The
Kingdom
We believe that David was king in Israel, and that he
was chosen by God, and that the Bible and Doctrine and Covenants prophecy of more
“kings and priests.” We believe that kings are below
prophets, and that King David and King Solomon were anointed by prophets
because the
“less is blessed of the better.” We believe that James J. Strang was chosen by God to
be a priestly King, subordinate to his office of prophet, and that he
was of the lineage of David. Indeed, even Joseph Smith taught that a
literal kingdom would be restored, and James J. Strang was the
fulfillment. We remember James as a gentle and generous king who
protected, gave inheritances to, and sought justice for all persecuted and
poor Latter Day Saints. He had a simple scepter turned from oak
burl, and a tin crown. He was crowned on July 8, 1850, and died a
martyr on July 9, 1856.
Vignette of King David from an 1840s
Bible
“Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.”
(Teachings of Joseph Smith, p. 339).
“I calculate to be one of the instruments of setting up the kingdom of Daniel by the word of the Lord, and I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. I once offered my life to the Missouri mob as a sacrifice for my people, and here I am.”
(Teachings of Joseph Smith, p. 366).
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.
(Genesis 14:18)
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
(Exodus 19:6)
15 Thou shalt in any wise set [him] king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: [one] from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which [is] not thy brother.
(Deuteronomy 17:15)
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
(1 Samuel 16:13)
51 [He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
(2 Samuel 22:51)
39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
(1 Kings 1:39)
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. (Hebrews
7:7)
9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light. (1 Peter 2:9)
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(Revelation 1:6)
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
(Revelation 5:10)
21 But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you.
(D&C 38:21)
56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his
glory.
57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son.
(D&C 76: 56-57)
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