Preparing the Way

As we all know in today's society, it is common practice for celebrities, dignitaries and special guests to receive a proper and formal introduction to their constituents or audience. In the world of entertainment, politics or special gatherings, it is the show of respect and honor for the guest or authority to have a formal and proper introduction. Jesus himself said of John the Baptist:
"But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea,
I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is
he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger
before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
For I say unto you, among those that are born of women
there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…."
(Luke 7:26-28)
"On the other hand, what did John the Baptist say of
Jesus? " . . . I indeed baptize you with water; but one
mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am
not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost and with fire." (Ibid 3:16)
The love and respect Jesus and John the Baptist had for each other was definitely demonstrated by both when separately declaring the word, as well as when they were together as witnesses of each other's mission and as relatives. As it is assumed, they had some knowledge of each other, even though nothing is recorded in the Bible of a close relationship in their younger years. The trust and understanding of each other's mission were unquestionable. Even though John's popularity was evident to Jesus, He never gave His audiences any hint of anything but love and respect for John's mission and the truth of his marvelous message, how could he?
RESTORER
The title Restorer can be attached to one person or a group of persons. The first name that comes to the minds of latter-day scholars of the restoration is that of Joseph Smith Jr., the Prophet of the Latter-day Restoration. His mission was instrumental in being the one through whom the "Dispensation of the Fullness of Times" (Eph. 1:10) was ushered into our present-day world, an example of the title Restorer. The Latter-day Saint scholar understands the story, the process the Lord used in restoring His divine authority and earthly kingdom through the young man, Joseph Smith Jr. and his associates. When one comes to understand that divine authority, not man-assumed, was absolutely essential to the re-instituting of the organization of the original gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter-days, only then will he even begin to fully appreciate what a wonderfully ordered turn of events had to take place for that to happen. Joseph Smith Jr. and his group of witnesses experienced the ushering in of the promised restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure form in these latter-days. He was divinely commissioned and directed by Deity.
Today is the day spoken of that was prophesied years ago for the long-anticipated restoration of the gospel in its fullness. It was a prophecy to be fulfilled in the latter-days. (The story of the restoration of the gospel in its fullness, the same church, with the same authority and organization that Jesus himself established in the "Meridian of Time" will be told more fully in chapter eight.)
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins
may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall
come from the presence of the Lord;
And He shall send Jesus Christ which before was
preached unto you:
Whom the heavens must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
(Acts 3:19-21)
The New Testament Elias is the Name for the Old Testament Prophet, Elijah.
As is common in reading the New Testament one will find it not unusual to learn of some Old Testament names bearing their New Testament translation. (e.g. Jeremy/Jeremiah, Jeremias, Matt. 16:14, 27:9; Paul/Saul, the original Jewish [Hebrew] name of the apostle Paul; as he is so called, up to Acts 13:9., B.D. p.769) It is almost as if the same practice is used today in some of the common names we all hear in our own families and friends, even though not variations from different, but the same English language. Instead of making reference to them as Old Testament (Hebrew) or New Testament (Greek) forms, we call them formal or informal, or sometimes nicknames. The formal name is always entered or registered on official records, e.g., legal documents of city, county, state and national records, as well as the usual church/congregational records.
What about Elias Spoken of in the Old Testament?
According to the Holy Bible and the book of Doctrine and Covenants there was an Old Testament person named Elias, who lived in the days of Abraham. In answer to prayer he appeared in the Kirtland Temple to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey on April 3, 1836 and committed the keys of the gospel of Abraham to them. So, the first question that comes to mind is what was the gospel of Abraham?
Now what was the gospel of Abraham? Obviously,
it was the commission, the mission, the endowment
and power, the message of salvation, given to Abraham.
And what was this? It was a divine promise that both in
the world and out of the world his seed should continue
"as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the
sand upon the seashore ye could not number them."
After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. (LDS Reference Encyclopedia, Vol. II.p.87)