We are told that Jesus will send Elijah, Son of God and Son of Man, to earth in the not too distant future. He will be the Sole World Ruler.
     Elijah will surely have his own agenda regarding laws to be enacted. In the meantime, we are free to speculate regarding the laws he might initiate as he brings order out of chaos. It should be emphasized that Elijah will be Sole World Ruler, not Sole World Advisor.

     Elijah will appear in person before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." [Malachi 4:5] Just when he will appear we do not know, but we do know that a place must be prepared from which he will rule. The headquarters of the New World Order will be the third Garden of Eden. Van, a loyal member of Caligastia's Staff of One Hundred, and his volunteers created the first Garden of Eden in anticipation of the arrival of Adam and Eve. At that time, it was the most beautiful place on earth. The first Garden will be our model as we strive to create another Garden that will also be the most exquisite place on earth. [Papers 66, 67, and 73]

The Third Garden of Eden.
     The entire Garden will be beautiful to behold.
     There will be no slums, no high-rise projects, and no industrial sectors spewing black pollution into the atmosphere.
     Residential houses will sit on generous-sized lots. Ample space for privacy will be assured. Persons can satisfy their desire to plant trees, flowers, and vegetables in abundance.
     The Garden will contain numerous parks. All parks will provide safe playgrounds for children. There will be beautiful trees and flowers as well as places to gather for picnics or visiting.
     Petting zoos will contain a variety of animals for the enjoyment of children [and perhaps adults]. The Garden will contain animals, birds, and insects of all descriptions although it may not be possible to provide two of everything.

     Following are a few of the areas in which Elijah, as Sole World Ruler, will be concerned.

[1] Marriage.
     A stable, loving home life for both parents and children is the foundation of any civilization. Therefore, laws will be instituted to assure that children will have the benefit of a loving relationship with their parents or guardians.
     Present laws regulating the institution of marriage are exceedingly lax. There are almost no obstacles standing in the way of two persons [a man and a woman] who wish to marry. The lack of appropriate laws regulating marriage has resulted in an enormous number of adults and children who must be supported by taxpayers. Also, the lack of appropriate laws regarding marriage and divorce work to severely penalize children. Under present laws, children can be emotionally and mentally scarred for life.
     Marriage will be defined as a civil institution to be governed by the state. The institution of marriage will not be considered a department of the church. Churches will be prohibited from enacting rules pertaining to marriage.

     There will be stringent laws regulating who can enter into a contract of marriage. For example:

     [A] No man will be permitted to marry until he can demonstrate he is financially able to support a wife and children.
          Under no circumstances can men and women marry before the age of twenty-five.
          If a man and a woman desire to marry, they must sign a document stating their intention. A waiting period of not less than one year will be required before the couple can marry.
          During the required waiting period both the man and woman must successfully complete a counseling course to prepare them for the responsibilities of marriage.
          Persons of inferior mental and physical abilities will not be permitted to marry.

     [B] Children. How many children a financially responsible husband and wife can have will depend in part on their intellectual capabilities. [Their level of spiritual development will also be considered.] Persons with higher intellectual capabilities will be permitted to have more children than persons who are less well endowed.
          Persons who are mentally and physically inferior will be denied the privilege of having children.

     [C] Abortions. An abortion at any stage of a pregnancy will be prohibited except in cases permitted by Elijah.
          If the baby is unwanted by the parents the infant automatically becomes a ward of the state. The baby can be adopted by a financially responsible couple who can provide a loving home for the infant. These adoptions will be final. Further contact between the child and its natural parents will be prohibited.

     [D] Divorce. When a man and woman state their intention to obtain a divorce, any children age 18 and younger automatically become wards of the state.
          A waiting period of at least one year will be required before the divorce becomes final.
         Children should be nurtured by both a father and a mother. Under no circumstances will a single parent be permitted to rear children.
          The state will permit adoption of the children by a financially responsible couple.
          When parents divorce, their love for their children may continue. Whenever possible, the children can be adopted by relatives of the father and mother.

          God is mercy-oriented, Jesus is mercy-oriented, and no doubt Elijah will be mercy-oriented. Therefore, with the approval of Elijah, the parents can continue a close relationship with their children.
          Elijah will decree the laws which permit a divorced man and woman to remarry.
          If divorced persons are permitted to remarry, Elijah will decree whether additional children will be permitted.

     [E] Cohabitation. Elijah may permit men and women to live together without benefit of marriage. However, we can be certain that any children born to an unmarried couple will automatically become wards of the state. The adoption will be final. Further contact between the child and the natural parents will be prohibited.

     [F] Death of one parent. Suppose a husband and wife are providing their children with a loving, stable home. One spouse dies. A single parent is not permitted to rear children. However, at the discretion of the state, the children can be adopted by relatives of either the father or the mother. This would enable the surviving spouse to keep in close contact with the children.
          If the surviving spouse remarries, Elijah may permit the surviving spouse and the new spouse to reclaim the children.

     [G] Death of both parents. Suppose both parents die, such as in an accident. At the discretion of the state, surviving children may be adopted by relatives, if any, of the parents.

[2] Education.
     Education at all levels will be free to all students during their entire lives. All persons will be encouraged to remain students during their lifetime. Excellent schools in all fields of study will be established as rapidly as possible.
     All children age 18 and younger must be enrolled in school. Parents or guardians who violate laws pertaining to education will be heavily penalized.
     Students age eighteen and younger who demonstrate a disinclination to attend school will be placed in a university-type environment complete with teachers, dormitories, class rooms, cafeterias, play grounds, . . . They will not be released until they obtain at least a high school diploma. [Other laws will apply to students who are mentally incapable of obtaining a high school diploma.] Students in university-type environments will receive the same high quality nurturing as would the children of responsible, loving parents.
     Young children will become wards of the state when parents or guardians demonstrate no interest in educating the children. At the discretion of the state, these young children can be adopted by financially responsible parents who will provide a loving home environment.

English, the World Language.
     English will be the official world language. Other languages will not be taught.
     We anticipate that people from around the world will choose to move to the third Garden. Persons who do not speak English will immediately be placed in classes so they can learn to read, write, and speak English.

Libraries.
     Children who have been rescued before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" will no doubt ask: "What happened! How did the world come to this?"
     Huge libraries will be assembled containing information on all the significant events of history, both current and ancient. There will be an extensive collection of books on just about every subject under the sun. However, libraries will contain no books on pornography or other inappropriate literature.

[3] World Government.
     Elijah will establish a world government. This government will be composed of governmental units around the world that constitute the "states." [Of course, in the beginning, world population will be limited. Also, areas that were laid to utter waste on the Day of Armageddon must be made habitable so that as population increases persons can move into them.]

     All persons will be required to take basic courses in the theory of representative government. All proposed legislation must be approved by Elijah.

Public Service.
     Persons who choose a career in public service will be required to complete a prescribed course of study as do persons in other disciplines such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, CPAs . . .
     Persons who are elected to public offices of any kind, and who are convicted of fraud or other corruption will be subject to severe penalties. Further, these persons will be prohibited from holding elective offices during the remainder of lives.
     The same laws will apply to persons in public service who hold non-elective offices and who are convicted of fraud or other corruption.

Voting.
     To vote, a person must have at least a high school education.
     A person with only a high school education will have one vote.
     A person with one college degree will have two votes.
     A person with two college degrees will have three votes.
     A person with three or more college degrees will have four votes.

     Persons qualified to vote but who do not vote will incur a heavy penalty.

Taxation.
     Tax rates will be equitable and based on the level of income or profit. The rates will not be burdensome.
     Tax laws will be strictly enforced. They will contain no loopholes.
     A portion of taxes paid will be set aside so that (A) all persons can be provided with the best of medical care, and (B) all persons can receive adequate pension benefits upon retirement.

[4] Population Control.
     Elijah will implement a method of population control for the purpose of purging the world races of defective and inferior strains. Eliminating the defective and inferior strains will greatly increase creative potential; increase characteristics of superior traits; and develop many new and biologically effective characteristics. The long range goal is to foster a world population of excellent specimens of humanity. [82:6]
     See my Paper [17] "Population Control: Looking Forward" for a more detailed explanation of why population control is necessary.

[5] Diet, Tobacco, Illegal Drugs, etc.
     The sale of the following products will be prohibited: junk food, white flour and white sugar, soft drinks, tobacco products of any kind.
     All food sold by restaurants must contain only natural products.
     Illegal drugs will not be available.
     Whether the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted I do not know.

[6] Religion.
     I do not know what laws pertaining to religion Elijah may decree. But persons must voluntarily "seek to do the will of God." Choosing to abide by God's will is the greatest gift that mortals can give him.
     No doubt all persons will be encouraged to read The Urantia Book. It will be optional with the reader whether to believe the information contained therein.

[7] Prisons.
     It is not anticipated that extensive prison systems will be needed. Such prisons as are needed will be modeled after universities:
     Attractive, well kept grounds; a comfortable private room with bath for each prisoner; nutritious food; continuing education; extensive libraries; equipment for hobbies; ample space and equipment for outside games such as baseball, soccer, etc.; ample space and equipment for inside games such as basketball, etc.
     Prisoners will not be abused physically, mentally, or emotionally.
     Sentences will not include the death penalty.
     Inmates will receive the best of medical care.
     However, it will be a prison with high walls. Prisoners will serve their full sentence.

     Some laws suggested in this paper are based on information in The Urantia Book.