The Kingdom of God

One of the words that is a bit enigmatic to me that is used often in the Doctrine and Covenants is the word kingdom.  I believe that these words from a prayer given by the Prophet help us understand two different types of kingdom that are spoken of: "Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth. Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen" (D&C 65:5-6).  According to this then there is a "kingdom of God" that is set up now on the earth, and there is a "kingdom of heaven" that at the Second Coming will in some way come to us.  It appears that most of the references to kingdom in the Doctrine and Covenants refer to the former "kingdom of God" that we participate in on earth right now. 

I am amazed at how many times the Savior has told us that this earthly kingdom of God is ours.    He has encouraged us saying, "Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen" (D&C 35:27).  In another passage we read, "Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome" (D&C 38:9).  In the same section He said again, "Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours" (D&C 38:15).  In describing the people of His Church He said they were those "to whom the kingdom has been given" (D&C 45:1).  Another verse tells us that "the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things which are not ordained of him" (D&C 50:35).  The Lord said again very straightforwardly, "Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so. Amen" (D&C 62:9).  A couple of sections later He repeated, "I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom" (D&C 64:4).  He spoke of the "high priests of my church, to whom the kingdom and power have been given" (D&C 72:1).  In another passage He encouraged us again, "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours" (D&C 78:18).  At a council of high priests and elders He said yet another time, "For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen" (D&C 82:24).  And in another revelation soon thereafter He spoke to "all those to whom the kingdom has been given" (D&C 84:76).  There can be no mistake that, in some way, the righteous can consider the kingdom as their own.              

               So what exactly does the Lord mean by telling us that the kingdom is ours?  I’m not sure I know the answer to that, but it does seem that such an incredible declaration means that we should feel a greater sense of responsibility for building up the kingdom of God on the earth.  We need not be just passive participants who attend Sunday meetings each week, but we can be instrumental in “building up [His] church and kingdom on earth” as we keep our covenants, serve, and share the gospel (D&C 104:59).  One typically takes muc better care for a possession that is one’s own and not someone else’s (as they say, no one ever washes a rental car), and knowing that in a very real sense the kingdom of God is ours can help us to give more wholeheartedly to this marvelous work.  And if we can truly magnify our responsibilities in that kingdom on earth, then one day we can likewise “inherit the kingdom of heaven” in the life to come (D&C 6:37).