This is an excerpt from the book, INVASION Vol 2: How We End It, a book written from a Latter-day Saint perspective on modern secret combinations and how we turn the tide for liberty.
The powers that shouldn’t be have banned its sale in traditional outlets, but it can be found at the Tree of Liberty Society website here: https://treeoflibertysociety.com/product-category/books/
Before the return of the Lord, we must build the Kingdom of God, an entity separate from both the Kingdom of Heaven and the Church, or spiritual institution. This explanation will show it is not yet in operation in its fullness. We must learn what is yet to be accomplished.
The Kingdom is something faithful believers of all Bible-based denominations look forward to. Christian pastor, Ron McKenzie, in the description for his book, Government of God, wrote,
“In a world where most people are fed up with their government, an announcement of a new government is good news. The coming of a better government is extremely good news. When we first hear the expression government of God, it seems odd. The thought of the Government of God expanding throughout the world sounds strange to our ears, but that was Jesus’ message. He announced that the Government of God is near and promised that it will expand until it fills the whole earth.” (https://www.kingwatch.co.nz/Books/government_god.htm)
The Prophet Joseph explained,
“That the two were distinct, as the church was not designed to ‘govern men in civil matters’ and the kingdom was ‘not designed to effect our salvation hereafter…
There is a distinction between the Church of God and kingdom of God… It is an entire, distinct and separate government.The church is a spiritual matter and a spiritual kingdom; but the kingdom which Daniel saw was not a spiritual kingdom, but was designed to be got up for the safety and salvation of the saints by protecting them in their religious rights and worship.” (18 April 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, 2016, p. 108, 128)

Despite cultural understandings and teachings, the Church is NOT the Kingdom. Conversely, the Kingdom is NOT the Church. The early brethren understood and taught this until the late 1800’s, with George Q. Cannon explaining,
“We have been taught from the beginning this important principle, that the church of God is distinct from the kingdom of God. In the midst of all of us who understand this matter there is a clear distinction between the church in its ecclesiastical capacity and that which may be termed the government of God in its political capacity.” (George Q. Cannon, Juvenile Instructor, 31:140)
These individuals also understood and taught that this was not some ambiguous institution that would be established after the destruction of nations or after the Second Coming, but something they were building and anticipated being established before these events. It was believed by the early Latter-day Saints that this Kingdom would have its own ambassadors to the nations of the earth:
“The kingdom of God… is to become a political power, known and recognized by the powers of the earth; and you, my brethren, may have to be sent forth to represent that power as its accredited agents.” (George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, 24:103)
The governing body of this kingdom was officially, via revelation, called,
“The Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the keys and power thereof, and judgement in the hands of his servants. Ahman Christ.” (Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845, p. 30, The Joseph Smith Papers, non-standard spelling in the original)
It was commonly known and referred to by such names as “The Council of Fifty” and “The Kingdom of God.” There is some evidence to suggest that it was first revealed to Joseph Smith in April of 1842 (see Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, March 1844 – January 1846, Introduction), however its first formal meeting was held in March of 1844 (Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, March 1844 – January 1846 or online at https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/council-of-fifty-minutes-march-1844-january-1846-volume-1-10-march-1844-1-march-1845/1).
Some books to learn about the activities and functions in-depth are the documentary histories of the organization:
- Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, March 1844 – January 1846, Church Historians Press, 2016
- The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, edited by Jedediah S. Rogers, published by Signature Books, 2014
As well as these narrative histories:
- Quest for Empire: The Political Kingdom of God and the Council of Fifty in Mormon History, by Klaus J. Hansen, Michigan State University Press, 1974
- Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier, Benjamin E. Park, Liverlight, 2020
- The Council of Fifty: What the Records Reveal About Mormon History, Edited by Matthew J. Grow, R. Eric Smith, Deseret Book, 2017
Though almost none of the members of the Church were aware of this organization while it was in active operation, those involved felt that this organization was being done in fulfillment of,
“[T]he predictions of the prophets to establish a pure government… As has been predicted by all the holy prophets since the world began, to be brought to pass on the earth in the last days.” (18 April 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, 2016, pg. 113)

Most notably, the prophecy of Daniel in his interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream,
“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold” (Daniel 2:34-35, 45, King James Version)

Even though many have imagined this stone to be like a snowball falling down a mountain, the Prophet Joseph Smith corrected this idea saying,
“I will correct the idea in regard to the little stone rolling forward–that is not so, it is stationary like a grindstone. And like a grindstone it revolves [Joseph made a circular motion with his hands] and said that when the Elders went abroad preaching the gospel and people believed and obeyed the gospel and became believers in the Book of Mormon, they were added to the little stone–— thus they gathered around it so that it grew larger and larger until it had already began to pinch the toes of the image–and it [the stone] would finally break it [the image] in pieces and be carried away like the chaff of the summer thrashing floor while the stone kep[t] growing until it filled the whole earth.” (Joseph Smith, Jr., Journal of Henry W. Bigler, 1836)
In other words, as the Kingdom grows, the kingdoms of this earth are crushed by it. The Kingdom of God does not magically appear out of nowhere, it is built, under the direction of God, through the efforts of His servants here on earth.
The participants of this organization understood the fact that they had “to act and not be acted upon” (See 2 Nephi 2:14, 16, 26) in these matters. They knew they had to be anxiously engaged in the cause or as Joseph put it,
“If the Saints possess the kingdom, I think they will have to take it; and the sooner it is done the more easily it is accomplished.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:372, emphasis added)
The weaknesses of the Saints led to their failure in accomplishing the task of “taking” the Kingdom in past generations, making it harder for us than it would have been for them. However, the longer we take, the more difficult it will be for our children or grandchildren. We must make this effort a priority if we are going to even attempt to lighten the load of our posterity.
Though the Kingdom is over political matters, the acceptance of these principles has a spiritual effect on us, as Brigham Young warns:
“There is no man on this earth who can receive the Kingdom of God in his heart and be governed according to the laws of that Kingdom, without being governed and controlled in all temporal matters. If you are not of one heart and mind in these things, never think of Jackson County, for you will not be wanted there.
No man is going to inherit a celestial glory, who trifles with the principles thereof. The man who does not labor from day to day and from hour to hour for building up this Kingdom and bringing forth the fulness of the Kingdom of God on the earth, and the establishment of Zion, will sooner or later fall.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, volume 10, pg.338, discourse given June 22-29, 1864)
How do we not “trifle” with this principle and begin “taking” the Kingdom?
We must understand why we don’t have it:
As covered in INVASION Volume 1, we do not have the Kingdom of God in operation today because the Satanic conspiracy we face is so prevalent and the weaknesses of the Saints are so evident that God could not establish it in its power. We must learn from the mistakes of the past so that we can better avoid them today.
Next, we “take” it by living our lives, as much as we can, in a way that says we believe that,
“All the nations have obtained their power, rule and Authority by usurpation, rebellion, bloodshed, tyranny and fraud…
And no other government, Kingdom, Dominion, authority, power, rule, or law, shall be acknowledged by my people.” (18 April 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Joseph Smith Papers, Administrative Records, Council of Fifty Minutes, 2016, pg. 111, 113)
Additionally, that our actions match our belief that,
“God is the legitimate Ruler of the universe, and no government under him is strictly legal, except it be duly authorized and commissioned by him.” (Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, volume 7, pg.48)

We show that we are ready for more when we apply what information we already have. Our lives must be focused on living as if God’s government was here. Our time should not be spent worrying about what an illegitimate government’s illegitimate and “pretend legislation” (as America’s Founding Fathers called it) is. Rather, we conduct our lives as though the governance of God is already established, disregarding the illegitimate authorities that claim to rule over us. We must behave as if they simply do not exist. Our adherence to the commandment found in D&C 98 compels us to reject all forms of illegitimate government, as previously defined.
We draw inspiration from the courageous individuals of history who risked their lives to oppose tyranny in faithful obedience to God, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the fruits of our sacrifices. If we genuinely aspire to be the people of God, our allegiance must be solely to His governance and to no other authority.
How are we going to “take” the Kingdom if we’re still bowing down to the usurper? The Kingdom will be established. Are we helping or hindering that? Brigham Young declared,
“The time must come when there will be a separation between this kingdom and the kingdoms of this world, even in every point of view.
The time must come when this kingdom must be free and independent from all other kingdoms.
Are you prepared to have the thread cut today?” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, volume 5, pg.98, discourse given, August 2, 1857)
This principle was so important to the Saints that Brigham Young taught them,
“It is the duty of the true minister of Christ … to teach them by precept and example how to become an independent nation.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, volume 11, pg.133, discourse given Aug. 1-10, 1865)
It was this principle that was the leading cause of government persecution of the people of God throughout time.
Today we hear the term “ecclesiastical authority” or the “ecclesia of God,” and we think of religious authority or a religious body. However, the ancient saints, when using that term, were asserting their intention to form the political kingdom of God in defiance to the political authority of the day. Ecclesia was the name of the governing body of Greece during the first century. Calling yourself the ecclesia of God was an open challenge to government authority. The Jews of this time avoided persecution by not challenging government authority. Although the Jews and Christians did not worship the same as Rome, it was the Christians that showed a direct threat to civil authority.
Like the ancient saints, the latter-day saints were building a government that did not recognize any earthly authority, and stated that what they were building was designed to crush the governments of the earth. As it grew, it therefore received the same persecution as the ancient saints, according to scripture. Persecution is to be expected if one is living their life in Christ.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12, King James)
The Saints were given a way to begin to cut this thread in a revelation given in 1833 wherein the Lord declared,
“And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me…
And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil… And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil” (Doctrine & Covenants 98:5, 7, 11)
We begin to “cut the thread” when we “forsake” any pretend law that does not support “that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges” or in other words,
“Then do you profess to ignore the laws of the land? No; not unless they are unconstitutional, then I would do it all the time.” (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, volume 11, pg.343, discourse given March 31, 1867)
Can this be difficult? Without a doubt. It can be scary standing for righteousness, but we have the example of those who have come before. Wilford Woodruff reminded us that,
“It places us precisely in the same position that it did the Hebrews in the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the den of lions.” (Wilford Woodruff Journal, 21 April 1879)
When the law forbade praying by anyone except King Darius, did Daniel obey? No. Did Daniel keep a “prayer in his heart” as to feign obedience to have “no other Gods”? No. Daniel, with the windows wide open, boldly and defiantly prayed out loud three times a day for all to hear. (See Daniel 6, King James)
In our journey towards “taking” the Kingdom of God, we begin by not treating an invading or usurping government that violates its own governing documents as legitimate. We obey God’s laws, first and foremost.
The Kingdom of God will be established prior to the Second Coming of Christ.
Are you living for it?