Introduction
The phrase “so what” is a way of asking what significance a particular statement or fact has on the person asking “so what”? It also has an element of doubt or disbelief associated with it. As followers of Jesus Christ, we should change this question slightly to reflect our faith and belief in His teachings. As we read and discuss the signs of the Second Coming today, continually ask yourself, “So, what should I learn from this?” “So, what should I change in my life?” “So, what does this do to strengthen me in my desires to live righteously?”
The Savior will return
D&C 29:9–11 – What will happen to the wicked at the second coming? They will be burned.
D&C 34:7, 12; 43:17; 110:16; D&C 49:7 – When will the Second Coming be? (Soon, near, but not even the angels know exactly when.)
D&C 34:8, 11; 63:34 – What will happen to the earth? The earth will tremble, and it will require all the faithfulness of the Saints to escape the pending destruction.
D&C 88:96–99 – What will happen to the righteous? The righteous will be resurrected at the time of the Second Coming.
D&C 45:48, 51–53 – How will the Jews recognize the Messiah? The
So, knowing these prophecies of how the world will be at the time of the Savior’s return, what should we do with our daily lives?
The Millennium will be wonderful
Read D&C 101:21–34, with class members reading one verse each.
Read D&C 45:58-59.
So, what does this knowledge about the future mean to you today? When you remember these truths, what choices do you make differently?
Preparing for the Second Coming
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches many signs we should watch for in preparation for the Savior’s triumphal return. These include the following, and would make a wonderful Family Home Evening lesson.
Positive signs
a. D&C 45:9; 133:57–58. (The fulness of the gospel will be restored.)
b. D&C 45:66–71. (The New Jerusalem will be built. It will be a place of peace and safety for the righteous in the last days.)
c. D&C 65:2–6. (God’s kingdom will be established on the earth.)
d. D&C 110:11–16. (Priesthood keys will be restored.)
e. D&C 133:8–9, 36–39. (The gospel will be preached throughout the world.)
a. D&C 29:15; 88:91. (There will be great weeping, despair, and fear. Men’s hearts will fail them.)
b. D&C 29:16; 45:31; 112:24. (There will be famines, scourges, sickness, and desolation.)
c. D&C 34:9; 45:40–42; 88:87. (There will be signs and wonders in the heavens and in the earth.)
d. D&C 45:26; 63:33. (There will be wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth will be in commotion.)
e. D&C 45:27. (The love of men will become cold, and iniquity will abound.)
f. D&C 45:33; 88:89–90. (There will be earthquakes, tempests, and great waves of the sea. Men will harden their hearts against God and fight each other.)
Some of these prophecies have already been fulfilled, some are in the process of being fulfilled, and some await fulfillment.
Parable of the Ten Virgins
The parable of the ten virgins is based on ancient Jewish wedding customs. In Jesus’ time, the bridegroom and his friends would escort the bride from her home to the home of the bridegroom. Along the way, the friends of the bride waited to join them. When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, they all went inside for the wedding. These weddings usually took place in the evening, so those waiting for the bride carried small lamps fueled by oil. In the parable, the bridegroom represents the Savior. The virgins represent members of the Church. The wedding represents the Savior’s Second Coming. The oil in the lamps represents preparation for the Second Coming.
Watch “They That Are Wise,” then read D&C 45:56–59. So, what should we do to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming?
President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
“In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 256).
Conclusion
The Second Coming is certain and drawing near. It is our privilege to have the restored Gospel to guide our lives and daily actions. Although many of the signs that will precede his return are scary, we can and should be prepared and faithful.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “How do you prepare for the Second Coming? Well, you just do not worry about it. You just live the kind of life that if the Second Coming were to be tomorrow you would be ready. Nobody knows when it is going to happen. … Our responsibility is to prepare ourselves, to live worthy of the association of the Savior, to deport ourselves in such a way that we would not be embarrassed if He were to come among us. That is a challenge in this day and age” (Church News, 2 Jan. 1999, 2).
Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve gave the following counsel:
“Teenagers also sometimes think, ‘What’s the use? The world will soon be blown all apart and come to an end.’ That feeling comes from fear, not from faith. No one knows the hour or the day (see D&C 49:7), but the end cannot come until all of the purposes of the Lord are fulfilled. Everything that I have learned from the revelations and from life convinces me that there is time and to spare for you to carefully prepare for a long life.
“One day you will cope with teenage children of your own. That will serve you right. Later, you will spoil your grandchildren, and they in turn spoil theirs. If an earlier end should happen to come to one, that is more reason to do things right” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 72; or Ensign, May 1989, 59).
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