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Dear
Gramps, Is it true that the resurrected world will be as a sea of glass?
Will there be no mountains or valleys? Karen, Coarsegole, California |
Dear
Karen,
There
will occur two major great changes in the earth in times to come. The first
change will occur at the beginning of the millennium when the earth will be
transformed from a telestial to a terrestrial kingdom. The second great change
will come after the millennium when the earth will be transformed from a
terrestrial to a celestial kingdom.
In
the first transition there will be a major change in the topology of the earth,
but it will not become at that time as a sea of glass. We read in the Doctrine
and Covenants,
Wherefore,
be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to
be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and
for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the
rough places to become smooth--and all this when the angel shall sound his
trumpet (D&C 49:23).
For
the mountains to be made low and the rough places to be made smooth (at the
beginning of the millennium) does not mean that the earth will as smooth as a
sea of glass. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explains it well, and specifically answers
your question about mountains and valleys during the millennium--
“Was
this earth once a garden fair, without thorns, thistles, briers, and noxious
weeds? It shall be renewed and receive again its Paradisiacal glory. The burning
desert shall blossom as the rose and become once again like the garden of the
Lord. Was it once blessed with rolling hills, pleasant valleys, and rivers of
splendor? In the promised day every mountain shall be made low, every valley
shall be exalted, and the rough places shall be made smooth” (Bruce R.
McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, p.89).
When
the earth is to be changed to a sea of glass is revealed in D&C 77 and
further clarified in D&C 130--
Q.
What is the sea of glass spoken of by John, 4th chapter, and 6th verse of the
Revelation?
A.
It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state (Doctrine
and Covenants 77:1).
The
angels do not reside on a planet like this earth; But they reside in the
presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for
their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before
the Lord (D&C 130:6-7).