In The Old Testament: A Mormon Perspective, Glenn L. Pearson writes: "Where other prophets dwelt somewhat on the future, the burden of their messages predicted imminent disaster. Daniel, on the other hand, looked to the far future and dwelt on the joyous theme of the establishment of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of God in the last days."

Daniel's prophecy of the last days is recorded as part of the account of his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The king had dreamed of an image with a head of fine gold, arms and breast of silver, body and thighs of brass, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay.In the dream, the king saw a stone "that was cut out without hands. . . ." The stone smote and broke the image and "became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." (Dan. 2:31-35.)

President Ezra Taft Benson, in his April 1978 general conference address, spoke of this scriptural account. "Today The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is extending the heralded message of the restoration of the gospel to every nation which permits us entrance through its borders," he said. "This is a fulfillment of the vision and revelation received by Daniel, the prophet, `who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people.' (See D&C 138:44.) He likened the beginning of this kingdom to a small stone cut out of a mountain without human hands but which rolled forward to become a great mountain until it filled the entire earth."

President Benson said this interpretation was validated by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In D&C 65:2, the Lord revealed: "The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."

"This is the heaven-decreed destiny of the Church and kingdom," President Benson said. "Not all men will perceive the hand of God in this latter-day work. Jesus told Nicodemus, `Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' (John 3:3.) Without the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost, there will be some who will see nothing more to the progress of the Church than a social curiosity."

President Benson further said, "The kingdom of God will not fail; it shall not be destroyed; it will not be left to other people; it will stand forever until `the kingdoms of this world [willT become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.' " (Rev. 11:15.)

President Benson cited a prophecy made by Joseph Smith: "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing: persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." (History of the Church 4:540.)

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: The Old Testament: A Mormon Perspective, by Glenn L. Pearson; April 1978 general conference report, and April 1980 general conference report.