LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - JANUARY 8, 2026

 

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

JANUARY 8, 2026

To the Saints of the Most High God, Greetings,

 

To our knowledge, there has only been one example of where the people were living with God and were later translated. That, of course, was Zion, Enoch's City, for which we eagerly await its return to earth. Other groups had a similar experience for a while, but could not sustain it. We know that Zion is described in Genesis 7:23 as being a people that were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them.

 

So, what advantage did Enoch have that we don't have? They walked with God and He dwelt in the midst of Zion. That is a very big advantage! As we consider the idea that we are "living in the Kingdom of God" are we of one heart and one mind, are there no poor among us and is God dwelling in our midst? Most Saints would be very quick to say, "No way!" We could spend lots of time trying to determine exactly what it means to "Live in unity" and/or "Dwell in the midst of Zion."

 

Perhaps for us, today, in our present condition, regarding the Church and in the world, it might mean complying with the Sacrament prayer on the bread. DC 17:22d O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son and witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

 

Dwelling in the midst may not mean that God was right there all the time, but that is possible when people are of one heart and one mind. If we comply with the last part of the prayer above, we will have His Spirit to be with us, always. When there is disunity, His Spirit is not there. So if we say we are living in the Kingdom of God, we must be in obedience to His commandments.

 

Most likely, the process of Zion was something the people had to learn. With God in their midst, as He also tells us in DC 38:2b; 50:f,g; 83:17, they were able to achieve Zion in less than a year and lived in Zion for 365 years. Our challenge is to live such a life now so as to be ready to meet Zion when it returns.

 

God bless you in your efforts,

Paul Gage