Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:26-27

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 17:26-27

"And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. "

I had a new thought this time reading this verse. Noah was there warning the people. God has never destroyed disobedient children without first sending a prophet to warn them. There is a need for a prophet, especially today, and I am so grateful I know we have one, even Russell M. Nelson. Though the people didn't listen, they were warned.

The same thing is happening in our day. The prophet is telling us we are in the bottom of the ninth inning, we are preparing for the second coming of the Lord. Yet, there are people not watching, and preparing themselves as they are being warned.

I went back and read the story of Noah and the flood and discovered something. Noah was given a season to build the ark. Once it was completed, he was given a seven day warning of when the flood would begin.

"For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth."

(Genesis 7:4)

If Noah was told when the flood would begin, then as Joseph Smith said the prophet would also know when the second coming would be. This is how he explained 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."

"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.

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