These few thoughts on the phenomenon of the “gospel dispensation” have been drawn in part from the writings of Elder Bruce R. McConkie (“This Generation Shall Have My Word Through You” in Sperry Symposium Classics, The Doctrine and Covenants, 36-37). We all know that salvation comes only in and through the Savior. He is the “Firstborn of the Father”—that is he was the first spirit born to our heavenly Parents in the premortal world. Of all the intelligences, he was most like unto God. He became, under the direction and authority of the Father, the Creator of all things. We look to him. Our faith centers in him, and in the Father through him.
Second to Christ stands Michael, who led the armies and hosts of heaven during the rebellion and war in premortality. He, being foreordained so to do, came to earth as the first man of all men. He became the presiding high priest over all the earth. The next person in this hierarchy is Gabriel, who came into this life as Noah. After that, we have insufficient information about the order of priority. The Doctrine and Covenants does make mention of the angel Raphael (D&C 128:19-21) who appeared to Joseph Smith to declare his dispensation and to present his priesthood keys. Elder Bruce R. McConkie supposed that Raphael is Enoch (Ensign, April 1980, 23), and it has even been speculated that he brought to Joseph the keys of resurrection. Next in the line of priesthood priority come other men singled out from among the hosts of heaven who were foreordained to be the heads of dispensations.
Dispensations are those periods of time when the plan of salvation, the eternal word of God is “dispensed” to men on earth. How many there have been we do not know. Perhaps there have been ten. But maybe there have been twenty or even more. These do not include those periods of time sometimes referred to as dispensations in the sense that John the Baptist and Paul and some of the other prophets had special appointments. Rather the gospel dispensations are great eras or periods of the earth’s history when the Lord, through one man, gives his word to the whole world and makes all the prophets, apostles, seers, and administrators of that period subject to, and testifiers of what came through that one individual. Elder McConkie refers to these other prophets as “supplemental prophets to echo the message and proclaim the truth and get as much into the hearts of men as they are able to receive.” This means that the head of a gospel dispensation stands as one of the ten or twenty greatest spirits who have so far been born on earth.
It seems likely that the Lord has singled out certain men, who had special spiritual qualifications and capabilities in the premortal world, to come to earth in periods of turmoil, wickedness, rebellion, and evil, to be lights and guides to the world. This gives us a little perspective of what was involved in the life, status, and calling of the prophet Joseph Smith.
We may thus summarize this earth’s priesthood line of authority. The Lord Jesus Christ presides. Then follow Adam and Noah. Thereafter, the dispensation heads. Each of these is the primary revealer of Christ for his day. Under the dispensation leader comes the other prophets, apostles, and general leaders of the Lord’s kingdom. All these lead the elders of Israel—the wise, good, and sagacious men who have the spirit of light and understanding.
Each and every prophet is a special witness of Christ. Every prophet or apostle who is not head of a dispensation is a reflection, an echo, an advocate, and a supporter of the dispensation leader.
As we view the prophet Joseph in this perspective, we stand in awe of him. He was selected by the Lord to lead perhaps one of the very most challenging dispensations. This great and final dispensation that will never end or be taken away until the Lord’s second coming in glory.
In our dispensation, Joseph Smith has given three great truths to the world that, it might be argued, take precedence over all things restored during this final dispensation. They have more of an influence on the salvation of men than any others, and without the knowledge of them, men cannot be saved.
- Michael J. Preece