Kingdom of God and the Church of God
The Kingdom of God and the Church of God are different, uniquely different – both have separate and independent roles here on Earth, both are governed by the priesthood but neither controls or governs the other. They are both independent of one another, but not independent of the priesthood, both are dependent on the priesthood.
“…the phrases Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, the Church of Christ, Church of God, the Church, etc., are often used interchangeably and indiscriminately to represent in a general way that divine institution which God in whole or in part from time to time establishes to help man in the matter of his salvation. But it is proper for the reader to know that Joseph Smith when speaking strictly recognized a distinction between “The Church of Jesus Christ” and the “Kingdom of God” And not only a distinction but a separation of one from the other. The Kingdom of God … is to be a political institution… On the other hand the Church of Christ is purely an ecclesiastical organization … ” (The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, 1965 ed., pp. 180-1)
When the Kingdom of God is fully set up and established on the face of the earth, and takes the pre−eminence over all other nations and kingdoms, it will protect the people in the enjoyment of all their rights, no matter what they believe, what they profess, or what they worship. If they wish to worship a god of their own workmanship, instead of the true and living God, all right, if they will mind their own business and let other people alone.
As was observed by brother Pratt, that Kingdom is actually organized, and the inhabitants of the earth do not know it. If this people know anything about it, all right; it is organized preparatory to taking effect in the due time of the Lord, and in the manner that shall please Him. As observed by one of the speakers this morning, that Kingdom grows out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter−day Saints, but it is not the Church, for a man may be a legislator in that body which will issue laws to sustain the inhabitants of the earth in their individual rights, and still not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ at all.” (JD 2:310, Brigham Young, July 8, 1855)
“The Kingdom of God is a separate organization from the Church of God. There may be men acting as officers in the Kingdom of God who will not be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On this point the Prophet Joseph gave particular instructions before his death, and gave an example, which he asked the younger elders who were present to always remember. It was to the effect that men might be chosen to officiate as members of the Kingdom of God who had no standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Kingdom of God when established will not be for the protection of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alone, but for the protection of all men, whatever their religious views or opinions may be. Under its rule, no one will be permitted to overstep the proper bounds or to interfere with the rights of others.” (President George Q. Cannon, HC 7:382)
When reading the scriptures try and identify that the Church and the Kingdom of God being referenced are sometimes two different things, they indeed have different roles and responsibilities, thus with this you may understand better what it is that is being revealed.
Messenger/Servants
New and Everlasting Covenant
Basically God is extending His covenants again to the people so while its new to that generation it is an eternal and everlasting covenant.
Restoration of Priesthood Keys at Kirtland
An excerpt from his talk:
“Ultimately, all keys of the priesthood are held by the Lord Jesus Christ, whose priesthood it is. He is the one who determines what keys are delegated to mortals and how those keys will be used. We are accustomed to thinking that all keys of the priesthood were conferred on Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, but the scripture states that all that was conferred there were “the keys of this dispensation” (D&C 110:16). At general conference many years ago, President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that there are other priesthood keys that have not been given to man on the earth, including the keys of creation and resurrection.”