The Restoration is crucial to our understanding of the Bible, Elder F. Melvin Hammond, an emeritus Seventy, said during the keynote address of the 38th annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium at BYU on Oct. 30.

This year's theme, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament," discussed many principles of the gospel, specifically drawing from the Old Testament in conjunction with next year’s course of study in Sunday School.

Recognizing the importance of the Bible in gospel study, Elder Hammond spoke of the important role of the Bible in Joseph Smith’s life and the affect it had in bringing forth the restoration of the gospel.

Referencing a scripture found in 2 Nephi 29 where the Gentiles reject the Book of Mormon, saying they have a Bible and have no need for any more scripture, he spoke of Joseph Smith’s day, and the similar attitudes within the community.

"The world misunderstood the divine message of the Bible," said Elder Hammond. "For thousands of years Jews and Gentiles alike have made the same mural restrictive declaration concerning the Old and New Testament. . . .

"In his confusion, Joseph Smith turned to the admonition of James, with innocence and pure faith, and in secret prayer, appealed to the only perfect source of truth — his Heavenly Father," Elder Hammond said. "Then in a moment unique in all of history, God the Father and his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, appeared in glory to Joseph Smith."

From that moment on, knowledge and understanding began to cover the earth and illuminated the minds of man, Elder Hammond said. With this understanding brought insight to many truths found in the Old Testament.

"The Father and the Son appearing to Joseph in 1820 was only the prelude to many extraordinary events that led to a further understanding of truth restored to the earth," he said. "Events that will lead us to a better grasp of our theme, 'The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.' "

During his work on the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith was commanded to commence a translation of the Bible. In 1830, Joseph started with the book of Genesis, and started to go through the Bible to restore truths that had been lost. As he did, Elder Hammond said, truths were restored and greater understanding was achieved.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ, with the priesthood, with all of the ordinances of the gospel, the creation, the fall, the atonement of Jesus Christ and the Holy Priesthood, suddenly all began to make sense," Elder Hammond said. "The new knowledge gave to all that would listen a clear pattern to follow in order to obtain eternal life."

Elder Hammond spoke of the lessons learned from specific truths that were restored as a result of Joseph's study of the Bible and other sacred texts. He shared examples such as the city of Enoch and also the scrolls containing the story of Abraham. In reference to the city of Enoch, Elder Hammond said, "To this day, no one has understood this passage of scripture except those who have read and believe the inspired version of the Bible by Joseph Smith."

With the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, darkness was made to light and the same truths of the ancient gospel in its fullness could go forth to the entire world. Just as prophets of old and the prophet Joseph Smith, individuals are able to take the knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ to all the world.

"The tidal wave of Joseph Smith rolls forth," Elder Hammond said. "One day we shall see him, then we will praise him as the prophet of the last dispensation and we will raise him as the one who helped us understand all previous dispensations. He is the prophet that best showed us the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament."