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Living in expectation of Christ's return has always been an important
part of Latter-day Saint spirituality. The resurrection
teaches us that Christ has triumphed over the forces that wreak destruction
and misery in our world, but we are still waiting for that triumph to
be fully revealed. We still pray for God's will to be fully realized on
earth (Matt. 5:10).
Apocalyptic images of the second coming are an impassioned expression
of hope that Christ's power will radically transform the world, overturning
evil and establishing a reign of justice and peace. This imagery should
not cause fear but rather give us hope that God's promises will be fulfilled
(D&C 45:34-35). Warnings that Christ is
coming soon are meant to inspire us to be faithful in our stewardships
and to treat others the way Christ would want us to (JS-M
1:48-54).
Besides apocalyptic imagery, the scriptures describe the second coming
as a time of blessing and celebration. Christ comes so that all the earth
will see his salvation—to bless every nation, kindred, tongue, and
people (D&C 133:3; 1 Ne. 19:17). He comes
to make the poor rejoice (D&C 56:19). Christ
is the Bridegroom coming to celebrate his wedding banquet, a feast to
which everyone is invited (D&C 33:17-18; 58:6-11).
Christ's servants are responsible to prepare that feast. The coming of
Christ's reign is a combination of heavenly and earthly labors; we help
build the better world that Christ comes to bring (D&C
65).
| Redeemer of Israel (Hymns
6) |
| When He Comes Again
(Children's Songbook 82–83) |
| Franklin D. Richards:
We should ask God and importune with Him that His kingdom may come
and His will be done as in heaven so upon the earth . . . [T]he coming
of the Lord Jesus Christ is the great point at which all our prayers
should be directed. It seems to be the great leading object of our
work here upon the earth, to be endeavoring continually to spread
abroad the kingdom of God here on the earth. |
| Collected
Discourses (Burbank, CA and Woodland Hills, UT: B.H.S. Publishing,
1987-1992), 3:139 |
| Anthon H. Lund: That
which we are striving for [is] to serve the Lord, to carry out His
purposes, and to be instruments in His hands to bring about the reign
of peace, the reign of Christ, here upon the earth. |
| Conference
Report, April 1904, 5 |
| David O. McKay: The mission
of the Church is to prepare the way for the final establishment of
the kingdom of God on earth. Its purpose is, first, to develop in
men's lives Christ-like attributes; and, second, to transform society
so that the world may be a better and more peaceful place in which
to live. |
| Conference
Report, April 1941, 106 |
Hugh B. Brown: While
all is not well in the world, we testify that God is still in heaven,
that Christ will defeat anti-Christ, that the millennium will be
ushered in, that Satan will be bound, and there will be a new heaven
and a new earth, and you are to join with us in helping to build
that new world and prepare for the second coming of the Lord. You
are the harbingers and builders of a new and better world.
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| Continuing
the Quest (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1961), 14 |
Bruce R. McConkie:
The Lord has laid upon us the responsibility to lay the foundation
for that which is to be. We have been commissioned to prepare a
people for the second coming of the Son of Man. We have been called
to preach the gospel to every nation and kindred and tongue and
people. We have been commanded to lay the foundations of Zion and
to get all things ready for the return of Him who shall again crown
the Holy City with his presence and glory.
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| “Come: Let Israel
Build Zion,” Ensign, May 1977, 115–118 |
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