Restoration

#The Gospel in its Fullness has been Restored

The concept of the latter-day restoration of the gospel is, of course, intimately related to the concept of the Great Apostasy. All secular Christians and especially all Catholics would, of course, be inclined to object to the doctrine of the restoration of the gospel.

In the spring of 1820 a vision was given to Joseph Smith, near Palmyra, New York, in response to his fervent prayer to know the truth concerning religion. In this experience, Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ (JS-H 1:17). In subsequent visits, holy angels instructed, ordained, and prepared him to become a latterday prophet and an instrument in God’s hands in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ for the last time and setting up the kingdom spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 2).

As part of this restoration, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by revelation on April 6, 1830, “it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God” (D&C 20:1). It has the same priesthood, doctrines, and ordinances, and the same “organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, Evangelists, and so forth” (Article of Faith 6). Eventually, all of the keys of the priesthood, which had been given to man from Adam’s time onward, were restored. Prophets who held priesthood keys anciently came to Joseph Smith and conferred those keys upon him (D&C 128:18). These included John the Baptist (D&C 13), Peter, James, and John (D&C 27:12), and Moses, Elias, and Elijah (D&C 110:11-16).

Thus, through the latter-day Prophet there has been a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth with the powers, authority, and ordinances as in ancient times.

The restoration spoken of in the scriptures involves more than a reestablishment of the Church and restoration of saving ordinances. Scattered Israel will be gathered, the second coming of Christ will occur, the Millennium will begin, the kingdom of God will be established worldwide, and “the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory” (Article of Faith 10).

A few Old and New Testament scriptures refer to the latter day restoration of the gospel:

Isaiah 29:13-14 – “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 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.”

Daniel 2:44 – “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.”

Acts 3:19-21 – “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.”

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.”

A few Book of Mormon scriptures also prophesy of the restoration, an example of which is 1 Nephi 13:34 – “And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel – and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed of thy father – wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles, and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb – I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.”