In Doctrine and Covenants 33:3, we
read, “For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the
eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard.”
Critics identity this as a failed prophecy, since later revelations were
given calling for the same missionary work. The argument is that the Latter-day
Saints are still administering such calls, so it apparently wasn’t “the last
time.” Yet only the most corrupt mind would imagine this statement, given by
the Lord through Joseph Smith, as having a literal meaning. This was, after
all, the outset of the restoration, and many people were destined to be called
to teach and/or preach the gospel. There is no way to view “last time” as
anything other than a designation for the last dispensation or the last days prior
to the coming of the Lord—a period of unknown time.
Moses, in Genesis 17:10-14, stated
that God gave Abraham an everlasting covenant—the token of which was
circumcision, which also was to be everlasting. Paul later would appear
to reject the everlasting quality of this covenant and said “circumcision
availeth nothing” (Romans 4:9-13 and Galatians 5:3-6). It would seem the
covenant was not everlasting—as prophesied by Moses. Did Moses make a mistake?
One begins to gain light on the subject in that the word “forever” refers to
the covenant and not to the token of circumcision. One is the spiritual the other a tangible evidence. It can be
argued also that the term “everlasting” refers to God. In other words, it is a covenant
of, or with, God, and not necessarily one of endless duration. It also can be
noted that Moses said that the Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood was to be an
everlasting priesthood (Numbers 2510-14 and Exodus 40:12-15). Paul later speaks
about the rise of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and thus a change, or addition,
seems to be brought to the Aaronic Priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-12 and 15-18). Had
Moses falsely portrayed the course of things? Is the Bible uninspired. Of
course not. The Aaronic Priesthood continues to exist, as a preparatory priesthood
of the Melchizedek Priesthood. (Pat Ament, Joseph Smith’s Prophetic Gifts—His
Prophecies Fulfilled, ed. Brian Stutzman [2d ed.; 2023], 175-76)
Further Reading:
