Kingdom Builders …

“Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.” – Matthew 6:11

For much of Christendom “going to heaven” has been the object of the gospels; “sin” is that which keeps us from getting there; so the cross is about dealing with sin so that we can leave this world and go to a much better place.

There is no question that Jesus came to deal with sin. His cruel death was the only sacrifice that could be made for our transgressions. “While he was on the earth, he offered for a sacrifice his own life for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 8:4) Unique to the restored gospel is the belief that a necessary condition for salvation is baptism (both of water and spirit) by the hand of one with the authority to do so. Our access to his propitiating sacrifice is through the waters of baptism. There we are made clean. It is part of our creed and is framed nicely in our Epitome of Faith and Doctrine:

We believe that through atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

We believe that these ordinances are, first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Holy writ rightfully tells us that Jesus is the embodiment or incarnation of Israel’s God and much of our teaching, preaching, and proselyting is about who Jesus was and what he did for each at Calvary. While true, our message often ends there.

Yes, Christ’s mission on the cross was all about paying the penalty for sin, but it was also about the coming of the kingdom on earth as in heaven. He died not to rescue people from the world; instead he came to rescue people for the world. His mission was not just to form a creed about “how to have your sins forgiven” or “how to get to heaven” but a mission where forgiven people are put to work, addressing the evils of the world in the light of the victory of Calvary.

Also framed nicely in our Epitome of Faith are words about God’s kingdom on earth:

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, that Zion will be built upon this continent, that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaic glory.

Jesus inaugurated His kingdom through the cross. It is for this world and Jesus will be its King. The wonderful words penned by Parley P. Pratt, “Come, O thou King of kings!” ought to ring loudly in our souls. We should yearn for the kingdom on earth. Our purpose, our aim should not just be to “get into heaven” but to have heaven on earth. The mission of the church, restored in these the latter-days, is to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified and also be a moving force against the powers of darkness; to prepare a bride and a place.

Let us give to God our all and our best and seek first the kingdom of God on earth. Let its realization be what drives and motivates our every, thought, action, word and deed.

“Behold, the field is white already to harvest, therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God; yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God; … Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion.” — Section 12:2-3a