The building of Zion is the earthly and eternal goal of every dispensation and, as Joseph Smith stated, is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day, but they died without the sight. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 513). The promises made to Enoch declare what God achieve by the end of the Millennium. They are the foundational promises upon which the promises made to Abraham, the house of Israel, and David are laid. Promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring the above about, the Lord promised Abraham that his posterity would become a great nation; that his posterity would have the gospel with priesthood authority to administer the gospel; that his posterity would have a land where they would be free to worship God; that Abraham s posterity would take the gospel unto all nations by which all the families of the earth [shall] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even life eternal; that Abraham shalt be a blessing unto [his own] seed after thee (Abraham 2:6-11) The promises made to Abraham focus on how the promises to Enoch would be fulfilled. The chosen seed would come through Abraham and Sarah. The Lord promised Abraham that the gospel would be found among his posterity. Ideally, they would be born in a home with parents who have the gospel. If not, the Lord ensured that they would receive that gospel through other means. Abraham s posterity would bless all the world with the gospel. This could achieved in many ways. Abraham s posterity would have a land where they could freely worship God. Initially, this was the land of Canaan. Eventually, it will be the entire world. All of these promises have as their ultimate goal the fulfillment of God s work and glory. The seed of Abraham are promised the gospel. If they live the gospel they will receive the earth, as their eternal inheritance. They will also receive exaltation, or godhood, with the promise of having their own eternal posterity. One final point to make: Abraham was also promised that he, himself, would be a blessing to his posterity. This came about because of Abraham s obedience to the covenant. Because of his obedience the Lord told Abraham that the covenantal promises would come about (Gen. 22:15-18). As Isaac was told, his posterity would receive the land of Canaan as an inheritance Because that Abraham obeyed my voice (Gen. 26:3-5). These same blessings were given to Abraham s son, Isaac, and grandson, Jacob, whose name was changed by the Lord to Israel. Jacob, or Israel, had twelve sons. The descendants of all twelve sons are considered the chosen seed. The Lord told Moses to say to the Pharaoh of Egypt, who was keeping the house of Israel in bondage: Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me (Ex. 4:22-23). The Promises to the house of Israel these are critical promises. In brief, these are the promises Israel would become an holy nation, a kingdom of priests the Lord s people on earth. He would be their God and King, their lawgiver, and they would be His people. He would establish his tabernacle among them and walk among them, the same as He did with the city of Enoch (Ex.19-4-6; Lev. 26:11-12). If Israel kept the laws of the covenant, then they would receive great temporal blessings (Lev. 26:3-9; Deut. 28:1-14). They were promised the land of Canaan as their inheritance after being freed from Egyptian bondage.\. They would be free to worship Jehovah and keep His
covenant. In Canaan, the house of Israel, or the nation of Israel, would be in the sight of the nations or Gentiles, as Isaiah said, a light to the Gentiles by which salvation would be brought unto the end of the earth (Isa. 49:6; 1 Ne. 21:6). This would be so since Canaan was the land link between the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The major trade routs between those nations pass through Canaan. In seeing the great temporal blessings showered upon Israel, the Gentiles would enquire about Jehovah, their God. Israel then could bless all nations with the Gospel (Deut. 4:1-10; 28:1, 9-10). If the house of Israel broke their covenant and turned away from Jehovah, he would first bring curses upon them hoping to humble Israel and turn their heart back to God. If they did not, then Jehovah would scatter Israel among the nations of the world (Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 4:14-28; 28:15-68). Scattering Israel among the nations would be scattering the seed of Abraham among the nations. As the posterity of Abraham, and because Abraham kept his part of the covenant (Lev. 26:40-46), the Lord promised that he would gather Israel from among the nations. They will once again be Jehovah s people, and He will be their God.(Lev. 26:42-45; Jer. 30:10-24; 31:32:36-42; 33:4-26; Ezek. 36:1-38; 37:20-28). In this gathering, the many of the Gentiles will have opportunity to hear of the gospel. The following is required reading for this assignment Joseph Smith s Teachings Concerning the Last Dispensation The following are teachings from the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning the last dispensation. Carefully consider each point the Prophet makes, treating them as the remarkable information they reveal about our day! "Truly this is a day long to be remembered by the Saints of the last days, a day in which the God of heaven has begun to restore the ancient order of His kingdom unto His servants and His people; (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510) a day in which all things are concurring to bring about the completion of the fullness of the Gospel, a fullness of the dispensation of dispensations, even the fullness of times; (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510) a day in which God has begun to make manifest and set in order in His Church those things which have been, and those things which the ancient prophets and wise men desired to see but died without beholding them; (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510) a day in which those things begin to be made manifest, which have been hid from before the foundation of the world, and which Jehovah has promised should be made known in His own due time unto His servants, to prepare the earth for the return of His glory, even a celestial glory, and a kingdom of Priests and kings to God and the Lamb, forever, on Mount Zion." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510) The dispensation of the fullness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations; also other things that have not been before revealed. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510-11) God purposed in Himself that there should not be an eternal fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same fullness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 511) the Saints of God will be gathered in one from every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue, when the Jews will be gathered together into one, the wicked will also be gathered together to be destroyed, as spoken of by the prophets; the Spirit of God will also dwell with His people, and be withdrawn from the rest of the nations, and all things whether in heaven or on earth will be in one, even in Christ. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 510-11) The Lord Shall Set His Hand Again the Second Time to Recover the Remnant of His People (Isa 11:11; 2 Ne 21:11) The Old Testament prophet Isaiah prof prophesied tha the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people who had been scattered among the nations of the world Read Isa. 11:11or 2 Ne. 21:11. The first time the Lord set his hand to recover the remnant of Jacob was in the days of Moses who was to gather Israel out of bondage to Mt. Sinai (Ex. 3:11-12) where they would become by covenant an holy nation (Ex. 19:1-6). Then Moses was to restore Israel to the land promised them as descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The second time the Lord will recover the remnant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob began with Joseph Smith. Read D&C 103:16-20 Read JST Gen. 50:24-33
Standards used by Roman armies as means of communications and rallying points during battles. Set up an Ensign for all Nations (Isa 11:12) Read Isaiah 49:22 (1 Ne. 21:22) Read Isaiah 11:12 (2 Ne. 21:12) In ancient armies, standards or ensigns with specific designs would be used as a means of communicating directions and instructions to armies in the midst of battles. With Israel scattered among the nations, there must be a means of communicating to Israel the directions of the Lord. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would set up a standard or ensign as a place to which scattered Israel would gather to in the last days. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has declared: And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me. (D&C 45:9) The rallying point for scattered Israel in the last days is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a symbolic gesture, Brigham Young raised an ensign to all the world when he arrived in Salt Lake valley. President Gordon B. Hinckley recounts the story: For a moment, may I take you back 142 years when there was, of course, no tabernacle here, nor temple, nor Temple Square. On July 24, 1847, the pioneer company of our people came into this valley. An advance group had arrived a day or two earlier. Brigham Young arrived on Saturday. The next day, Sabbath services were held both in the morning and in the afternoon. There was no hall of any kind in which to meet. I suppose that in the blistering heat of that July Sunday they sat on the tongues of their wagons and leaned against the wheels while the Brethren spoke. The season was late, and they were faced with a gargantuan and immediate task if they were to grow seed for the next season. But President Young pleaded with them not to violate the Sabbath then or in the future. The next morning they divided into groups to explore their surroundings. Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, and a handful of their associates hiked from their campground a little to the south of us, on past the ground where we are, and up the hill to the north of us. They climbed a dome-shaped peak, President Young having difficulty because of his recent illness. When the Brethren stood on the summit, they looked over this valley to the south of them. It was largely barren, except for the willows and rushes that grew along the streams that carried water from the mountains to the lake. There was no building of any kind, but Brigham Young had said the previous Saturday, "This is the place. The summit where they stood was named Ensign Peak out of reference to these great prophetic words of Isaiah: "And he [speaking of God] will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly." (Isa. 5:26.) And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isa. 11:12.) There is some evidence to indicate that Wilford Woodruff took from his pocket a bandanna handkerchief and waved it as an ensign or a standard to the nations, that from this place should go the word of the Lord, and to this place should come the people of the earth. ( An Ensign to the Nations, Ensign, Nov 1989, 51) The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel Consider the following brief rehearsal of the beginning of the restoration of the fulness of the gospel Robert D. Hales (1932-2017) Quorum of the Twelve Apostles As a young man, Joseph was called up to serious reflection on the subject of religion. Because he was born in a land of religious freedom, he could question which of all the churches was right. And because the Bible had been translated into English, he could seek an answer from the word of God. He read in the book of James, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and he did as directed. In answer to Joseph s prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. This humble farm boy was the prophet chosen by God to restore the ancient Church of Jesus Christ and His priesthood in these latter days. This restoration was to be the last, the dispensation of the fulness of times, restoring all the priesthood blessings which man could possess on earth. With this divine commission, his work was not to reform nor was it to protest what was already on the earth. It was to restore what had been on earth and had been lost.
The Restoration, begun with the First Vision in 1820, continued with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni, who taught him of an ancient record containing the fulness of the everlasting gospel preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. Recorded on plates of gold, the Book of Mormon gives an account of Christ s ministry in the Western Hemisphere, just as the Bible records His life and ministry in the Holy Land. Joseph received the gold plates four years later and, in December of 1827, began to translate the Book of Mormon. While translating, Joseph Smith and his scribe Oliver Cowdery read about baptism. Their desire to receive this blessing for themselves prompted the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood on May 15, 1829, under the hands of John the Baptist. There followed the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which was bestowed on Joseph and Oliver by the Apostles Peter, James, and John, who held the keys. After centuries of spiritual darkness, the power and authority to act in God s name, to perform sacred ordinances, and to lead His Church were once again upon the earth. The first printed copies of the Book of Mormon were published on March 26, 1830. A few days later, on April 6, Christ s true Church in these latter days was once again organized, at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York.... The long night was finally over, and revelation streamed forth, resulting in additional scripture. The Doctrine and Covenants was accepted by the Church on August 17, 1835. The Pearl of Great Price translation of the book of Abraham also began in that year. Further authority to act in the name of the Lord soon followed. The Kirtland Temple was dedicated on March 27, 1836.16 In that temple, the Savior appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, followed by the appearances of Moses, Elias, and Elijah, who gave additional priesthood keys to the Prophet. 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. Sadly, three months later, on June 27, Joseph Smith the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were martyred at Carthage, Illinois. ( Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: My Hand Shall Be Over Thee, Ensign, Nov. 2005, 88-92) The Gathering of Israel When Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith on the September 21, 1823, he proclaimed himself to be an angel of God, sent to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 439). The House of Israel the family of God on earth: Because of the covenant God made with ancient Israel, by covenant they became God s people and He became their God. Therefore, another name for God s family on earth. What is meant by the gathering of Israel? Consider the following teachings: Joseph Smith (1805-44): What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world?... The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 439). President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985): This gathering shall continue until the righteous are assembled in the congregations of the Saints in the nations of the world... the gathering of Israel consists of joining the true church and their coming to a knowledge of the true God (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball [1982], 438-9). President Russell M. Nelson: This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord has declared: I give unto you a sign that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion. 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, 79-82 ) Three Phases of the Gathering of Israel Bruce R. McConkie (1915-85) 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 ( Come Let Israel Build Zion, Ensign, May 1977, 115-118) 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 (1808-87) 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 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) existence from Adam to the end of the Millennium. The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805-44) 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) In March of 1844, Joseph Smith restored the political aspect of the Kingdom of God, though it is in dormancy and will remain so until the Lord Jesus Christ directs otherwise. Brigham Young (1801-77) 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) Restoration of the Kingdom of God We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that the earth experiences seven thousand years of temporal