Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:32

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 13:32

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."

I have several quotes from Joseph Smith that let me know at least the prophet will know the timing.

"Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass."

Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, The Words of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980), 180-181.

"An example of this was his use of Amos 3:7 to refute speculation about the date of the Second Coming. In the early 1840s, Baptist William Miller stirred considerable national interest with his prediction that the Second Coming would occur in 1843. When one of Miller’s followers claimed to have seen the “sign of the Son of Man” as predicted in Matthew 24, Joseph replied: “He has not seen the sign of the Son of Man, as foretold by Jesus; neither has any man … for the Lord hath not shown me any such sign; and as the prophet saith, so it must be—‘Surely the Lord God will do nothing but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.’ (See Amos 3:7.) Therefore hear this, O earth: The Lord will not come to reign over the righteous, in this world, in 1843, nor until everything for the Bridegroom is ready.” Of the Savior’s words that no man knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man (see Matt. 24:36), the Prophet asked: “Did Christ speak this as a general principle throughout all generations? Oh, no, He spoke in the present tense. No man that was then living upon the footstool of God knew the day or the hour. But He did not say that there was no man throughout all generations that should not know the day or the hour. No, for this would be in flat contradiction with other scripture. For the prophet says that God will do nothing but what He will reveal unto His servants the prophets. Consequently, if it is not made known to the prophets, it will not come to pass.”

(Ensign, "The Prophet Joseph Smith's Use of the Old Testament", Aug 2002)

"For our present purposes, it suffices to know that the children of light shall know, not the day or the hour, but the approximate time of our Lord’s return. This approximate time can certainly be narrowed down to a generation."

(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Millennial Messiah", The Second Coming of the Son of Man (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1982), 30.)

What is our prophet telling us today?

"As I have stated before, the gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on earth today. One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ.

I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people. Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy, and yes, rest."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Overcome the World and Find Rest", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3129