Topic: One Church > Apostasy > Many churches in the last days > Restoration

Matthew 16:13-18 > Matthew 18:15-17 > The Acts 2:41-47 > Mosiah 26:21-22 > Mosiah 18:17-29 > The Acts 11:26 > The Acts 9:13, 32, 41 > The Acts 16:5 > Romans 12:4-5 > 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 > Ephesians 4:1-7 > Ephesians 5:23 > 3 Nephi 18:5 > 4 Nephi 1:1 > 3 Nephi 27:7-10 > Doctrine and Covenants 115:4-5 > Matthew 13:24-27 > 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 > 2 Timothy 1:13-18 > Matthew 13:3-23 > The Acts 8:1, 3-4 > The Acts 12: 1-2 > Alma 1:19-20 > Matthew 24:4-5, 23-24 > The Acts 20:28-30 > 1 Corinthians 11:17-19 > Galatians 1:6-12 > 2 Peter 2:1-3 > 2 Peter 3:17 > 2 Timothy 4:2-4 > The Acts 3:19-25 > 2 Timothy 3:1-7 > 1 Nephi 13:24-29 > 2 Nephi 26:20-21 > Mormon 8:26-33 > Joseph Smith-History 1:7-19 > Doctrine and Covenants 1:11-17 > Isaiah 2:2-3 > Micah 4:1-2 > Isaiah 11:10-12 > Isaiah 5:26-30 > Isaiah 29:7-24 > 2 Nephi 27 > Joseph Smith History 1:29-54, 59, 62-65 > 1 Nephi 14:7 > 1 Nephi 22:7-9 > Ezekiel 37:15-20, 26-28 > Jeremiah 31:31-34 > Daniel 2:36-45 > Matthew 17:10-13 > Joseph Smith-History 1:68-72 > Matthew 24:14 > Revelation 14:6-7 > Romans 2:10 > Luke 21:24 > Romans 11:25 > 1 Nephi 15:13-14 > Doctrine and Covenants 45:28 > 3 Nephi 16:7 > Doctrine and Covenants 3:16-20 > Luke 13:24-30 > 1 Nephi 13:42 > Ephesians 1:10 > 1 Nephi 13:34-42 > 2 Nephi 28, 29, 30

When Christ was upon the earth, did He establish a church? This scripture train will lead us through the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ, the apostasy of that Church and the rise of many churches claiming to be the church of Jesus Christ and the ultimate restoration of Christ’s church in the latter-days.

Matthew records the word of Christ counseling Peter that He would build His church on the rock of revelation. In Matthew chapter 16 verses 13 through 18, Christ asks Peter, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter of course answers that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Christ then answers back saying that he, Peter, learned this through revelation from God and that He would build His church upon this, that is the rock of revelation. We can thus logically deduct from this statement of Christ’s that He would establish His church and that His church would be lead and directed through revelation since this is what it would be built upon. The important thing to learn at this time is that He did indeed establish His church. We cannot be justified in saying, “I do not believe in organized religion”, or “It doesn’t matter which church I attend, as long as I attend some church”. Jesus Christ established not just a church, but His church and we ought to know, simply through logical deduction, that we should seek out, join and attend His church.

Moving on to Matthew chapter 18 verses 15-17, Christ teaches that His Church has authority over the membership status of its members. If they do not live up to the standards of the Church, then they are to be disfellowshiped from the body. In these verses, Christ says they are to be like the heathen man and a publican, no more belonging to the body. On the other hand, as we learn in The Acts chapter 2 verses 41-47, when an individual desires membership in the body of Christ, they were received through baptism. These newly baptized converts continued then in steadfastness following the doctrine of the Apostles, remaining in full fellowship. The believers stayed in together, had all things in common and shared their goods with all men. They were frequently in the temple, ministering one to another, praising God and finding favor one with another. This certainly does not describe the many churches of our day, who often despise and find fault one with another. In Mosiah chapter 18 verses 17 through 29, we learn some additional and very important items. Those who were baptized into the church of Christ, were baptized by one who held the proper authority, or in other words, they were commissioned by Christ to act in His name. Second, those who watched over the members received a commission by one who held proper authority to place them in that position. Third, those commissioned to preside were to teach nothing, save what they had learned from their presiding authority. They were not to teach their own interpretation, or their own ideas, but they were to teach only the pure doctrine of Christ. Fifth, the presiding authorities were not to be supported temporally by the body of the church; rather they were to labor with their own hands for their own support (see The Acts 20:33-34; Titus 1:11). In these verses, we find many similarities with the verses in the chapter of The Acts just studied, one of the greatest of all these was that they were to watch over one another. In The Acts chapter 11 verse 26, we see that the Apostles met regularly with the church and taught many people; then we learn that the term Christian was given members of the church by those outside of the church. What were the members of the church known by amongst themselves? We learn the answer by studying the following verses of scripture: The Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 16:5; Romans 12:4-5: Saints! The term Saint is used quite frequently by Paul and others throughout the New Testament referring to the members of Christ’s church. As we read the following several verses, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:1-7; Ephesians 5:23, we learn that the Saints hold different offices within the church and are gifted differently, but these offices and gifts, which they possess, should serve to unit them. Additionally we learn that these Saints should be united in the body of Christ and that Christ is the head. Certainly, if Christ is the head, then the Church should be called after His name.

A quick note about commissioning and authority: In the beginning chapters of the four gospels, we read several incidents of how Christ called out of the world, men to serve as He would appoint and direct them. Eventually these special Disciples became known as Apostles. In 3 Nephi chapter 18 verse 5, we learn that Christ did the same thing in the new world; he called and ordained men to serve under His appointment and direction. All these men, both in the old and the new world were called and commissioned to officiate in His church. We do not self appoint, we serve as we are called by one who has the authority to do so, one who received it from Jesus Christ.

We’ve studied how Christ established His church during His ministry among the Jews. This same church was also set up in the new world as we read in 4 Nephi chapter 1 verse 1. Continuing our discussion of why Jesus’ church should be called by His name, there is no clearer explanation than the explanation found in 3 Nephi chapter 27 verses 7 through 10. All who have come unto Christ and been received into His church by baptism have taken upon themselves the name of Christ, therefore all that they do they should do in His name. Thus, the church should be called in His name and we should call upon the Father in His name. If we were to always remember that we bear His name, we would always be found doing what is right. The Church of Jesus Christ if called  by some other name, would not be Christ’s church, but the church of him by whose name it is called. In addition, it can only be Christ’s church if it is built upon His gospel. Therefore, two conditions must be met; 1. The church must be called by the name of Jesus Christ, 2. It must be built upon His gospel. Finally, in the Doctrine and Covenants section 115 verses 4-5 we see that Christ, Himself, gave the name by which His church should be called in these last days, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ, because it is Christ’s church; Latter-day Saints, because it is also the church of each baptized and confirmed member; in the original church the members were called Saints. Additionally, in the latter-days, in order to distinguish this day from former days, we are called Latter-day Saints.

To sum this portion up, Jesus Christ built and established His church upon the earth during His mortal ministry. It was built upon the principal or the rock of continuous revelation, which was to lead and guide His children back to the Father through Him. His church continued after His death and resurrection. His Apostles, and other disciples who received the call and who were properly commissioned and authorized carried the gospel to the known world and established branches of the church in many parts of the world. Individuals who came unto Christ through faith in His name and were baptized into His church were known as Saints.

The train of scriptures now takes us to the apostasy. The apostasy is a falling away of the Saints of God from the truth as Christ and His Apostles established it. When an individual or groups apostatize they turn away from the doctrines and principles established by Christ and His apostles; many times they simply don’t just turn away and leave the church, but often they will fight against it as we shall see in the following verses of scripture. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, a parable told by the Savior as recorded in Matthew chapter 13 verses 24 through 27, He prophecies that an enemy, Satan, would sow tares, or evil men, in amongst the wheat, or His Saints. These evil men, masquerading as church members or Saints, would attempt to turn away the sincere Saints of Christ. This falling away, or apostasy, is also prophesied in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 1 through 5 and we see it begin to be fulfilled in 2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 13 through 18. Some of these tares as spoken of came from without the church. There was great persecution wrought against the Saints of God; this persecution caused many of the Saints to turn away, not being able to withstand the heat of the day as spoken of in the parable of the sower as found in Matthew chapter 13 verses 3 through 23. Other examples of persecution coming from without the church is found in The Acts chapter 8 verses 1, 3 and 4; and chapter 12 verses 1 and 2. In the Book of Mormon, we see similar persecution coming from without the church in Alma chapter 1 verses 19 through 20. Some of the tares would come imitating Christ as recorded in Matthew chapter 24 verses 4 and 5 and 23 and 24. The worst groups of tares were those who rose up from among the Saints. In Acts chapter 20 verses 28 through 30 and 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 17 through 19, we see how evil men rose up from among the Brethren; in Galatians chapter 1 verses 6 through 12, we see how Paul reaffirms that the church was to be by Christ through revelation. In 2 Peter chapter 2 verses 1 through 3, we read that truth will be evil spoken of, in other words, men will look upon good and good things as evil and truth as wickedness. In 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 17, Peter warns all the Saints to beware, lest they also fall. Finally, in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 2 through 4, we read the warning that many would cease to be able to endure sound doctrine. The tares would rise up from amongst their own to steal away men’s souls. This apostasy would not affect just a few, but would eventually undermine all of true Christianity. The truths that Christ and His Apostles established would eventually succumb to the evil that resides in the hearts of wicked men. This, then, leads us to our next topic, the restoration.

In The Acts, chapter 3 verses 19 through 25, the Saints and others listening are commanded to repent and to be converted so that their sins might be blotted out, or forgiven when the time of refreshing shall come. It is this refreshing that will now be discussed. In verse 20, the writer states that the Lord, meaning the Father, will once again send His Son who had been preached unto them. However, this second coming will not take place until after a time of restitution of all things. The dictionary defines restitution as an act of restoring or a condition of being restored. Thus, this restoration of all things is the refreshing being referred to in verse 19. Also, in verse 21, we learn that this restoration had been prophesied by all the holy prophets since the world began, which brings up an important point: As we study the Old Testament, can we find this prophecy recorded in the words of the prophets? Is this prophecy found in the writings of all the prophets whose words are recorded? No, it is not. Yet, the preacher states that all the prophets spoke of this restoration. This means that possibly: 1. They were spoken, but not recorded, 2. Spoken and recorded, but lost, 3. They were spoken and recorded, but later removed. Whatever the case maybe, we do not have them. With a careful reading please notice that, “The heavens will receive Christ UNTIL the times of restitution of all things”. This means that Christ will return at the time this restitution begins. This will not be His glorious second coming, but rather a time when He will come to restore His gospel.  Let’s examine a few scriptures that teach us of what the condition of the world and of men will be like when this restitution begins. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 through 7, describe very acutely what mankind will be like when this restoration takes place. A key verse here is verse 5. Men will have a form of godliness, but will deny the power of God. In other words, in their actions, their organization, their preaching, they will mimic the form of godliness, but they will actually deny His power, His authority, or His priesthood. The preacher of the day will teach that there is no priesthood, but rather they will teach that authority will come through the Bible, that anyone can teach or preach as they interpret the Bible. No formal Godly commissioning is required. Yet in the Bible the example of Jesus Christ extending a formal call is obvious and the calling of subsequent Apostles after the death of Judas is also very obvious. A greater discussion of proper priesthood authority will come in a later scripture train, but remember at this moment, that the lack of proper priesthood authority is a sign of the Apostasy of the church of Jesus Christ in former times.

In the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 13 verses 24 through 29, we read that the teachings of the Apostles when they went forth among men went forth in purity. At some point, some of their teachings were altered, changed, removed or forgotten and so by the time they went forth among the gentiles they had lost much of their purity and became a great stumbling block to them. For this reason, we see so much variety in the churches of the day as so many preachers attempt to interpret the Bible after their own understanding. This is so taught in 2 Nephi chapter 26 verses 20 and 21. In the world today, there are preachers of all types. There are those who genuinely preach for the good of the flock, trying with all their might to bring souls unto God. Then there are those on the other extreme who have made preaching a business to accumulate wealth, status and fame, not caring for the flock, but more for themselves; it is these who the Book of Mormon describe who, “grind upon the face of the poor.” No wonder then, that to the world, organized religions only ‘cause envying, strifes, and malice.’ Most preachers would fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

So where is the truth? Who among all these various churches is correct? Could Christ be the author of such confusion? Is Christ divided? Some preachers would contend that it doesn’t matter what you teach as long as you teach Christ crucified and resurrected. All other teachings are ancillary, not important; all you have to do is confess Christ and you will be saved. As you follow along the scripture trains, it will become obvious, by the teachings of all scripture, that this is not true. In Mormon’s writings in the Book of Mormon chapter 8 verses 26 through 33, we learn what state and condition the world will be in when the restitution of all things, through Jesus Christ, will begin. Verse 26 is specifically speaking of the time when the Book of Mormon will come forth, not just the time when it comes forth out of the ground to Joseph Smith, but as it continues to go forth into all the world. It will come forth in a day: 1. Of secret combinations (organized crime) and works of darkness, 2. When the power of God will be denied, 3. When churches become defiled with pride, 4. When leaders and teachers envy those whom they lead and teach, 5. When there will be heard of fires, tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands, 6. When there will be wars and rumors of wars and earthquakes in many lands, 7. When there will be great pollutions upon the face of the earth, 8. There will be murders, robbing, lying, deceiving, whoredoms and all manner of abominations throughout the world, 9. There will even be those who preach that all this does not matter to the Lord, He will save you at the last day. Finally, it will come forth in a day when churches will be heard to say, “Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.” Please read and ponder in your hearts verse 33. What is the answer to the confusion over religion throughout the world? There is only one source of truth and that source is the Godhead, meaning either God the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost. In our day, the answer has come and it is found in the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History chapter 1 verses 7 through 19. The young man, Joseph Smith had felt this confusion; he was a witness to the many philosophies of man concerning religion and had nowhere to turn, but to God. In fact, it was a verse in the Bible that inspired him to turn to God in prayer. James counsels in the first chapter verse 5 to, “Ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally”. Joseph, upon reading this verse resolved to ask God. He went out into a grove of trees on his father’s farm, and finding himself alone knelt and prayed vocally, the first time he had ever done so. With great faith, he called upon God. As he did so, he records that the power of devil came upon him with such power that it nearly kept him from uttering his humble prayer. Just as he was about to succumb to this terrible, evil power, he saw above his head a pillar of light and as it descended upon him the power of darkness fled and he was delivered. In the light, he saw two personages; the one on his right pointed to the personage on the left and introduced Him saying, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!” God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ was standing before Joseph. In this magnificent and very personal manifestation, Jesus Christ answered Joseph’s question of which church was right and which he should join, stating, “I was answered that I must join none of them”. Jesus went on to say that their creeds were an abomination, the professors all corrupt and that they draw near with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. They teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. This is exactly what was taught in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon that I addressed earlier. This marvelous and miraculous visitation of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, began the restoration of all things spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began.

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 1 verses 11 through 17, Jesus teaches us that His anger is kindled and His sword will fall upon the inhabitants of the earth if they do not give heed to His voice or the voice of His servants, the Apostles and Prophets. He states that He called Joseph Smith and that through him He has given commandments. These commandments are given to guide us and to keep us safe from the calamities of the world. Now, not all the prophecies of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ are all in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or the Pearl of Great Price. Isaiah foretold that in the last days quoting from Isaiah chapter 2 verses 2 and 3, “That the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains”. Many people would say, “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” This prophecy of Isaiah teaches us that law that God would establish in the last days will be taught in Zion. Zion is not Jerusalem, for His word would go forth from Jerusalem. In other words, the scriptures would have their origins there. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon have their origins in or around Jerusalem. What is the mountain of the Lord’s house? It is his temple. There is not a temple in Jerusalem, so He must be speaking of a different place; He is speaking of Zion. In the beginning years of the restoration two temples were built, both in North America. In a broad sense, Zion is the Americas. Again, in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, new converts came from many parts of the world to the Americas to learn the laws of God. This same prophecy of Isaiah is repeated in the book of Micah chapter 4 verses 1 and 2. An additional prophecy of the restoration and the gathering of Israel is found in Isaiah chapter 11 verses 10 through 12. Isaiah tells us that an ensign to the nations would stand and the Gentiles would seek after it. Some would be gathered in from the isles of the sea. The peoples of the Book of Mormon considered themselves to be on an island of the sea since they reached it by boat. So, all around the world, the children of Israel would be restored again to the lands of their inheritance. The gathering of Israel is a part of the restoration. Isaiah chapter 5 verses 26 through 30, is an additional testament to what I have just taught. Once again, in Isaiah, this time we turn to chapter 29 verses 7 through 24; a similar account can be found in 2 Nephi chapter 27. The fulfillment of the prophecies contained in these two references can be found in Joseph Smith History chapter 1 verses 29 through 54, verse 59 and verses 62 through 65. To greatly condense much reading into a brief synopsis, Joseph Smith is told, by an angel of God, of plates of Gold upon which is written a sacred record of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent. He eventually receives the plates and after some time is able to begin translating them by the gift and power of God. After sometime his scribe a man by the name of Martin Harris, takes the translated portion to show them to a professor Anthon in New York City. The professor authenticates the translation then asks where he had obtained them. Martin Harris recounts Joseph Smith’s story and the professor then takes back the letter of authentication and tells Martin Harris to bring the plates to him and he would translate, but Martin refuses stating that a portion of the plates were sealed; Mr. Anthon then states, after the prophecy of Isaiah, that he cannot read a sealed book. In 1 Nephi chapter 14 verse 7, we read that this great work that the Lord and Joseph Smith are about in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ and bringing forth additional scripture, even the Book of Mormon, is referred to by the Lord as a Marvelous Work and a Wonder. Isaiah, himself, in chapter 29 verse 14 refers to it as the same, truly the work is marvelous.

Two of the great blessings of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ are stated in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 22 verses 7 through 9. First, a prophecy of the rise of the United States of America: The Lord, Himself, would raise up this great country to the benefit of all the world. Second, in this great land the restoration would take place, the Book of Mormon would be translated and published to the benefit and blessing of both the House of Israel and the Gentiles in making known the covenants the Father made to Abraham. The Book of Mormon is the great evidence of the restoration of the gospel. It’s coming forth has been foretold for thousands of years. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon: In Ezekiel chapter 37 verses 15 through 20 and verses 26 through 28, he records the Lord’s command to take two sticks, one for Judah and one for Joseph. A stick is a wooden writing tablet. The Bible, of course, came through the descendants of Judah. The Book of Mormon came through the descendants of Joseph. The Lord commands that they are to be joined together to become one in our hand. In other words, they are to be companions one to another. In the final three verses we see that the Lord’s sanctuary or His temple, will be established among them forever. All this is to come to pass in the last days as part of the restitution of all things.

Jeremiah, the prophet, prophesied of a new covenant that God would make with the children of Israel and Judah. In Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 31 through 34, he explains that this covenant would be different than the one made with their fathers after leading them out of Egypt. This new covenant would be written in their minds and in their hearts, in other words, this covenant would be accepted by the house of Israel. This covenant would be established “after those days”. What are “those days”? I believe this means after the time of Israel’s scattering into all the world. When Christ lived upon the earth, He established this  new covenant, but as we have seen the new covenant was generally rejected by the nation of Israel and the entire world fell into apostasy. It is this new covenant that has now been restored to the earth by way of ministering angels to the prophet Joseph Smith. In a completely separate vision, in a completely separate time recorded in Daniel chapter 2 verses 36 through 45, Daniel interprets a dream of king Nebuchadnezzar where he sees, how in the latter-days, “the God of heaven would set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” This kingdom would eventually fill the whole earth. So the kingdom of God would be established upon the earth. Its establishment would be done without hands, meaning it would not be an establishment of man, but of God and it would eventually fill the entire world. This kingdom of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ, it was established by God through His prophet and it is rolling forward to its prophesied destiny, it will fill the earth.

What other events occurred during the restitution of all things? In Matthew chapter 17 verses 10 through 13, we see that John the Baptist was prophesied to come in the spirit of Elias. What is the spirit of Elias? It is one who prepares or a Preparer and one who restores or a Restorer. Thus we understand that John the Baptist came in the meridian of time (See the Bible Dictionary page 663) in the role of the Preparer to prepare the way before Christ and Christ came in the spirit of the Restorer who came to restore to the earth the fullness of His gospel. In our day, the fullness of time, John the Baptist came in both roles; first, as a Preparer, now preparing the way for Christ’s second coming and then as a Restorer, restoring the priesthood that the Levites held under the Law of Moses to the earth to the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith History chapter 1 verses 68 through 72, testifies to the fact that John the Baptist restored the priesthood to the earth. A short time later the greater or Melchizedek priesthood, as it is called, was restored through Peter, James and John who was given this priesthood by Christ, Himself. The authority to authorize use of the priesthood or the keys of the priesthood, were bestowed upon them during their transfiguration (See Matthew 17:1-9; 16:19).

Another evidence that defines the Church of Jesus Christ is found in Matthew chapter 24 verse 14. Jesus Christ teaches that His gospel must be preached throughout all the world, unto all nations. Find a church that fulfills this charge and you will find the Church of Jesus Christ. Is there any other single church in all the world that goes to such great lengths and expense to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kingdom, tongue and people than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints? Every year some 80,000 young men, young women and couples are called to preach the gospel in missions around the world. These members of the church go at their own expense to bring the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not have it so that they too may rejoice and gain the hope of salvation in the Kingdom of God.

Much of the kingdom of God was restored to the earth through the visitation of angels. I have mentioned John the Baptist, Peter, James, John and Moroni; there are many others. A scripture in the book of Revelation chapter 14 verses 6 and 7 teaches us that in the last days, the gospel would be brought to earth by heavenly or angelic ministration. The gospel was brought back to earth, or restored to earth so that it could be preached to all who live on the earth, indeed to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It was prophesied in days of old that the gospel, in the latter-days, would come forth unto the Gentiles first and that the Gentiles would take it to the world and that eventually, when the time of the Gentiles would be fulfilled, it would go unto the Jews. In the time of Christ, the gospel was taken to the Jews first, see Romans chapter 2 verse 10, and after the death of Christ it was taken to the Gentiles first by Peter, then by others, particularly Paul. In Luke chapter 21 verse 24 and Romans chapter 11 verse 25, we read the prophecy that the Gentiles would destroy the Jews and scatter them throughout the world. According 1 Nephi chapter 15 verses 13 and 14, the Jews would remain in this scattered state until the fullness of the Gentiles, when through the Gentiles the Jews would be restored to their lands of inheritance and also to the knowledge of the Savior. Section 45 verse 28 of the Doctrine and Covenants teaches that the gospel shall be a light to those who sit in darkness particularly to those of the house of Israel wherever in the world they were scattered to. The following two scriptures shed forth additional light on the subject of the scattering and the gathering of Israel: 3 Nephi chapter 16 verse 7 and Doctrine and Covenants section 3 verses 16 through 20; this final verse speaks of the portion of the house of Israel found on the American continent. In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 10 we read that in this last dispensation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the dispensation of the fullness of times, all things will be gathered together in one in Christ, both in heaven and in earth. This latter time would not be called a dispensation if it were not for the truth that the gospel was to be dispensed one last time among man. The gospel was dispensed first to the Jews, back in the day of Christ, and then to the Gentiles; in our day, the gospel has been dispensed to the Gentiles first and then it will go among the Jews.

To sum things up let’s examine some great scripture that puts very clearly the need for a restoration and how it has to come to pass. In the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 13 verses 34 through 42 and 2 Nephi chapters 28 through 30, we obtain a very clear picture of how the Book of Mormon, this marvelous work and a wonder, plays a great and important role in establishing the truths and covenants of the Bible among both the Jew and the Gentile and why it is so important in this final dispensation. In 1 Nephi chapter 13, we learn that the gospel of Jesus Christ will come forth by the power of Jesus Christ; in other words, it is His gospel and He will be the manager of it. We learn that the gospel will be plain and precious to the Gentiles. We also learn that Christ will manifest Himself to the peoples of which the Book of Mormon is written and that all the records of this people will be hid up and come forth unto the Gentiles by the gift and power of Christ. Then we see that the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon will go forth unto the remnant of the Book of Mormon people and that there will also be other books go forth among them all for the purpose of bringing both the house of Israel and the Gentiles unto Christ. All these records will serve to testify of the truth of each other and to establish the truth upon the earth. In 2 Nephi we learn that all the churches which had been established up to the point of time when these records will go forth unto the world to convince the house of Israel and the Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, all these churches are not true, they were not built up unto the Lord. They deny the power of God and of Christ. These verses of scripture give a short, but clear view of what the teachings of these churches will be. There will be those who say miracles are done away with; those who teach to, “Eat, drink and be merry”, for God will justify in committing a little sin, but in the end He will save all people. There will be those who will teach false, vain and foolish doctrines, for any doctrine that does not lead a man to truth and righteousness cannot save. Then one of the most foolish of all doctrines taught among men in the last days is the doctrine that God has spoken all His word and will speak no more. Woe will come unto all who teach such, for they will shut themselves out from the Word of God given to mankind in the last days. Who could ever believe that God has spoken all that He will ever speak to mankind? Does not God love His children in our day as much as He did His children in ages past? Do not we need His word to guide us in this day as much as the ancient’s in days past? Are these days any different than days in ages past? Is there not a need for God’s word for us and our problems today? Yes, of course there is! We need God’s guidance and direction today, too! The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth; the Book of Mormon is a book of scripture saved for our day to establish the truths of the Bible and to restore the plain and precious doctrines that were lost from the writings of apostles of old.

From this lengthy Scripture Train, we learn that Christ, when He came in the meridian of time, He restored the fullness of His Gospel to the earth. Second, we learn that the church He organized and set up and left in the hands of the Apostles, eventually apostatized and that the gospel and all the authority to minister it was taken from the earth. Third, we learn that the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth along with priesthood authority to minister it.