In the early 1800s, God called a latter-day prophet, established His Church, and restored the sign of the Covenant of Abraham. The Times of the Gentiles were thus fulfilled, but a tempest raged in the hearts of men. The spirit of persecution followed the Prophet Joseph Smith wherever he went. In Hiram, Ohio, he was dragged from his bed, stripped of his clothing, and covered in hot tar. Each restored truth brought new trials for both the Prophet and the Saints as adversaries from New York to the Ohio fought the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To protect the Saints, the Lord commanded the Church to move to Kirtland. During the few short years they were there, revelation burst forth; the Savior appeared; gifts of the Spirit were exercised; the keys of the kingdom were restored by Moses, Elias, and Elijah; and the Messiah accepted the first temple to be built in His name in almost two thousand years.

E. Keith Howick was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended the University of Utah where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science and Juris Doctor in law. He also taught and did PhD studies at Pennsylvania State University.

Keith has taught religion classes on all levels: in his ward, in seminary, in institute classes at the University of Utah and Montana State University and in the religion department at the Brigham Young University. He has also taught courses in American political government and conducted graduate seminars in public law at Pennsylvania State University.