THE COMING OF THE MESSENGER.
While the Book of Mormon was in course of translation, a very important event took place, viz, the coming of the MESSENGER to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. This is described by Joseph Smith as follows:
"We (Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery) still continued the work of translating; when in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we, on a certain day, went into the woods to pray, and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for remission of sins.
"While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us; saying unto us—'Upon you, my fellow servants, 'in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins,' and this shall never be taken from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord of righteousness.'
"The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament; and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John who held the keys of the Melchisedec Priesthood, and who would in due season visit us and confer that, the higher Priesthood, upon us, which holds the keys of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and right to all the offices in the church."
Subsequently, in fulfilment of this promise, Peter, James, and John came to them, and conferred upon them the higher order of priesthood—the Melchisedec. This gave them the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church of Christ, and the power and authority to organize the Church and Kingdom of God upon the earth.