We are engaged in the same work now that we shall be engaged in in eternity, as says we are in eternity, we are in heaven and we only need to reform to enjoy it. I make calculations to live forever and not die at all, for I lay down and go to sleep and wake up in the morning, and so I will wake up in the morning of the resurrection and take up a new body. The process of death is something like the planting of wheat for when you plant the kernal, you dont receive the same kernal back again but a new one out of the old one. And so it is in the resurrection, and when we all rise up again you will not know which is the oldest only pertaining to our years on this earth. When I consider on these things I dont feel cast down. The time has come when I dont feel sensitive about death, and [p. [7]]
The 27 February 1845 council minutes recorded by Thomas Bullock state, “B. Young has found out that we are in Eternity, the Millenium has now commenced.” A month later, at the April conference of the church, Young elaborated, “Here is Zion— the Zion is right here— the millenium has commenced the principle of peace is here— there is no contention between the brethren & Sisters— all is peace it is growing stronger, & stronger, this is the Millenium, the day of rest, the Saints will increas in peace, virtue, &c & there will not be any place for the Devil, or those cast out.” (Council of Fifty, Minutes, 27 Feb. 1845; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, 6 Apr. 1845.)
Historian’s Office. General Church Minutes, 1839–1877. CHL