Area Leadership Message
The Restoration and the Establishment of the Kingdom of God
Among the great and mighty who were found united in the large congregation of the righteous, which President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) saw in vision (see Doctrine and Covenants 138), was “Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people” (D&C 138:44).
The prophet Daniel, through interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see Daniel 2), predicted what would happen to the great powers and governments over time, leading up to the remarkable events of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the last days.
Daniel’s prophesy explained that the kingdom the Lord would raise up would never be destroyed nor left to others but would remain forever.
At about the same time, Nephi explained his father Lehi’s words to his rebellious brothers, Laman and Lemuel, and said: “in the latter days . . . the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles, unto the remnant of our seed” (1 Nephi 15:13).
And then he added, “wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved” (1 Nephi 15:14).
These prophecies are being gloriously fulfilled in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. The Restoration of the priesthood, doctrines, and ordinances of salvation and exaltation are fundamental parts of their fulfillment.
On April 5, 2020, to commemorate the bicentennial of the First Vision, President Russell M. Nelson read the proclamation, “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” In this revelation, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles testify of the divinity of our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, their visit to the boy Joseph Smith, the manifestations of heavenly messengers, and the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. He then stated the following:
“We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored.”
More than 200 years have passed since the beginning of the Restoration. The Lord invites all people to come unto Him. Those righteous people who respond positively and enthusiastically to this invitation become part of the Restoration, which is to prepare the world for the Savior’s Second Coming through the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth.
In a revelation to James Covill, the Lord told him, “Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish” (Doctrine and Covenants 39:13). Each faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ receives a similar mandate to labor in His vineyard and build up His Church to help establish and strengthen Zion.
And how is Zion established? When constructing a building where technical drawings and specifications are required, qualified staff work dedicatedly follow the directions of their leaders. Similarly, Zion is built after the pattern revealed by the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Everyone invited to participate in this great work gives their best effort, working together with enthusiasm and unity.
The establishment of the Church is built as each member strengthens their faith in Jesus Christ and their testimonies by studying the scriptures daily, with a focus on the Book of Mormon. It happens when we share the gospel and lovingly and warmly welcome investigators and new converts. It occurs when temples are filled with worthy patrons doing the work for their ancestors. It happens when thousands of youth go forth to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, putting all their other interests behind them. It occurs when every member of the Church strives to live as taught by the gospel of Jesus Christ on a celestial level.
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) stated that the kingdom of God we seek to establish “can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church.”
It takes a genuine effort from each member, not just those called to leadership positions in the Church. Each has much to contribute in establishing the kingdom of God on earth by giving of talents, abilities, time to bless the lives of other children of God, desires to be part of this magnificent work, and the work of accomplishing the divinely prepared plan of the Father of our spirits. There is much to be done and no time to waste. Now is the time to be determined, enthusiastic, and responsible for establishing the Church of Jesus Christ.
Through a vision, the Lord said to Nephi:
“Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be” (1 Nephi 13:37).
As a new year begins, let us make adjustments to actively participate in the establishment of Zion and thus be part of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. As we put forward our best self and unite it with the perseverance required by heavenly laws, we will be able to access the greatest gifts our Father has in store for His obedient children—the gift and power of the Holy Ghost in our life on earth and eternal life in the next stage of our existence with our Heavenly Father and our families.