Dear Gramps
I would like to learn more about The Thousand-Year Reign and what will happen during that time. I understand that we will see our ancestors and will be able to bring our family records up to date. Will there still be Temple work going on? What will be the function of the Temples during this time. What other things will take place during this time? I read some where during this time that a person will be able to go back in time and view history taking place.
Paul
Dear Paul,
In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in January of 1831, recorded in D&C 38, the Lord stated: “11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven— 12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.” As each of us are aware, wickedness is more prevalent today than in 1831, which would indicate that the end is near. The Lord revealed to Joseph that, “…and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the door.”
In the 10th Article of Faith, we are told that: “… that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” The earth will become terrestrial and Christ will rule personally. Those that are in spirit prison will remain there during the thousand years, (See D&C 88:100-102) and Satan will be bound and unable to tempt man during this period of time.
Several important works will be accomplished during the Millennium. The Gospel will be taught with greater intensity and power to all the inhabitants on the earth until all those who remain are converted and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Brigham Young stated that: “In the Millennium men will have the privilege of their own belief, but they will not have the privilege of treating the name and character of Deity as they have done heretofore. No, but every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father that Jesus is the Christ.” Isaiah tells us that: “…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord , as the waters cover the sea.”(Isaiah 11: 9) And Jeremiah indicates that: “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…”
Temple work will continue during the Millennium for all those whose ordinances have not been performed previously. In Doctrines of Salvation volume 3, page 58 Joseph Fielding Smith states: However, there shall be mortality upon the face of the earth during the thousand years, because of the great work that is to be accomplished of salvation for the dead. During that thousand years of peace the great work of the Lord shall be in the temples, and into those temples the people shall go to labor for those who have passed beyond and and who are waiting to have these ordinances which pertain to their salvation performed for them by those who still dwell in mortality upon the earth. And so there shall be mortal men, but they shall live from the time of birth until they are 100 years old and shall then be changed suddenly. Men will have power over disease, and their bodies will become vigorous and strong, for it will be a new creation of all things when Christ shall come.”
During the Millennium, deceased children will have the opportunity to choose mates. Continuing in Doctrines of Salvation pages 65-66, Joseph Fielding Smith states: “The Lord has said through his servants that during the Millennium those who have passed beyond and have attained the resurrection will reveal in person to those who are still in mortality all the information which is required to complete the work of these who have passed from this life Then the dead will have the privilege of making known the things they desire, and are entitled to receive. In this way no soul will be neglected and the work of the Lord will be perfected. It is the duty of parents who have children who have died and who were old enough to be endowed, to go to the temple and perform this endowment for them. When you have done this, you may let the matter of further work rest, except the sealing of these children to their parents, until the proper time comes.”
The scriptures speak of the Lord’s coming to usher in the Millennium as “the great and dreadful day of the Lord”. To the wicked it will be dreadful, but to the righteous it will be great and glorious for Christ will reign personally, peace will prevail and no wickedness will be found.
Gramps
