Historical Reflections.

Avraham Gileadi, in his book, “The Book of Isaiah: A New Translation with Interpretive Keys from the Book of Mormon” quotes the Prophet Joseph Smith as making the following statement:

Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.

He also quotes from the dedicatory prayer offered by Orson Hyde on the Mount of Olives,

Let them know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom to Israel–raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant, even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their king.

Duane Crowther in his book, “Prophecy, Key to the Future,” gives his opinion that King David will appear immediately before the Battle of Armagedon. He refers us to the following scriptures citing that this David will be responsible for building the temple in Palestine in the last days–Zechariah 6:11-13, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Hosea 3:4-5.

So, according to these sources, the Servant David is yet to appear

Reviewer Robert E. Riggs

As part of the latter-day "restitution of all things," a constitution for a political Kingdom of God was revealed to Joseph Smith. The political kingdom with its "Government of God," as the facts have been reconstructed by Dr. Andrus, was supposed to grow "out of the Church" and be subject to the ultimate rule of the priesthood. All officers of the government were to be nominated by priesthood authority, and citizens of the kingdom would "recognize the will and dictation of the Almighty" as revealed to Church leaders. Nevertheless, the political and spiritual kingdoms were to be distinct entities, with "a constitutional separation of powers between Zion and the political government." Being republican, representative and democratic, the government would also hold individual rights and freedoms inviolate. The role of political parties in selecting candidates would "naturally" (and with good riddance) be eliminated. As the government expanded to encompass the earth, it was to assume a federal form, with respect for local customs, religion, and cultural patterns. Excluding the church and state relationship, the government would bear a striking similarity to the United States constitutional system as conceived by the Founding Fathers.

Because the revealed constitution is now nowhere to be found, and Joseph Smith was never able to inaugurate the "Government of God" in more than rudimentary form, the author's task of reconstructing Joseph Smith's concept of "world government" is exceedingly difficult. Recognizing the limitations of the source material, Dr. Andrus deals with the subject only in his first chapter. The remaining two-thirds of this slender volume relates to the organization and activities of the General Council, or Council of Fifty, which may have been a first step toward the political kingdom but certainly was not world government.

Comments: As the World Economic system falls apart or self destructs, those who have inner guidance will form new local governing units in their neighborhoods and towns. Neighborhood and town councils, guided by openness, integrity and goals of healthy living and helping those in need. The will be taught the proper use of authority, which any parent can learn or any community leader can learn - functioning in their area of stewardship.  See D and C 121.