President Russell M. Nelson addressed Church members and the world at the end of the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 6, 2024. He announced 17 new temples and then said “Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple…help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!”
Continuing, he said, “Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.” And “I call upon you to…prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.”
We prepare spiritually by going to the temple, keeping our covenants, focusing our lives on Jesus Christ and his gospel and his atonement, and by keeping the commandments of God.
Lest you think temporal preparedness is no longer, or not as, important, remember Pres. Nelson’s words from October 2020: “I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared.” And “…we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are – temporally, emotionally, and spiritually – the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults.” And “…I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands.”
We cannot prepare the world effectively for the Second Coming if we are not self-reliant both spiritually and temporally. Part of preparing for the Second Coming has to be preparing for the prophesied social and political chaos and natural disasters. (see “I Prepare You Against These Things” ) If we don’t temporally prepare, we will not be in a position to effectively assist in preparing the world, and the people of the world, for the Second Coming. Instead, we will be the ones needing assistance and taking resources needed for those who do not understand their obligation to be self-reliant and prepared.
In 2007, The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote “Our Heavenly Father ….has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.”
Resolve now to make temporal preparedness part of your preparedness plan for the Second Coming of the Lord.
