31110, Gospel Principles, Unit Nine: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, 44: The Millennium, 282
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.
* What is the Millennium?
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.
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, p. 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. People will still have their agency, and for a time many will continue to believe their false religions and ideas. Eventually everyone will accept Jesus Christ as the Savior. (See Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Latter-day Prophets Speak, pp. 261-62.)
During the Millennium, Jesus will "reign personally upon the earth" (Articles of Faith 1:10). Joseph Smith explained that Jesus and the resurrected Saints will probably not live on the earth all the time but will visit whenever they please or when necessary to help in the governing of the earth (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 268).
* Who will be on the earth during the Millennium?
There will be two great works for members of the Church during the Millennium: temple work and missionary work. Temple work involves the ordinances that are necessary for exaltation. These include baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple ordinances-the endowment, temple marriage, and the sealing together of family units.
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.
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).
* Discuss the great works to be done during the Millennium.
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).
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 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).
During the Millennium, there will be no war. People will live in peace and harmony together. Everything that has been used for war will be turned to useful purposes. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).
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).
Even though mortals will live on the earth 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 (see D&C 63:51; D&C 101:29-31).
Some truths have not been revealed to us. 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).
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).
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 Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 115). People will continue to plant and harvest crops and build houses (see Isaiah 65:21).
* Discuss the conditions that will exist during the Millennium. Use the scriptural reference listed for each condition.
At the end of the 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; D&C 88:17-20, D&C 88:110-15).
* Zechariah 14:4-9; 1 Nephi 22:24-26 (Jesus to reign on earth)
* Daniel 7:27 (Saints to be given the kingdom)
* D&C 88:87-110 (conditions during the Millennium)
* Revelation 20:1-3; 2 Nephi 30:10-18 (Satan to be bound)
* D&C 101:22-31 (enmity to cease; no death; Satan to have no power to tempt)
* Isaiah 11:1-9 (wolf and lamb to dwell together)
* D&C 43:31; Revelation 20:7-10 (Satan loosed to gather forces)