Question
Gramps,
I want to know, if it’s possible to know through the spirit where Christ is now and the process of His return. Where is he?
Clay
Answer
Clay,
You pose a very interesting question! I will first answer your question about knowing, through the spirit, more details about Christ’s return. A couple of scriptures come to mind regarding this question.
First, there is Isaiah 55:8:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
Second, there is Matthew 24:36, where Jesus himself discusses the Second Coming:
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
It is true that we would all love to know more about the Second Coming, when it will be, how it will happen, and the like. As we get closer to Christ, we naturally want to know more about Him.
However, the scriptures teach that it is not for us to know all things while we are here in this life. The process of Christ’s return may be a good example of a subject that it is simply not for us to know at this time. We can and should look forward to the Second Coming, but we should not expect to know exactly how or when it will happen. We will have to wait and see what Christ has in mind.
Regarding the second part of your question, whether we can know where Christ is right now, the scriptures and general authorities speak of a few ways by which we may know where He is.
First, some have the great honor of being visited by Christ in this life. Joseph Smith, for example, saw Christ during the first vision and on other occasions. Others have had this very rare, sacred, and special privilege as well, and have, at least for a few moments, been in the presence of Christ in this life.
Second, another method by which we may know where Christ is now is discussed in the Book of Matthew in the Bible. In Matthew 18:19-20, Christ promised the original apostles that,
“if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
According to Heber C. Kimball, Joseph Smith testified of the modern apostles anonymously receiving this visit:
“He[, Joseph,] saw the Twelve going forth, and they appeared to be in a far distant land. After some time they unexpectedly met together, apparently in great tribulation, their clothes all ragged, and their knees and feet sore. They formed into a circle, and all stood with their eyes fixed upon the ground. The Savior appeared and stood in their midst and wept over them, and wanted to show Himself to them, but they did not discover Him.” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, p. 93; see also History of the Church, 2:381.) (as quoted in The Dignity of Self, by President James E. Faust)
Other general authorities have given talks which state that this promise applies to each of us! For example, in his 1976 conference talk “There Am I in the Midst of Them“, Joseph B. Wirthlin taught that,
“as Jesus said, of ‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,’ and this can be true for all of us wherever we may be, at home or elsewhere.”
So, when you meet with someone else in the name of Christ, although you may not see Him, He is right there with you.
Makes you think a little differently about how important going to church is, doesn’t it! What a comforting scripture that shows just how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love and care about us!
Gramps
