GPC44: Comments and Resources

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Gospel Principles
Unit 9: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Chapter 44: The Millennium
Comments and Resources

"Some members of the Church have an erroneous idea that when the millennium comes all the people are going to be swept off the earth except righteous members of the Church.  That is not so.  There will be millions of people, Catholics, Protestants, agnostics, Mohammedans, people of all classes, and of all beliefs, still permitted to remain upon the face of the earth, but they will be those who have lived clean lives, those who have been free from wickedness and corruption.  All who belong, by virtue of their good lives, to the terrestrial order, as well as those who have kept the celestial law, will remain upon the face of the earth during the millennium."  (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:86-87.)

During the study of this topic, we will learn more of the conditions that will exist during the Millennium.


Resources
Gospel Principles, chapter 44.
The Articles of Faith, Chapter 20
Topical Guide: Millennium.


Concept 1: Introduction

'A thousand years of peace, love, and joy will begin on the earth at the second coming of Jesus Christ.  This thousand-year period is called the Millennium.  It will be the final thousand years of the earth's temporal existence.  The Scriptures  and the prophets help us understand what it will be like to live on the earth during the Millennium.

Discussion

What is the Millennium?'


Concept 2: Who Will Be on Earth during the Millennium?

'Only righteous people will live on the earth during the Millennium.  They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest lives.  These people will inherit either the terrestrial or celestial kingdom.

During the Millennium, mortals will still live on earth, and they will continue to have children as we do now (D&C 45:58 "58 And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.").  Joseph Smith said that immortal beings will frequently visit the earth.  These resurrected beings will help with the government and other work.  (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 268.)

Brigham Young taught that there will be nonmembers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living on earth as well as members.  People will still have their agency, and for a time many will continue to believe their false religions and ideas.  Eventually everyone will accept Jesus Christ as the Savior.  (See Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Latter-day Prophets Speak, pp. 261-62.)

During the Millennium, Jesus will "reign personally upon the earth" (Articles of Faith 1:10).  Joseph Smith explained that Jesus and the resurrected Saints will probably not live on the earth all the time but will visit whenever they please or when necessary to help in the governing of the earth (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 268).

Discussion

Who will be on the earth during the Millennium?'


Concept 3: What Will Be Done during the Millennium?

'There will be two great works for members of the Church during the Millennium: temple work and missionary work.  Temple work involves the ordinances that are necessary for exaltation.  These include baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple ordinances--the endowment, temple marriage, and the sealing together of family units.

Many people have died without receiving these ordinances.  People on the earth must perform these ordinances for them.  This work is now being done in the temples of the Lord.  There is too much work to finish before the Millennium begins, so it will be completed during that time.  Resurrected beings will help us correct the mistakes we have made in doing research concerning our dead ancestors.  They will also help us find the information we need to complete our records.

The other great work during the Millennium will be missionary work.  The gospel will be taught with great power to all people.  Eventually there will be no need to teach others the first principles of the gospel because "they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:34).

Discussion

Discuss the great works to be done during the Millennium.'


Concept 4: Conditions during the Millennium

'The earth will again be as it was when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden (see Articles of Faith 1:10).  The whole earth will be a delightful garden.  There will not be different continents as we have now, but the land will be gathered in one place as it was in the beginning (D&C 133:23-24 "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.").

Satan Bound 
7During the Millennium, Satan will be bound.  This means he will not have power to tempt those who are living at that time (D&C 101:28 "And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.").  The "children shall grow up without sin unto salvation" (D&C 45:58).  "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" (1 Nephi 22:26).

Peace on the Earth 
During the Millennium, there will be no war.  People will live in peace and harmony together.  Everything that has been used for war will be turned to useful purposes.  "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).

Righteous Government 
Jesus Christ will not only lead the Church during the Millennium, but he will also be in charge of the political government.  This government will be based on principles of righteousness and will preserve the basic rights and freedoms of all people.  Mortals, both members of the Church and nonmembers, will hold government positions (see Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 2:310).  They will receive help from resurrected beings.  At this time there will be two capitals in the world, one in Jerusalem, the other in America (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:66-72).  "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).

No Disease or Death 
Even though mortals will live on the earth during the Millennium, they will not have diseases as we do now.  There will be no death as we know it.  When people have lived to an old age, they will not die and be buried.  Instead, they will be changed from their mortal condition to an immortal condition in an instant (D&C 63:51 "51 Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye."; 101:29-31 "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.").

All Things Revealed  
Some truths have not been revealed to us.  These will be revealed during the Millennium.  The Lord said he will "reveal all things--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--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" (D&C 101:32-34 "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.").

Changes in the Animal Kingdom 
The animal kingdom will also be at peace.  All animals, even those that are now enemies, will live together in harmony.  Animals that now eat flesh will eat grass and grain (Isaiah 11:6-7 " 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.").

Other Millennial Activities 
In many ways, life will be much as it is now, except that everything will be done in righteousness.  People will eat and drink and will wear clothing (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 115).  People will continue to plant and harvest crops and build houses (Isaiah 65:21 "And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.").

Discussion

Discuss the conditions that will exist during the Millennium.  Use the scriptural reference listed for each condition.'


Concept 5: One Final Struggle after the Millennium

'At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be set free for a short time.  Some people will turn away from Heavenly Father.  Satan will gather his armies, and Michael (Adam) will gather the hosts of heaven.  In this great struggle, Satan and his followers will be cast out forever.  Then will come the final judgment, and all people will be assigned to the kingdoms they will have prepared for by the way they have lived.  The earth will be changed into a celestial kingdom ( D&C 29:22-29; 
"22. And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season;
 23. And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
 24. For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea;
 25. And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand.
 26. But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth--yea, even all.
 27. And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father;
 28. Wherefore I will say unto them--Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
 29. And now, behold, I say unto you, never at any time have I declared from mine own mouth that they should return, for where I am they cannot come, for they have no power."
88:17-20;
"17. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.
 18. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
 19. For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
 20. That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified."
88:110-115;
"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.
 111. And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he may gather together his armies.
 112. And Michael, the seventh angel, even the archangel, shall gather together his armies, even the hosts of heaven.
 113. And the devil shall gather together his armies; even the hosts of hell, and shall come up to battle against Michael and his armies.
 114. And then cometh the battle of the great God; and the devil and his armies shall be cast away into their own place, that they shall not have power over the saints any more at all.
 115. For Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the Lamb.").'

Additional Scriptures 
Zechariah 14:4-9; 1 Nephi 22:24-26 (Jesus to reign on earth)
http://Scriptures.lds.org/query?words=Zechariah+14%3A4-9%3B+1+Nephi+22%3A24-26+&search.x=18&search.y=9

Daniel 7:27 (Saints to be given the kingdom)
27. 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.

D&C 88:87-110 (conditions during the Millennium)
http://Scriptures.lds.org/query?words=D%26C+88%3A87-110+

Revelation 20:1-3; 2 Nephi 30:10-18 (Satan to be bound)
http://Scriptures.lds.org/query?words=Revelation+20%3A1-3%3B+2+Nephi+30%3A10-18

D&C 101:22-31 (enmity to cease; no death; Satan to have no power to tempt)

Isaiah 11:1-9 (wolf and lamb to dwell together)
http://Scriptures.lds.org/query?words=Isaiah+11%3A1-9

D&C 43:31; Revelation 20:7-10 (Satan loosed to gather forces)
http://Scriptures.lds.org/query?words=D%26C+43%3A31%3B+Revelation+20%3A7-10


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Moroni 10:4-5
"4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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