Servants of the Lord go forth proclaiming the Restoration. Editor's note: This article was originally published on LDSLiving.com in October 2018. President Russell M. Nelson became the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 2018. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. 7 ways the Church has been thinking outside the box. Pray to cross paths with those who are ready to hear the gospel and embrace its truths.. President Nelson explained himself "countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful". I did not realize the increase that exists. snippets from the last 6 years of talks given by President Nelson wherein he discusses the importance of preparing for the Second Coming President Nelson then reiterated his desire for members to prepare for the special 2020 Conference by creating a study plan, selecting questions, and acting on invitations from the spirit. Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house. Sister BonnieH. Cordon April 2020 talked about the importance of being a good example: My dear friends, why is shining our light so important? In that day He will bear new titles and be surrounded by special Saints. president of the United States of America at this present time knows very well what he's doing. I cannot overstate how vital you and your choices are. He said, The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. Why do we need such resilient faith? Immediately following the two-hour church meeting schedule announcement, Elder Cook noted, President Nelson, from his initial address to the members of the Church in January, has exhorted us to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by walking the covenant path.. As we study Church doctrine and walk the covenant path, we grow closer to Christ and become more prepared for the Second Coming. So pray for courage not to give up! Additionally, the Church launched self-reliance courses that have also helped many leaders and members learn and understand the importance of self-sufficiency. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur. Change). In this talk, I focus solely on the express promises (specifically labeled as such) made by President Nelson in general conference addresses since he became the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our time, a whole, complete, and perfect union of all dispensations, keys, and powers are to be welded together (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:18). "Things are going to move forward at an accelerated pace," he told the . During the Nelson era, President Nelson has not given any talks specifically focused on the Second Coming. The earth will be returned to its paradisiacal state and be made new. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth (see Matthew 6:33). For this reason, I hope that we take the things written in this . Part of their preparation, however, requires the earthly efforts of others. The Lord will return to the land that He made holy by His mission there in mortality. Come, Follow Me: Book of MormonSupport Articles and Activities, Sherems Skepticism: The Tactics of a Faith Shaker, They Had a Hope of Christs Comingand We Can Too, A Different Perspective on Easter: Five Lessons for Us from Easter in the Book of Mormon, What Church Leaders Are Saying about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Ten Tips for Parenting the Strong-Willed Child, Digital Only: Come, Follow MeBook of Mormon (Alma 13), Nehors Narcissism: The Influence of a Popular Renegade, How Young Adults Are Making a Difference in the Ongoing Restoration, When You Have No Idea What Youre Doing, Think You Dont Have a Purpose as a Young Adult? Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. The fulfillment, the consummation, of those blessings comes as those who have entered the waters of baptism perfect their lives to the point that they may enter the holy temple. We have great cause for concern. 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). In addition to temple work, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill the covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (seeGenesis 12:23;3Nephi 21; 29). From the life of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater . Its sacred ordinances and covenants are pivotal to. Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy conducted the devotional and was joined by his wife, Melissa. For her, she said, that means worship in the temple. Waters of the Dead Sea will be healed. It is our chargeit is our privilegeto help prepare the world for that day. 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. Sister Wendy Nelson speaks in a devotional broadcast from the auditorium in the Church Office Building on Temple Square on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Robbins is one of Pitt-Bradford's . Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd ([frvurt]; 8 September 1901 - 6 September 1966) was a South African politician, a scholar of applied psychology and sociology, and chief editor of Die Transvaler newspaper. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. 3. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith. "We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensationwhen the Savior's Second Coming becomes a reality." We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensationwhen the Saviors Second Coming becomes a reality. He will govern from two world capitals: one in old Jerusalem (see Zechariah 14) and the other in the New Jerusalem built upon the American continent (Articles of Faith 1:10). August is the hottest month for Fawn Creek with an average high temperature of 91. Instead, he has given us consistent, staccato lightning bolts sprinkled in his talks. Water will issue from under the temple. I invite all listening to this devotional to talk of Christ, to rejoice in Christ and to preach of Christ, President Ballard said. It is incredible! As part of the planned destiny of the earth and its inhabitants, our kindred dead are to be redeemed (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:15). Are You Overthinking How to Share the Gospel? . In talks given by President Nelson prior to the Nelson era, he referenced the Second Coming in 16% of his talks. 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). . I pray for His blessings to be with each and every one of you. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Missionary work connects people to the covenant the Lord made with Abraham anciently: Thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father (Abraham 2:910). The greatest gift you could give to the Lord is to keep yourself unspotted from the world, worthy to attend His holy house. The Parable of the Ten Virgins applies to us right now. But when will it actually take place? I love how President Nelson has been sharing ways he studies the scriptures lately and passing on the challenges to us. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Uttered by Almighty God, that announcement brought a young Joseph Smith to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has decreed the establishment of Zion (seeDoctrine and Covenants 6:6;11:6) in each realm where He has given His Saints their birth and nationality. 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). The doctrine of the gospel will forever stay the same, but the Lord is changing the way His church does some things. FRANCE AND GERMANY. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensationwhen the Saviors Second Coming becomes a reality. We are to prepare for our own divine destiny: glory, immortality, and eternal lives (seeRomans 2:7;Doctrine and Covenants 75:5). Then He shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. They beautifully illustrate how God works through all of His imperfect children. Church members must also have the courage to be resilient in their faith. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. Servants of the Lord go forth proclaiming the Restoration. President Thomas S. Monsons announcement lowering the required missionary age certainly helped push the work forward, but there are also things we can do to gather Israel even if we dont have an assigned mission call and a name tag. 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). And President Nelson isnt the only one emphasizing the importance of gathering Israel. "The Lord is hastening His work and urging us to prepare for His Second Coming," the prophet said. Our safest insurance is to continue to be worthy of admission to His holy house. In a footnote from his October 2020 general conference address, President Nelson commented that he has spoken of Israel in at least 378 of the more than 800 messages he has delivered during his 36 years as an Apostle. You and I get to participate in the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because our living God is a loving God! Equally powerful are express promises President Nelson has made during that period of time in other settings (see, e.g., Feed My Sheep, by Jay Bryant Ward, may not be copied. Part of their preparation, however, requires the earthly efforts of others. God Blesses You So You Can Bless Others - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - October 26, 2022. We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth (see Matthew 6:33). 40 of 44. Each of us will be tested, he said. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. President Nelson shared what he called his ABCs of personal preparation for worship in a temple: A is for ancestors; . His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes. As we teach repentance and baptize converts, we gather scattered Israel. From these centers He will direct the affairs of His Church and kingdom. President Nelson's April 2002 article "The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior's Second Coming" is part of a special series published in church . All members of the Church have access to the doctrine, ordinances, priesthood keys, and blessings of the gospel, regardless of their location. ), Insights from Young Adults on the Restoration of the Church, The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Saviors Second Coming, Ensign, April 2020. We invited them to enlist in the Lords youth battalion to help gather Israel on both sides of the veil. It is our chargeit is our privilegeto help prepare the world for that day. I speak of this doctrine today because of its unique importance in Gods eternal plan. Left unsaid is the Saviors refrain: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.. 2. A renowned surgeon, President Nelson assisted on the first-ever human open-heart surgery. 24:10). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Saviors Second Coming (PresidentNelson), Embrace the Future with Faith (PresidentNelson), A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous | BYUSpeeches, The Spirit Will Be Poured Out Upon All Flesh (Joel2:28-29). 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). We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. Spiritual security will always depend upon how one lives, not where one lives. . We had some audio issues in post-processing and a cat . But now the gathering takes place in each nation. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged members of the faith in Nevada and some parts of California and Arizona, on Sunday to increase their preparation for worship in ahouse of the Lord. First published online in March for the April 2020 Ensign, President Nelson provided an article titled boldly and plainly: "The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior's . You will remember that I have invited the youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the Lords youth battalion to participate in the greatest cause on earth todaythe gathering of Israel. Hear Him! (see Joseph SmithHistory 1:17). The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled, he said. 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). It consisted of only seven words: This is My Beloved Son. The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Saviors Second Coming, Liahona, April 2020. Why do we need such resilient faith? "The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled," he said. This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of The Church of . Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. Clearly, President Nelsons urgent enthusiasm for this topic has inspired several senior apostles to contemplate the Second Coming. "When we follow Jesus Christ, we act as He would act and love as He would love.". It comes from the Lord, who said, I will hasten my work in its time (Doctrine and Covenants 88:73). We are to build the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth (seeMatthew 6:33). We gather pedigree charts, create family group sheets, and do temple work vicariously to gather individuals unto the Lord and into their families (see 1Corinthians 15:29; 1Peter 4:6). This general conference data may be accessed at https://searchgeneralconference.com, Questions and comments are welcome at: [emailprotected]. The earth will be returned to its paradisiacal state and be made new. But what recent Church announcements have caught me off guard, and why?, Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company, being prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior, Opening prayers or no opening prayers? We are blessed to live in the last dispensation before the Second Coming of the Savior. Spot on! 2022 -23 Academic Calendar. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. 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. We are part of a great movementthe gathering of scattered Israel. I cannot speak of the Restoration in tempered tones. The time is coming when those who do not obey the Lord will be separated from those who do, he said. The Latter-day Saint prophet has given 101 talks in general conference, including 38 as a member of the First Presidency alongside Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring.These Russell M. Nelson quotes are taken from all of his general conference talks from 1984 to 2022. 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 (seeDoctrine and Covenants 86:811). How amazing is it that messengers from heaven came to give authority and power to this work? To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans.. So, parents and teachers, please take advantage of every opportunity to teach them correct principles. In triumph, He will come again to Jerusalem. The great latter-day work of which we are a part was established, on schedule, to bless a waiting and weeping world. Now is the time for us to fill our lamps and to make sure that we are counted among the wise virgins when He comes. The Second Coming. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide. And some things will simply seem unfair. Further, And then shall many beoffended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another (Matt. Receiving an endowment there seals members of the Church to the Abrahamic covenant. When I reflect on how I found the gospel, I realize that my familys experiences informed two important pieces of my testimony. Elder Gerald Lund weighs in with nearly 50 years of insights. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensationwhen the Saviors Second Coming becomes a reality.. President Nelson testified, "In coming days, it will . "When President Nelson was sustained as president of the Church, 159 temples were operating, an increase of 133 temples in the 34 years during which he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. And when a loved one dies, teach your children that because of Jesus Christ, we can be with each other again as we keep our sacred covenants.. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet Him, whenever that time comes.. Teach them that God is their Heavenly Father and He will help them. Today, the Lords work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving forward at an accelerated pace. In many nations our members and missionaries have searched for those of scattered Israel; they have hunted for them out of the holes of the rocks (Jeremiah 16:16); and they have fished for them, as in ancient days. In the Nelson era, references to Second Coming have dramatically increased to 15% of conference talks. I humbly testify to you thatas the Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimedthe restored gospel of Jesus Christ will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done (History of the Church, 4:540). Missionary work connects people to the covenant the Lord made with Abraham anciently: Thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father (Abraham 2:910). (LogOut/ The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior's Second Coming (President Nelson) . I pray for His blessings to be with each and every one of you. It is wherever righteous Saints are. It is breathtaking! The Book of Mormon declares the doctrine of the gathering (see, for example, 1Nephi 10:14). In that day He will bear new titles and be surrounded by special Saints. What do you say when your friends dont believe that things like the First Vision could happen? Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Break for the academic year 2022-2023. The devotional was for Latter-day Saints in Nevada and some parts of California and Arizona. We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. President Nelson admonished these Latter-day Saints to live wisely each day. 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. 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.". Because our living God is a loving God! Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. Those seven words launched the Restoration of His gospel. Past issues of General Conference by the Numbers: April 2019, October 2019, March 2020, April 2020. Each of us will be tested. The place of gathering for Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; the place of gathering for Nigerian Saints is in Nigeria; the place of gathering for Korean Saints is in Korea. PTI Imran Khan's Address to Nation (17.02.2023) Comments (See Ezekiel 47:18.). But if we listen carefully, we can also hear a quiet urgency that time is short and there is much to do. 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