As we study Church doctrine and walk the covenant path, we grow closer to Christ and become more prepared for the Second Coming. In his Sunday morning talk, "Let God Prevail," President Nelson focused on the gathering of Israel, which he said, "is happening right now" and is "an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord.". Missionary work is also crucial to that gathering. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1Corinthians 2:9; see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:10). It is our chargeit is our privilegeto help prepare the world for that day. It consisted of only seven words: This is My Beloved Son. The Lord is hastening His work and urging us to prepare for His Second Coming, the prophet said. Other senior apostles are following President Nelsons lead on this topic as well, as shown below: In his talk, The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion Oct 2018, Elder ShayneM. Bowen said: A principal purpose of the Book of Mormon is to gather scattered Israel. Another temple will yet be built in Jerusalem. We know the signs of His coming and that it will be a joyful event for the righteous. President Russell M. Nelson. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.. It is not man-made! Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. In triumph, He will come again to Jerusalem. Because our living God is a loving God! Then He shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). The Church of Jesus Christ currently has 300 temples around the world in operation or some stage of development. Bird quoted President Russell M. Nelson . The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord shall suffer persecution (2Timothy 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. How Young Adults Are Making a Difference in the Ongoing Restoration, Think You Dont Have a Purpose as a Young Adult? The next two volumes will be released over the coming years. What do you say when your friends dont believe that things like the First Vision could happen? In talks given by President Nelson prior to the Nelson era, he referenced the Second Coming in 16% of his talks. In royal robes of red to symbolize His blood, which oozed from every pore, He shall return to the Holy City (see Doctrine and Covenants 133:4648). Church members must also have the courage to be resilient in their faith. We can intentionally shine our light so others may see. Missionary work is also crucial to that gathering. PROBABLE RENEWAL OF THE WAR. How you deal with lifes trials is part of the development of your faith. God Blesses You So You Can Bless Others - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 26, 2022. Holiness to The Lord, by Jay Bryant Ward, may not be copied. President Nelsons emphasis on the Second Coming has also had an influence on other general authorities: The above chart documents a dramatic increase in usage of the phrase Second Coming in talks given during the Nelson era. Meanwhile, here and now, we live in a time of turmoil. Because our living God is a loving God! I emphasize again that construction of these temples may not change your life, but your service in the temple surely will. Zion is the pure in heart (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). 41 of 44. The Lord will return to the land that He made holy by His mission there in mortality. What Does It Mean to Have the Name of Christ Written in Our Hearts? For these sacred purposes, holy temples now dot the earth. Spiritual security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny: glory, immortality, and eternal lives (see Romans 2:7; Doctrine and Covenants 75:5). In the April 2020 issue of the Ensign, President Russell M. Nelson shared a message on being prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior. Ministering has replaced home and visiting teaching, the three-hour block became a two-hour block, the principle of home-centered Church-supported learning was established, FSY conferences began worldwide, changes to temple ceremonies and clothing were made, many chapters in the new Church handbook have been gradually updated, the Ensign magazine was retired, structural changes were made to ward leadership responsibilities, Young Men leadership and Young Women classes, a new forthcoming Church hymnbook was announced, and many more. From that temple He shall reign forever as Lord of Lords. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In October 2006, President Nelson gave an important talk on this subject titled: The Gathering of Scattered Israel. In the April and October 2021 general conference sessions alone, gathering Israel was mentioned 32 times. Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon (Mosiah 46). Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. A necessary prelude to that Second Coming is the long-awaited gathering of scattered Israel (see 1Nephi 15:18; see also the title page of the Book of Mormon). As you walk in the Lords path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people (see Doctrine and Covenants 86:811). Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house. 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. It is wondrous! It is breathtaking! Sadly, some who you thought were your friends will betray you. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. It is wherever righteous Saints are. In royal robes of red to symbolize His blood, which oozed from every pore, He shall return to the Holy City (seeDoctrine and Covenants 133:4648). It is wondrous! Water will issue from under the temple. 2. People can be brought to the knowledge of the Lord (3Nephi 20:13) without leaving their homelands. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1Corinthians 2:9; see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:10). We have great cause for concern. Past issues of General Conference by the Numbers: April 2019, October 2019, March 2020, April 2020. The prophet also gave a reminder that it is the duty of Latter-day Saints to prepare the world for the Second Coming and that all can come unto Christ, wherever they may be. Equally powerful are express promises President Nelson has made during that period of time in other settings (see, e.g., Because difficult days are ahead. 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. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Break for the academic year 2022-2023. Here are some examples (emphasis added): In April 2020, while announcing the latest Proclamation to the World, President Nelson said this: Now as we contemplate this significant time in the history of the world and the Lords charge to gather scattered Israel in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles, issue the following proclamation. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes. By President Russell M. Nelson. I pray for His blessings to be with each and every one of you. Near the commencement of this dispensation, in 1829, the year before the Church was formally organized, a beloved revelation was received, declaring that a marvelous work was about to come forth. This revelation established that those who desired to serve God qualify for such service through faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.Charity, which is the pure love of Christ,includes Gods eternal love for all His children. 6 Things Weve Learned from Visiting 106 Temples (So Far! Remember that the fulness of Christs ministry lies in the future. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The Church will have an unprecedented, unparalleled future. Each of us will be tested. But now the gathering takes place in each nation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is preparing the world for the day when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of theLord (Isaiah 11:9). On top of that the Church is creating new websites, resources, and magazines to spread uplifting messages address challenging topics, such as preventing suicide. All members of the Church have access to the doctrine, ordinances, priesthood keys, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location. I promise that if we will do our best to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and access the power of His Atonement through repentance, we will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Preparing the church for the Second Coming of the Savior is an unmistakable priority of President Nelson. President Nelson wrote about the importance of eternal families, temples, missionary work, and gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth (seeMatthew 6:33). (See Ezekiel 47:18.). 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The following chart compares the emphasis placed on the gathering of Israel in each of the recent eras: Since 1971, 6.6% (239 of 3628) of conference talks have mentioned the gathering of Israel. We had some audio issues in post-processing and a cat . Thanks for the detailed analysis. You may also like: This mental health resource was recommended during general conferenceread about it here. Since becoming President, (the Nelson era) his references to the Second Coming have increased to 35%. The winners of the Church History Museums 12th International Art Competition have been announced, and the artwork is breathtaking. Think of it! There will be a new heaven and a new earth (see Revelation 21:1; Ether 13:9; Doctrine and Covenants 29:2324). And some things will simply seem unfair. Missionary work is such an important part of the gathering of Israel. The Lord has declared: I give unto you a sign that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion (3Nephi 21:1). Because difficult days are ahead. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. Sister Nelsons remarks focused on making the best use of our time. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes.. Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company, Are we experiencing signs of the Second Coming? The Church will have an unprecedented, unparalleled future. In that day He will bear new titles and be surrounded by special Saints. 8% of official Church-reported membership for year-end 2021. Servants of the Lord go forth proclaiming the Restoration. You and I get to participate in the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We not only teach this doctrine, but we participate in it. The Parable of the Ten Virgins applies to us right now. 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President Nelson admonished these Latter-day Saints to live wisely each day. Meanwhile, here and now, we live in a time of turmoil. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Many of us would like to know when the Second Coming is going to happen. This gathering is the greatestchallenge,the greatestcause, andthe greatestwork on earth today! The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do (see Doctrine and Covenants 86:17). The Lord has declared: I give unto you a sign that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion (3Nephi 21:1). President Nelson testified, In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. President Nelson shared what he called his ABCs of personal preparation for worship in a temple: A is for ancestors; . To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans.. True, in the early days of the Church, conversion often meant emigration as well. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur. Latter-day Saints consider each temple the most sacred space on earth. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensationwhen the Saviors Second Coming becomes a reality. 3. Uttered by Almighty God, that announcement brought a young Joseph Smith to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny: glory, immortality, and eternal lives (seeRomans 2:7;Doctrine and Covenants 75:5). Those seven words launched the Restoration of His gospel. You will have days when you will be discouraged. After all, it is the latter-days, so we know the event is closer than it ever has been before. It is crucial for each member of the Church to gain a personal testimony of the gospel. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is preparing the world for the day when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:9). Then He shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). The earth will be returned to its paradisiacal state and be made new. Today, the Lords work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving forward at an accelerated pace. The presence of temples in communities around the globe reminds Latter-day Saints of the importance of faith in the common Father of all humanity, the need for constant improvement of the soul, the possibility of family relationships that reach beyond the grave and the salvation that comes only through the grace of Jesus Christ. We are to build families and be sealed in holy temples. Because difficult days are ahead. That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives. For her, she said, that means worship in the temple. In the Nelson era that number has risen dramatically to 20% of talks. 2 serve as a narrative-style history of the early Latter-day Saints who established the Church. These changes are put in place to help us become more spiritually self-sufficient and develop a relationship with the Lord. And some things will simply seem unfair. Children are instinctively receptive to truth, he said. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are well known as LDS or Mormons. However, President Nelson announced that we should not refer to the Church as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, but we should use the full name of the Church.
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