John the Baptist was the embodiment of the Law of Moses and administered it by the Aaronic priesthood. He had nothing else to restore other than what he had in life and died preaching.
I think that one of the biggest misses of the modern Christian churches is the word "IF" in the New Testament. Every reference to the end of the Law of Moses I find in the scriptures comes with a BIG "if". Every "IF" statement by necesity comes with an unspoken but naturally essential "IF NOT" statement.
IF a person is born again and receives and follows the spirit, THEN they are no longer under the Law of Moses. IF NOT, then they remain under the Law which continues to perpare them to receive what they have not yet received.
The Law of Moses is given to the Telestial or all those who remain outside the gate having not be spiritually born of God and received the baptism of fire and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The unspoken statement is "If NOT, ye remain under the law.Gal. 5:18
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
If faith has not yet come, then we remain kept under the law.Gal. 3:23-25
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
This is the purpose of the Aaronic priesthood. It's role is and always has been to prepare people to receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost.
If you are more worried about obedience to the rules and commandments of the church and its leaders than following the spirit, then, you are living the law of Moses.
The path of progressions is to first receive the Holy Ghost, then to learn from the "unseen teacher".
I used to teach people everything I knew about performing miracles, how to stop the rain, walk on water, how our dead horse was brought back to life, talking to the dead, etc. I realize now that while I have experienced these things and am able to teach others how to do them, it is not my role to be the teacher. My role is to encourage others to come to Christ, receive the Holy Ghost and learn for themselves from the unseen teacher just as I have. This is the path that leads to eternal life and there is no other path.
The Law of Moses = Telestial = Those who remain outside the gate and have not received the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. These will not be redemed at the last day and are not supposed to join Christ's church or be baptized. Judged by their works.
The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ = Terestrial = Those who have received the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost by entering in at the gate. These will be redeemed at the last day and are invited to join Christ's church. They are on the path that leads to eternal life, IF they follow the spirit. They are not under the law IF they follow the spirit. Saved by Grace.
The Church of the Firstborn = Celestial = Those who have followed the spirit to the end of the path and reached eternal life. The end of the path is only obtained by the Holy Spirit of Promise sealing a person to their exaltation and eternal life. This is known as making your calling and election sure. It is confirmed by the Second Comforter.
The first step in this process is to enter in at the gate. It requires faith. Faith drives the broken heart and the contrite spirit and brings hope. The broken heart and contrite spirit are an acceptance of your flaws and the need for change (broken Heart), openness to guidance and correction often accompanied by a commitment to change or improve or a comitment to follow God as best you know how (contrite Spirit).
Mormon says "IF" you have faith enough to be redeemed, THEN you have faith enough to work miracles and be ministered to by angels.
Are you living as if there had been no redemption made? Are you living by the Law of Moses or are you living by the spirit?Moroni 7
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?
36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
38 For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man, for they are as though there had been no redemption made.
~SeekerGal. 5:18
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.