“Seek Ye First to Build Up the Kingdom of God”
Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:38
38 Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“It is common among us to quote the less perfect translation of this statement, which says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,’ rather than the inspired rendition, ‘Seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness.’ Both statements are true; both are profound; both present a standard and a concept around which the Saints should rally; and the Nephite account does in fact preserve the first of the two, which is, of course, the ultimate objective of true believers. To seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, in the ultimate and eternal sense, is to seek the celestial kingdom and the state of righteousness in which God dwells. The process by which this ultimate goal is attained is to devote oneself to building up the earthly kingdom, which is the Church, and to establish the Cause of Righteousness on earth.”
(The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 2:158.)
