[deseretgov]

Originally Posted by Elgama

I have a few questions I have read your website and I am very unnerved - the Council of Fifty held its last recorded meeting in 1884.

1) Does this have the support of our church leaders?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has currently made no comment concerning the Nation of Deseret.

2) Shouldn't the First Presidency be the ones to even start intiating something like this?

The original Council of Fifty was started by Joseph Smith. The restored Gospel was necessary to establish the foundation of the political Kingdom of God. It is also clear from statements made by many Council members, including Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young, that the Council of Fifty(political Kingdom of God) is not a church organization. The Church has no authority over the political Kingdom. On that same not the political Kingdom for God had no authority in the Church. The Council of Fifty was meant to have members not only from the CJCLDS, but from many other religions. If I may reference a quote from earlier(emphasis added):

"They were told that the Council of Fifty was not a church organization, but was composed of members irrespective of their religious faith, ... and that the organization of the church belonged to the priesthood alone."
(HC 7;213)

The consent of the CJCLDS is not required for the functioning of the political Kingdom of God, because they are their own separate organizations. One covers political and legal matters, the other covers matters of salvation. Having said that(and I didn't mean to make it sound like the Church is unimportant), I think that since God is the primary author and leader of both organizations, they would naturally move in the same direction.

3) Are you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? or a splinter group?

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I am sorry but this makes me very uneasy it seems to be something that only the President of the Church should spearhead. The only other group to resurrect it in the past is a polygamist state.

-Charley

I certainly understand your concerns. But bear in mind that the President of the Church is just that, the President of the Church. He has all authority relating to the operation of the Church and the spiritual welfare of the Earth. But he doesn't have the civil(political) authority to do things such as: arrest people, pass civil laws, etc.

Of course if it's God's will that the President of the Church would lead this movement then it will happen. If it's God's will that the leaders we currently have will lead us then that will happen. Whatever is God's will is what will come to pass. Maybe the purpose of our movement is not to be the Millennial government only to prepare the way for the actual Millennial government. I'm not sure what the future will hold, but what I do know is that God's will is what will come to pass.

I've heard of a smiliar group called something like the Nations of Israel or something. I've been unable to find any references on it.