Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 15:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 15:2
"And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name."

As I ponder on the 5 year prophecy for the sign of the Lord's birth that Samuel the Lamanite gave, I cannot help but hope we are given something similar for the Lord's Second Coming.

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
(Amos 3:7)

I understand we have this scripture.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
(Matthew 24:36)

But, I also believe Joseph Smith, Jr's words regarding that passage.

"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)

Reflecting on this it does not mean the church as a whole will be given a time frame. Yet you can still tell the last days are upon us and the prophet is calling for us to prepare.

"Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024)

I ask myself, what do I do differently today than I am already doing? I have been given some specific things to work on and they are a great comfort to me. The Second Coming may be imminent or many years off, one thing I do not want is to be caught unprepared.

Day 3522

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 13:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 13:7
"And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings; but behold ye would not receive me."

I had not noticed this before in the story of Samuel the Lamanite. He originally came to preach to the Nephites glad tidings, but he was rejected and cast out. He came back and now gave them a warning. The glad tidings of the coming birth of Savior, that would atone for our sins, was now a warning of their need to repent or destruction would come upon them. Nothing could save them but repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. I wondered how different that message would have been to those that were righteous and wanted to receive a prophet.

Day 3520

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 12:1, 23

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 12:1, 23
"And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved."

These were the most important verses to me in this chapter. To put my trust in the Lord, and repent. I am reminded of President Nelson's words this past general conference, that "it is neither to early or too late", the time is now.

"Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ."
It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel."
(Russelll M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

Day 3519

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 11:37

Today's Favorite Verse: Helaman 11:37
"And it came to pass in the eighty and fifth year they did wax stronger and stronger in their pride, and in their wickedness; and thus they were ripening again for destruction."

This chapter covers 14 years and during that time frame there was war, famine, repentance, esteeming Nephi as a prophet, prosperity, growth of the church, contention over points of doctrine, strife, revelations, dissenters, war, murder, plunder, Gadianton robbers, an army to search them out and destroy the robbers, kidnapping of women and children, some being stirred up in remembrance of the Lord, people waxing strong in iniquity that they don't mend their ways.

All this made me think of how it applies to our day? I pictured having all of this in our land. Then I realized this story isn't just of America. It's not just America preparing for the second coming of the Lord. The whole world is in commotion. All these things are taking place across the globe, many things all at once. The righteous will seek to be more righteous, as the wicked become more wicked.

"In relation to the kingdom of God, the devil always sets up his kingdom at the very same time in opposition to God."
(Joseph Smith, Jr, "History of the Church", 6:364)

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
(Luke 21:25-26)

"And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:26)

Day 3518