President's Weekly Letter #26

 …VAN EEN VERNUFTIGE MAKELIJ…

(1 Nephi 18:1)

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

THE RESTORATION

Of all the words spoken on earth, the greatest words ever uttered are, “I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen…” (Matt 27:5-6)  These words have impacted, in an enormous way, every person who has ever lived on the earth.

Arguably, the next most important statement that affects all mankind was the angel Moroni in his first visitation to Joseph Smith announcing “…the preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah is speedily to commence, that the time was at hand for the Gospel in all its fullness to be preached in power unto all nations that a people might be prepared for the Millennial reign.”  (HC Vol. IV, p.537)

The restoration of the fullness of the gospel was prophesied by many of the prophets to occur in the last dispensation.  Some people become confused with the prophecies of this event because the pattern of circumstances leading up to the first coming and the second coming of Christ mirror each other and many prophets such as Isaiah speak freely of both events.  Many believe, if pinned down, that this refers only to Christianity being preached in all the world.  But, the prophecies are clear about a restoration of the fullness of the gospel.  My favorites follow:

Acts 3:19-21

This verse is a powerful statement of an apostasy as well as a restoration.  The heavens must receive Jesus Christ until the restitution of all things which have been spoken by all the prophets.  In order to restore something, it must have first been here and then taken away.  Also, if something is already present it cannot be restored.  Peter does not speak of a reformation of things.

Dan 3:31-35, 44

A stone will be cut out without hands, which roll forth and filled the whole earth.

Isa 29:14, 18

God will proceed to do a marvelous work and wonder among this people.  The deaf shall hear the words of the book and the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

Isa 2:2-3

In the last days the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains and all nations shall flow unto it.

Isa 35:1-8

The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.  The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and he ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, the lame man leap and the tongue of the dumb sing.  Waters shall break out; the parched ground shall become a pool and on the thirsty land springs of water.

Mal 3:1-2

Christ will send his messenger who will prepare the way before him.  This is a classic example of the first and second coming of Christ mirroring each other.

Mal 4:5-6

Elijah the prophet will be sent before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.

Eph 1:10

In the dispensation of the fullness of times Christ will gather together in one all things in Christ.

Matt 24:14

The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the entire world for a witness to all nations and then shall the end come.

Rev 14:6

An angel flying in the midst of heaven had the everlasting gospel to preach it unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people.  This again is also a great apostasy scripture because the angel had the gospel in heaven to preach to the inhabitants on earth.  The gospel was with the angel in the heaven.  The gospel was to be preached to all the earth which would logically not happen if the gospel was already on earth. 

Elders and Sisters, we have the incredible opportunity and privilege to be part of this great effort of preaching the gospel to the entire world.  Now is our time and it glides by quickly.  Make the most of it.  In DC 133:36-37, 57-59, we understand the angel flying through the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel appeared unto some who committed it unto man, who then shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth.  The Lord sent forth the fullness of the gospel to be taught in plainness and simplicity to prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth.

“…and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight.  And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thrash the nations by the power of his Spirit.”

I pray we can faithfully meet this sacred assignment.

President Robinson