| Menu |
Peter does not say that all things will be restored before the Lord comes. What he does say is: Christ cannot come until the Age of Restoration has its beginning. That age commenced in the spring of 1820 and is now shedding its light and truth abroad, and it will continue to do so until well into the millennial era. That age will include the events incident to the Second Coming and will continue after that glorious and dread day. Indeed, the great reservoir of revealed truth will not be made available until after the Lord comes and destroys the unbelieving and rebellious. "When the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things," our scripture recites, "things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof -- things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven."
Source: McConkie, Bruce R. The Millenial Messiah. The Messiah Series, Vol. 2. 87. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981.
Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. (10th prophet):
Joseph Smith and his associates were taught by heavenly messengers and by revelation that the burden of this message was upon them. They were instructed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was duly appointed to send forth ambassadors for Christ with the special message of this gospel of the kingdom to all nations. The Lord said in this connection: "And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days. And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them."
The Latter-day Saints may be considered strange and peculiar in believing that they have been called upon to fulfill this ancient scripture, but it is with full confidence that the Lord has spoken that they are diligently' sending missionaries into all parts of the earth. Moreover, when all nations have heard this message, as it has been revealed in these last days, then may we look forth for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for at that day all nations will have been warned by the messengers who were sent unto them according to the Lord's promise.
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., ed. Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 3. 6. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1955.