What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear? (Preparation for the Second Coming , Liahona)
Becky was studying last night about signs of the second coming of the Savior – I feel like this is probably a good topic to be aware of in these interesting times. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says this:
We need to make … spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. (Preparation for the Second Coming , Liahona)
Here is a scripture that is very fitting for our time:
(D&C 38:30 ) I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, a treasure up b wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
I crossed referenced "treasure" and found this scripture:
37 And whoso a treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall b come , and he shall send his c angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the d remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (JST-M 1:37 )
I then cross reference "treasureth" and found Scriptures, Study of and Study and Treasure in the Topical Guide. What I get from this is a direct warning and reminder:
Search the Scriptures and I will not be deceived!
I’m grateful for the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve had the opportunity to share my testimony with a friend who has decided he is gay. He’s against Proposition 8 and it seems he is completely against the Church as well. This has been hard to deal with but I know where my strenght lies – in Jesus Christ and in His teachings. These teachings are found in the testimony of the prophets, both ancient and modern, who teach one simple truth:
25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give a heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the b faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things. (1 Nephi 15:25 )
I’m grateful that I have that source of truth to support me in these times. The world is getting more and more wicked.
The scriptures are rich in references to the Second Coming, an event eagerly awaited by the righteous and dreaded or denied by the wicked. (Preparation for the Second Coming )
Again, a fervent study of the scriptures has to be one of the main areas of protection and preparation for the Second Coming.
1 a Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten b virgins , which took their c lamps , and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all a slumbered and b slept .
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the a bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their a lamps .
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps a are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were a ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was b shut .
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I a know you not.
13 a Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
So what is the "oil" the Lord speaks about here? I think the oil is a representation of spiritual nutrition. The lamps are our testimonies. Our testimonies can only be filled with spiritual nutrition (aka scripture study, prayer, temple attendance, service, etc.) The Lord "knew them not" because they had not been doing the basics: studying His words, praying to the Father in His name, serving.
I cross referenced "watch" and found a few great things:
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not a watch yourselves, and your b thoughts , and your c words , and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and d continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. (Mosiah 4:30 )
A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value. (Preparation for the Second Coming )
I really feel like this is one of the best answers for those having a problem with pornography, homosexuality, or any sin – they do not watch themselves, and their thoughts, and their words, and their deeds. They get caught up in the philosophies and ideas of men and lose their spiritual priorities and guidance. Then their guard is let down and they are susceptible to sin and temptation.
…many of our youth and adults are caught up in pornography, pagan piercing of body parts, self-serving pleasure pursuits, dishonest behavior, revealing attire, foul language, and degrading sexual indulgence.
20 Wo unto them that a call b evil good, and good evil, that put c darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (2 Nephi 15:20 )
…we do not know when this game will end, and we do not know the final score, but we do know that when the game finally ends, our team wins. We will continue to go forward “till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540). (Preparation for the Second Coming )
I’m grateful again for the words of the prophets and for my testimony. I know the Church is true and that Jesus will return again. I pray that I will be ready and will help my family be ready too.
Sincerely,
Nate
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