Question
Dear Gramps,
When I read the Scriptures and study about the time immediately preceding the Second Coming, I become overwhelmed and frightened. How should I prepare my teenage children for what may be in their future without causing them fear?
Nancy
Answer
Dear Nancy,
You are probably referring to such scriptures as D&C 87:6-8,
And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;
That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.
Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen
We have not been promised a bed of roses, but we have been promised strength and protection from the storm if we will follow the counsels of the Lord. The first admonition is found in the above scripture: stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come. If we will do that we will have no need to fear, for the Lord has said,
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another (D&C 90:24).
It is well to note that the scriptures say “all things,” not “some things.” You might teach your children to reflect, ponder and memorize the following scripture, and repeat it in their minds whenever temptations come their way,
Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (D&C 6:36).
Gramps
