LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Blessed mid-September greetings to all those living in the Kingdom of God,

September, as you know, is a very important month in the United States of America, in the Church of Jesus Christ, and with the House of Israel. Some might say, “How so?”

In the USA, this Sunday, September 17 is CONSTITUTION DAY!! Doctrine and Covenants 95:2 and 98:10 h both speak to the importance of the Constitution and why it was given to govern the USA. There is strong evidence to prove that there are efforts in progress to diminish or even eliminate the Constitution. If or when that happens, Zion will be our only hope Therefore, we must live in the Kingdom each day as an example to those we have contact with. We can do that best by living in accordance with all of God’s commandments. Jesus, the Word made flesh, as always, is our only example to follow, as He said in John 5:31 “For I can of mine own self do nothing; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father who hath sent me.” So that is our goal also, to do the will of the Father, in all things.
September is important in the Church of Jesus Christ because it was September 22, 1827 that Joseph Smith Jr. was permitted to take the plates which resulted in the Book of Mormon. The book which has as one of its purposes to be a witness to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.

The House of Israel was given seven “Feast Days” or appointed times to observe to prepare for the Messiah. Four occur in the Spring and three in the Fall. One known as Rash Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year’s Day, begins at sunset Friday, September 15 and ends at sunset on Sunday, September 17. Then begins a ten day period known as “Ten Days of Awe.” These are also considered as ten days of sincere repentance in order to be prepared for the “Day of Atonement” The Day of Atonement is called “Yom Kippur” which begins at sunset on September 24 and ends at sunset on September 25. If the Messiah does not come at that time, they go through another year.

While we are not obligated to “follow” these appointed times, it behooves us to be aware of them and always be in a state of preparing for the return of Jesus Christ. As our brother Alma relates in Alma 10:22-25 “Therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard. 23 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory. 24 And now, we only wait to hear the joyful news, declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. 25 Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.” Since we do not know our allotted time on earth, it is vital that we live in obedience to God’s commandments.

God go before you, with you, and behind you as you live for Him in the Kingdom of God.

Paul Gage