Our Days - All Prophets Looked Forward to Now

Many prophets had a glimpse of the future things that would happen on the earth. We know that all dispensation heads (Enoch, Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham) all had visions of the earth and what would happen on it and so did Nephi, John, the brother of Jared, and others.

Why was this necessary?

I believe it's because they needed to know how the people of their time who didn't accept the gospel would be saved. The plan of salvation requires a couple of critical events that happen(ed) at specific times in the world's history:

1) Atonement of Jesus Christ

2) Ordinances performed for all people

Many prophets saw our time when temples would be all over the earth and members would perform ordinances for those who have passed on. This helped those prophets understand how all people would have the chance to accept the gospel. Being a part of this work is a tremendous blessing as it is one of the most important works that has transpired in the history of the earth.

Notice how happy Joseph Smith is when describing this work:

21And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old ^aFather Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of ^bGabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers^cangels, from Michael or ^dAdam down to the present time, all declaring their ^edispensation, their rights, their ^fkeys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, ^gprecept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our ^hhope!

22Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. ^aCourage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into ^bsinging. Let the ^cdead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the ^dKing Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to ^eredeem them out of their ^fprison; for the prisoners shall go free.

23Let the ^amountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid^brocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the ^cmorning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and ^dimmortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

We are part of a great work. Enjoy going to the temple and performing baptisms for the dead and other ordinances for those who have passed on.