Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 13:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 13:25-26
And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.
And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

Alma spoke these words 82 years before the coming of Christ. I pondered on how we also wait in our day for news of the Lord's second coming. He will come three times, first at a great council at Adam-ondi-Ahman, second to the Jews, and finally to the world. I used to think all members will be in attendance at Adam-ondi-Ahman. Sadly, I know now this is not the case. President Nelson has said some very interesting things about this great council at Adam-ondi-Ahman. It makes me wonder on the current status of it. Has it happened or are we still waiting?

“Before the Lord Jesus descends openly and publicly in the clouds of glory, attended by all the hosts of heaven; before the great and dreadful day of the Lord sends terror and destruction from one end of the earth to the other; before he stands on Mount Zion, or sets his feet on Olivet, or utters his voice from an American Zion or a Jewish Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before any of his appearances, which taken together comprise the second coming of the Son of God—before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to selected members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living. Those who have held keys and powers and authorities in all ages from Adam to the present will also be present”
(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book Company, 1985), 578–579.)

"Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct this judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reins of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters concerning the destiny of this earth.
When this gathering is held, the world will not know of it; the members of the church at large will not know of it, yet it shall be preparatory to the coming in the clouds of glory of our Saviour Jesus Christ as the Prophet Joseph Smith has said. The world cannot know of it. The Saints cannot know of it - except those who officially shall be called into this council - for it shall precede the coming of Jesus Christ as a thief in the night, unbeknown to all the world."
(Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1972), 291.)

"Think of this, my dear young brothers and sisters, right now I am preparing for the day when I will be required to give an accounting to the Prophet Joseph Smith, to President Brigham Young, and others—and ultimately to the Lord—about my stewardship as God’s prophet upon the earth today."
(Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, "Hope of Israel" (Worldwide Youth Devotional, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 3, 2018), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

"So, now a question as I conclude: What if you learned that the Savior had already returned to this earth—that He, as part of His Second Coming, had already met with some of His true followers in several marvelous, large gatherings—gatherings about which the world, including CNN and the blogosphere, knew nothing. If you found out that the Savior was already on the earth, what would you desperately want to do today, and what would you be willing and ready to do tomorrow?"
(Russell M. Nelson and Wendy Nelson, "An Evening with President Russell M. Nelson" (devotional, Brigham Young University, Hawaii, January 10, 2016) Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults)

Day 3457