The Greatest Purpose

On that special Spring day in 1820, the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times began with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph near Palmyra, New York. 

Ten years later, on April 6, 1830, under the direction of the Lord, the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Church of Jesus Christ in the Whitmer home, in Fayette, NY.

Six years later, in the Kirtland Temple, on Sunday, April 3, 1836, in a glorious vision, Joseph and Oliver saw the prophet Elijah (D&C 110:13–16). The coming of Elijah was so important that ancient prophet Malachi prophesied of it centuries earlier, and the Savior repeated the prophecy to the Nephites (Malachi 4:5–6; 3 Nephi 25:5–6; 26:1–2).

Elijah committed to Joseph and Oliver the keys of sealing—the power to bind and validate in heaven all ordinances performed on earth. The restoration of the sealing power was necessary to prepare the world for the Savior’s Second Coming, for without it, “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming” (Joseph Smith—History 1:39).

The manifestation of the Holy Ghost we know as the Spirit of Elijah fills us with desire to do more in this Work of Redemption, especially as we seriously think of the words repeated in the scriptures that without Elijah returning to restore the keys of sealing, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, the whole earth would be smitten with a curse, utterly wasted, at the Second Coming. 

How marvelous to know the keys of this dispensation are held by Living Prophets and that this all important work of sealing is going on in our temples now all over the world.

We are encouraged, often in Patriarchal blessings, to prepare a book of remembrance.  This contributes to our desire to see that the sacred work of the holy temple is done for all of the children of God, that the whole earth will not be utterly wasted. 

To this most desirable end, we can make much better use of FSFT and all the resources available to us, gradually improving the accuracy and completeness of information needed to see that all vital ordinances are completed to the satisfaction of the Lord.