Gramps,

Will people living on the Earth today see the second coming of Jesus Christ?

Tracey

Answer

Tracey,

It’s the kind of question that comes up in quiet conversations after church, during family scripture study, or when the world feels especially chaotic. Wars, natural disasters, political division, moral confusion—it’s understandable why people sometimes wonder if the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is getting close.

From a Latter-day Saint perspective, the answer is both simple and uncertain at the same time.

Yes, there absolutely will be people living on the earth who witness the Savior’s return. But whether any of us personally will be among them is something the Lord has never revealed. And honestly, that uncertainty seems intentional.

Latter-day Saints firmly believe that Jesus Christ will literally return to the earth in glory and power. In LDS theology, the Second Coming is not symbolic or merely spiritual. Christ taught:

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:27)

The restored gospel also teaches that we are living in the “last days,” meaning the final gospel dispensation before the Savior returns. Latter-day Saints believe this dispensation began with the Restoration through Joseph Smith.

Modern revelation says:

For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon the earth;(Doctrine and Covenants 29:9)

At the same time, “soon” in the Lord’s timing may not look the same as “soon” in ours.

So could the Second Coming happen in our lifetime?

Yes, it’s possible. But faithful Saints have believed that for generations.

Early Church members believed the Savior’s return could be near. Saints living through world wars, economic collapse, pandemics, and global unrest often felt the same way. Every generation tends to notice signs that seem to point toward the end.

And to be fair, many of those signs really are mentioned in scripture.

Jesus warned of “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). He also spoke of earthquakes, deception, wickedness, and tribulation throughout the earth. Latter-day Saints also see the worldwide preaching of the gospel and the gathering of Israel as major signs of the times.

One verse often quoted is:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that the Lord’s work is accelerating in preparation for the Savior’s return. He has said:

“These surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotion June 2018

That feeling of spiritual acceleration is one many Latter-day Saints genuinely experience today, especially as missionary work expands worldwide and temples are built at a remarkable pace.

But there’s also an important caution that Church leaders consistently emphasize: we are not supposed to set dates or predict exact timing.

Jesus Himself taught:

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

Because of that, Church leaders have repeatedly encouraged members to focus less on speculation and more on preparation.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught:

“We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” April 2004 General Conference)

That really shifts the focus. In LDS theology, prophecy is not meant to create fear or obsession. It’s meant to encourage faithfulness and spiritual readiness.

That’s one reason the signs of the times matter. They are less about building a countdown clock and more about helping people stay spiritually awake.

Jesus compared His coming to the parable of the ten virgins. The wise virgins were ready before the bridegroom arrived. The lesson was never about knowing the exact hour—it was about being prepared whenever it happened.

For Latter-day Saints, that preparation looks a lot like ordinary discipleship: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, prayer, temple worship, service, following the Holy Ghost, strengthening families, and enduring faithfully through difficult times.

President Gordon B. Hinckley once said:

“We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is the best security we can have in an uncertain world.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” October 2005 General Conference)

That perspective helps keep things balanced. Latter-day Saints are not taught to obsess over every headline or constantly search for hidden prophetic clues in world events. They are taught to live in a way that keeps them spiritually prepared, whether the Savior comes tomorrow or centuries from now.

Still, many believers do feel that the world is moving rapidly toward conditions foretold in scripture. The global spread of the gospel, the gathering of Israel, and the growing number of temples feel deeply significant to many Church members.

Technology has also changed how people think about prophecy. Events that once would have been impossible for the whole world to witness can now be seen almost instantly across the globe.

Even so, LDS theology leaves room for patience. The Savior may come very soon—or still generations in the future. Either way, the faithful response remains the same.

And when Christ does return, Latter-day Saints believe it will be unmistakable.

Scripture describes the Second Coming as a glorious worldwide event filled with power and majesty. The wicked who refuse repentance will mourn, while the righteous will rejoice.

The Doctrine and Covenants teaches:

“For the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.” (Doctrine and Covenants 133:41)

Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ will personally reign upon the earth during the Millennium—a thousand years of peace.

One of the beautiful things about LDS doctrine is that the Second Coming is not viewed simply as the end of the world. It is viewed as the beginning of a healed world.

So yes, it is entirely possible that some people alive today will witness the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. But whether it will happen during our personal lifetime is something God has chosen not to reveal.

And maybe there’s wisdom in that.

If people knew the exact date, many would probably delay repentance, postpone change, or wait to fully commit themselves to discipleship. Instead, the gospel invites people in every generation to live faithfully now.

Latter-day Saints believe the signs of the times are real. They believe Christ’s return is certain. They believe the world is moving toward prophetic fulfillment.

But ultimately, the most important question is probably not:

“Will we personally see the Second Coming?”

It’s:

“If Christ came today, would we be spiritually ready to meet Him?”

Gramps

]]> https://askgramps.org/will-people-living-today-witness-the-second-coming-of-christ/feed/ 0 https://askgramps.org/who-are-saved-ones-at-christs-second-coming/ https://askgramps.org/who-are-saved-ones-at-christs-second-coming/#respond Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:15:13 +0000 https://askgramps.org/?p=70857 Question

Gramps,

Who are the saved ones at Christ’s second coming?

Sylvia

Answer

Sylvia,

The Second Coming, often called “the great and dreadful day,” will unfold in stunning drama. According to prophetic statements, Christ will not come only once, but make several key appearances: to a future temple in Missouri, at Adam-ondi-Ahman, on the Mount of Olives, and finally in the clouds of heaven in power and glory—a spectacle visible to all living humanity. At that final moment, “the dead Saints burst forth from their tombs, and ‘those who are alive and remain’ are ‘caught up’ with them to meet him. The ungodly rush to hide themselves from his presence… He comes with all the hosts of the righteous glorified. The breath of his lip strikes death to the wicked. His glory is a consuming fire.”

The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasize that this event will divide humanity, not simply by outward labels—such as membership in the Church or any religious organization—but by the real condition of the heart and one’s willingness to yield to God’s will. As the scriptures poignantly declare, “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). In this divine assessment, true righteousness and wickedness will be measured not by social standing or denominational affiliation, but by how each soul has responded to the light and truth it received.

Marvin J. Ashton had this to say:

When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others.

 

Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup. We often use phrases about the heart to describe the total person. Thus, we describe people as being “big-hearted” or “goodhearted” or having a “heart of gold.” Or we speak of people with faint hearts, wise hearts, pure hearts, willing hearts, deceitful hearts, conniving hearts, courageous hearts, cold hearts, hearts of stone, or selfish hearts.

 

The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts.

Many Christians imagine that only those formally committed to Christ will be saved at His coming. However, the scriptural precedents cited in the Book of Mormon hint at a broader and more inclusive standard of mercy and justice. For example, during the destruction prior to Christ’s visit in the Americas, not all survivors were church members; rather, they were those who, though previously unaware or even hostile, were capable of repentance and faith. This pattern supports the notion that God spares and redeems all who He knows will become truly converted—regardless of current religious identity.

A core teaching of the Church during the Millennium—the thousand-year reign following the Second Coming—is that only those “who can abide at least a terrestrial law” will be permitted to dwell on the renewed earth. Doctrine and Covenants 76 describes three general groups eligible for resurrection and eternal life: those who attain celestial, terrestrial, or telestial glory. During the Millennium, only “both terrestrial and celestial people” will remain, as the glory of Christ’s presence will itself destroy all who cannot abide even a terrestrial standard of law and purity. These survivors, chosen not by human judgment but by divine prerogative, will hail from “all faiths and no faith,” having demonstrated honesty, uprightness, and a willingness to repent when given the chance.

The resurrection is deeply interwoven with the Second Coming in Latter-day Saint doctrine. The first resurrection began with Christ and encompasses all the righteous people of the earth. Those who have accepted the gospel, made and kept sacred covenants, and received necessary ordinances—either in life or vicariously—will come forth “in the morning of the first resurrection” to inherit the highest blessings of eternal life.

But what about those who never heard of Jesus Christ? As explained by modern prophets, the answer is both merciful and just: Those who had not heard the gospel preached to them, but who were of such a character that if they had heard it they would have believed, accepted, and lived completely worthy lives…will be resurrected to the celestial glory they merit, once temple work is completed on their behalf. This highlights the significance of temple ordinances and family history, which extend the redeeming power across all generations.

In stark contrast, those who have willfully rejected God’s law and lived in wickedness are not resurrected at the time of Christ’s coming. Instead, the evil people who are living on the earth when the Savior comes will not be resurrected at that time, but will be remanded to the custody of Satan for a thousand years. At the end of the Millennium, these will finally rise, inheriting telestial glory—or, in the case of the irredeemably rebellious known as “sons of perdition,” outer darkness itself.

Some may wonder, with so many being banished at the Second Coming, who is left to preach repentance in the spirit world during the Millennium? The answer lies in the careful order of resurrection. Not all righteous spirits will be resurrected at once; a “skeleton crew” remains, including those who are permitted to tarry due to a desire to continue missionary work, and others are granted resurrection only as their proxy ordinances are completed. As Joseph Fielding Smith explained, “resurrected beings will help us correct the mistakes we have made in doing research concerning our dead ancestors…Note that these persons, already being resurrected, are not requesting their own records or ordinances, but rather those of others who have not yet received the ordinances and thus have not yet been resurrected.”

A further layer of Latter-day Saint doctrine addresses not just survival or resurrection, but eternal life—to be saved in the highest sense, to inherit all that God has. When Joseph Smith spoke of being “sealed up unto eternal life” or having one’s “calling and election made sure,” he referred to distinct manifestations of assurance from God Himself. The Church’s teachings clarify these as “different kinds of conditional assurances that one will have eternal life.” While all worthy souls may hope for exaltation, some are given unique promises—sometimes by direct revelation from the voice of Jesus Christ, known as receiving “the more sure word of prophecy” or experiencing “the Second Comforter.” Joseph Smith described this experience as “the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time.” While these blessings are rare, they express the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to those who are valiant in their testimony and endure in faith and service.

The plan of salvation, as taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is not a narrow path reserved only for a select few. Instead, it is a sweeping program of redemption reaching all the Father’s children—past, present, and future. Those who did not experience mortality, or who lived outside the light of the Restoration, will yet receive a full and fair opportunity to accept or reject the gospel either in this life or the next. The only ones ultimately lost are those, like Satan and his followers, who have known Christ’s glory yet persist in unrepentant rebellion.

How are we to prepare? The words of Latter-day Saints leaders urge us to “stand with confidence in the presence of God, now”—not driven by fear, but by joyful anticipation and spiritual readiness. Prophets plead for us to become “wise virgins,” keeping covenants and living by the Spirit so that, at His coming, we may greet the Savior as friends and heirs, not as strangers. The Millennium will be a time of peace, healing, temple work, and collective joy, as mortals and immortals together participate in the furthering of God’s redemptive work.

Gramps

Hello,

Why do we have signs? Specifically, signs of the Second Coming, but more general signs as well: to those who will not believe, no sign will convince them, and to those who do, no sign is necessary. We’re told to watch for the signs of the Second Coming, but also to live in readiness because we won’t expect it anyway (and we could die at any moment). Why bother with signs at all, then? There must be some reason, or God wouldn’t do it.

Thanks,

Rina

Answer

Rina,

Throughout both ancient and modern scripture, the Lord has detailed a series of “signs of the times” that precede His second coming. These are not given to incite fear or speculation, but to provide hope, orientation, and an invitation to prepare spiritually. As B.H. Roberts observed,

“It would accord with our conceptions of justice…and certainly with our ideas of the mercy of God if mankind were warned by special messengers of these threatened judgments.…[T]he Scriptures plainly say as much.”

So what are these signs, and why were they given? According to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “The signs of the times are given in several places in scripture. Some are in Daniel, some are found in the words of the Savior himself in the gospels, the book of Revelation, multiple places in the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants.” While a full catalog can be found elsewhere, prominent examples include:

– The restoration of Christ’s Church and the gathering of Israel
– Wars, rumors of wars, disasters (earthquakes, famines, pestilences)
– The preaching of the gospel in all the world
– Increasing wickedness, “hearts waxing cold”
– Signs in the heavens: the sun darkening, the moon turning to blood, stars falling
– The abomination of desolation (Jerusalem’s tribulations, both ancient and future)
– The grand appearance of the “sign of the Son of Man in heaven,” visible to all

But why do these signs matter? Their ultimate purpose is not to predict a date. So we know when the second coming is approaching. Not so we know when it happens…So we can be reminded of the importance of being prepared for it, whether it occurs in our lives or not.… As long as we are prepared spiritually…and physically, we will have no need for fear. Just as Christ taught in the parable of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32-33), these signs allow disciples to sense when “summer is nigh,” not to calculate the precise hour.

With every dramatic news story, natural disaster, or astronomical phenomenon, speculation surges. But discerning the true signs from “pretended harbingers” requires scriptural literacy and spiritual sensitivity. The signs include the gathering of the elect, wars, famines, earthquakes, iniquity, the gospel preached to all the world, the destruction of Jerusalem, the sun and moon darkened, and finally the sign of the Son of Man…but many are explicitly detailed; for example, solar and lunar eclipses are listed among the signs, but not every full moon or cosmic event is a sign.

The scriptures and modern prophets warn repeatedly against over-interpreting or sensationalizing every event. Regarding the infamous “blood moons,” it was emphasized that, while “living in the latter-days…signs of the Lord’s Second Coming abound…[these are] not markers to help us guess the time…[but] to strengthen our faith that He will come again.” In other words, tracking dates or aligning every comet with prophecy distracts from the central command: to trust, prepare, and be spiritually alert.

It is also important to understand that, as in ages past, the news media is not our only—or even preferred—channel for recognizing God’s hand. Even in a hypothetical world where an electromagnetic pulse disables our electronics, including televisions, computers, and cell phones, the value of the signs persists for followers who know what to look for.  Events such as local wars, famines, earthquakes, and even celestial signs remain observable with the naked eye and can be discerned with spiritual eyes. Meanwhile, the ones that you wouldn’t notice right away are the global ones…but you would still find out in time. News found a way to get around the world with little more than diesel engines and the printing press.

Most reassuring of all is the Lord’s promise that the final and greatest sign—the sign of the Son of Man in heaven—will not require an internet connection or even word-of-mouth. Immediately…there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all people shall see it together (Doctrine and Covenants 88:93).  Joseph Smith likened it to the sunrise, “as the light of the morning cometh out of the east,” at first small but “gradually becomes larger until every eye shall see it…Shall the Saints understand it? Oh yes…Shall the wicked understand? Oh no, they attribute it to a natural cause…”

Therefore, the real “deciding factor” in recognizing God’s hand is not technology, but spiritual preparation and sensitivity. As President Uchtdorf counseled,

“We are charged with studying the word of God and heeding the voice of the Spirit, that we may ‘know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.’…[But] rather than dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness, and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart?…Let us set aside our fears and live instead with joy, humility, hope, and a bold confidence that the Lord is with us.”

Amid natural disasters, violence, moral confusion, and news cycles calibrated to instill dread, disciples of Christ are taught to “be not troubled,” for “all I have told you must come to pass” (Matthew 24:6). President Thomas S. Monson said,

“Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us…There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us…Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”

Preparation is not only prudent but commanded. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught,

“While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us.…If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained?”

How, then, do we endure—indeed thrive—when “the world seems to be going dark and turbulent”? The answer consistently returns to spiritual fundamentals: study the scriptures, heed living prophets, pray always, stand in holy places, and “watch.” President Hinckley said,

“To know when these events will occur would take from us much of the self-discipline needed to daily obey the principles of the gospel.”

Without a firm date, daily discipleship is revealed for what it is: not a mad dash before a deadline, but a lifestyle, not a last-ditch effort to sweep our mistakes under the rug at the threat of imminent eternal judgment.

Teaching children and youth is no different. Rather than instilling anxiety, parents and leaders are encouraged to point to God’s promises and focus on “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

Gramps

Gramps,

Is the man who will be the prophet during the second coming already on the earth?

Sam

Answer

Sam,

The simple answer? We don’t know.

The expectation of the Second Coming is based on the promises of scripture, where Christ Himself taught that “no man” would know the day or hour of His return, likening it to a “thief in the night” (see Matthew 24:42-44; Mark 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). This doctrine instills both a sense of readiness and caution against predictions not based on revelation.

Gramps

Gramps,

We know that there is to be a millenia or 1,000 years of peace after Christ returns. My question is simply why 1,000 years instead of say 2,000 or some other number of years before Satan is loosed again?  Do you think that’s the amount of time we will need to complete the temple work and other missionary assignments before Satan is loosed again or is it more of a symbolic 1,000 years to represent 1 day in the Lord’s time like a sabbath for the Earth? Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

Everett

Answer

Dear Everett,

There are a few questions within your inquiry, so, let’s start with the basics:

what is the millennium?

in Revelation 20:4 we read:

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

and in Doctrine and Covenants 29:11 it is cleared that is 1000 years long:

11 For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.

So, there hasn’t been direct revelation stating as to why it is a 1000 years long, however, we could conclude that the Lord chose 1000 years because it has been done previously by way of commandment from His Father.

One thing we need to remember is this: The Plan of Salvation is older than the earth itself and has been established long before the work had began. Meaning that the reason for using “Days” to elaborate the time frame of the creation of this earth is part of the plan.

One curious way to look at this time frame is looking at science and see what we can get from the great minds that have walked this earth. For example, I was reading an article/blog where it talked about the fact that depending on the mass of an object, time is relative: time is either shorten or lengthened depending on the amount of gravitational pull of such object. Here is a small excerpt from this blog:

Have you ever wondered how one day for the Lord could be equal to a thousand years for humankind? You might be surprised to learn that there is a simple scientific explanation.

 

According to Einstein’s principle of general relativity, time is relative, which is to say that it varies based on situational circumstances. Most scientists before the 20th century believed that time was constant, but Einstein proved otherwise. Einstein’s work showed that time varies based on velocity, energy, and mass (gravity).

 

Let’s take mass (gravity). According to relativity, as gravity increases, time slows down. Time moves more quickly for someone in a low gravity environment than it does for someone in a high gravity environment. This may explain why time moves more slowly at God’s throne.

 

The Lord dwells in a place where gravity is high relative to that on earth. We know that His throne is in a star cluster containing many large stars, something which would create massive gravity. Abraham 3:2 reads: “And I saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was nearest unto the throne of God; and there were many great ones which were near unto it.” The name of the great one nearest to God’s throne is Kolob. Abraham tells us that Kolob “govern all those [worlds] which belong to the same order as that upon which thou [Abraham] standest.”

So, scientifically speaking, the greater the gravitational pull, the slower the time takes. Now, this is only a suggestion and not exactly confirmed with gospel, but it does give us an idea as to the length of time it takes for a millennium day compared to an earthly one.

Why is the Millennium one thousand years and not two?

Well, the scriptures state that this is the last dispensation and since there is only one left (The seventh day), and we know it is 1000 years in length, then there is no point in taking 2000 years when that has not been the patterned here forth followed.

And yes, this will be time enough to perform all ordinances required for all of God’s children to receive the ordinances required to enter in to the presence of the Lord.

Gramps

Gramps,

I have recently pondered the walk with Christ along the the road to Emmaus.  These disciples didn’t recognize him.  And it made me wonder how will Christ appear to us when he returns.  In the past I’d imagined him returning wearing a robe and sandals.  But as I thought about it I suppose that he will be wearing clothing for our era.  And will he talk to us individually or appear to groups of people?  What are your thoughts on his 2nd coming?

Donna

Answer

Hello Donna,

On a previous question, my response was similar to what I would have answered here, with a few exceptions.

There is so much interest out there on this topic. Most of the information is pure speculation and/or professional guesses.

The scriptures provide the best information and for the most part, they testify that no-one knows when Jesus Christ will return, but His return will be Spectacular.

You can also read more about His return in the Doctrine and Covenants Church History Seminary Manual.

I particular love the source from the official website of the Church that states:

“When the Savior comes again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom. His Second Coming will mark the beginning of the Millennium.”

It will be glorious and I am working hard each day to be able to qualify to partake in the reception will take place when he returns.

With loving regards,

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

It is the Savior Himself who arrives to initiates his millennial reign. For the life of me, why would he not immediately, as first order of business, identify which church is truly His church and denounce all others as false – as he had once done before?

Bob

Answer

Dear Bob,

The prophets of God have identified the true church time and again. But the things of God are understood (and accepted) by the Spirit of God. The Lord told Joseph Smith on one occasion—

Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you (D&C 5:7).

Here are the words of the prophet Joseph Smith regarding conditions during the millennium—

“Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will probably not dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God and must eventually be destroyed from the earth.” (Joseph Smith, Jr. DHC 5:212

And from Brigham Young—

“In the Millennium men will have the privilege of being Presbyterians, Methodists, or Infidels, but they will not have the privilege of treating the name and character of Deity as they have done heretofore. No, but every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father that Jesus is the Christ” (Journal of Discourses 12:274).

And from the scriptures—

And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season (D&C 29:22).

So agency will continue to be in force, and the dispositions of men will not change all that much. The eye sees only what the mind gives it power to see, and the mind accepts only what the intelligence of the intellect gives it power to accept. When two different people see the Savior coming in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory, one will fall on his knees in worshipful adoration and the other will say, “What in the world is that??”

Gramps

Gramps,

In Jacob 4:11 it says Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye (may) obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.  Now we know that all will be resurrected so why does it say ‘may’?  Thank you.

Michael

Answer

Dear Michael,

First, let’s go and find out from the source what Jacob knew.  In 2 Nephi chapter 2, Lehi is speaking directly to Jacob.  In verses 8-10, we see that Lehi taught that the dead would be resurrected, that “all men” would stand before God to be judged – the implication being that this is after the resurrection (emphasis mine):

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

 

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

 

10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—

Next, we see Jacob himself teaching in 2 Nephi 9, and here, his teaching leaves no doubt that Jacob knew that all will be resurrected:

11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

 

12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

 

13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

 

14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.

 

15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

…

22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

From the above (and a few other verses), it seems clear that Jacob understood well the fact that all men would be resurrected.  So let’s take a close look at Jacob 4:11.  I’m going to break it apart a bit to make it more clear what he’s saying:

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may:

 

(i) obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ,

 

(ii) and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.

Jacob is not just encouraging his listeners to hope for a resurrection, but for the first resurrection – to be “the first-fruits of Christ” and to have “hope of glory in him”.  This is nothing short of exaltation that Jacob is describing.  At the very least, previous verses show that Jacob understood that the wicked too would be resurrected – but they would not be the first-fruits of Christ.  They would not have hope of any glory in Christ.  The conditional here is not resurrection, but a glorious resurrection.  (See also 2 Nephi 10:25 and Jacob 6:9.)

I hope this clarifies Jacob’s wording for you, and I hope that all of us will strive to obtain the glorious resurrection God has promised the faithful.

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

What will happen to the Temples during the second coming?  We bless and regard them with such sacredness and love, they are the Lord’s house. I live close to the New Zealand Temple and it’s heartbreaking to imagine it possibly being destroyed because of the wickedness and hardening of people’s hearts.  Thank you for answering my questions.

Emmie

Answer

Hi Emmie,

First, I share your love for the temples of our God. They are sacred edifices consecrated for the work of our Lord, and our loved ones. The destruction of any of our temples truly would be heartbreaking to imagine, let alone endure; however, history appears to inform us that even temples are not spared from the wickedness and hard hearts of the children of humankind.

The Nauvoo temple was built in 1844, and four years later (1848) arsonists’ set fire to this temple. Solomon built a beautiful temple unto the Lord, and years later even this temple was destroyed.

With the many temples The Church is building, it would be very shocking if all were protected from the wickedness in our day. There are certain states by which I could easily see the people overrunning the temples, if mobs raged, due to their location and the acceptance of sin that is prevalent in these states.

Despite the possible destruction of these sacred, blessed, and beautiful buildings, the scripture comes to my mind (2 Nephi 2: 24), “But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things”; however, it will not stop the work of the Lord from progressing.

Gramps

Gramps,

Where exactly on the earth will the righteous members of the Church be living the United Order or The Law of Consecration before the Savior’s second coming? Thanks gramps.

Gloria

Answer

Dear Gloria,

I need to answer this in two parts.  First we’ll separately define the “Law of Consecration” and the “United Order”.  Then we can talk about the Saints living either of them prior to the Second Coming.

The Law of Consecration is an eternal principle.  The Guide to the Scriptures defines it thusly:

A divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God’s kingdom.

This is described in more detail in D&C Section 42.  Therefore, everything we have should be used in some way to build up the Kingdom of God both in Heaven and on Earth — even if it means spending money on raising your children up unto the Lord.

The United Order was a formal system with specific methodology and requirements that sought to implement the Law of Consecration on a large scale as a cooperative venture.  In D&C Section 104, the Lord provided additional guidance on how the Law of Consecration was to be formally implemented as the United Order.

While they are two separate ideas, they were prescribed to work hand-in-hand with each other much like monetary policy and the economy.  The link between the United Order and the Law of Consecration, as well as the Law of the Gospel become more obvious as we look at the specific covenant entered into upon entering the Order:

We will not take the name of Deity in vain, nor speak lightly of his character, or of sacred things. We will pray with our families morning and evening and also attend to secret prayer. We will observe and keep the Word of Wisdom, according to the spirit and the meaning thereof. We will treat our families with due kindness and affection, and set before them an example worthy of imitation. In our families and intercourse with all persons, we will refrain from being contentious or quarrelsome, and we will cease to speak evil of each other, and will cultivate a spirit of charity towards all. We consider it our duty to keep from acting selfishly or from covetous motives, and will seek the interest of each other and the salvation of all mankind. We will observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, in accordance with the revelations. . . . In our apparel and deportment we will not pattern after nor encourage foolish and extravagant fashions. . . . We will be simple in our dress and manner of living, using proper economy and prudence in the management of all intrusted to our care. . . . We will honestly and diligently labor and devote ourselves and all we have to the “order” and to the building of the kingdom of God. [Comprehensive History of the Church, 4:485–86 ]

I know from personal experience that many now strive to live the Law on an individual basis.  The Order, however, has yet to be fully practiced and properly followed in this dispensation.

The United Order was practiced briefly under Joseph Smith, but was abandoned after a brief time.  It was practiced again under Pres. Brigham Young for a more extended period, but was eventually abandoned due to many forces both from within and from without.  While the goals were similar, the administration of these systems were somewhat different. The specifics of these are beyond the scope of this response.  So I’ll forebear.  The end of the story was that the Saints were not prepared to live it in either case.

Your question seems to ask whether we are going to be living either one prior to the Second Coming.  As for the Order I know of no prophecy that says that the system must be successfully implemented prior to the Second Coming.  However, there are some that could easily be interpreted as saying so.

We are living in the era just preceding the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told to so prepare and live that we can be … independent of every other creature beneath the celestial kingdom [see D&C 78:14]. That is what we are to do. …

… The final thing that we are to do is to be able and willing to consecrate all that we have to the building up of the kingdom of God, to care for our fellow men. When we do this we’ll be ready for the coming of the Messiah. (Marion G. Romney, General Conference, Apr. 1975).

With such statements, it is difficult to separate when the Law or the Order is being discussed.  I personally tend to think that when we obey the Law as individuals, the Order will become a natural social intercourse.  So the two may be considered one when discussing the Second Coming.

We as Latter-day Saints still believe that all we have comes from the Lord.  And all we have should be used to build up His Kingdom.  It is this understanding and attitude that is part of what makes us Saints.

In fact, the meaning of “consecrate” means to dedicate, make holy, or become righteous.  The definition of “saint” has changed over the centuries.  But the etymology can be traced back to mean “One who dedicates himself to a holy cause or to become more righteous”.  So, to truly be a Latter-day Saint requires that we follow the Law of Consecration.  We must live the Law of the Gospel.  We must live up to each and every covenant that the Lord requires of his Saints.

We must believe it now, and we must certainly believe it then.  Those who do so in spirit and in practice will be spared during His coming.

Gramps

Gramps,

I have a Book of Mormon question.  In the Book of Mormon Introduction it says On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being – How can this be? Can one be resurrected before the 2nd coming?

Annie

Answer

Annie,

The “morning of the first resurrection” actually began with the resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself and is currently under way. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of this:

Yea, at the time that he shall yield up the ghost . . .

 

. . . many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.  (Helaman 14:21, 25)

The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jerusalem is recorded in Matthew 27:52-53, and Jesus specifically reminded Nephi (the son of Nephi) that this prophecy had also been fulfilled in the Americas and that its fulfillment needed to be recorded (3 Nephi 23:8-13).

 8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:

 9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?

Moroni is far from the only (or the first) resurrected person besides Jesus that we know of. John the Baptist was beheaded, yet appeared to Joseph and Oliver in the flesh and with his head apparently in its appropriate place atop his shoulders. Peter, James, and John also appeared to the prophet to lay their hands on his head and confer the Melchizedek Priesthood upon him (and Oliver), even though Peter and James had been put to death.

Gramps

Gramps,

As we know, two ‘witnesses’ will be killed in Jerusalem. Many have supposed these two witnesses will be apostles (members of the first presidency or quorum of the twelve). Have there been any talks regarding these two witnesses? Are they going to be apostles from the LDS church? We know they will be raised up in the Jewish state. Any ideas?

Alan

Answer

Alan,

Thank you for your question.  I think I may have already answered most of your questions regarding this in a previous Q&A.  Are there references for 2 prophets killed in last days?

However, let me add a couple of things here that you have addressed that were not mentioned in my previous answer.

You mention that these two would have been raised up “in” the Jewish state.  According to D&C 77:15 it states:

 15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?  A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.

Notice how it states “to” and not “in.”  This would tell me that they won’t necessarily be from the Jewish nation.

Bruce R. McConkie identified the two men as:

“followers of that humble man Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:509.)

I hope this and my previous answer helps to clarify this for you.

Gramps