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Joseph Smith (1805-44): We read in Genesis 4:4, that Abel brought the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect to Abel and to his offering. And, again, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead, yet speaketh." (Hebrews 11:4.) How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the Priesthood which was conferred upon him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has become an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], p.169; emphasis added) Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote: It appears that Abel, acting under the direction of his father Adam, held the keys of the first dispensation. (Mormon Doctrine [1966 2nd Ed], p. 201). Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In this connection we are told that Adam's son Abel holds ‘the keys of his dispensation;’ that is to say, of the First Dispensation, the one in which Abel figured (D. and C. 84:16). And yet it is called the Adamic Dispensation, for Adam also figured therein. (Saturday Night Thoughts [1921], p. 105, note a). It appears Abel held the keys of the first gospel dispensation.