In Mormon doctrine, a dispensation of the gospel is a time period, of no particular length, during which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who holds the keys of the holy priesthood and who has a divinely appointed commission to “dispense” the gospel to mankind. When a new dispensation is organized, the Lord reveals the gospel anew, so that mankind is blessed with current revelation and does not have to depend upon previous dispensations for their knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation.
Dispensations are often associated with the servant who stands at the head of it. In Old Testament times, Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses are all considered heads of new dispensations. When Jesus Christ came to earth He ushered in another dispensation. In the last days,Mormons believe the Lord called the Prophet Joseph Smith to usher in what is known as the “dispensation of the fulness of times.”
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. (Ephesians 1:10)
Each of the dispensations has been characteristic in some way or other. Adam, for instance, opened the way for man to come to the earth; In Enoch’s time, the righteous people were taken to heaven; Jesus atoned for mankind and was resurrected; and Joseph Smith laid the foundation for a culmination God’s work on the earth.
For it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. (D&C 128:18)
Latter-day revelation clearly shows that the leaders of former dispensations all had the gospel of Jesus Christ and were called and ordained of Him.