Doctrine and Covenants 133-134

<p>The work of the Lord is accomplished as His gospel is &ldquo;preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people&rdquo; (D&amp;C 133:37) and as His everlasting covenant is established through the ordinances of the temple.</p> <p>Just as the Savior invited Mary and Martha of New Testament times (Luke 10:38&ndash;42) to participate in His work, women of this dispensation have an official commission to participate in the Lord&rsquo;s work. From the earliest days of the Restoration, women were active in helping build up the Church by supporting missionary efforts, contributing to the construction of temples, and establishing communities where the Saints could worship together. The organization of Relief Society in 1842 mobilized the collective power of the women and their specific assignments to build the Lord&rsquo;s kingdom, just as the organization of priesthood quorums gave men specific responsibilities.</p>

<p>If one should read the Doctrine and Covenants through and tabulate the various subjects that the Lord revealed information on, he would find that missionary work holds a dominant place. In my study of modern revelation, I have found that there is no subject that the Lord revealed more about, that he talked on more times and in more ways than the missionary assignment. In fact, the gospel of the kingdom must be taken unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people preparatory to the coming of the Lord; and after this great assignment has been successfully completed, according to the words of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, &ldquo;. . . then shall the end come&rdquo; (Matt. 24:14; D&amp;C 133:37).</p> <p>Not only must the gospel be taken &ldquo;to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people&rdquo; here in mortality, but it must also be preached to all of our departed ancestors in the spirit world. A great missionary campaign must go forward until all who have died without the law of the gospel will have the opportunity to accept or reject it. Temple work will not be completely effective without missionary work. In fact, the people in the spirit world have to learn the various gospel truths, receive the gospel plan of salvation, repent of their sins, and prepare themselves to receive the temple ordinances which have been performed for them vicariously before that great work reaches a fulfillment and gives to the people the blessings that they should receive.</p>

<p>Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–40 directly refers to a prophecy recorded by John in the book of Revelation, in which he writes, “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” (Revelation 14:6). Latter-day Saints have traditionally interpreted this angel to be Moroni, of whom the Lord said, “I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel” (D&C 27:5). The figure of Moroni, which often adorns the spires of Latter-day Saint temples, has become a beloved and well-known symbol of the Restoration.</p> <p>Because both the book of Revelation and Doctrine and Covenants 133 are apocalyptic and highly symbolic, the figure of the angel mentioned in verses 36–40 not only represents Moroni but all the angelic messengers who played a role in restoring the gospel. Doctrine and Covenants 27:5–13 and 128:20–21 are the two most extensive lists provided by Joseph Smith of the angels who appeared to him and restored priesthood keys and authority. Those listed include Michael or Adam (D&C 27:11, 128:20–21); John the Baptist (D&C 13, 27:7); Peter, James, and John (D&C 27:12, 128:20); Elias (D&C 27:6, 110:12); Moses (D&C 110:11); and Elijah (D&C 110:13–16), as well as Gabriel and Raphael (D&C 128:21). </p> <p>In an 1879 discourse, President John Taylor added further to the list of angels who ministered to Joseph Smith:</p> <blockquote> <p>The principles which he [Joseph] had, placed him in communication with the Lord, and not only with the Lord, but with the ancient apostles and prophets; such men, for instance, as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Jesus and the Father, and the apostles that lived on this continent as well as those who lived on the Asiatic continent. He seemed to be as familiar with these people as we are with one another. Why? Because he had to introduce a dispensation which was called the dispensation of the fulness of times, and it was known as such by the ancient servants of God.<a href="#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1" title="" class="see-footnote">[1]</a> </p> </blockquote> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a href="#_ftnref1" id="_ftn1" title="" class="footnote-label">[1]</a> John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 21:94.</p> </div>