All About Mormons

Scripture-Study List: The Restoration

Mormons believe that the Old-Testament prophet Isaiah foresaw the restoration of God’s Church in the last days. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, thousands of Mormons from many nations migrated across the great plains to Utah, a place they considered to be their “Zion,” a “New Jerusalem.” In the late 19th century, when the Territory of Desseret applied for U.S. statehood, members of the Church wanted the state to bare the same name. The U.S. government, however, rejected that request and instead named the new state “Utah.” Unbeknownst to both the members of the Church and the government at the time, in the native language of the area “Utah” means “the top of the mountains.”

Isaiah 2:2-3:

• And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
• And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

After prophesying of the apostasy (in verse 10), the Old-Testament prophet Isaiah foresaw the bringing forth of a “marvellous work and a wonder,” the restoration of the Church of Christ in the last days.

Isaiah 29:14:

• Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Luke prophesied of a latter-day restitution, or restoration, and indicated that holy prophets had foreseen it since the beginning.

Acts 3:20-21:

• 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.

The apostle Paul also foresaw a future time, which he called the “dispensation of the fulness of times,” in which the original teachings of Christ would once again be had on the earth.

Ephesians 1:10:

• That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:

The apostle John also foresaw a latter-day restoration of the “everlasting gospel” made by way of heavenly visitations. That gospel is being preached to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” by way of the LDS missionary program and member missionaries around the world.

Revelations 14:6-7:

• And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
• Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.