President Nelson on the Second Coming

The April 2020 Ensign has an article from President Nelson titled "The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming" which can be found online at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2020/04/the-future-of-the-church-preparing-the-world-for-the-saviors-second-coming?lang=eng

I've taken a few paragraphs from our prophet's message.

"Remember that the fulness of Christ’s ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation—when the Savior’s Second Coming becomes a reality."

For those who think the Second Coming is about to come, the prophet's words are clear: that time is still in the future and there are pre-Second Coming prophecies that need to be fulfilled. The article mentions several of those prophecies.

Note his words "We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation" which means we are at the beginning of the time of the end, the time before the Second Coming. The climax is the Savior's Second Coming and we are just building up to that.

In a number of my past posts I have mentioned how the Lord separates the righteous from the wicked before the wicked are destroyed. Sometimes that destruction comes quickly and sometimes it takes some time. The righteous are either cast out by the wicked or led out by the Lord. When led out it may be by dreams or by the prophet and those under his direction and authority.

Notice in the first sentence of the next paragraph the very clear language our prophet uses, and references scripture.

"The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do (see Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–7). Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house. The greatest gift you could give to the Lord is to keep yourself unspotted from the world, worthy to attend His holy house. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes."

For those who do not believe a "gathering" or "call out" as some refer to it will happen, I take the statement "The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do" as very plainly indicating that there will be an invitation to gather and to be separated from those who don't obey the Lord.

The easiest way for the separation to occur is by invitation. And, I believe, the invitation will happen when things are seeming to improve. I think it will happen at at a time when it appears that our lives are getting back to normal and even feel "normal." I don't think this will happen this year, or even next. While I think it could happen in the next 2 years, I think the time frame is more likely within the next 4-8 years.

The events of the current day, particularly the covid-19 and extreme economic difficulties, are a test. A trial run. Learn from them particularly where your physical and spiritual preparedness are concerned. What has been going well? What are you lacking? When this passes, act. Improve what you are doing well and act on what you are short on.

In the article President Nelson talks of the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, the Second Coming, and after that Great Day as we move into the millennium age.

However, until the time of the millennium...

"Meanwhile, here and now, we live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith."

Within the last few weeks Utah has experienced a moderate 5.7 temblor and yesterday Idaho had a 6.5. Neither caused extension damage, and there were no injuries or deaths reported. I believe these are warnings and that they are related. Because of the wickedness and pollution on the earth, I believe we will be experiencing greater natural disasters.

Evil and conspiring men (and women) will do what they can to take advantage of fear and chaos. They will offer "safety" and "protection." They will offer a sense of normalcy. But it will come at a cost--decreased freedoms and increased regulation and control from those in power. And the promised protection and safety will be an illusion. More problems and difficulties will occur. Some will be devised and others will be natural, but those conspiracies will use them all to further enslave and control the people.

I am concerned with how easily we are allowing ourselves to be subjected to quarantine and restricted movement. Certainly there is some medical value to separation and most can improve in their cleanliness and hygiene. But as a whole people are showing that they can easily be controlled in the right circumstances, and they will do so willingly and with little or no complaint. Just like sheep being corralled by the sheep dog.

President Nelson gives us a warning for the coming days.

"Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives." 

We have only begun to see this as Christians are beginning to be more demonized by the media and liberals. Religion, particularly Christian faiths, are being targeted if they focus on traditional values. The Latter-day Saints have begun to see the backlash against doctrinal standing of same sex marriage. I think the LGBTQ+ agenda is a big attack vector that will be used against the Church. There will be others, but that is the big one. I have mentioned this in a few past posts, I believe the time will come when the Church will only perform temple sealings and not the civil marriage. Couples will have to get married civilly first and can then have the "spiritual marriage" (as non-Church members will refer to it) after.

While physical preparations have not been as emphasized in recent years as they have been in the past, spiritual preparation has been increasingly focused on. A key part of that is building and strengthening our faith. President Nelson states:

"Do whatever it takes to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ by increasing your understanding of the doctrine taught in His restored Church and by relentlessly seeking truth. Anchored in pure doctrine, you will be able to step forward with faith and dogged persistence and cheerfully do all that lies in your power to fulfill the purposes of the Lord." 

"You will have days when you will be discouraged. So pray for courage not to give up! Sadly, some who you thought were your friends will betray you. And some things will simply seem unfair."

As we work to increase our faith, our prophet gives us this promise.

"I promise you that as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy. As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, and as you defend the Church and kingdom of God on the earth today, the Lord will bless you with strength and wisdom to accomplish what only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can accomplish."

Imagine finding peace and joy amidst the increasing tumult and chaos of the world. This peace is related to having faith, hope, and even charity and these are the antidote to the hate and anger that is increasing and dividing our nation and the world.