Today in church, one of the lessons was about being prepared for the Savior’s Second Coming. I will include part of the talk because frankly it was written well, easy to understand and it touched my heart.
“When Shall These Things Be?”
I would like to discuss a subject that is on a lot of people’s minds. My intention is not to alarm or to frighten, but to discuss the significant and interesting times in which we are now living, to consider some of the events and circumstances we can anticipate in the future, and to suggest a few things we can all do to fortify ourselves and our families for the challenges and trials that will surely come into all of our lives at one time or another.
Toward the end of the Savior’s ministry, His disciples came to Him with several questions centered on one key prophetic event: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3).
Two thousand years ago Christ’s followers were concerned about that. Every generation of believers since then, I think, has been concerned about the last days to one degree or another. So the Lord’s response to His disciples is meaningful to all of us. To the first question—“When shall these things be?”—He said, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matt. 24:3–4). That is very significant.
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matt. 24:5–7).
The lesson went on to talk about what we can do to have ourselves Spiritually prepared for these the latter days. Many people don’t argue the fact that we all need to be physically prepared, have our 72 hour kits and emergency preparedness stuff in order but what about Spiritually? That is just as important and even more so. To be able to handle all the things that are going to happen and keep our faith with be no small thing. As I have mentioned before, there are many things that can Shaken our Faith, if we are not careful. We live in a day and time where our morals and standards are being challenged on a daily basis. Yes, these are the latter days that were mentioned in the scriptures.
There are some days that I can’t wait for the Savior to return! The world is a tough place to live and this is a very hard and challenging time to raise a morally strong family with high standards. I myself get teased every now and then about the standards I keep. But I know what I should and shouldn’t be doing. I know I need to stay strong and strengthen my faith daily. I know that if I stay close to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that it is through them that I will find peace, comfort and joy…and that is my goal. Ok here is another part of the lesson…
When we are not doing what we know we ought to be doing, and when we are not living the way we know we ought to live, we have a tendency to be unhappy. And make no mistake about it—we know when we are not doing what we ought to do, because every one of us has a conscience. We are born with the Spirit of Christ, and we know instinctively what is right and what is wrong when it comes to our personal behavior . It offends that Spirit when we allow ourselves and our values and standards to be manipulated by aesthetic propaganda in behalf of Satan’s lies.
Consider the following words from the Apostle Paul in connection with much of what we see and hear in contemporary media:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
“Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
“Having a form of godliness; but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
“For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:1–7).
Does that mean we will not have turmoil or personal problems or sickness or family challenges or employment difficulties? Not at all. But it does mean that if our faith is anchored securely in our testimonies of Christ, we will be able to cope with whatever adversity comes our way, and we will be able to do so in a positive, faith-promoting manner. If we keep the eye of faith focused on Christ, we gain a broader view and an eternal perspective, and with that we can understand adversity from within the context of Heavenly Father’s eternal plan for all of His children. And we can find comfort in this life in the eternal safety, peace, joy and security that He promises. M. Russell Ballard http://lds.org/ensign/1996/12/when-shall-these-things-be?lang=eng
This was not a lesson on doom and gloom, like some would think. It was a lesson of great hope, taught by someone who has great faith and hope. It was just the lesson I needed for today. Hope you had a wonderful Sabbath day too! Good night dear friends!
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