We must first understand the foundation for the work in the last days a
period known as the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.
The Dispensation of the fullness of times
Ephesians 1:10, D & C 27:13, 112:30, 121:31, 124:41, 128:18, 138:48
From an article in the 1989, Ensign, December issue, we have an
explanation of this period:
"The dispensation of the fullness of times is a period
of restoration and of gathering. Peter described the work in terms of a
restoration: "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.)
Paul called this period of time a dispensation: "Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed
in himself: "That in the dispensation of the fullness 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." (Eph. 1:9-10.)
The question is, What was to be restored in this
dispensation of the fullness of times? Elder David W. Patten, a member of the
Quorum of the Twelve, answered that question in July 1838: "The dispensation
of the fullness of times is made up of all the dispensations that ever have
been given since the world began, until this time ... in the which all things
shall be fulfilled that have been spoken of since the earth was made. ...
"Joseph Smith, the leader of this dispensation must be clothed with the
power of all other dispensations, or his dispensation could not be called
dispensation of the fullness of times. ..." (Robert J. Matthews. The Fullness of Times. Ensign, December
1989: 49)
The dispensation of the fullness of times will bring all things into one. All that has been shall be. Every mosaic tile will be put into place, every prophecy will be played out during this time frame. This is a key concept that many overlook, one which I am striving to fully understand.
John P Prat set the start time of the Dispensation
of the fullness of times as being
Most of the prophecies dealing with events beyond the old and new testament times happen during the dispensation of the fullness of times, however one key event preceded it and that is the universal apostasy of the church. (Some may be asking; "What about all that has been shall be?" In a spiritual filled priesthood lesson, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Joseph Smith, lesson 27, Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy: The lesson quoted Orson Hyde:
"Joseph the prophet....said, 'Brethren, remember that the majority of this people will never go astray; and as long as you keep with the majority you are sure to enter the celestial kingdom.'": Orson Hyde,Deseret News: semi-weekly, June 21 1870, P 3. )
I came to believe that the Apostacy, like the birth of Christ, is a one time event and will not be repeated, however the overall message from Isaiah leads me to doubt this assumption.
Universal Apostasy:
Isa 24:4-6, 29:13-24, 60:2-3, Amos 8:11-12, Matt
Each
piece of the mosaic is made up of individual events, each piece having its own
unique shape color and interface(s). Just like a complex puzzle many
pieces will appear to fit in many places, (the interface or sequence may fit
into the adjacent pieces) but when the final analysis is done, the overall
color or flow will uncover the misplaced piece. Having set the foundation we
now arrive at the last dispensation and move into the list of key events (The
mosaic pieces):
6TH Seal Event placement replaced by
Pre-Wrath View format (
Prior to getting into the PWV format I need to list LDS events that
have/could happen prior to those events…..
Restoration work
Let’s start the work by filling in some of the key events that have already
taken place. Let’s set the stage by reviewing what happened
when Christ lived on the earth. At the beginning of
that dispensation the Gospel was taken to the Jews, Christ made no
effort to take the Gospel to any other peoples. It wasn’t until the Apostle
Paul’s ministry that we have the Gospel taken to the gentile nations.
That brings us to this dispensation, the dispensation of the fullness of times,
of which the first stage is directed to the gentile nations and begins the
Gentile/Restoration period. let's review the
first few events of this period.
Hear the words of the book; 2 Neph 26:16, 2 Neph 27:5-21, Isa 29:17-18
Elijah Returns: Mal 4:5-6, D&C 110:13-16
Keys restored: D&C 13; 27; 128
Gospel restored: Isa 2; 4; 5; 10; 11; 13; 18; 24; 29; 33; 34; 35; 51; 52;54; 60; 63; 64; 65; 66, Rev 14:6-8, D&C 133:36-41, Acts 3:19-21,
Gathering of the remnant of the House of Israel commences: D&C 110:11
In
my estimation this is where we are in the sequence. The gathering work
has just begun and our journey now begins. Notice the wording in 3 Nephi
Will the brethren tell the saints where to
gather prior to the tribulation events? There has been some speculation
recently of this. From a recent yahoo post by Aaron Tracy:
“… The Lord has placed the
responsibility for directing the work of gathering in the hands of the leaders
of the Church to whom he will reveal his will where and when such gatherings
would take place in the future. It would be well—before the frightening events
concerning the fulfilment of all God’s promises and
predictions are upon us, that the Saints in every land prepare themselves and
look forward to the instruction that shall come to them from the First
Presidency of this Church as to where they shall be gathered and not be
disturbed in their feelings until such instruction is given to them as it is
revealed by the Lord to the proper authority.” (In Conference
Report, Apr. 1948, p. 55.)
https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/sections-21-29/section-29-prepare-against-the-day-of-tribulation?lang=eng
Many Apostate movements have come from people having dreams and visions of these gathering places, like Julie Rowe (Dates have come and gone and deadly movements like the Daybell’s started with Her Books/movement) These seem to be more of what is spelled out in the Flee unto Zion/ The might of Zion shall go forth section of this work, however the Last Days Timeline book by James T. Prout, He limits a gathering out or call out to the timeframe when the New Jerusalem is built up Flee unto Zion section. Statements like the above from Harold B Lee and scriptures such as DC 115:6, 133:12 have us still guessing on when and where the gathering for safety will happen.
Recent statements (2018-2023) from President Nelson “…In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost…" leave me wondering if this will be up to each of us (Oil in our lamps).. Time will tell.
At a high level my recent read of 3 Nephi 15-16 left me with these thoughts:
Looking at 3 Nephi
3 Nephi 16:4-5 “…that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who
shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their cunbelief,
may be brought in, or may be brought to a dknowledge of
me, their Redeemer.
5 And then
will I agather them in from the four quarters of the
earth; and then will I fulfil the bcovenant which the Father hath made unto all the
people of the chouse of Israel.
…” When the time of the Gentiles comes to a close then the Great and Marvelous work will kick in