The Greatest Dispensation of all Time

by guest teacher, Jane Thurston

Joseph Smith was told in 1830 he would be given “the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (D&C 27:13).

What keys were eventually given as part of the restoration?
No fewer than 12 resurrected beings visited him over time to restore the keys they had held as prophets in their dispensations. These keys include the ministering of angels, gathering of Israel, and the priesthood to perfect and seal families. Joseph Smith testified that he did in fact have these keys: “I myself hold the keys of this last dispensation, and I forever will hold them in time and in eternity. So set your hearts at rest, for all is well.”

With these things restored the authority was on the earth to bring about the fulness of times. Joseph said that the fulness of times would include "those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.” D&C 128:18)
What are those things, and is it true that even children in this dispensation know things that the wise and prudent did not know in previous dispensations?
In our everyday world we have inventions, travel, and communication that have made access to temples and missionary work possible on a huge scale. We have the Book of Mormon, something no other dispensation has had. Not only that, but we have the Book of Mormon in combination with the Bible to confirm, clarify, and testify of the Savior. Primary children the world over commonly sing songs based on these gospel principles.

Our dispensation will have the authority to receive all light and truth. We certainly have witnesses and commentaries that have never been so widely known as before; persons who have studied and been enlightened, then passed on that knowledge to us such as Bruce R. McConkie, Neal A. Maxwell, Joseph Fielding Smith, Gordon B. Hinckley and so many others. We are also promised personal revelation, the results of which we see every day in our lives.

Some things are yet to come such as the Brass Plates, the records of the Ten Tribes, and the "times, glories, and laws of the sun, moon, and stars."

These things are to be made known "unto His servants, to prepare the earth for the return of His glory". If this preparation is to be done, it will be done by those now living.
If it is our job, what is it we must do?
The words of the prophet tell us that this work will require the Saints to lay aside every selfish principle, stand forward in the cause of truth, and call in to action their energy, skill, talent, ability, and concentration.
There are promises to those favored to bring about these things.
We will be blessed "to see, participate in, and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory." He said: “Here, then, . . . is a work to engage in worthy of archangels—a work which will cast into the shade the things which have been heretofore accomplished; a work which kings and prophets and righteous men in former ages have sought, expected, and earnestly desired to see, but died without the sight; and well will it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty operations of Jehovah.”

"The work of the Lord in these last days is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals. Its glories are past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable. It is the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the creation of the world down through every succeeding generation to the present time; and it is truly the dispensation of the fullness of times, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in Him, and when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; for in it will take place the glorious fulfilment (sic) of the promises made to the fathers, while the manifestations of the power of the Most High will be great, glorious, and sublime.

The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad . . .”