While the Book of Mormon was in course of translation, a very important
event took place, viz, the coming of the MESSENGER {169} to prepare the
way for the coming of the Lord. This is described by Joseph Smith as
follows:
"We (Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery) still continued the work
of translating; when in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we, on a
certain day, went into the woods to pray, and inquire of the Lord
respecting baptism for remission of sins.
"While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord,
a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having
laid his hands upon us, he ordained us; saying unto us--'Upon
you, my fellow servants, 'in the name of Messiah, I confer the
Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering
of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by
immersion for the remission of sins,' and this shall never be taken
from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering
unto the Lord of righteousness.'
"The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred this
Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is
called John the Baptist in the New Testament; and that he acted
under the direction of Peter, James and John who held the keys of
the Melchisedec Priesthood, and who would in due season visit us
and confer that, the higher Priesthood, upon us, which holds the
keys of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
right to all the offices in the church."
Subsequently, in fulfilment of this promise, Peter, James, and
John came to them, and conferred upon them the higher order of
priesthood--the Melchisedec. This gave them the keys of all the
spiritual blessings of the Church of Christ, and the power and
authority to organize the Church and Kingdom of God upon the earth.