After reading President Smith's comment that he was, "praying for the end of the world," it helps put things into perspective for us and help us realize that we need to get to a point in our lives that we look forward to the 2nd coming. President Smith said, "When Christ comes there will be an end to the world...There will not be any war, any turmoil, envying, lying; there will be no wickedness. Men will learn then to love the Lord and keep His commandments, and if they don't they will not stay here....That's what I am praying for. The Lord was praying for the end of the world, and so am I."
There is no need for fear. All of the negative and nonsense will be done away with. There are so many signs that tell us the 2nd coming is near. "Among the signs of the last days was an increase of learning. Daniel was commanded to '...shut up the words, and seal the book (of his prophesy), even to the time of the end: (and in that day) many shall run to and fro,'said he 'and knowledge shall be increased.' (Dan. 12:4) Are not the people "running to and fro" today as they never did before in the history of the world?...Is not knowledge increased? Was there ever a time in the history of the world when so much knowledge was poured out upon the people? But sad to say, the words of Paul are true - the people are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowlege of the truth." (2 Tim. 3:7)
President Smith goes on to say, "Have we not had numerous rumors of wars? [D&C 45:26] Have we not had wars, such wars as the world never saw before? Is there not today commotion among the nations, and are not their rulers troubled? Have not kingdoms been overturned and great changes been made among nations? The whole earth is in commotion. Earthquakes in divers places are reported every day [see D&C 45:33]...Yet the old world goes on about its business paying very little heed to all the Lord has said and to all the signs and indications that have been given. Men harden their hearts and say "...that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth." (D&C 45:26).
President Smith was asked if he knew when the Lord would come. He answered "He will come tomorrow." In D&C 64:23-24 it tells us why. "Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming....For after today cometh the burning - this is speaking after the manner of the Lord - for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon." Pres. Smith said, "So the Lord is coming, I say, tomorrow. Then let us be prepared."
The parable of the wheat and the tares has reference to the last days.The wheat and the tares grow up in the same field; they (we) have been for many years. There will come a time for a separation, seperating the righteous from the wicked. Pres. Smith asks us to, "keep the commandments of the Lord, repent of our sins and turn to righteousness. . .There shall be a judgment when Christ comes. . . We shall see ourselves just as we are, and we are to understand with a righteous understanding that the judgments which are meted out to us are just and true, whether we come into the Kingdom of God, to receive these glorious blessings or whether we are banished. . . I plead with the Latter-day Saints to stand firm and faithful in the discharge of every duty, keeping the commandments of the Lord, honoring the priesthood, that we may stand when the Lord comes - whether we be living or dead, it matters not, - to be partakers of this glory."
President Smith warns us to prepare ourselves. "There are many events in the world today which indicate that the great day of the Lord is drawing near when the Redeemer will again appear to set up his kingdom in righteousness preparatory to the millennial reign. In the meantime it is the duty of members of the Church to seek for knowledge and to prepare themselves by study and by faith for the ushering in of that great and glorious day."
Sis. Huntley helped us focus on three things during her lesson:
1. The coming of The Lord is near
2. There will be a judgment
3. We have to prepare
If we give heed to the words of President Smith we will not be fearful of the coming of the Lord, we will look forward to it and prepare ourselves and our families for it.
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