“A Marvellous Work and a Wonder”
Isaiah 29:13–14
13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“Since the prophets predicted that in the last days the Lord would gather Israel and once more reveal to them His covenants, reason demands that these covenants and the keys of this restoration must be given to some chosen messenger. Joseph Smith is that messenger. He was to come in the day when the people drew near to the Lord with their mouths, and with their lips they honored Him, but had removed their hearts far from Him, and their fear toward Him was taught by the precepts of men. [See Isaiah 29:13.] It was to be in that day, said the Lord, that ‘I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.’ [Isaiah 29:14.]”
(Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:169–70.)
