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In every dispensation, gospel truths are revealed anew, or dispensed, so the people of that period are not entirely dependent upon past dispensations for knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan. A gospel dispensation is a period of time in which the necessary priesthood authority, ordinances, and doctrinal knowledge are found on the earth to implement the Father's plan of salvation for His children. Gospel dispensations were established through Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and others. Essential to the establishment of a dispensation is an authorized servant of God, a dispensation head, who holds and exercises the authority and keys of the holy priesthood. The first servant on earth, to whom God dispensed truth and authority, was Adam. As a prophet, Adam then dispensed truth to his descendants. However, during Adam's lifetime and after his death, people rebelled and chose to live contrary to God's commandments. When people turn away from the truth of the gospel, it is called apostasy. When people have been in a state of apostasy, the Lord has lovingly reached out to them by calling prophets and dispensing gospel blessings anew. After this first period of apostasy, the Lord called Enoch as a prophet and instructed him to teach the people. Enoch's people succeeded in becoming pure in heart and were taken up to heaven. Sadly, many others who remained on earth continued in apostasy. During Noah's time, the people grew so violent and wicked that as an act of love God cleansed the earth to ensure that new generations had a fair opportunity to follow Him. This means children and families could be taught the gospel freely. But even with a fresh start, many of the people who came after Noah eventually fell into apostasy and chose to live without the living water of Jesus Christ in their lives. Because of Heavenly Father's love for His children, He revealed, or dispensed, truth again to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel. Eventually the Israelites turned from God. During this time they were enslaved in Egypt. The Lord then began a new dispensation by calling Moses to proclaim His gospel and to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, to the promised land. In spite of all the Lord had done for them, many of the Israelites rejected Moses and the prophets who came after him, as well as the truths they taught. As a result, people fell into apostasy and lived without the gospel blessings they could have otherwise enjoyed. Again many in the world thirsted for living water from God. With great love Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in the meridian of time. The Savior organized His Church and gave authority to His Apostles to spread His gospel. He performed a perfect Atonement for all mankind. After the death of Christ, and then the death of His Apostles, priesthood authority and many gospel truths were lost resulting in a spiritual drought so severe that it's called the Great Apostasy. Some refer to this period as the Dark Ages. To end this long drought, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared in answer to the prayer of a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, to open this great and last dispensation. Angelic messengers restored priesthood authority and keys. The Book of Mormon was brought forth as an additional witness of Jesus Christ and as evidence that God was again dispensing His living water to His children on earth. As the Apostle Paul declared, "In the dispensation of the fulness of times [God will] gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Brothers and sisters, we live in a truly distinctive dispensation. The dispensation of the fulness of times is distinct, or unique, because it will not end in apostasy. In our time, God has or will restore all that has been revealed in previous times. We live in a day of continual revelation, a day of gathering, and a day of preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has reserved spirits for this dispensation who have the courage and determination to face the world and all the powers of the evil one. He has sent these spirits in this generation to lay the foundation of Zion, nevermore to be overthrown, and to raise up a seed that will be righteous and that will honor God and honor Him supremely and be obedient to Him under all circumstances. What a privilege it is for us to hear God's word through living prophets. Instead of experiencing drought, we can drink deeply from the fountain of truth. And by sharing it with others, we can help spread truth throughout the world. Try to imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord's restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising flood waters. May our many small, individual efforts produce a steady rainfall of righteousness and truth that gradually swells a multitude of streams and rivers--and ultimately becomes a flood that sweeps the earth.