The time that the church remained in the wilderness was to be 1260 years.  John, the Revelator, foresaw, “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (Rev 12:6).  Ezekiel revealed that one day in prophecy equaled one year (Ez 4:6).

By the Revolutionary War, America was expecting the return of the church.  In 1776, Samuel Sherwood preached that John’s woman in the wilderness has “reference to the state of Christ’s church in this American quarter of the globe; and will sooner or later have their fulfilment and accomplishment among us.”

The church left the wilderness in 1830.  Our church claims that God told it, “This church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness” (D&C 32:2a).

In preparation for the church’s return, an angel visited a young man, just as Zechariah foretold.  Joseph Smith testified, “A personage appeared at my bedside standing in the air,. . .  He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me.”

The angel revealed the existence of a book.  “He said there was a book deposited written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang.   He also said that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.”

Like Zechariah prophesied, the latter-day message promised that Jerusalem will be inhabited: “Then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people, and it shall be the land of their inheritance.” (3 Ne 9:85).

The ancient book, entitled the Book of Mormon, came out of the earth, as Psalms predicted.  “On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates deposited in a stone box.”

The book was sealed.  “He said if I would bring the plates, he would assist in the translation. I told him I could not, for they were sealed. Professor Anthon then gave me a certificate certifying that the characters were Arabic, Chaldaic, and Egyptian.”

The Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Savior of the world.  Among its many references, it tells that Jesus descended in ancient Central America and said to its inhabitants, “Behold I am Jesus Christ, of whom the prophets testified should come into the world” (3 N 5:11), adding “[I] have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world” (3 N 5:12).

Ancient Americans were among the lost sheep mentioned in John.  Jesus told them, “Ye are they of whom I said, Other sheep I have which are not of this fold” (3 Ne 7:20).

The Book of Mormon starts the restoration of the new covenant.  It says that when it is published, “Then ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel, concerning their restoration to the lands of their inheritance, is already beginning to be fulfilled” (3 Ne 13:54).

The gospel is part of the covenant: “I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them” (3 Ne 7:36).

The Savior’s gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon cleanses people: “Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness” (Alma 5:25).

The gospel remits sins and gives the gift of the Holy Spirit.  God said to preach, “Repent and be baptized every one of you, for the remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost” (D&C 32:2g).

The gospel is the covenant that will gather Israel.  God decreed, “Thou shalt preach the fullness of my gospel which I have sent forth in these last days; the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel” (D&C 39:3e).

The restored covenant will build up a holy city.  Jesus promised, “This people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a new Jerusalem.  And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people” (3 Ne 9:58-59).
 

Alexander Campbell said, "The primitive gospel, in its effulgence and power, is yet to shine out in its original splendor to regenerate the world."  Elsewhere, he added, "We want the old gospel back that is sustained by the ancient order of things: and this alone."

Roger Williams observed, "There is no regularly constituted church on earth, nor any person authorized to administer any church ordinance; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church."   

Martin Luther concluded, "If the primitive gospel would come again God would have to speak from heaven."

            Charles Wesley prayed, "Please send forth new apostles, let the last prophet come." 

Roger Williams said, "The apostasy of antichrist hath so far corrupted all that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy till Christ shall send forth new apostles to plant churches anew."

Thomas Jefferson predicted, "The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored."