Bishop John Koyle, who has an impeccable track record when it comes to prophesying future events, was shown that Joseph will return to set the church in order around the time the Relief Mine begins producing gold. Here are just some of the things the Bishop said:

He told a miner in 1920 that Joseph Smith would go into the top church leader's private office in the Church Office Building, and they would say, how did you get in here? Whereon Joseph would fire every last jack one of them.

Here is a quote which suggests that Joseph's return will be around the time the Relief Mine is vindicated:

Bishop Koyle was shown that when vindication came a complete setting in order of the Church would be at hand. This, he said, was shown to him by the Prophet Joseph Smith himself, who clearly demonstrated to him that not one single general authority of the old order would be left, but that all would be removed, and that new ones called of God would replace them.

Many early members of the church found comfort in the testimony of Parley P. Pratt. He gave an account of an experience regarding the resurrection of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the future role he will play. This quote can be found in Parley's biography, pages 370-371:

As I walked along over the plains of Illinois, lonely and solitary, I reflected as follows: I am now drawing near to the beloved city; in a day or two I shall be there. How shall I meet the sorrowing widows and orphans? How shall I meet the aged and widowed mother of these two martyrs? (Joseph and Hyrum). How shall I meet the entire community bowed down with grief and sorrow unutterable? What shall I say? Or how console and advise twenty five thousand people who will throng about me in tears and in the absence of my president and the older members of the now presiding council, who will ask counsel at my hands? Shall I tell them to fly to the wilderness and deserts? Or, shall I tell them to stay at home and take care of themselves, and continue to build the Temple?

With these reflections and inquiries, I walked on ward, weighed down as it were, unto death. When I could endure it no longer, I cried out aloud saying: "O Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Thee, show me what these things mean, and what I shall say to Thy people!" On a sudden, the spirit of God came upon me, and filled my heart with joy and gladness indescribable; while the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were fire. The Spirit said unto me: "Lift up your head and rejoice; for behold — It is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My servant Joseph still holds the Keys of My Kingdom in this dispensation, and HE SHALL STAND IN DUE TIME ON THE EARTH, IN THE FLESH, AND FULFILL THAT TO WHICH HE IS APPOINTED."

"Go and say unto my people in Nauvoo, that they shall continue to pursue their daily duties and take care of themselves, and make no movement in Church government to reorganize or alter anything until the return of the remainder of the Quorum of the Twelve. But exhort them that they continue to build the House of the Lord which I have commanded them to build in Nauvoo."

This information caused my bosom to burn with joy and gladness and I was comforted above measure; all my sorrow seemed in a moment to be lifted as a burden from my back.

Now let's take a look at another quote from Norman Pierce's book, "The Dream Mine Story". This details what Joseph will do when he returns:

Bishop Koyle was shown that these new and inspired leaders would be called by the mouth of the Prophet Joseph Smith himself, at a special general conference called for this very purpose. He saw that there would be three empty chairs on the stand in the tabernacle caused by recent deaths among the general authorities. The next man in seniority went to take the presiding chair when the Prophet Joseph prevented it, telling him that this chair was not for him. The Prophet Joseph then proceeded in turn to dismiss everyone of the general authorities, which brought to an end to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and established in its place a new Church for the millennium, which would receive and obey the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ with nothing left out, for it would also include the United Order and Plural Marriage.

There popular LDS hymn, "Praise to the Man", also seems to be hinting at the return of Joseph based on this verse:

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again.

What about the parable of the redemption of Zion found in D&C 101? In it the Lord commands His servant to redeem the vineyard, "break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen". Since Zion has not been redeemed yet, then this parable identifies a future event.

A few sections later, in D&C 103:21, the Lord clarifies who this servant will be:

Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given unto you.

Finally, here is the last prophetic dream that Joseph Smith had before he was killed. Does this have something to do with how church leaders will respond when being removed from office by Joseph Smith? Time will tell.

My Old Farm in Kirtland
Joseph Smith Jr.
June 27, 1844 at Carthage Jail
(Source: “History, 1838–1856, volume F-1,” 177–78.)

Joseph related the following dream which he had last night:

“I was back in Kirtland, Ohio, and thought I would take a walk out by myself, and view my old farm, which I found grown up with weeds and brambles, and altogether bearing evidence of neglect and want of culture. I went into the barn which I found without floor or doors, with the weather boarding off, and was altogether in keeping with the farm.

While I viewed the desolation around me, and was contemplating how it might be recovered from the curse upon it, there came rushing into the barn a company of furious men, who commenced to pick a quarrel with me. The leader of the party ordered me to leave the barn and farm, stating it was none of mine, and that I must give up all hope of ever possessing it. I told him the farm was given me by the Church, and although I had not had any use of it for some time back, still I had not sold it, and according to righteous principles it belonged to me or the Church.

He then grew furious, and began to rail upon me and threaten me, and said it never did belong to me nor the Church. I then told him that I did not think it worth contending about; that I had no desire to live upon it in its present state, and if he thought he had a better right I would not quarrel with him about it, but leave; but my assurance that I would not trouble him at present did not seem to satisfy him, as he seemed determined to quarrel with me, and threatened me with the destruction of my body.

While he was thus engaged, pouring out his bitter words upon me, a rabble rushed in and nearly filled the barn, drew out their knives, and began to quarrel among themselves for the premises; and for a moment forgot me, at which time I took the opportunity to walk out of the barn about up to my ankles in mud. When I was a little distance from the barn I heard them screeching and screaming in a very distressed manner, as it appeared they had engaged in a general fight with their knives. While they were thus engaged the dream or vision ended.”

Do you believe Joseph Smith will return to set the LDS Church in order and dismiss the brethren? Leave your comments below.