The Restoration Proclamation testifies that heavenly messengers gave Joseph Smith authority which enabled him to re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ:
| Messenger | Authority |
|---|---|
| John the Baptist | “The authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins” |
| Peter, James, and John | “The apostleship and keys of priesthood authority” |
| Elijah | “The authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death” |
All of these messengers are prophets or apostles who are mentioned in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Here are some Book of Mormon references:
- John the Baptist: “My father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water. And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 10:9-10; see also 2 Nephi 31:4).
- Peter, James, and John: “[The Son of God] went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; … and I also beheld twelve others following him” (1 Nephi 11:28-29). “And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel” (1 Nephi 12:9). (See also 1 Nephi 13:24-26, 39-41, 1 Nephi 14:20-27.)
- Elijah: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (3 Nephi 25:5-6).
A few observations about this conferral of authority:
- God delegates authority in an organized way. Different people are authorized to contribute to His work in different ways. As Paul explained to church members in Ephesus, some people are apostles, some are prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. By working together in these different roles, we accomplish the goals of perfecting the saints and edifying the body of Christ. (See Ephesians 4:11-12.)
- All of these messengers are recognizable people. Out of all of the heavenly beings whom God could have sent, He chose people who had previously lived on the earth and exercised this authority themselves. This highlights the fact that our work on this earth is not limited to our mortal lives. It continues after we die. (See Doctrine and Covenants 130:5.)
Today, I will be grateful for the opportunities God has given me to contribute to His work. I will remember that different people receive different responsibilities and that our work continues after we die.