People on the Earth during the Millennium
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
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.
Because of the destruction of the wicked at the Savior's Second
Coming, only righteous people will live on the earth at the beginning of
the Millennium. They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest
lives. These people will either inherit 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 (see D&C 45:58). 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, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976],
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.
What Will Be Done during the Millennium?
The Work of the Church during the Millennium
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. (see Joseph
Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie,
3 vols. [1954-56], 2:167, 251-52.)
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
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 (see D&C 133:23-24).
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that during the Millennium,
"the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory"
(Articles of Faith 1:10).
Satan Bound
During the Millennium, Satan will be bound. This means he will not have
power to tempt those who are living at that time (see D&C 101:28).
The "children shall grow up without sin unto salvation"
(D&C 45:58). "Because of the righteousness of [the Lord's]
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 Things that has have
been used for war will be
turned to useful purposes. "They shall beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into plowshares pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more"
(Isaiah 2:4; see also Isaiah 11:6-7; D&C 101:26).
Righteous Government
President John Taylor taught: "The Lord will be king over all
the earth, and all mankind literally under his sovereignty, and every
nation under the heavens will have to acknowledge his authority, and bow
to his scepter. Those who serve him in righteousness will have
communications with God, and with Jesus; will have the ministering of
angels, and will know the past, the present, and the future; and other
people, who may not yield full obedience to his laws, nor be fully
instructed in his covenants, will nevertheless, have to yield full
obedience to his government. For it will be the reign of God upon the
earth, and he will enforce his laws, and command that obedience from the
nations of the earth, and he will enforce his laws, and command that
obedience from the nations of the world which is legitimately his
right" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor
[2001], 225).
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 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 "the twinkling of an eye."
(see D&C 63:51; 101:29-31).
All Things Revealed
Some truths have not been revealed to us. All things 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).
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 (see Isaiah 11:6-7).
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 Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young
[1997], 333. Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 115). People will
continue to plant and harvest crops and build houses (see Isaiah 65:21).
Discussion
One Final Struggle after the Millennium
At the end of the 1,000 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 (see D&C 29:22-29;
88:17-20, 110-15).
Additional Scriptures