The Book of Mormon was the first of this series of books, which were to be carried forth among the American Indians, after the Bible. It has been followed by the book of Doctrine and Covenants, containing revelations and instructions concerning the latter-day work, and by inspired translations from the writings of Enoch, Abraham and Moses, which all bear record of the truth of the Jewish prophets, and of the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, as foretold they would do by the prophet Nephi.
This same prophet further says, "There is nothing which is secret, save it shall be revealed; * * * there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth, save it shall be loosed. Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men, shall at that day be revealed;" 2 Nephi 30. 17, 18. The context of this passage shows that it speaks of the latter days.
The following is nearly a parallel passage in meaning: "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;" Acts 3. 20, 21.
That is, all the knowledge that has ever been revealed to man will be restored to the earth. All that was revealed to Adam and the ante-diluvian prophets; to Noah and the Jaredite prophets; to Abraham; to Moses and the Jewish prophets; to the Nephite prophets; to the primitive apostles of our Savior, and many others, to whom the Lord has shewn all things from the beginning of the world to the end thereof.
After many centuries had passed, in which man's wisdom had failed to comprehend the meaning of the phrase, "The restitution of all things," or the grand fulfilment of prophecy comprehended in a "Dispensation of the fulness of times"—a time in which all the knowledge and power of all times will be gathered into one—Jos. Smith, Jun., appears in the United States of America, and claims that the Lord has authorized him to open up this grand dispensation of a fulness, and that for this purpose he has bestowed upon him first, and then through him upon others, all the keys and powers of the Priesthood which had been held in former dispensations.
"For unto you, (the twelve) and those (the first presidency) who are appointed with you, to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this Priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times, which power you hold in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of creation;" Doc. & Cov. 112. 30-32.
In sec. 110 we are informed that Jesus Christ, Elias, Moses, and Elijah the prophet, appeared to Jos. Smith, Jun., and others, and bestowed upon them the keys of the holy Priesthood, held in other dispensations, that they might be concentrated in this.
In these last two quotations, from Doc. & Cov., we have an account of the bestowal of the necessary authority upon certain persons, for the opening up of the gathering dispensation of the latter times, that is perfectly consistent with the Book of Mormon and the Bible.
No man, unless endowed by Divine inspiration, could have conceived of such a sacramental feast as is represented in the following, to which will be gathered in the latter times, the great dignitaries of all dispensations, with Jesus Christ at their head, together holding all the keys, authority and powers of the holy Priesthood, pertaining to the redemption of man and of the earth.
"For the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting Gospel, * * * and also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things," and with John the Baptist, "whom I have sent unto you, my servants, Jos. Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first Priesthood which you have received. * *