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Written by: Stephen Taysom

After the parousia, Mormons believe that Christ will reign on the earth and Satan will be bound for 1,000 years. During this period, Mormons will live and work on the earth, but will be able to do so without the temptations of Satan and without the interference of wicked persons. Mormons expect Christ to stand at the head of a world government during this period.  

LDS scripture also deals with God's conception of time, although conflicting scriptural passages complicate the subject. The Book of Abraham, a text that Smith claims to have translated from ancient papyrus scrolls that he found among some mummies he purchased in 1835, teaches that God does not exist beyond time, but that he experiences time differently than human beings, with one of God's days equaling 1,000 earth years. While technically part of LDS theology, the specific ratio of God's day to human years is considered by modern Mormons to be somewhat esoteric, and many Mormons probably are not aware of it. The majority of Mormons are more familiar with yet another formulation, drawn from the more widely-read The Book of Mormon, which holds that "all is as one day with God, and time is only measured unto men."

Study Questions:
1.     What holidays do Mormons share with Christians?
2.     Describe the Mormon understanding of the Sabbath.
3.     How do the temples transform understandings of time and space?
4.     What is the parousia? What will happen following it?