Recent scholarship which helped to produce the recently published Joseph Smith Papers shows that D&C 20:1 was part of the initial heading for the revelation now known as Section 20 and not part of the revelation proper. It appears to be the product of John Whitmer (the Prophet Joseph Smith's scribe) and was not intended to reveal the birthdate of our Lord, but merely a manner of recording the date of the organization of the Church. This is all covered in an article in the newest BYU Studies vol. 49, no. 4 (2010) pp. 4-38. The article was written by Jeffrey R. Chadwick and entitled, Dating the Birth of Jesus Christ. Because of this discovery, we as Latter'day Saints are back to the possibility of the birth of the Savior being in December.
The following article was printed in the Deseret News:
The real date of Jesus' birth
By Michael De Groote
Deseret News
Published: Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 4:39 p.m. MST
Since the early 20th century, many Mormons have thought they knew the exact date of the first Christmas. Elder James E. Talmage, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, published a book in 1915 titled "Jesus the Christ," in which he wrote, "We believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, April 6, B.C. 1."
Elder Talmage didn't just randomly make up this date. He took it from Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants — a collection of revelations mostly through the Mormon founding prophet, Joseph Smith Jr. Since his book, Mormons — from church leaders to children — have accepted April 6 as the real date of Jesus' birth. But not every member of the LDS Church agreed with Elder Talmage's interpretation of Doctrine and Covenants 20.
Jeffrey R. Chadwick, an associate professor of church history and doctrine at BYU, published an article in the latest issue of BYU Studies on "Dating the Birth of Jesus Christ" that challenges the popular, but not universal, Mormon dating of Jesus' birth to April 6.
And he is in good company.
In 1954, President J. Reuben Clark Jr., a counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church, wrote that Christ's birth was in December of 5 B.C. or early 4 B.C.
In 1979, Elder Bruce R. McConkie, also an apostle, favored December 5 B.C. as well as alternative dates in 4 B.C.
The date of April 6 comes from the date that the LDS Church was originally organized on April 6, 1830. D&C 20 begins with this introductory verse: "The rise of The Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it (the church) being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April."
Steven C. Harper, a BYU assistant professor of church history and a volume editor of the Joseph Smith Papers, said in a phone interview that some people, including Elder Talmage, have read this verse as if it is the Lord speaking and revealing precisely that Christ was born 1,830 years before that day and that the revelation was given on April 6, 1830.
The recent discovery of the Book of Commandments and Revelations manuscript of D&C 20, however, showed that the verse was actually an introductory head note written by early church historian and scribe John Whitmer — something he did for many of the revelations, Harper said. "So those are separate from the texts that Joseph produces by revelation."
The manuscript, published as part of the Joseph Smith Papers, also shows that the revelation was given on April 10 — not April 6. So although it references the organization of the church a few days earlier, the revelation — which topically has nothing to do with the birth date of Christ — and its introductory verses "shouldn't be read as if it is a revelation of the birth date of Jesus Christ," Harper said. "The interpretation that has been most popular over time is very much subject to question, that's all I'm saying."
And this wasn't the only time that John Whitmer would identify a date with similar language. Another time he wrote, "It is now June the twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty one years, since the coming of our Lord and Savior in the flesh."
In other words, this type of language was merely a fancy 19th-century way of saying the date.
If a person accepts Chadwick, Harper, Elder McConkie and President Clark's interpretation of the verse in D&C 20, when was Jesus born?
Chadwick's article goes into great detail on the various clues the Bible and the Book of Mormon give for the date of Jesus' birth.
The biggest clue, by far, appears to be the death of King Herod the Great. The Bible has Jesus born before Herod's death. Chadwick wrote that the historical record places Herod's death at the end of March or beginning of April in 4 B.C. This date is confirmed by both the mention of a lunar eclipse before Herod's death and the date his son was deposed by Caesar Augustus. Both those fixed events fit together to confirm Herod's death.
Needless to say, if Herod was dead in 4 B.C., a 1 B.C. birthday of Christ is impossible.
So if Jesus had to be born before April 4 B.C., can the time be narrowed further?
Chadwick's article in BYU Studies goes on for pages using fixed dates to extrapolate other dates. He looked closely at the time of Jesus' death, for example, tied it to the length of Jesus' life given in the Book of Mormon, added such things as time for Jesus' circumcision eight days after his birth, Mary's 40 days of ritual purification, the visit of wise men from the east and a two-week journey to Egypt. All those events show that "at a minimum, Jesus would have to have been born eight weeks prior to Herod's death at the beginning of April (4 B.C.)."
Chadwick then looks at the Annunciation to Mary that she would have a son named Jesus. Luke 1:26 placed this event in the sixth month — which at the time was from mid-to-late February to mid-to-late March. March of 5 B.C.
Add nine months.
"When all is said and done," Chadwick wrote, "the facts from the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the history of Josephus, combined with input from archaeological and astronomical research, all point to a day in December of 5 B.C. (late in the Jewish month of Kislev) for the date of Jesus' birth."
This means that the real date of Christmas may have, indeed, been on Dec. 25.
"It is just as possible that Jesus was born on the calendar date we call Dec. 25 as on any other date in the few weeks preceding it or following it," Chadwick wrote. "(H)is birth occurred within those December weeks that we now commonly refer to as the Christmas season."
e-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com
As a matter of review I felt it proper to link to two articles written by John P. Pratt and printed in the Ensign dating the first Easter.
Click here for the first article.
Click here for the second article.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Adam-ondi-Ahman part 4
The quote below is taken from Teaching Of The Prophet Joseph Smith. I added the bold underline print so that you would know these were all references to Adam and Adam-ondi-ahman. These are notes taken from Wilford Woodruff's Pocket Companion, therefore some of the information is sketchy.
The Prophet on Priesthood
The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Genesis 1:26, 27, 28. He had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael the Archangel, spoken of in the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel: he stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in this day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven.
Priesthood Everlasting
The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam's authority.
Adam the Oldest Man
Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.
The Spirit of Man
The spirit of man is not a created being; it existed from eternity, and will exist to eternity. Anything created cannot be eternal; and earth, water, etc., had their existence in an elementary state, from eternity. Our Savior speaks of children and says, Their angels always stand before my Father. The Father called all spirits before Him at the creation of man, and organized them. He (Adam) is the head, and was told to multiply. The keys were first given to him, and by him to others. He will have to give an account of his stewardship, and they to him.
Keys Given to Peter, James and John
The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is everlasting-without beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, etc. If there is no change of ordinances there is no change of Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered, there is the Priesthood.
Descent of Priesthood
How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down, down, in regular succession. Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others. Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next. Paul speaks of the Church coming to an innumerable company of angels-to God the Judge of all-the spirits of just men made perfect; to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:22-24.)
I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. He called together his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all, and foretold what should befall them to the latest generation.
This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God. They looked for a city, etc., "whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10.) Moses sought to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through the power of the Priesthood, but he could not. In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them; but they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul spoke of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God would gather together all things in one, etc.; and those men to whom these keys have been given, will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.
These men are in heaven, but their children are on the earth. Their bowels yearn over us. God sends down men for this reason. "And the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that give offense and them that do iniquity." (Matthew 13:41.) All these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand in bringing about this work.
We Cannot be Perfect Without Our Dead
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. The mustard seed is small, but brings forth a large tree, and the fowls lodge in the branches. The fowls are the angels. Thus angels come down, combine together to gather their children, and gather them. We cannot be made perfect without them, nor they without us; when these things are done, the Son of Man will descend, the Ancient of Days sit; we may come to an innumerable company of angels, have communion with and receive instruction from them. Paul told about Moses' proceedings; spoke of the children of Israel being baptized. (1 Cor. 10:1-4.) He knew this, and that all the ordinances and blessings were in the Church. Paul had these things, and we may have the fowls of heaven lodge in the branches, etc.
The "Horn" made war with the Saints and overcame them, until the Ancient of Days came; judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High from the Ancient of Days; the time came that the Saints possessed the Kingdom. This not only makes us ministers here, but in eternity.
No Salvation Without Revelation
Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy. Whenever salvation has been administered, it has been by testimony. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.
Signs of Second Coming Have Commenced
Men profess to prophesy. I will prophesy that the signs of the coming of the Son of Man are already commenced. One pestilence will desolate after another. We shall soon have war and bloodshed. The moon will be turned into blood. I testify of these things, and that the coming of the Son of Man is nigh, even at your doors. If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man; and after we are dead, if we are not looking forth, we shall be among those who are calling for the rocks to fall upon them.
Hearts of Children Turn to Fathers
The hearts of the children of men will have to be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children, living or dead, to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. If Elijah did not come, the whole earth would be smitten.
There will be here and there a Stake [of Zion] for the gathering of the Saints. Some may have cried peace, but the Saints and the world will have little peace from henceforth. Let this not hinder us from going to the Stakes; for God has told us to flee, not dallying, or we shall be scattered, one here, and another there. There your children shall be blessed, and you in the midst of friends where you may be blessed. The Gospel net gathers of every kind.
I prophesy, that that man who tarries after he has an opportunity of going, will be afflicted by the devil. Wars are at hand; we must not delay; but are not required to sacrifice. We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the Saints.
(Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.157- 160)
The Prophet on Priesthood
The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Genesis 1:26, 27, 28. He had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael the Archangel, spoken of in the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel: he stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in this day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven.
Priesthood Everlasting
The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam's authority.
Adam the Oldest Man
Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.
The Spirit of Man
The spirit of man is not a created being; it existed from eternity, and will exist to eternity. Anything created cannot be eternal; and earth, water, etc., had their existence in an elementary state, from eternity. Our Savior speaks of children and says, Their angels always stand before my Father. The Father called all spirits before Him at the creation of man, and organized them. He (Adam) is the head, and was told to multiply. The keys were first given to him, and by him to others. He will have to give an account of his stewardship, and they to him.
Keys Given to Peter, James and John
The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is everlasting-without beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, etc. If there is no change of ordinances there is no change of Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered, there is the Priesthood.
Descent of Priesthood
How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down, down, in regular succession. Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others. Christ is the Great High Priest; Adam next. Paul speaks of the Church coming to an innumerable company of angels-to God the Judge of all-the spirits of just men made perfect; to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:22-24.)
I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. He called together his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all, and foretold what should befall them to the latest generation.
This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God. They looked for a city, etc., "whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10.) Moses sought to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through the power of the Priesthood, but he could not. In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them; but they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul spoke of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God would gather together all things in one, etc.; and those men to whom these keys have been given, will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.
These men are in heaven, but their children are on the earth. Their bowels yearn over us. God sends down men for this reason. "And the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that give offense and them that do iniquity." (Matthew 13:41.) All these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand in bringing about this work.
We Cannot be Perfect Without Our Dead
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. The mustard seed is small, but brings forth a large tree, and the fowls lodge in the branches. The fowls are the angels. Thus angels come down, combine together to gather their children, and gather them. We cannot be made perfect without them, nor they without us; when these things are done, the Son of Man will descend, the Ancient of Days sit; we may come to an innumerable company of angels, have communion with and receive instruction from them. Paul told about Moses' proceedings; spoke of the children of Israel being baptized. (1 Cor. 10:1-4.) He knew this, and that all the ordinances and blessings were in the Church. Paul had these things, and we may have the fowls of heaven lodge in the branches, etc.
The "Horn" made war with the Saints and overcame them, until the Ancient of Days came; judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High from the Ancient of Days; the time came that the Saints possessed the Kingdom. This not only makes us ministers here, but in eternity.
No Salvation Without Revelation
Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy. Whenever salvation has been administered, it has been by testimony. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.
Signs of Second Coming Have Commenced
Men profess to prophesy. I will prophesy that the signs of the coming of the Son of Man are already commenced. One pestilence will desolate after another. We shall soon have war and bloodshed. The moon will be turned into blood. I testify of these things, and that the coming of the Son of Man is nigh, even at your doors. If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man; and after we are dead, if we are not looking forth, we shall be among those who are calling for the rocks to fall upon them.
Hearts of Children Turn to Fathers
The hearts of the children of men will have to be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children, living or dead, to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. If Elijah did not come, the whole earth would be smitten.
There will be here and there a Stake [of Zion] for the gathering of the Saints. Some may have cried peace, but the Saints and the world will have little peace from henceforth. Let this not hinder us from going to the Stakes; for God has told us to flee, not dallying, or we shall be scattered, one here, and another there. There your children shall be blessed, and you in the midst of friends where you may be blessed. The Gospel net gathers of every kind.
I prophesy, that that man who tarries after he has an opportunity of going, will be afflicted by the devil. Wars are at hand; we must not delay; but are not required to sacrifice. We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the Saints.
(Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.157- 160)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Adam-ondi-Ahman part 3
THE ANCIENT OF DAYS. Daniel speaks of Adam as the Ancient of Days. In this dispensation the Ancient of Days will sit in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; and the judgment will be set; Christ will come; and the kingdom will be turned over to Christ; and he will be sustained in his calling as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 1:, p.106)
COMING OF CHRIST AT ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN. Daniel speaks of the coming of Christ, and that day is near at hand. There will be a great gathering in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; there will be a great council held. The Ancient of Days, who is Adam, will sit. The judgment-not the final judgment-will be held, where the righteous who have held keys will make their reports and deliver up their keys and ministry. Christ will come, and Adam will make his report. At this council Christ will be received and acknowledged as the rightful ruler of the earth. Satan will be replaced. Following this event every government in the world, including the United States, will have to become part of the government of God. Then righteous rule will be established. The earth will be cleansed; the wicked will be destroyed; and the reign of peace will be ushered in.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 3:, p.13)
There will be another great gathering of saints at Adam-ondi-Ahman. Once again the Lord will be there, this time to receive from Adam, the Ancient of days, an accounting of his stewardship. This gathering, at which the Lord will be given "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him," will usher in the millennial reign. Those in attendance will be the righteous of all ages, each of whom in turn will give an accounting of his own stewardship. We suppose it will be those of all ages who shall partake of the sacrament with their risen Lord. (D&C 27:4-14.) As to their number, Daniel's account speaks of ten thousand times ten thousand and of thousands of thousands, which is to say an innumerable host. All these, being present, shall see and worship the Lord. (Dan. 7:9-14.)
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ, p.610)
With reference to the use of sacramental wine in our day, the Lord said to Joseph Smith: "You shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father's kingdom which shall be built up on the earth." In so stating, he is picking up the language he used in the upper room. Then he says: "The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth." Jesus is going to partake of the sacrament again with his mortal disciples on earth. But it will not be with mortals only. He names others who will be present and who will participate in the sacred ordinance. These include Moroni, Elias, John the Baptist, Elijah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (who was sold into Egypt), Peter, James, and John, "and also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days." Each of these is named simply by way of illustration. The grand summation of the whole matter comes in these words: "And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world." (D&C 27:4-14.) The sacrament is to be administered in a future day, on this earth, when the Lord Jesus is present, and when all the righteous of all ages are present. This, of course, will be a part of the grand council at Adam-ondi-Ahman.
Adam-ondi-Ahman-meaning the place or land of God where Adam dwelt-is at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri. This site is named by the Lord "Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet." (D&C 116.) There is a great valley there in which the righteous will assemble; and where there are valleys, the surrounding elevations are called mountains. Thus our revelations speak of "the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman" and of "the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt." (D&C 117:8.) Sacred indeed is the whole region for what has taken place and what will take place in its environs.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, the land of God, the dwelling place of Adam-surely it is a blessed and holy place! There Adam our Prince will give an accounting to Christ our King. The Prince serves the King! The King always is supreme, though he honors the Prince by giving him power and dominion over his realms for an appointed season. But when the King returns, the Prince steps aside, and the Supreme Lord of all rules and reigns on earth. And thus, as the Lord lives, has it been and will it be.
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.587-588)
But Daniel has yet more to say about the great events soon to transpire at Adam-ondi-Ahman. And we need not suppose that all these things shall happen in one single meeting or at one single hour in time. It is proper to hold numerous meetings at a general conference, some for the instruction of leaders, others for edification of all the saints. In some, business is transacted; others are for worship and spiritual refreshment. And so Daniel says: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." Christ comes to Adam, who is sitting in glory. He comes to conform to his own priestal order. He comes to hear the report of Adam for his stewardship. He comes to take back the keys of the earthly kingdom. He comes to be invested with glory and dominion so that he can reign personally upon the earth. As President Joseph Fielding Smith expresses it: "Our Lord will then assume the reigns of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled." (The Way to Perfection, p. 291.) Thus Daniel says: "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
Daniel also tells us of the conflict between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God. In spite of the opposition of the world, he says, "the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." And also: "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." In this present world Lucifer reigns. This is the great day of his power. The kingdoms of men prevail in many ways over the Church and kingdom of God. Evil forces "devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces." But Lucifer's day is limited; he shall soon be bound. "The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy" the Lord's work and his kingdom. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Dan. 7:13-27.)
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.585-586)
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 1:, p.106)
COMING OF CHRIST AT ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN. Daniel speaks of the coming of Christ, and that day is near at hand. There will be a great gathering in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; there will be a great council held. The Ancient of Days, who is Adam, will sit. The judgment-not the final judgment-will be held, where the righteous who have held keys will make their reports and deliver up their keys and ministry. Christ will come, and Adam will make his report. At this council Christ will be received and acknowledged as the rightful ruler of the earth. Satan will be replaced. Following this event every government in the world, including the United States, will have to become part of the government of God. Then righteous rule will be established. The earth will be cleansed; the wicked will be destroyed; and the reign of peace will be ushered in.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 3:, p.13)
There will be another great gathering of saints at Adam-ondi-Ahman. Once again the Lord will be there, this time to receive from Adam, the Ancient of days, an accounting of his stewardship. This gathering, at which the Lord will be given "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him," will usher in the millennial reign. Those in attendance will be the righteous of all ages, each of whom in turn will give an accounting of his own stewardship. We suppose it will be those of all ages who shall partake of the sacrament with their risen Lord. (D&C 27:4-14.) As to their number, Daniel's account speaks of ten thousand times ten thousand and of thousands of thousands, which is to say an innumerable host. All these, being present, shall see and worship the Lord. (Dan. 7:9-14.)
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ, p.610)
With reference to the use of sacramental wine in our day, the Lord said to Joseph Smith: "You shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father's kingdom which shall be built up on the earth." In so stating, he is picking up the language he used in the upper room. Then he says: "The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth." Jesus is going to partake of the sacrament again with his mortal disciples on earth. But it will not be with mortals only. He names others who will be present and who will participate in the sacred ordinance. These include Moroni, Elias, John the Baptist, Elijah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (who was sold into Egypt), Peter, James, and John, "and also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days." Each of these is named simply by way of illustration. The grand summation of the whole matter comes in these words: "And also with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world." (D&C 27:4-14.) The sacrament is to be administered in a future day, on this earth, when the Lord Jesus is present, and when all the righteous of all ages are present. This, of course, will be a part of the grand council at Adam-ondi-Ahman.
Adam-ondi-Ahman-meaning the place or land of God where Adam dwelt-is at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri. This site is named by the Lord "Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet." (D&C 116.) There is a great valley there in which the righteous will assemble; and where there are valleys, the surrounding elevations are called mountains. Thus our revelations speak of "the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman" and of "the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt." (D&C 117:8.) Sacred indeed is the whole region for what has taken place and what will take place in its environs.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, the land of God, the dwelling place of Adam-surely it is a blessed and holy place! There Adam our Prince will give an accounting to Christ our King. The Prince serves the King! The King always is supreme, though he honors the Prince by giving him power and dominion over his realms for an appointed season. But when the King returns, the Prince steps aside, and the Supreme Lord of all rules and reigns on earth. And thus, as the Lord lives, has it been and will it be.
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.587-588)
But Daniel has yet more to say about the great events soon to transpire at Adam-ondi-Ahman. And we need not suppose that all these things shall happen in one single meeting or at one single hour in time. It is proper to hold numerous meetings at a general conference, some for the instruction of leaders, others for edification of all the saints. In some, business is transacted; others are for worship and spiritual refreshment. And so Daniel says: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." Christ comes to Adam, who is sitting in glory. He comes to conform to his own priestal order. He comes to hear the report of Adam for his stewardship. He comes to take back the keys of the earthly kingdom. He comes to be invested with glory and dominion so that he can reign personally upon the earth. As President Joseph Fielding Smith expresses it: "Our Lord will then assume the reigns of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled." (The Way to Perfection, p. 291.) Thus Daniel says: "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
Daniel also tells us of the conflict between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God. In spite of the opposition of the world, he says, "the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." And also: "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." In this present world Lucifer reigns. This is the great day of his power. The kingdoms of men prevail in many ways over the Church and kingdom of God. Evil forces "devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces." But Lucifer's day is limited; he shall soon be bound. "The judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy" the Lord's work and his kingdom. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Dan. 7:13-27.)
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.585-586)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Adam-ondi-Ahman part 2
(Elder Joseph Fielding Smith)
This council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman is to be of the greatest importance to this world. At that time there will be a transfer of authority from the usurper and imposter, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ. Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct this judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reigns of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters concerning the destiny of this earth.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, p.291)
(Elder Orson Pratt)
You may ask, Why the necessity of this vast multitude from the heavens to assemble here on the earth? It is to fulfill many prophecies besides that of Daniel; it is to fulfill prophecies that have been predicted by all holy men that understood the great events of the latter days, that the Saints who are in heaven are to come down here on the earth, and are to be organized here on the earth, and are to be united with the Saints on the earth, as one grand company, each one understanding his place. I do not think there will be any contentions or jealousies, as for instance, whether the high Priests are greater than the Seventies, but all will understand their proper place and position, because their positions will be pointed out to them by the Ancient of Days, the father and prince of all, even down to those last ordained to the Priesthood. Perhaps these records will recall the positions we are all to occupy; for I believe, to the Lord was known the end from the beginning.
But why all this? Why should it be given to all to know their proper places? Why should the books be opened, and why should the fourth beast be destroyed and the body given to the burning flame? It is explained in the same connection-"I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven."
To whom does this glorious personage come? He comes to the Ancient of Days. What, that personage coming in glory, majesty and dominion, with the clouds of heaven, to the Ancient of Days! What for? In order that he might receive from him the kingdom, in its order, every person standing in his proper position, everything organized after the most perfect order. The Ancient of Days delivers up the kingdom, thus completed, to the Son of Man, whose dominion becomes so great that all peoples, nations and languages serve him; and his dominion is everlasting and shall have no end.
I do not know how there could be anything more perfect for the coming of Christ than what is here recorded. It is certainly a great and grand work; and without such a work everything would be in confusion at his coming. How great and glorious will be that period when Jesus will come in the clouds of heaven! He makes this preparation beforehand, so that there may be a people ready to receive him. People of mortality, as well as immortal beings, all knowing their positions, will form the grand Council, and they will be organized ready to receive Jesus when he comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords upon the earth.
(Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 26 vols., 18:, p.344-345)
(Elder John Taylor)
ESTABLISHING THE KINGDOM: THE GREAT COUNCIL AT ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN.-A great council will then be held to adjust the affairs of the world, from the commencement, over which Father Adam will preside as head and representative of the human family.. . . .
Then they will assemble to regulate all these affairs, and all that held keys of authority to administer will then represent their earthly course. And, as this authority has been handed down from one to another in different ages, and in different dispensations, a full reckoning will have to be made by all. All who have held the keys of priesthood will then have to give an account to those from whom they received them. Those that were in the heavens have been assisting those that were upon the earth; but then, they will unite together in a general council to give an account of their stewardships, and as in the various ages men have received their power to administer from those who had previously held the keys thereof, there will be a general account.
Those under the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have to give an account of their transactions to those who direct them in the priesthood; hence the elders give an account to presidents of conferences; and presidents of conferences to presidents of nations. Those presidents and the seventies give an account to the twelve apostles; the twelve to the First Presidency; and they to Joseph, from whom they, and the twelve, received their priesthood. This will include the arrangements of the last dispensation. Joseph delivers his authority to Peter, who held the keys before him, and delivered them to him; and Peter to Moses and Elias, who endowed him with this authority on the Mount; and they to those from whom they received them. And thus the world's affairs will be regulated and put right, the restitution of all things be accomplished, and the kingdom of God be ushered in. The earth will be delivered from under the curse, resume its paradisiacal glory, and all things pertaining to its restoration be fulfilled.
Not only will the earth be restored, but also man; and those promises which, long ago, were the hope of the Saints, will be realized. The faithful servants of God who have lived in every age will then come forth and experience the full fruition of that joy for which they lived, and hoped, and suffered, and died. The tombs will deliver up their captives, and reunited with the spirits which once animated, vivified, cheered, and sustained them while in this vale of tears, these bodies will be like unto Christ's glorious body. They will then rejoice in that resurrection for which they lived, while they sojourned below.
Adam, Seth, Enoch, and the faithful who lived before the flood, will possess their proper inheritance. Noah and Melchizedek will stand in their proper places. Abraham, with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise, will come forward at the head of innumerable multitudes, and possess that land which God gave unto them for an everlasting inheritance. The faithful on the continent of America will also stand in their proper place; but, as this will be the time of the restitution of all things, and all things will not be fully restored at once, there will be a distinction between the resurrected bodies, and those that have not been resurrected; and, as the scriptures say that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption; and although the world will enjoy just laws-an equitable administration, and universal peace and happiness prevail as the result of this righteousness; yet, there will be a peculiar habitation for the resurrected bodies. This habitation may be compared to paradise, whence man, in the beginning, was driven.
THE KINGDOM A CHURCH AND STATE.-Was the kingdom that the prophets talked about, that should be set up in the latter times, going to be a church? Yes. And a state? Yes, it was going to be both church and state, to rule both temporally and spiritually. It may be asked, How can we live under the dominion and laws of the United States and be subjects of another kingdom? Because the kingdom of God is higher, and its laws are so much more exalted than those of any other nation, that it is the easiest thing in life for a servant of God to keep any of their laws; and, as I have said before, this we have uniformly done.-JD, 6: 23-24, November 1, 1857.
(John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor, selected, arranged, and edited, with an introduction by G. Homer Durham, p.216-218)
This council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman is to be of the greatest importance to this world. At that time there will be a transfer of authority from the usurper and imposter, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ. Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct this judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reigns of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters concerning the destiny of this earth.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, p.291)
(Elder Orson Pratt)
You may ask, Why the necessity of this vast multitude from the heavens to assemble here on the earth? It is to fulfill many prophecies besides that of Daniel; it is to fulfill prophecies that have been predicted by all holy men that understood the great events of the latter days, that the Saints who are in heaven are to come down here on the earth, and are to be organized here on the earth, and are to be united with the Saints on the earth, as one grand company, each one understanding his place. I do not think there will be any contentions or jealousies, as for instance, whether the high Priests are greater than the Seventies, but all will understand their proper place and position, because their positions will be pointed out to them by the Ancient of Days, the father and prince of all, even down to those last ordained to the Priesthood. Perhaps these records will recall the positions we are all to occupy; for I believe, to the Lord was known the end from the beginning.
But why all this? Why should it be given to all to know their proper places? Why should the books be opened, and why should the fourth beast be destroyed and the body given to the burning flame? It is explained in the same connection-"I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven."
To whom does this glorious personage come? He comes to the Ancient of Days. What, that personage coming in glory, majesty and dominion, with the clouds of heaven, to the Ancient of Days! What for? In order that he might receive from him the kingdom, in its order, every person standing in his proper position, everything organized after the most perfect order. The Ancient of Days delivers up the kingdom, thus completed, to the Son of Man, whose dominion becomes so great that all peoples, nations and languages serve him; and his dominion is everlasting and shall have no end.
I do not know how there could be anything more perfect for the coming of Christ than what is here recorded. It is certainly a great and grand work; and without such a work everything would be in confusion at his coming. How great and glorious will be that period when Jesus will come in the clouds of heaven! He makes this preparation beforehand, so that there may be a people ready to receive him. People of mortality, as well as immortal beings, all knowing their positions, will form the grand Council, and they will be organized ready to receive Jesus when he comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords upon the earth.
(Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 26 vols., 18:, p.344-345)
(Elder John Taylor)
ESTABLISHING THE KINGDOM: THE GREAT COUNCIL AT ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN.-A great council will then be held to adjust the affairs of the world, from the commencement, over which Father Adam will preside as head and representative of the human family.. . . .
Then they will assemble to regulate all these affairs, and all that held keys of authority to administer will then represent their earthly course. And, as this authority has been handed down from one to another in different ages, and in different dispensations, a full reckoning will have to be made by all. All who have held the keys of priesthood will then have to give an account to those from whom they received them. Those that were in the heavens have been assisting those that were upon the earth; but then, they will unite together in a general council to give an account of their stewardships, and as in the various ages men have received their power to administer from those who had previously held the keys thereof, there will be a general account.
Those under the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have to give an account of their transactions to those who direct them in the priesthood; hence the elders give an account to presidents of conferences; and presidents of conferences to presidents of nations. Those presidents and the seventies give an account to the twelve apostles; the twelve to the First Presidency; and they to Joseph, from whom they, and the twelve, received their priesthood. This will include the arrangements of the last dispensation. Joseph delivers his authority to Peter, who held the keys before him, and delivered them to him; and Peter to Moses and Elias, who endowed him with this authority on the Mount; and they to those from whom they received them. And thus the world's affairs will be regulated and put right, the restitution of all things be accomplished, and the kingdom of God be ushered in. The earth will be delivered from under the curse, resume its paradisiacal glory, and all things pertaining to its restoration be fulfilled.
Not only will the earth be restored, but also man; and those promises which, long ago, were the hope of the Saints, will be realized. The faithful servants of God who have lived in every age will then come forth and experience the full fruition of that joy for which they lived, and hoped, and suffered, and died. The tombs will deliver up their captives, and reunited with the spirits which once animated, vivified, cheered, and sustained them while in this vale of tears, these bodies will be like unto Christ's glorious body. They will then rejoice in that resurrection for which they lived, while they sojourned below.
Adam, Seth, Enoch, and the faithful who lived before the flood, will possess their proper inheritance. Noah and Melchizedek will stand in their proper places. Abraham, with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise, will come forward at the head of innumerable multitudes, and possess that land which God gave unto them for an everlasting inheritance. The faithful on the continent of America will also stand in their proper place; but, as this will be the time of the restitution of all things, and all things will not be fully restored at once, there will be a distinction between the resurrected bodies, and those that have not been resurrected; and, as the scriptures say that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption; and although the world will enjoy just laws-an equitable administration, and universal peace and happiness prevail as the result of this righteousness; yet, there will be a peculiar habitation for the resurrected bodies. This habitation may be compared to paradise, whence man, in the beginning, was driven.
THE KINGDOM A CHURCH AND STATE.-Was the kingdom that the prophets talked about, that should be set up in the latter times, going to be a church? Yes. And a state? Yes, it was going to be both church and state, to rule both temporally and spiritually. It may be asked, How can we live under the dominion and laws of the United States and be subjects of another kingdom? Because the kingdom of God is higher, and its laws are so much more exalted than those of any other nation, that it is the easiest thing in life for a servant of God to keep any of their laws; and, as I have said before, this we have uniformly done.-JD, 6: 23-24, November 1, 1857.
(John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor, selected, arranged, and edited, with an introduction by G. Homer Durham, p.216-218)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Adam-ondi-Ahman part 1
He Cometh to Adam-Ondi-Ahman
We now come to the least known and least understood thing connected with the Second Coming. It might well be termed the best-kept secret set forth in the revealed word. It is something about which the world knows nothing; it is a doctrine that has scarcely dawned on most of the Latter-day Saints themselves; and yet it is set forth in holy writ and in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith with substantially the same clarity as any of the doctrines of the kingdom. It behooves us to make a needed brief commentary about it.
Before the Lord Jesus descends openly and publicly in the clouds of glory, attended by all the hosts of heaven; before the great and dreadful day of the Lord sends terror and destruction from one end of the earth to the other; before he stands on Mount Zion, or sets his feet on Olivet, or utters his voice from an American Zion or a Jewish Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before any of his appearances, which taken together comprise the second coming of the Son of God-before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to selected members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living. Those who have held keys and powers and authorities in all ages from Adam to the present will also be present. And further, all the faithful members of the Church then living and all the faithful saints of all the ages past will be present. It will be the greatest congregation of faithful saints ever assembled on planet earth. It will be a sacrament meeting. It will be a day of judgment for the faithful of all the ages. And it will take place in Daviess County, Missouri, at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, of eternal fame, first comes to our attention because of a great conference held there by Father Adam in his day. "Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing." Nearly a thousand years had then passed since the first man and the first woman had stepped from Eden's garden into the lone and dreary world, there to begin the procreative processes that peopled a planet. We do not know how many million mortals made this earth their home in that day, or how many of them were true and faithful to that Lord whom Adam served. Disease and plagues were not then as common and horrendous as they are now. The physical bodies of earth's inhabitants had not yet degenerated to the disease-ridden, germ-governed shells of their former glory that is now the norm. We can suppose the population of the earth far exceeded that of later ages when the ills of the flesh and a rising infant mortality set a sin-inflicted limit on the numbers of men. And it is not unreasonable to suppose that many righteous spirits were born in that blessed day and that the numbers of the righteous were exceedingly great. We may not be amiss in supposing that many millions responded to the call to come to a general conference in Adam-ondi-Ahman.
This we do know, however: "The Lord appeared unto them"-Jesus Christ their King stood in their midst-"and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel." How great and glorious is the eternal stature of the first man! "And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation." Such is an abbreviated account of what happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in that pristine day. Our revelation that recites these words closes with the statement: "These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time." (D&C 107:53-57.)
When the full account comes to us, we suppose we shall read of the offering of sacrifices in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten; of the testimonies borne by both men and women; of great doctrinal sermons delivered by the preachers of righteousness who then ministered among them; and of the outpouring of spiritual gifts upon the faithful then assembled. What visions they must have seen; what revelations they must have received; what feelings of rapture must have filled their bosoms as they feasted upon the things of eternity! Did Adam speak of the great latter-day gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman, and did the faithful see with their spirit eyes what was then to be? These and a thousand other things "are to be testified of in due time." But this we do know: All that happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in those early days was but a type and a shadow-a similitude, if you will-of what shall happen at the same blessed place in the last days when Adam and Christ and the residue of men who are righteous assemble again in solemn worship.
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.578-580)
Before the Son of Man comes to reign personally upon the earth; before he descends in flaming fire with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment upon the ungodly; before he comes in the clouds of heaven, in all the glory of his Father's kingdom; before he sets his feet once again upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem; before he stands with 144,000 high priests on Mount Zion in Missouri; before he suddenly comes to his temple; before he utters his voice from the land of Zion and from Old Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before all of the appearances that, taken together, comprise the Second Coming-before all these, he will come in private to Adam-ondi-Ahman. Why and for what reason? To receive back from his servants of all ages the keys they have used to govern his earthly kingdom. Then and then only will he deign to reign personally. Now the voice of his servants is his voice, and they act pursuant to the divine commission he has given them. Then the keys will vest again in their rightful owner, and his voice and his power will be manifest to all men.
(Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.640)
We now come to the least known and least understood thing connected with the Second Coming. It might well be termed the best-kept secret set forth in the revealed word. It is something about which the world knows nothing; it is a doctrine that has scarcely dawned on most of the Latter-day Saints themselves; and yet it is set forth in holy writ and in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith with substantially the same clarity as any of the doctrines of the kingdom. It behooves us to make a needed brief commentary about it.
Before the Lord Jesus descends openly and publicly in the clouds of glory, attended by all the hosts of heaven; before the great and dreadful day of the Lord sends terror and destruction from one end of the earth to the other; before he stands on Mount Zion, or sets his feet on Olivet, or utters his voice from an American Zion or a Jewish Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before any of his appearances, which taken together comprise the second coming of the Son of God-before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to selected members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living. Those who have held keys and powers and authorities in all ages from Adam to the present will also be present. And further, all the faithful members of the Church then living and all the faithful saints of all the ages past will be present. It will be the greatest congregation of faithful saints ever assembled on planet earth. It will be a sacrament meeting. It will be a day of judgment for the faithful of all the ages. And it will take place in Daviess County, Missouri, at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, of eternal fame, first comes to our attention because of a great conference held there by Father Adam in his day. "Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing." Nearly a thousand years had then passed since the first man and the first woman had stepped from Eden's garden into the lone and dreary world, there to begin the procreative processes that peopled a planet. We do not know how many million mortals made this earth their home in that day, or how many of them were true and faithful to that Lord whom Adam served. Disease and plagues were not then as common and horrendous as they are now. The physical bodies of earth's inhabitants had not yet degenerated to the disease-ridden, germ-governed shells of their former glory that is now the norm. We can suppose the population of the earth far exceeded that of later ages when the ills of the flesh and a rising infant mortality set a sin-inflicted limit on the numbers of men. And it is not unreasonable to suppose that many righteous spirits were born in that blessed day and that the numbers of the righteous were exceedingly great. We may not be amiss in supposing that many millions responded to the call to come to a general conference in Adam-ondi-Ahman.
This we do know, however: "The Lord appeared unto them"-Jesus Christ their King stood in their midst-"and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel." How great and glorious is the eternal stature of the first man! "And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation." Such is an abbreviated account of what happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in that pristine day. Our revelation that recites these words closes with the statement: "These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time." (D&C 107:53-57.)
When the full account comes to us, we suppose we shall read of the offering of sacrifices in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten; of the testimonies borne by both men and women; of great doctrinal sermons delivered by the preachers of righteousness who then ministered among them; and of the outpouring of spiritual gifts upon the faithful then assembled. What visions they must have seen; what revelations they must have received; what feelings of rapture must have filled their bosoms as they feasted upon the things of eternity! Did Adam speak of the great latter-day gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman, and did the faithful see with their spirit eyes what was then to be? These and a thousand other things "are to be testified of in due time." But this we do know: All that happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in those early days was but a type and a shadow-a similitude, if you will-of what shall happen at the same blessed place in the last days when Adam and Christ and the residue of men who are righteous assemble again in solemn worship.
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.578-580)
Before the Son of Man comes to reign personally upon the earth; before he descends in flaming fire with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment upon the ungodly; before he comes in the clouds of heaven, in all the glory of his Father's kingdom; before he sets his feet once again upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem; before he stands with 144,000 high priests on Mount Zion in Missouri; before he suddenly comes to his temple; before he utters his voice from the land of Zion and from Old Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before all of the appearances that, taken together, comprise the Second Coming-before all these, he will come in private to Adam-ondi-Ahman. Why and for what reason? To receive back from his servants of all ages the keys they have used to govern his earthly kingdom. Then and then only will he deign to reign personally. Now the voice of his servants is his voice, and they act pursuant to the divine commission he has given them. Then the keys will vest again in their rightful owner, and his voice and his power will be manifest to all men.
(Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.640)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Funeral For Bob Field
Bob Field is the husband of our Claire Field who is our registrar for our BYU Adult Education class at the Granite Stake Tabernacle. The details are as follows:
Sundberg Olpin Mortuary - 495 South State Street - Orem, Utah
A one hour funeral will be held Tuesday Nov 9th at 11 a.m.
Family will receive guests starting at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday prior to the funeral.
Monday night, Nov 8th from 6-8 p.m. family and friends will gather at the Mortuary.
Bob Field's Obituary:
Sundberg Olpin Mortuary - 495 South State Street - Orem, Utah
A one hour funeral will be held Tuesday Nov 9th at 11 a.m.
Family will receive guests starting at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday prior to the funeral.
Monday night, Nov 8th from 6-8 p.m. family and friends will gather at the Mortuary.
Bob Field's Obituary:
Bob Field
1936 - 2010
Robert Daniel Seegmiller Field, age 74, passed away in his Provo home on 4 Nov 2010, six months after being diagnosed with gastro-esophageal stomach cancer. Sincere appreciation to Vista Care Hospice Nurse Nancy Trapnell, Dr. Gary Garner, Holly, Sue, and Rosemary for their help in his final hours.
Bob was born 29 May 1936 in The Bronx, New York, to William Daniel and Leonore Sprie Seegmiller. His father died when Bob was 8 months old. Bob was raised by his mother and stepfather Samuel Berkman Field in Flushing, New York. He served LDS mission in Eastern Canada. Graduated 1961 from BYU Provo, Utah. Married Claire Crowley 17 Aug 1961 in Los Angeles Temple. His business career included VP Olson Farms, North Hollywood; president of Egg City, Moorpark, CA.
Bob is survived by his wife and their six children: Scott (Noriko) of Osaka, Japan; Brady of Bountiful, UT; Julie (Kevin) Poore, Frazee, MN; Stacey (Craig) Loe, Draper, UT; Kelly Carlson Farmington, UT; Craig (Natalie) of Alexandria, VA; 15 grandchildren; brother Gene (Jayne) Field, Florida; sisters Susan (Jim) Walles, Utah; Kathy Field, Arizona.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday Nov 9, at 11 at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah. The family will receive family and friends for a closed casket viewing from 6-8 Monday night Nov 8, and from 9:45-10:45 prior to the service. Interment at Orem City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to sundbergolpinmortuary.com.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Jeremiah
- The meaning of his name is uncertain. It may mean, The Lord exalts or the Lord throws down. The essence of his name may be found in Jeremiah 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull-down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
- His ministry began 626 B.C. and ended 586 B.C.
- He was preceded by the Prophet Zephaniah and concurrent with Lehi, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Daniel, Urijah, and possibly Obediah, and Hulda (Prophetess).
- He was told that he was called and ordained in pre-earth life (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
- His best friend was his scribe Baruch who would also publicly deliver/read Jeremiah's prophecies.
- Commanded not to marry in this place (Jeremiah 16:1-4)
- Known as the weeping Prophet (Jeremiah 4:19, 9:1, 10:19-20, 23:9, and Lamentations).
- Put in stocks (Jeremiah 20:2-3; imprisoned and thrown in a miry pit (Jeremiah 37-38). He may have spent the entire time of Zedekiah's reign in prison which was eleven years.
- He was a Priest from the town of Anathoth and of the household of Hilkiah.
- He struggled with his calling and role in life. He seemed to be timid. He wrote six confessions of how he felt: Jeremiah 11:18-23, 12:1-4, 15:10-21, 17:12-18, 18:18-23, 20:7-18.
- The following are dramatizations that typified his message:
- The ruined sash Jeremiah 13:1-12
- Smashed clay jar Jeremiah 19:1-12
- Yoke and crossbar Jeremiah 27
- Large stones in brick pavement before Pharaoh's home
- He was not allowed to participate in funeral meals or feasting Jeremiah 16:5-9
- The potters clay Jeremiah 18:1-10
- The two baskets of figs Jeremiah 24
- Told not to marry in this place Jeremiah 16:1-4
- Jeremiah 2:1-3:5
- Jeremiah 3:6-6:30
- Jeremiah chapters 7-10
- Jeremiah chapters 11-13
- Jeremiah chapters 14-17
- Jeremiah chapter 18-20
Jeremiah 30:18-21; 31:6, 8, 9, 27-28, 31-33
Important covenant imagery is found in Jeremiah 34:8-22 which finds a latter-day reference in D&C 6:2; 11:2; 12:2; and 14:2.
Monday, October 4, 2010
We Have Moved Too Far To Mainstream.
And as we move forward into a wonderful future, there are what some may regard as the lesser commandments but which are also of such tremendous importance.
I mention the Sabbath day. The Sabbath of the Lord is becoming the play day of the people. It is a day of golf and football on television, of buying and selling in our stores and markets. Are we moving to mainstream America as some observers believe? In this I fear we are. What a telling thing it is to see the parking lots of the markets filled on Sunday in communities that are predominately LDS.
Our strength for the future, our resolution to grow the Church across the world, will be weakened if we violate the will of the Lord in this important matter. He has so very clearly spoken anciently and again in modern revelation. We cannot disregard with impunity that which He has said.
We must observe the Word of Wisdom. As we read our newspapers, as we watch the television news, these remarkable words first spoken in 1833 come to life before our very eyes: “In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you” (D&C 89:4). People are becoming increasingly health conscious. We have a running start on the world, a code so simple and easily understood. Not long ago I met Dr. James E. Enstrom of the University of California at Los Angeles. He is not a member of the Church. He speaks with complete objectivity. His studies indicate that actuarially speaking, Latter-day Saints live about 10 years longer than their peers.
Who can set a price on 10 years of life? What a remarkable and wonderful blessing is this Word of Wisdom.
Reporters whom I have met simply cannot believe that we pay 10 percent of our income as tithing. I explain that this is a spiritual phenomenon. We pay because we are obedient to the commandment of the Lord. We pay because we have faith in His munificent promises. Let us teach our children while they are yet young of the great opportunity and responsibility of paying tithing. If we do so, there will be another generation, and yet another, who will walk in the ways of the Lord and merit His promised blessing.
Perhaps our greatest concern is with families. The family is falling apart all over the world. The old ties that bound together father and mother and children are breaking everywhere. We must face this in our own midst. There are too many broken homes among our own. The love that led to marriage somehow evaporates, and hatred fills its place. Hearts are broken, children weep. Can we not do better? Of course, we can. It is selfishness that brings about most of these tragedies. If there is forbearance, if there is forgiveness, if there is an anxious looking after the happiness of one’s companion, then love will flourish and blossom.
As I look to the future, I see little to feel enthusiastic about concerning the family in America and across the world. Drugs and alcohol are taking a terrible toll, which is not likely to decrease. Harsh language, one to another, indifference to the needs of one another—all seem to be increasing. There is so much of child abuse. There is so much of spouse abuse. There is growing abuse of the elderly. All of this will happen and get worse unless there is an underlying acknowledgment, yes, a strong and fervent conviction, concerning the fact that the family is an instrument of the Almighty. It is His creation. It is also the basic unit of society.
I lift a warning voice to our people. We have moved too far toward the mainstream of society in this matter. Now, of course there are good families. There are good families everywhere. But there are too many who are in trouble. This is a malady with a cure. The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love. It is plain, simple, everyday love and respect. It is a tender plant that needs nurturing. But it is worth all of the effort we can put into it.
Ensign, November 1997, p 69
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Power Of The Holy Ghost And Truth
SPIRIT SPEAKING TO SPIRIT. The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten. So positive and powerful are the teachings of the Spirit that when a man receives this knowledge and partakes of this power of God, which can only come after receiving the covenants and obligations belonging to the new and everlasting covenant, and he then turns away from this knowledge and these covenants, he sins knowingly.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 1:, p.47)
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 1:, p.47)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Temporary Building Change For Thursday Old Testament Class That Meets In South Jordan at 11:00 am
This Thursday, September 2, there will be a funeral at the South Jordan Stake Center on 10400 South. Our Old Testament Class will be held in the chapel on 9800 South 2556 West in South Jordan. This change is for this coming Thursday only.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Keys To Understanding The Scriptures
Sunday, August 22, 2010
BYU Campus Education Week Broadcast Talk by Robert J. Norman given August 17, 2010
Title: The Millennial Reign of Christ on the Earth
By: Robert J. Norman
INTRODUCTION
Latter-day scriptures teach us that the earth was designed to become our Celestial Kingdom and the ultimate place of our land of inheritance as promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. (D&C 88:17-20)
We are also taught that we, as children of God, have the potential of becoming like Him. (D&C 132:20) In order for this to happen both the earth and mankind need to be cleansed and made pure and holy. The Millennial reign of Christ is an important step to this end. Significant changes need to take place on the earth and in man so that they both may reach their divine potential.
In order for the Abrahamic covenant to be fulfilled the earth must fill the measure of its creation and be sanctified and be prepared for its Celestial glory. God’s children also need to be sanctified and be made holy to fill the measure of their creation to be exalted and enthroned in the Celestial Kingdom.
The Millennial reign of Christ on the earth is an important part of this preparation for the earth and man.
MILLENNIUM CANNOT BE COMPREHENDED AT THIS TIME
Isaiah declares that we cannot fully comprehend the glory of the Millennial reign of Christ.
Isaiah states,
Isa 64:4
4 For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
However, both ancient and latter day prophets have blest us by giving descriptions of this holy and very essential period of the earth’s history. We are then better able to understand how the Lord will bring to pass his purposes for both the earth and his children.
ALL TO BE MEMBERS
Just as the Books of Helaman and Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon are a pattern for the second coming of Christ, so does 4 Nephi point us to some of the great blessings that await the faithful in the millennium. We will look at these changes a little later in this presentation. It is important to note that when the Lord visited the Nephites and Lamanites there were both covenant members of his kingdom and those who had not yet entered into the covenant. However, in a very short time all were converted to the Lord. There appears to be a transitional period of missionary work until all are converted.
4 Ne 1:2
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
When the Lord comes again there will be both members and non-members on the earth. They will all be worthy of being on the earth at his coming. There appears to be a transitional period of missionary work in which the inhabitants of the earth will decide whether or not to follow Christ. However, eventually all will enter into the covenant and become members. Here is what the Prophet Joseph Smith had to say about the matter:
While in conversation at Judge Adams' during the evening, I said, Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God, and must eventually be destroyed from the earth. (Dec. 30, 1842.)
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.268)
We know that the wicked will be destroyed at the coming of Christ so in what context must the term “wicked” be understood? While an apostle Elder Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say about the wicked during the millennium,
The Prophet's statement that there will be wicked men on the earth during the millennium has caused considerable confusion in the minds of many who have read in the Scripture in many places that when Christ comes the earth shall be cleansed from its wickedness, and that the wicked shall not stand, but shall be consumed. See D&C 5:18-19, 29:8-10, 101:23-25; Isaiah 24:1-3; Malachi 4:1. The evil-minded inhabitants, those "who love and make a lie" and are guilty of all manner of corruption, will be consumed and pass away when Christ comes. In using the term "wicked men" in this instruction at the home of Judge Adams, the Prophet did so in the same sense in which the Lord uses it in the eighty-fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, 49-53. The Lord in this scripture speaks of those who have not received the Gospel as being under the bondage of sin, and hence "wicked." However, many of these people are honorable, clean living men, but they have not embraced the Gospel. The inhabitants of the terrestrial order will remain on the earth during the millennium, and this class are without the Gospel ordinances. See D&C 76:73-76.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.269)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie discusses this concept further,
. . . wickedness is a matter of degree, and even those who are upright and decent by worldly standards but who reject the gospel and do not worship the true God are considered to be wicked by gospel standards. They are "under the bondage of sin." They do not accept the message of the restoration and gain a remission of their sins in the waters of baptism. "And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now." (D&C 84:49-53.) Thus the divine word, as given by Zechariah, says that "it shall come to pass"-in the millennial day-"that every one that is left [after Armageddon] of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." (Zech. 14:16-19.) Thus there will be many churches on earth when the millennium begins. False worship will continue among those whose desires are good, "who are honorable men of the earth," but who have been "blinded by the craftiness of men." (D&C 76:75.) Plagues will rest upon them until they repent and believe the gospel or are destroyed, as the Prophet said. It follows that missionary work will continue into the Millennium until all who remain are converted. Then "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9.) Then every living soul on earth will belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(The Millennial Messiah, p.651)
Jeremiah further teaches us that in the millennium all will know the Lord and no longer need to be taught about him,
Jer 31:34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
MISSIONARY WORK AND TEMPLE/FAMILY HISTORY WORK IN THE MILLENNIUM
Both missionary work and temple and family history work will be a critical part of the millennium. As already pointed out, the time will come in the millennium when all will be members. Temple and family history work will continue until we present in the Lord’s holy temple a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation. (D&C 121:24)
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught,
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. The Apostle (Paul) says, "They without us cannot be made perfect;" (Hebrews 11:40) for it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead for the fulness of the dispensation of times-a dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world for the salvation of man.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.356)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith explained,
President Brigham Young has said that during the millennium those on the other side will work hand in hand with those in mortality and will furnish the names of the dead which we are unable to obtain through our research, and thus every soul that is entitled to these blessings shall be ferreted out and his work done for him.
(Doctrines of Salvation, 2:, p.120)
THE IMPACT OF THE LORD’S VISIT TO THE NEPHITES AND LAMANITES
The Lord’s visit to the Nephites and Lamanites had a powerful affect on their civilization for almost two hundred years. There were many changes in their civilization because of the Savior’s influence and teachings to them. These changes give us an insight into some of the conditions of millennial life. Some of the changes recorded in 4 Nephi were as follows:
· There were no contentions or disputations – v. 2
· They had all things in common and there were no rich or poor – v. 3
· They were all partakers of the heavenly gift – v. 3
· Many miracles were wrought by the disciples of Jesus – v. 5
· They did prosper exceedingly – v. 7
· The birthrate significantly increased – v. 10
· They were blessed in their marriages – v. 11
· There were never a happier people among God’s children – v. 16
· There were no robbers, no murderers, no discrimination or class distinction – v. 17
· They were blessed and prospered by God in all that they did – v. 18
TWO CAPTALS DURING THE MILLENNIUM
When the Savior returns in glory to reign over the whole earth, he will have two capitals. His political capital shall be the New Jerusalem which is now located in Missouri. This was the location of the fall of Adam. His ecclesiastical capital will be in Old Jerusalem where he worked out the atonement. (see A New Witness For The Articles Of Faith, p. 641)
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE EARTH DURING THE MILLENNIUM
There are to be many significant changes to the earth during Christ’s Millennial reign.
In the D&C 101:23-36 the Lord tells us to prepare ourselves for the revelation that is to take place at his coming. The scripture then proceeds to list many of the changes to expect. Let us first look at this descriptive scripture:
D&C 101:23-36
23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together.
24 And every corruptible thing, both of man, or of the beasts of the field, or of the fowls of the heavens, or of the fish of the sea, that dwells upon all the face of the earth, shall be consumed;
25 And also that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth.
26 And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea, the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.
27 And in that day whatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him.
28 And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.
29 And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death.
30 In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age of a tree;
31 And when he dies he shall not sleep, that is to say in the earth, but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and shall be caught up, and his rest shall be glorious.
32 Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things--
33 Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof--
34 Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.
35 And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
36 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
VEIL COVERING THE EARTH SHALL BE TAKEN OFF
In verse 23 we discover that the earth is covered by a veil that will be lifted at the Lord’s coming, which will allow all flesh to see the Lord together. We also learn that the Lord considers the earth which is covered by this veil as his temple.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was very descriptive of the day when the Lord comes and the veil is lifted,
When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances, when He shall come to receive His Saints unto Himself, where they shall dwell in His presence, and be crowned with glory and immortality: when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro; and that the heavens are to be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled up; and that every mountain and island are to flee away, I cry out in my heart, What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness!
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.29)
The Prophet also taught that we must be able to endure persecution in order to stand in the day when the Lord shall come,
Those who cannot endure persecution, and stand in the day of affliction, cannot stand in the day when the Son of God shall burst the veil, and appear in all the glory of His Father, with all the holy angels.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.42)
EVERY CORRUPTIBLE THING BOTH OF MAN AND BEAST CONSUMED AND EARTH IS TRANSFIGURED
Verse 24 declares that every corruptible thing both of man, beast, and fowl will be consumed.
From D&C 5:18 and JS-H 1:37 we learn that this cleansing destruction comes from the brightness and glory of the Savior and those heavenly hosts who are with him. This is the time that has been spoken of by the prophets when the earth will be baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.
This is also the time of the transfiguration of the earth as shown to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.
It is impossible for this mortal earth to endure the presence of the Savior and the righteous ones that he brings with him without the earth and all things on it being transfigured. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “God Almighty Himself dwells in eternal fire; flesh and blood cannot go there, for all corruption is devoured by the fire.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 367)
In D&C 63:20-21 we read:
D&C 63:20-21
20 Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come;
21 When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received.
This baptism and transfiguration will have a powerful affect on the earth and all that inhabits it.
Elder Orson Pratt taught:
. . . the earth will be baptized with fire, and wickedness swept away from its face, so that the glory of God shall cover it. As the waters cover the great deep, so will the earth be overwhelmed and immersed in the glory of God, and His Spirit be poured out upon all flesh, before the earth dies. After this purifying ordinance, there will be a thousand years of rest, during which righteousness shall abound upon the face of the earth; . . .
(Journal of Discourses, 1:, p.292)
At another time Elder Orson Pratt elaborated,
So must this earth be baptized by fire, it must be cleansed from all sin and impurity. Will it be filled with the Holy Ghost? Yes. These elements that melt like wax before the presence of the Lord will again be filled with his Spirit and will be renewed, and the earth itself will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the channels of the great deep.
(Journal of Discourses,16:, p.319)
Nephi tells us that he, on occasion, felt the powerful spirit of the Lord and his love, “even unto the consuming of my flesh” he said. (2 Nephi 4:21) Can we imagine being transfigured so that we could endure even greater portions of this spirit. Our spiritual growth and development would be exponential compared to the progress that we make at this Telestial level. Under these circumstances we are told in D&C 45:58 that children will grow up without sin unto salvation. It is readily apparent how essential this Millennial period is to help us in our quest to become like our God. Under these circumstances, I believe, we will better understand this promise made in,
D&C 11:30
30 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name.
Under these Millennial conditions we will become more familiar with the great power that the Lord has to save and exalt his children.
As just pointed out in D&C 101:23, all things become new, that the Lord’s knowledge and glory may dwell upon the earth. As we view these marvelous changes we gain a greater understanding of what the new heavens and the new earth are like. (Isaiah 65:17).
This is the world that Peter referenced when he wrote,
2 Pet 3:13
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE TO COVER THE EARTH
Let us take a moment to look at the increase of knowledge that is associated with the glory of the new earth. In another prophecy, Isaiah spoke of the earth being full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9) That is an interesting metaphor especially if you have flown across the great deep. You become quickly aware of how much water covers our globe, it goes on for miles in each direction.
In 2 Nephi 30:16-18 we learn:
2 Ne 30:16-18
16 Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men.
17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed.
18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed; . . .
The sealed portion of the Book of Mormon will be made available in which Moroni declares,
“… there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.” (Ether 4:4)
Again, from D&C 121:26-32 we learn:
D&C 121:26-32
26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30 And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars--
31 All the times of their revolutions; all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times--
32 According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest.
And finally it is declared in D&C 101:32 “that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things.”
The Millennial reign of Christ on the earth is truly designed to help us to know what he knows and to become like he is.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT
The next thing that we learn from the revelation in section 101 is the powerful affect that the pouring out of the Spirit will have upon all flesh that is allowed to stay on the earth. In verse 26 we learn that all enmity will cease both of man and the beasts. The earth becomes a true safe haven for all. There will be nothing to threaten the peace and security of all creatures.
Our level of spirituality appears to increase significantly so that whatever we ask in prayer it will be given to us as mentioned in verse 27.
Isaiah says that the Lord will answer even before we call upon him and while we are yet speaking he will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
In verse 28 we are told that “Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.” Nephi teaches us this in 1 Nephi 22:26,
1 Ne 22:26
26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
DEATH AND RESURRECTION TO TAKE PLACE IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
The sorrow from death will be eliminated as death and the resurrection take place in the twinkling of an eye. (D&C 101:31)
THE LAND MASSES TO BECOME ONE
There are structural changes to the earth when the Lord comes.
As previously mentioned, the veil will be lifted from the earth, we get new heavens and a new earth, and the earth will be transfigured.
The Lord challenges us to be one and if we are not one we will not belong to him. (D&C 38:26) One of the events that will happen and contribute to our ability to become one as a people, all of the land masses will be united. In D&C 133:23-25, we learn,
D&C 133:23-25
23 He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land;
24 And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided.
25 And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh.
A PURE LANGUAGE TO BE RESTORED
The scriptures tell us that we will have a pure language during the millennium,
Zeph 3:9
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
The Prophet Brigham Young taught,
In my reflections I foresee a time, when we shall be able to communicate with each other easier and with much more pleasure and satisfaction than we now do; but we will then use a different language. Although the language that we now speak is as good as any language that has yet come to our knowledge, still it is very meager, and limited in its range and power, and though it is a good medium at ordinary times, yet it comes very far short of being such a medium, as man needs to convey thoughts, when he is inspired by the power of God, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, and is full of the revelations of Jesus. It is written "Therefore, wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." When a man rises up to speak in the name of the Lord, and is filled with the light, and the intelligence and power which cometh from God, his countenance alone will convey more, to those who are inspired by the same spirit, than can possibly be conveyed, by the words of any language now used by mankind.
(Journal of Discourses,10:, p.354)
Elder Matthew F. Cowley commented on the pure language that was lost anciently and will yet be restored,
Paul says, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (I Cor. xiii.) Prophecy and tongues and the gifts of the Gospel imperfectly enjoyed by man in his weakness were never designed to be done away until we come to enjoy a more perfect fullness, "when we see as we are seen and know as we are known." Zephaniah says: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent." (Zeph. iii: 9.) The pure language was confounded at the tower of Babel, because men sought to thwart the purposes of Jehovah. When the time comes that the wicked who will not obey are swept from the earth, the Lord will restore to His children the language which they learned from their mother tongue and which was spoken from Adam to the time of the tower of Babel. He will also unite the great bodies of water into a mighty ocean and roll it back to its place in the North, while the lands of the earth will be reunited and become one vast continent.
(Cowley's Talks on Doctrine , p.194)
THE LAW OF CONSECRATION TO BE LIVED
When the Lord asks the saints to be one and if they are not one they are not his, it was in context of introducing them to the law of consecration. The question is, “will the saints live the law of consecration during the millennium?”
President Marion G. Romney answered this question in the New Era, May 1979, pp. 38-39
I have been asked to respond to the question, “Will the righteous members of the Church be asked to live the law of consecration?”
I shall make my response in light of the following three premises that I accept as ultimate truth.
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine program for bringing mortals back into the presence of God where they can enjoy eternal life.
2. The Church is the organization through which its members put into practice the principles and teachings of the gospel.
3. Foremost among gospel teachings is unity. “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” (D&C 38:27.)
. . .
The scriptures speak of several occasions on which the law of consecration in some form has been implemented.
The first was in the days of Enoch when “the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:16, 18.)
Another occasion occurred among the Nephites immediately following the ministry among them of the resurrected Christ, concerning whom the record says:
“And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
“And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
“And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” (4 Ne. 1:2–3, 15.)
The Saints who went to Missouri in the early 1830s were commissioned to live the law of consecration, but they failed to do so.
. . .
In the 1930s our present welfare program, which embodies some phases of the law of consecration, was inaugurated.
As to the question, “Will the righteous members of the Church be asked to live the law of consecration?”—my answer is yes. I believe that the righteous members of the Church will, in time, become “united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom” and that the law of consecration will be lived by them during the millennium.
Part of the requirement to live the law of consecration is to “esteem his brother as himself, and to practice virtue and holiness before (the Lord). (D&C 38:24-25) As previously pointed out the Lord will have done several things to help us to be one and to esteem our neighbor as ourselves.
· He pours out his Spirit on the earth and baptizes it by the Holy Ghost and all enmity disappears.
· All the land masses become one.
· He restores to us a pure language so that we can serve him with one consent.
The Lord prayed for our oneness in his great intercessory prayer in John 17:21-23,
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
During the millennium this oneness becomes a reality. We will esteem our neighbor as ourselves and practice virtue and holiness. We will unite with each other in the law of consecration and move closer to the Celestial realms which is our ultimate destiny.
CITY OF ENOCH TO RETURN
The City of Enoch will return to the earth for the Millennial reign of Christ. Anciently Enoch was given the following scenario by the Lord concerning the city of Enoch coming to dwell on the earth,
Moses 7:63-65
63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.
65 And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;
THE LORD WILL BE OUR LIGHT
Our Savior who is brighter than noonday sun will come to govern the earth. The effect of his presence will be a resplendent light,
Isa 60:20-21
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Elder Alvin R. Dyer comments,
The countenance of the glorified Christ at his majestic second coming, will shine beyond the light and brilliance of the sun, so that: "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."
(Who Am I?, p.474)
THE EARTH WILL BE FRUITFUL AND PRODUCTIVE
Isaiah tells us that there will be no crop failures during the millennium,
Isa 65:23
23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
President John Taylor had this to say about the glorious state of the millennium and it productivity,
"Having restored the earth to the same glorious state in which it first existed; leveling the mountains, exalting the valleys, smoothing the rough places, making the deserts fruitful, and bringing all the continents and islands together, causing the curse to be taken off, that it shall no longer produce noxious weeds, and thorns, and thistles; the next thing is to regulate and restore the brute creation to their former state of peace and glory, causing all enmity to cease from off the earth. . . .
"Thus, having cleansed the earth, and glorified it with the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea, and having poured out his Spirit upon all flesh, both man and beast becoming perfectly harmless, as they were in the beginning, and feeding on vegetable food only, while nothing is left to hurt or destroy in all the vast creation, the prophets then proceed to give us many glorious descriptions of the enjoyments of its inhabitants. 'They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them; they shall plant gardens and eat the fruit of them; they shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth in trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them; and it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.'
(The Government of God, pp.114-115)
As we think of the earth as it now stands with millions of acres that are desert, dry, and unproductive as well as uninhabitable, can we imagine the productive and habitable space that will be created when all becomes watered? The Sahara Deseret in Africa, the world’s largest hot desert, covers 1,791,500 square miles. Just imagine all of that region being fruitful and productive. President Taylor mentioned the deserts becoming fruitful. Isaiah also gives us this same picture,
Isa 35:1-2
1 THE wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing . . .
What our pioneer forefathers accomplished here in what was once called “The Great American Desert” is just a type and a shadow of that which is to come to all of the deserts of the earth.
BODIES NOT SUBJECT TO SICKNESS AND DISEASE
Our bodies during the millennium will be living in a paradisiacal, transfigured state. They appear to be akin to the bodies of the three Nephites. We are told that they would not taste of death until they were changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality. They were also told that they would have no pain except for sorrow for the sins of the world. (3 Nephi 28:37-39) Sickness and disease will also be done away with in the millennium. Elder Bruce R. McConkie points out,
During the millennium however, disease will be utterly banned from the earth; man's body will then be changed so that no germ or plague can affect it; and there will be no death as we now know it. (D. & C. 101:23-31.)
(Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.198; see also, The Millennial Messiah pp. 644-647)
THE MILLENNIUM IS A TIME OF REGENERATION
The Savior taught his twelve apostles that his coming was a time of regeneration,
Matt 19:28
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Also, in the sermon at the temple in the Americas, the Savior challenged the saints to be perfect even as he and our Father in heaven are perfect. (3 Nephi 12:48)
Elder James E. Talmage addresses this regeneration and perfection,
The millennium, with all its splendor, is but a more advanced stage of preparation, by which the earth and its inhabitants will approach foreordained perfection.
The term regeneration translated from the Greek palingenesia, and signifying a new birth, or, more literally, one who is born again, occurs twice in the New Testament; while other expressions of equivalent meaning are found. However, the terms are usually applied to the renewal of the soul of man through spiritual birth, by which salvation is made obtainable; though our Lord's use of the term, in the promise of future glory which He confirmed upon the apostles, has probable reference to the rejuvenation of the earth, its inhabitants and their institutions, in connection with the millennial era: "I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." . . .
That the change to a state more nearly approaching perfection is to affect both nature and man is evident from the teachings of Paul, as recorded in his letter to the Romans: "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:21-23)
Throughout the Millennium, the process of regeneration will continue. Society shall be purified; nations shall exist in peace; wars shall cease; the ferocity of beasts shall be subdued; the earth, relieved in great measure from the curse of the fall, shall yield bounteously to the husbandman; and the planet shall be redeemed.
(Articles of Faith, p.339-340)
FULL DISCLOSURE
One of the great events associated with the Second Coming and the Millennial reign of Christ is found in D&C 88:108-110,
D&C 88:108-110
108 And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years.
109 And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years--
110 And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years.
For the want of a better term, I refer to this as the event of full disclosure. The Lord will reveal the whole history of the earth as seen from both sides of the veil. He will reveal his great work with all of its righteousness and also how men reacted to his great plan including their secret acts and thoughts.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his book, Pure In heart, pp. 11-12, made comment on this event,
As we learn in modern scripture, during the events connected with the Second Coming, God will "reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts" (D&C 88:109).
Brigham Young taught: "We shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body and according to the thoughts and intents of the heart" (John A. Widtsoe, ed., Discourses of Brigham Young [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941], p. 382).
Karl G. Maeser, the great leader of Brigham Young Academy, told his students: "Not only will you be held accountable for the things you do, but you will be held responsible for the very thoughts you think." For a time that teaching troubled his young student George Albert Smith. Then he understood. As he said later :
Why, of course you will be held accountable for your thoughts, because when your life is completed in mortality, it will be the sum of your thoughts. That one suggestion has been a great blessing to me all my life, and it has enabled me upon many occasions to avoid thinking improperly, because I realize that I will be, when my life's labor is complete, the product of my thoughts. End quote
All men will be evaluated in relationship to the backdrop of the work of God. Whatever kingdom each person is assigned they will know perfectly well why they are there. Everyone will have a perfect perspective of the plan of God and their relationship to it.
This may be what contributes to all men declaring that the judgments of God are just, Alma pointed this out by viewing it from the eyes of the wicked,
Alma 12:14-15
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
In the end both the righteous and the wicked declare that the judgments of God are just. When one contemplates the vast history of the earth and the myriads of conditions under which God’s children were tested, this is a great miracle.
MILLENNIAL SONG
There is a song that the Lord has revealed to us that will be sung in the millennium. It heralds a description of the new earth and the changes effected by the coming of our Savior. It is found in D&C 84:95-102,
D&C 84:95-102
95 Wo, I say again, unto that house, or that village or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony of me;
96 For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to scourge them for their wickedness.
97 And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness--
98 Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:
99 The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
And covenant of their fathers.
100 The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
101 The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And truth is established in her bowels;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people.
102 Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
Forever and ever, Amen.
MILLENNIAL WORSHIP
I will conclude with a quote from Elder Bruce R. McConkie describing Millennial worship,
How and in what manner will men worship their God during the Millennium? In answer, we can only call attention to the pure and perfect worship ordained to be in that blessed age. We cannot find language-nor does such exist-that will define and describe the spiritual feelings or make known the holy peace that will then fill the hearts of worshipping saints. This we know: the Millennium is designed to save souls; Satan will be bound, and sin as we know it will cease; all false religions and every rite and practice that is not of God will go the way of all the earth; and true worship, untainted, unalloyed, unabridged, will fill the hearts of all men. The gospel in its fulness and perfection will fill every heart; all people will be baptized; all shall glory in the gift of the Holy Ghost; all men will hold the priesthood and magnify their callings; and there will be no marriage but eternal marriage. It will be a day of personal revelation, a day when the knowledge of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, a day when no man need say to his neighbor, "Know the Lord," for all shall know him from the greatest to the least. In that day the blessings of the Second Comforter will be poured out upon the saints, and every man will be his own king and his own priest, and the will of God shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. What more need we say?
(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.643)
By: Robert J. Norman
INTRODUCTION
Latter-day scriptures teach us that the earth was designed to become our Celestial Kingdom and the ultimate place of our land of inheritance as promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. (D&C 88:17-20)
We are also taught that we, as children of God, have the potential of becoming like Him. (D&C 132:20) In order for this to happen both the earth and mankind need to be cleansed and made pure and holy. The Millennial reign of Christ is an important step to this end. Significant changes need to take place on the earth and in man so that they both may reach their divine potential.
In order for the Abrahamic covenant to be fulfilled the earth must fill the measure of its creation and be sanctified and be prepared for its Celestial glory. God’s children also need to be sanctified and be made holy to fill the measure of their creation to be exalted and enthroned in the Celestial Kingdom.
The Millennial reign of Christ on the earth is an important part of this preparation for the earth and man.
MILLENNIUM CANNOT BE COMPREHENDED AT THIS TIME
Isaiah declares that we cannot fully comprehend the glory of the Millennial reign of Christ.
Isaiah states,
Isa 64:4
4 For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
However, both ancient and latter day prophets have blest us by giving descriptions of this holy and very essential period of the earth’s history. We are then better able to understand how the Lord will bring to pass his purposes for both the earth and his children.
ALL TO BE MEMBERS
Just as the Books of Helaman and Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon are a pattern for the second coming of Christ, so does 4 Nephi point us to some of the great blessings that await the faithful in the millennium. We will look at these changes a little later in this presentation. It is important to note that when the Lord visited the Nephites and Lamanites there were both covenant members of his kingdom and those who had not yet entered into the covenant. However, in a very short time all were converted to the Lord. There appears to be a transitional period of missionary work until all are converted.
4 Ne 1:2
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
When the Lord comes again there will be both members and non-members on the earth. They will all be worthy of being on the earth at his coming. There appears to be a transitional period of missionary work in which the inhabitants of the earth will decide whether or not to follow Christ. However, eventually all will enter into the covenant and become members. Here is what the Prophet Joseph Smith had to say about the matter:
While in conversation at Judge Adams' during the evening, I said, Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God, and must eventually be destroyed from the earth. (Dec. 30, 1842.)
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.268)
We know that the wicked will be destroyed at the coming of Christ so in what context must the term “wicked” be understood? While an apostle Elder Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say about the wicked during the millennium,
The Prophet's statement that there will be wicked men on the earth during the millennium has caused considerable confusion in the minds of many who have read in the Scripture in many places that when Christ comes the earth shall be cleansed from its wickedness, and that the wicked shall not stand, but shall be consumed. See D&C 5:18-19, 29:8-10, 101:23-25; Isaiah 24:1-3; Malachi 4:1. The evil-minded inhabitants, those "who love and make a lie" and are guilty of all manner of corruption, will be consumed and pass away when Christ comes. In using the term "wicked men" in this instruction at the home of Judge Adams, the Prophet did so in the same sense in which the Lord uses it in the eighty-fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, 49-53. The Lord in this scripture speaks of those who have not received the Gospel as being under the bondage of sin, and hence "wicked." However, many of these people are honorable, clean living men, but they have not embraced the Gospel. The inhabitants of the terrestrial order will remain on the earth during the millennium, and this class are without the Gospel ordinances. See D&C 76:73-76.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.269)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie discusses this concept further,
. . . wickedness is a matter of degree, and even those who are upright and decent by worldly standards but who reject the gospel and do not worship the true God are considered to be wicked by gospel standards. They are "under the bondage of sin." They do not accept the message of the restoration and gain a remission of their sins in the waters of baptism. "And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now." (D&C 84:49-53.) Thus the divine word, as given by Zechariah, says that "it shall come to pass"-in the millennial day-"that every one that is left [after Armageddon] of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." (Zech. 14:16-19.) Thus there will be many churches on earth when the millennium begins. False worship will continue among those whose desires are good, "who are honorable men of the earth," but who have been "blinded by the craftiness of men." (D&C 76:75.) Plagues will rest upon them until they repent and believe the gospel or are destroyed, as the Prophet said. It follows that missionary work will continue into the Millennium until all who remain are converted. Then "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9.) Then every living soul on earth will belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(The Millennial Messiah, p.651)
Jeremiah further teaches us that in the millennium all will know the Lord and no longer need to be taught about him,
Jer 31:34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
MISSIONARY WORK AND TEMPLE/FAMILY HISTORY WORK IN THE MILLENNIUM
Both missionary work and temple and family history work will be a critical part of the millennium. As already pointed out, the time will come in the millennium when all will be members. Temple and family history work will continue until we present in the Lord’s holy temple a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation. (D&C 121:24)
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught,
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. The Apostle (Paul) says, "They without us cannot be made perfect;" (Hebrews 11:40) for it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead for the fulness of the dispensation of times-a dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world for the salvation of man.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.356)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith explained,
President Brigham Young has said that during the millennium those on the other side will work hand in hand with those in mortality and will furnish the names of the dead which we are unable to obtain through our research, and thus every soul that is entitled to these blessings shall be ferreted out and his work done for him.
(Doctrines of Salvation, 2:, p.120)
THE IMPACT OF THE LORD’S VISIT TO THE NEPHITES AND LAMANITES
The Lord’s visit to the Nephites and Lamanites had a powerful affect on their civilization for almost two hundred years. There were many changes in their civilization because of the Savior’s influence and teachings to them. These changes give us an insight into some of the conditions of millennial life. Some of the changes recorded in 4 Nephi were as follows:
· There were no contentions or disputations – v. 2
· They had all things in common and there were no rich or poor – v. 3
· They were all partakers of the heavenly gift – v. 3
· Many miracles were wrought by the disciples of Jesus – v. 5
· They did prosper exceedingly – v. 7
· The birthrate significantly increased – v. 10
· They were blessed in their marriages – v. 11
· There were never a happier people among God’s children – v. 16
· There were no robbers, no murderers, no discrimination or class distinction – v. 17
· They were blessed and prospered by God in all that they did – v. 18
TWO CAPTALS DURING THE MILLENNIUM
When the Savior returns in glory to reign over the whole earth, he will have two capitals. His political capital shall be the New Jerusalem which is now located in Missouri. This was the location of the fall of Adam. His ecclesiastical capital will be in Old Jerusalem where he worked out the atonement. (see A New Witness For The Articles Of Faith, p. 641)
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE EARTH DURING THE MILLENNIUM
There are to be many significant changes to the earth during Christ’s Millennial reign.
In the D&C 101:23-36 the Lord tells us to prepare ourselves for the revelation that is to take place at his coming. The scripture then proceeds to list many of the changes to expect. Let us first look at this descriptive scripture:
D&C 101:23-36
23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together.
24 And every corruptible thing, both of man, or of the beasts of the field, or of the fowls of the heavens, or of the fish of the sea, that dwells upon all the face of the earth, shall be consumed;
25 And also that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth.
26 And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea, the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.
27 And in that day whatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him.
28 And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.
29 And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death.
30 In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age of a tree;
31 And when he dies he shall not sleep, that is to say in the earth, but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and shall be caught up, and his rest shall be glorious.
32 Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things--
33 Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof--
34 Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.
35 And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
36 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
VEIL COVERING THE EARTH SHALL BE TAKEN OFF
In verse 23 we discover that the earth is covered by a veil that will be lifted at the Lord’s coming, which will allow all flesh to see the Lord together. We also learn that the Lord considers the earth which is covered by this veil as his temple.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was very descriptive of the day when the Lord comes and the veil is lifted,
When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances, when He shall come to receive His Saints unto Himself, where they shall dwell in His presence, and be crowned with glory and immortality: when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro; and that the heavens are to be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled up; and that every mountain and island are to flee away, I cry out in my heart, What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness!
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.29)
The Prophet also taught that we must be able to endure persecution in order to stand in the day when the Lord shall come,
Those who cannot endure persecution, and stand in the day of affliction, cannot stand in the day when the Son of God shall burst the veil, and appear in all the glory of His Father, with all the holy angels.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.42)
EVERY CORRUPTIBLE THING BOTH OF MAN AND BEAST CONSUMED AND EARTH IS TRANSFIGURED
Verse 24 declares that every corruptible thing both of man, beast, and fowl will be consumed.
From D&C 5:18 and JS-H 1:37 we learn that this cleansing destruction comes from the brightness and glory of the Savior and those heavenly hosts who are with him. This is the time that has been spoken of by the prophets when the earth will be baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost.
This is also the time of the transfiguration of the earth as shown to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.
It is impossible for this mortal earth to endure the presence of the Savior and the righteous ones that he brings with him without the earth and all things on it being transfigured. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “God Almighty Himself dwells in eternal fire; flesh and blood cannot go there, for all corruption is devoured by the fire.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 367)
In D&C 63:20-21 we read:
D&C 63:20-21
20 Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come;
21 When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received.
This baptism and transfiguration will have a powerful affect on the earth and all that inhabits it.
Elder Orson Pratt taught:
. . . the earth will be baptized with fire, and wickedness swept away from its face, so that the glory of God shall cover it. As the waters cover the great deep, so will the earth be overwhelmed and immersed in the glory of God, and His Spirit be poured out upon all flesh, before the earth dies. After this purifying ordinance, there will be a thousand years of rest, during which righteousness shall abound upon the face of the earth; . . .
(Journal of Discourses, 1:, p.292)
At another time Elder Orson Pratt elaborated,
So must this earth be baptized by fire, it must be cleansed from all sin and impurity. Will it be filled with the Holy Ghost? Yes. These elements that melt like wax before the presence of the Lord will again be filled with his Spirit and will be renewed, and the earth itself will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the channels of the great deep.
(Journal of Discourses,16:, p.319)
Nephi tells us that he, on occasion, felt the powerful spirit of the Lord and his love, “even unto the consuming of my flesh” he said. (2 Nephi 4:21) Can we imagine being transfigured so that we could endure even greater portions of this spirit. Our spiritual growth and development would be exponential compared to the progress that we make at this Telestial level. Under these circumstances we are told in D&C 45:58 that children will grow up without sin unto salvation. It is readily apparent how essential this Millennial period is to help us in our quest to become like our God. Under these circumstances, I believe, we will better understand this promise made in,
D&C 11:30
30 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name.
Under these Millennial conditions we will become more familiar with the great power that the Lord has to save and exalt his children.
As just pointed out in D&C 101:23, all things become new, that the Lord’s knowledge and glory may dwell upon the earth. As we view these marvelous changes we gain a greater understanding of what the new heavens and the new earth are like. (Isaiah 65:17).
This is the world that Peter referenced when he wrote,
2 Pet 3:13
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE TO COVER THE EARTH
Let us take a moment to look at the increase of knowledge that is associated with the glory of the new earth. In another prophecy, Isaiah spoke of the earth being full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9) That is an interesting metaphor especially if you have flown across the great deep. You become quickly aware of how much water covers our globe, it goes on for miles in each direction.
In 2 Nephi 30:16-18 we learn:
2 Ne 30:16-18
16 Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men.
17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed.
18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed; . . .
The sealed portion of the Book of Mormon will be made available in which Moroni declares,
“… there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.” (Ether 4:4)
Again, from D&C 121:26-32 we learn:
D&C 121:26-32
26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;
28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30 And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars--
31 All the times of their revolutions; all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times--
32 According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest.
And finally it is declared in D&C 101:32 “that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things.”
The Millennial reign of Christ on the earth is truly designed to help us to know what he knows and to become like he is.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRIT
The next thing that we learn from the revelation in section 101 is the powerful affect that the pouring out of the Spirit will have upon all flesh that is allowed to stay on the earth. In verse 26 we learn that all enmity will cease both of man and the beasts. The earth becomes a true safe haven for all. There will be nothing to threaten the peace and security of all creatures.
Our level of spirituality appears to increase significantly so that whatever we ask in prayer it will be given to us as mentioned in verse 27.
Isaiah says that the Lord will answer even before we call upon him and while we are yet speaking he will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
In verse 28 we are told that “Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.” Nephi teaches us this in 1 Nephi 22:26,
1 Ne 22:26
26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
DEATH AND RESURRECTION TO TAKE PLACE IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
The sorrow from death will be eliminated as death and the resurrection take place in the twinkling of an eye. (D&C 101:31)
THE LAND MASSES TO BECOME ONE
There are structural changes to the earth when the Lord comes.
As previously mentioned, the veil will be lifted from the earth, we get new heavens and a new earth, and the earth will be transfigured.
The Lord challenges us to be one and if we are not one we will not belong to him. (D&C 38:26) One of the events that will happen and contribute to our ability to become one as a people, all of the land masses will be united. In D&C 133:23-25, we learn,
D&C 133:23-25
23 He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land;
24 And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided.
25 And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh.
A PURE LANGUAGE TO BE RESTORED
The scriptures tell us that we will have a pure language during the millennium,
Zeph 3:9
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
The Prophet Brigham Young taught,
In my reflections I foresee a time, when we shall be able to communicate with each other easier and with much more pleasure and satisfaction than we now do; but we will then use a different language. Although the language that we now speak is as good as any language that has yet come to our knowledge, still it is very meager, and limited in its range and power, and though it is a good medium at ordinary times, yet it comes very far short of being such a medium, as man needs to convey thoughts, when he is inspired by the power of God, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, and is full of the revelations of Jesus. It is written "Therefore, wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." When a man rises up to speak in the name of the Lord, and is filled with the light, and the intelligence and power which cometh from God, his countenance alone will convey more, to those who are inspired by the same spirit, than can possibly be conveyed, by the words of any language now used by mankind.
(Journal of Discourses,10:, p.354)
Elder Matthew F. Cowley commented on the pure language that was lost anciently and will yet be restored,
Paul says, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (I Cor. xiii.) Prophecy and tongues and the gifts of the Gospel imperfectly enjoyed by man in his weakness were never designed to be done away until we come to enjoy a more perfect fullness, "when we see as we are seen and know as we are known." Zephaniah says: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent." (Zeph. iii: 9.) The pure language was confounded at the tower of Babel, because men sought to thwart the purposes of Jehovah. When the time comes that the wicked who will not obey are swept from the earth, the Lord will restore to His children the language which they learned from their mother tongue and which was spoken from Adam to the time of the tower of Babel. He will also unite the great bodies of water into a mighty ocean and roll it back to its place in the North, while the lands of the earth will be reunited and become one vast continent.
(Cowley's Talks on Doctrine , p.194)
THE LAW OF CONSECRATION TO BE LIVED
When the Lord asks the saints to be one and if they are not one they are not his, it was in context of introducing them to the law of consecration. The question is, “will the saints live the law of consecration during the millennium?”
President Marion G. Romney answered this question in the New Era, May 1979, pp. 38-39
I have been asked to respond to the question, “Will the righteous members of the Church be asked to live the law of consecration?”
I shall make my response in light of the following three premises that I accept as ultimate truth.
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine program for bringing mortals back into the presence of God where they can enjoy eternal life.
2. The Church is the organization through which its members put into practice the principles and teachings of the gospel.
3. Foremost among gospel teachings is unity. “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” (D&C 38:27.)
. . .
The scriptures speak of several occasions on which the law of consecration in some form has been implemented.
The first was in the days of Enoch when “the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:16, 18.)
Another occasion occurred among the Nephites immediately following the ministry among them of the resurrected Christ, concerning whom the record says:
“And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
“And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
“And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” (4 Ne. 1:2–3, 15.)
The Saints who went to Missouri in the early 1830s were commissioned to live the law of consecration, but they failed to do so.
. . .
In the 1930s our present welfare program, which embodies some phases of the law of consecration, was inaugurated.
As to the question, “Will the righteous members of the Church be asked to live the law of consecration?”—my answer is yes. I believe that the righteous members of the Church will, in time, become “united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom” and that the law of consecration will be lived by them during the millennium.
Part of the requirement to live the law of consecration is to “esteem his brother as himself, and to practice virtue and holiness before (the Lord). (D&C 38:24-25) As previously pointed out the Lord will have done several things to help us to be one and to esteem our neighbor as ourselves.
· He pours out his Spirit on the earth and baptizes it by the Holy Ghost and all enmity disappears.
· All the land masses become one.
· He restores to us a pure language so that we can serve him with one consent.
The Lord prayed for our oneness in his great intercessory prayer in John 17:21-23,
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
During the millennium this oneness becomes a reality. We will esteem our neighbor as ourselves and practice virtue and holiness. We will unite with each other in the law of consecration and move closer to the Celestial realms which is our ultimate destiny.
CITY OF ENOCH TO RETURN
The City of Enoch will return to the earth for the Millennial reign of Christ. Anciently Enoch was given the following scenario by the Lord concerning the city of Enoch coming to dwell on the earth,
Moses 7:63-65
63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.
65 And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;
THE LORD WILL BE OUR LIGHT
Our Savior who is brighter than noonday sun will come to govern the earth. The effect of his presence will be a resplendent light,
Isa 60:20-21
20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21 Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Elder Alvin R. Dyer comments,
The countenance of the glorified Christ at his majestic second coming, will shine beyond the light and brilliance of the sun, so that: "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."
(Who Am I?, p.474)
THE EARTH WILL BE FRUITFUL AND PRODUCTIVE
Isaiah tells us that there will be no crop failures during the millennium,
Isa 65:23
23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
President John Taylor had this to say about the glorious state of the millennium and it productivity,
"Having restored the earth to the same glorious state in which it first existed; leveling the mountains, exalting the valleys, smoothing the rough places, making the deserts fruitful, and bringing all the continents and islands together, causing the curse to be taken off, that it shall no longer produce noxious weeds, and thorns, and thistles; the next thing is to regulate and restore the brute creation to their former state of peace and glory, causing all enmity to cease from off the earth. . . .
"Thus, having cleansed the earth, and glorified it with the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea, and having poured out his Spirit upon all flesh, both man and beast becoming perfectly harmless, as they were in the beginning, and feeding on vegetable food only, while nothing is left to hurt or destroy in all the vast creation, the prophets then proceed to give us many glorious descriptions of the enjoyments of its inhabitants. 'They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them; they shall plant gardens and eat the fruit of them; they shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth in trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them; and it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.'
(The Government of God, pp.114-115)
As we think of the earth as it now stands with millions of acres that are desert, dry, and unproductive as well as uninhabitable, can we imagine the productive and habitable space that will be created when all becomes watered? The Sahara Deseret in Africa, the world’s largest hot desert, covers 1,791,500 square miles. Just imagine all of that region being fruitful and productive. President Taylor mentioned the deserts becoming fruitful. Isaiah also gives us this same picture,
Isa 35:1-2
1 THE wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing . . .
What our pioneer forefathers accomplished here in what was once called “The Great American Desert” is just a type and a shadow of that which is to come to all of the deserts of the earth.
BODIES NOT SUBJECT TO SICKNESS AND DISEASE
Our bodies during the millennium will be living in a paradisiacal, transfigured state. They appear to be akin to the bodies of the three Nephites. We are told that they would not taste of death until they were changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality. They were also told that they would have no pain except for sorrow for the sins of the world. (3 Nephi 28:37-39) Sickness and disease will also be done away with in the millennium. Elder Bruce R. McConkie points out,
During the millennium however, disease will be utterly banned from the earth; man's body will then be changed so that no germ or plague can affect it; and there will be no death as we now know it. (D. & C. 101:23-31.)
(Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.198; see also, The Millennial Messiah pp. 644-647)
THE MILLENNIUM IS A TIME OF REGENERATION
The Savior taught his twelve apostles that his coming was a time of regeneration,
Matt 19:28
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Also, in the sermon at the temple in the Americas, the Savior challenged the saints to be perfect even as he and our Father in heaven are perfect. (3 Nephi 12:48)
Elder James E. Talmage addresses this regeneration and perfection,
The millennium, with all its splendor, is but a more advanced stage of preparation, by which the earth and its inhabitants will approach foreordained perfection.
The term regeneration translated from the Greek palingenesia, and signifying a new birth, or, more literally, one who is born again, occurs twice in the New Testament; while other expressions of equivalent meaning are found. However, the terms are usually applied to the renewal of the soul of man through spiritual birth, by which salvation is made obtainable; though our Lord's use of the term, in the promise of future glory which He confirmed upon the apostles, has probable reference to the rejuvenation of the earth, its inhabitants and their institutions, in connection with the millennial era: "I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." . . .
That the change to a state more nearly approaching perfection is to affect both nature and man is evident from the teachings of Paul, as recorded in his letter to the Romans: "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:21-23)
Throughout the Millennium, the process of regeneration will continue. Society shall be purified; nations shall exist in peace; wars shall cease; the ferocity of beasts shall be subdued; the earth, relieved in great measure from the curse of the fall, shall yield bounteously to the husbandman; and the planet shall be redeemed.
(Articles of Faith, p.339-340)
FULL DISCLOSURE
One of the great events associated with the Second Coming and the Millennial reign of Christ is found in D&C 88:108-110,
D&C 88:108-110
108 And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years.
109 And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years--
110 And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years.
For the want of a better term, I refer to this as the event of full disclosure. The Lord will reveal the whole history of the earth as seen from both sides of the veil. He will reveal his great work with all of its righteousness and also how men reacted to his great plan including their secret acts and thoughts.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his book, Pure In heart, pp. 11-12, made comment on this event,
As we learn in modern scripture, during the events connected with the Second Coming, God will "reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts" (D&C 88:109).
Brigham Young taught: "We shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body and according to the thoughts and intents of the heart" (John A. Widtsoe, ed., Discourses of Brigham Young [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941], p. 382).
Karl G. Maeser, the great leader of Brigham Young Academy, told his students: "Not only will you be held accountable for the things you do, but you will be held responsible for the very thoughts you think." For a time that teaching troubled his young student George Albert Smith. Then he understood. As he said later :
Why, of course you will be held accountable for your thoughts, because when your life is completed in mortality, it will be the sum of your thoughts. That one suggestion has been a great blessing to me all my life, and it has enabled me upon many occasions to avoid thinking improperly, because I realize that I will be, when my life's labor is complete, the product of my thoughts. End quote
All men will be evaluated in relationship to the backdrop of the work of God. Whatever kingdom each person is assigned they will know perfectly well why they are there. Everyone will have a perfect perspective of the plan of God and their relationship to it.
This may be what contributes to all men declaring that the judgments of God are just, Alma pointed this out by viewing it from the eyes of the wicked,
Alma 12:14-15
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
In the end both the righteous and the wicked declare that the judgments of God are just. When one contemplates the vast history of the earth and the myriads of conditions under which God’s children were tested, this is a great miracle.
MILLENNIAL SONG
There is a song that the Lord has revealed to us that will be sung in the millennium. It heralds a description of the new earth and the changes effected by the coming of our Savior. It is found in D&C 84:95-102,
D&C 84:95-102
95 Wo, I say again, unto that house, or that village or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony of me;
96 For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to scourge them for their wickedness.
97 And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness--
98 Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:
99 The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
And covenant of their fathers.
100 The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
101 The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And truth is established in her bowels;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people.
102 Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
Forever and ever, Amen.
MILLENNIAL WORSHIP
I will conclude with a quote from Elder Bruce R. McConkie describing Millennial worship,
How and in what manner will men worship their God during the Millennium? In answer, we can only call attention to the pure and perfect worship ordained to be in that blessed age. We cannot find language-nor does such exist-that will define and describe the spiritual feelings or make known the holy peace that will then fill the hearts of worshipping saints. This we know: the Millennium is designed to save souls; Satan will be bound, and sin as we know it will cease; all false religions and every rite and practice that is not of God will go the way of all the earth; and true worship, untainted, unalloyed, unabridged, will fill the hearts of all men. The gospel in its fulness and perfection will fill every heart; all people will be baptized; all shall glory in the gift of the Holy Ghost; all men will hold the priesthood and magnify their callings; and there will be no marriage but eternal marriage. It will be a day of personal revelation, a day when the knowledge of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, a day when no man need say to his neighbor, "Know the Lord," for all shall know him from the greatest to the least. In that day the blessings of the Second Comforter will be poured out upon the saints, and every man will be his own king and his own priest, and the will of God shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. What more need we say?
(A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.643)
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