Preparing for the Coming of Our Lord

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh” (D&C 133:17). Can't you feel the celebratory feeling gathered from this scripture? Since the Savior left the earth after his earthly mission, people have anxiously been awaiting His second coming. When will it be?
Sister Metten taught the 26th lesson in our manual for this year. President JF Smith shared his feelings about the "end of this earth."

"President Joseph Fielding Smith once told a group of Latter-day Saints that he was “praying for the end of the world.” He said, “If it came tomorrow I would be glad.” In response to that declaration, a woman spoke out, loudly enough for others to hear. “Oh, I hope not,” she said.

Sharing this experience some time later, President Smith taught:

“Do you not want the end of the world to come?

“Most people have the wrong idea of what is meant by the end of the world. …

“… When Christ comes there will be an end to the world. … There will not be any war, any turmoil, envying, lying; there will be no wickedness. Men will learn then to love the Lord and keep His commandments, and if they don’t they will not stay here. That’s the end of the world, and that is what the Savior prayed for when His disciples came to Him and said, ‘Teach us to pray.’ What did He do? He taught them, ‘Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.’ [See Luke 11:1–2.]

“That’s what I’m praying for. The Lord was praying for the end of the world, and so am I." Comments were made about how wonderful this ending time will be: peace, kindness abounding, honesty, etc. You won't have to worry about your bank getting hacked or someone breaking into your house or stealing the bike in the front yard. In the meantime, we must trust in the Lord while we live in this wicked world (although I must say there are some pretty awesome people and places!).

"We are rapidly approaching the great day of the Lord, that time of “refreshing,” when he will come in the clouds of heaven to take vengeance upon the ungodly and prepare the earth for the reign of peace for all those who are willing to abide in his law [see Acts 3:19–20]." There are many things that have happened that perhaps the members of His church can recognize: the gospel has been restored, the priesthood has been restored,  there is a gathering of Israel, temples are being built and the gospel is being preached all over the world (thanks partially to the internet). "Daniel was commanded to “… shut up the words, and seal the book [of his prophecy], even to the time of the end: [and in that day] many shall run to and fro,” said he “and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4.) Are not the people “running to and fro” today as they never did before in the history of the world? …" Aren't we fortunate to be amongst this movement? How great a blessing it is for us to be here in a time of an increase in knowledge! We must be counted worthy of this blessing by using it wisely.

Yes, there are prophesies of wars and rumors of wars and we can all attest to hearing these things and yes, there are countless earthquakes and such happening regularly, according to our Father's time.

Pres. Smith was asked if he knew when the Savior would come again and his reply was YES. Can you imagine that? Hold on. "Yes, now. I know when he will come. He will come tomorrow. We have his word for it. Let me read it:

“Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.”

Now there is a discourse sufficient on tithing.

“For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.” [D&C 64:23–24.]

So the Lord is coming, I say, tomorrow. Then let us be prepared." We can be like the foolish or wise virgins as we prepare our lives to be in order so that when Christ comes again, we will be as excited as Pres. Smith  seemed to be.

There will be judgment when He comes again. You might recall the story of the wheat and tares and how the workers wanted to pluck out the tares amongst the baby wheat. The lord said it was too early and to leave them be. Our Father knows when it isbthe right time to send his son again, when all things are done according to His timetable. We all need to be given the right opportunities to learn and make our own choices that will determine whose side we are on. When Christ comes, he will cleanse the earth in His father's time. When the cup of iniquity is full (not when we are perfect) is when he will come. It is up to us to be ready. Ask yourself if you are living as wheat or tares? Check your heart to see what your righteous desires are and gauge by those wants. Remember, NO ONE is perfect on this earth!

I like this next quote about us being instruments in God's hands in preparing for the second coming of Christ.  "Would it not be an extraordinarily strange thing if the Lord should come and begin his reign of peace, take vengeance on the wicked, cleansing the earth from sin, and not send messengers to prepare the way before him? Should we expect the Lord to come to judge the world without first giving it warning and preparing the means of escape for all who will repent??" If you think back to all those Bible and Book of Mormon stories you have heard, there has ALWAYS been a time of warning: Noah, Moses, Nephites, Abinadi, and on and on. Our big announcement has been through a young boy who carried the weight of so many when he was part of the restoration of the gospel, Joseph Smith. Joseph had his own announcement through the angel Moroni. God certainly doesn't seem to sneak around, does he?

When this 1000 years of peace comes there will still be plenty to do. In the Lord's way, he will provide a fair chance for all who have not had a chance to receive the gospel. They will be able to make a choice just like we have done and continue to do each day. 

"During the Millennium, there will be much need for temple work to be done if all are to receive a chance to embrace the gospel of Christ. "There shall be mortality upon the face of the earth during the thousand years because of the great work that is to be accomplished, of salvation for the dead. During that thousand years of peace the great work of the Lord shall be in the temples, and into those temples the people shall go to labor for those who have passed beyond and who are waiting to have these ordinances which pertain to their salvation performed for them by those who still dwell in mortality upon the earth." If you haven't begun searching out your family members who made you the miracle that you are, maybe it is time to begin (remember that thing about ease of internet?).

When Jesus came to the earth the first time, only a few knew of his presence but when he comes again, whenever that is, ALL will know and confess that he is the Christ. Each day of our lives gives us ample opportunities to make good choices. Some days are better than others but if we keep trying, we won't forget that that is what the atonement is for.

Keep up your good works and I hope to find you among the wheat fields where I am trying to grow.

Your bloggess,

Janice