Sis. Kirksey taught todays lesson from chapter 43 of the Gospel Principles manual-
Signs of the Second Coming.
Signs of the Second Coming.
For thousands of years, followers of Jesus Christ have looked forward to the Second Coming as a time of peace and joy. But before the Savior comes, the people of the earth will experience great trials and calamities. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be prepared for these troubles. He also expects us to be spiritually ready when the Savior comes in His glory. He has given us signs, which are events that will tell us when the Savior's Second Coming is near.
She listed out 7 different signs (they are also found in the manual)
1. Wickedness, War and Turmoil. - Many of these signs are being fullfilled. Wickedness is everywhere. Nations are constantly at war. Earthquakes and other calamities are occurring. Many people now suffer from davastating storms, drought, hunger, and disease. We can be certain that these calamities will become more severe before the Lord comes.
Spencer W. Kimball has said: “To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution”
2. The Restoration of the Gospel: Sis. Kirksey read a quote that referred to the early Saints and it said, "...they were called to give their lives for the gospel. We are asked to live our lives for the gospel."
3. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon: Sis. Naumann shared her testimony of the this quote (from Pres. Marion G. Romney) and the Book of Mormon with us - " 'I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness'
4. The gospel preached to all the world: Sis. Pressler shared something she heard Elder Nelson share at a Stake Conference in Idaho 2 years ago. He said, "We don't have missionaries in every country but we have members in every country."
Sis Kirksey replied how that goes along with "every member a missionary."
5. Coming of Elijah: The manual tells us that one thing Elijah will do is inspire people to be concerned about their ancestors and descendants. Have you seen that in members of the church and also non members? People all over the world as catching the spirit of Elijah.
6. Lehi's descendants will become a great people: In D&C 49:24 is says that before the Lord comes the Lamanites shall blossom like a rose. Great numbers of Lehi's descendants are now receiving the blessings of the gospel.
7. Building of the new Jerusalem: Near the time of the coming of Jesus Christ, the faithful Saints will build a righteous city.
It's easy to fearful of the events leading up to the Second Coming but the Lord has comfortingly said, I am in your midst. President Hinckley has said, "Peace may be denied for a season. … We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. … Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God. … This is the crux of the entire matter—obedience to the commandments of God.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said regarding the parable of the 10 virgins, "We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."
Thank you Sister Kirksey!
- Megan