The sculpture commemorates the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood, an event in which, according to Latter-day Saint belief, the higher order of the power and authority of God was given to male leaders of the church.

It depicts three of Christ's apostles (Peter, James, and John) appearing as heavenly messengers, with their hands on the head of a kneeling Smith.

[1] In June 1962, the First Presidency of the LDS Church announced they had commissioned artist Avard Fairbanks to create a monument to commemorate the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood.

The plaster had been damaged by the outdoor storage and move to Fairview, and by the time the restoration started, it had broken into approximately 200 pieces.

It was placed next to Fairbanks' other sculpture, Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, in an area between the Salt Lake Temple and South Visitors Center.