Sister Lathen taught a very important lesson this past Sunday on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the signs we are given forewarning us that He will be returning to Earth.
Throughout history, followers of Christ have looked forward to the Second Coming as a time of peace and joy, but through this lesson we were reminded that the people on earth must endure some great trials and calamities prior to witnessing His return. Some of the signs foretelling the Second Coming of Jesus Christ have already been or are now being fulfilled, whereas other signs will be fulfilled in the future. A few of the negative signs that the RS sisters mentioned include:
- Wars/Violence
- Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Tsunamis
- Insect infestations
- Abnormal seasonal changes
On another note, there are also positive signs related to the Second Coming, which the sisters mentioned as:
- The return of the gospel through Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon
- Increased missionary work throughout the world
- Temples being built
- Growing interest in genealogy work
We must keep in mind that the Lord provides us with these signs so that we understand the importance of getting our lives in order now to prepare ourselves and families for things that are yet to come.
As we look forward to the Second Coming, we learn more about our mission on earth and many sisters agreed that our mission involves working together to establish this church, accepting the Atonement in our lives, being baptized, leading by example, and preaching the gospel.
When Jesus comes again, He will do the following things:
- He will cleanse the earth. This time by fire (D&C 101:24-25), whereas the first time was during the days of Noah and the cleansing was done by water.
- He will judge His people. The people will be divided, the righteous from the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46).
- He will usher in the Millennium. This is the thousand-year period where Jesus will reign as King on earth.
- He will complete the First Resurrection.
- He will take his rightful place as King of heaven and earth.
Until this happens, all we can do is prepare ourselves for the Savior's return. Accepting the gospel and applying it to our lives to live each day as best as we can, just as Jesus taught when He was on earth. We, as Latter-day Saints, are lucky enough to look to the prophet for guidance and follow his counsel. By living worthily, will can then look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with happiness instead of fear.
Additional Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (watch for the signs and prepare)
D&C 38:30 (prepare so we might not fear)
John 14:2-3; Matthew 26:64 (Jesus to prepare a place and come again)
Matthew 13:40-43 (the Judgement predicted)
1 Corinthians 15:40-42; D&C 76; 88:17-35 (kingdoms of glory)
Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15; 1 Nephi 22:24-26 (Jesus to reign as King)
This Sunday, Sister Wonsyld taught an informative lesson about The Gathering of the House of Israel and what it specifically means to us as Latter-day Saints.
The beginning of the lesson defined the people who make up the House of Israel. The Scriptures specifically reference Jacob's twelve sons and their families making up the twelve tribes of Israel (See: Genesis 49:28). In addition to this, God's covenant people and converts to the Church are all considered Israelites, either by blood or adoption. As long as His commandments are obeyed, Heavenly Father promised that Israelites would be blessed as His covenant people.
Despite many warnings from the Lord regarding what would happen if the people were wicked, they continued to stray from His teachings, which resulted in the House of Israel being scattered among the earth (See: Deuteronomy 28:64) A couple sisters in the ward commented that the scattering of people was beneficial to God's children because it gives today's covenant people an opportunity for mission work and to spread the message of the gospel all over the world.
Heavenly Father wants His people to be gathered once again spiritually and physically as they prepare for the Savior's return. The Israelites are being gathered spiritually first through missionary work. Spiritually we are gathering as we join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where we make and keep sacred covenants with Heavenly Father. At some point in time, the covenant people will then gather physically in the lands of promise (See: 2 Nephi 9:2). This physical gathering of Israel will not be complete until the Second Coming of the Savior.
Until the physical gathering occurs, the modern prophets have taught Church members to build up the kingdom of God in their own lands. People can have the knowledge of the Lord brought to them without leaving their homelands. Many sisters contributed their views of where they feel Zion is located. One sister thoughtfully reminded us that in its simplest state, Zion starts in the home. On a broader scale, the Church believes that Zion is wherever righteous Saints reside.
Thank you to the sisters who contributed their stories on Sunday of being converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important as sisters of the Church that we continue to build up one another with spiritual strength as we continue to gather as the House of Israel.
Additional Scriptures:
Genesis 17:1-8 (God's covenant with Abraham)
2 Nephi 30:2; Mosiah 5:10-11 (becoming the Lord's covenant people)
James 1:1 (twelve tribes scattered abroad)
1 Nephi 15:13-18; 3 Nephi 21:26-29 (gathering starts with Restoration of the gospel)
Isaiah 11:11-13 (the Lord will recover his people)
D&C 133: 6-15 (Gentiles to Zion)
