2 Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38; Joseph Smith- Matthew. Preparing For The Second Coming

 How can we prepare to meet the Lord in the Second coming? That is the question asked in my studies this week. In reviewing Mark 13, I identified some key words that helped me know what to do to prepare. They are: “take heed”, and “Watch”. So according to what was said after these key words, I was able to form an idea of what to watch for and be prepared. First, in verse 5, we must be careful not to be deceived. From verse 9-13, we learn that even family members will betray each other, and we will be persecuted for our belief in Christ.  Verse 23 lets me know that all things that will happen are foretold so we can watch and be ready as we see the signs, but we will not know the exact time when He will come for nobody knows. Three things we can watch for is: the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, and the stars will fall from heaven.

Some additional truths that are taught in the following references also can prepare us for the Second coming as well. In D &C 87:8,It tells us to “stand ye in Holy places” I have heard this before and have come to learn this to mean that we can turn to the stakes and churches for a refuge from the storms of life and also that we ourselves should stand and keep ourselves Holy since our body is a temple which houses our spirit. In J.S. Matthew 1:32, we read that The “Abomination of Desolation” will happen again. According to the student manual, it says, “All the desolation and waste which attended the former destruction of Jerusalem is but prelude to the coming siege. Titus and his legions slaughtered 1,100,000 Jews, destroyed the temple, and ploughed the city. In the coming reenactment of this ‘abomination of desolation,’ the whole world will be at war, Jerusalem will be the center of the conflict, every modern weapon will be used, and in the midst of the siege the Son of Man shall come, setting his foot upon the mount of Olives and fighting the battle of his saints.” (Zech. 12:1–9.). Then in J.S. Matthew 1:37, it says that those who treasure up His word won’t be deceived and His elect will be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Also, in Matthew 1:46-50, it says that we must be faithful and wise, ready at a moment’s notice for we know not the time when He comes and if we will be watchful, and be ready, we will be blessed. According to D&C 33:17, I gives some instruction of what we need to be doing to be ready, like praying always and keeping “[our] lamps trimmed and burning and oil with [us]” meaning to be faithful and keep our testimonies strong. In D&C 45:56-57, we learn that we need to be wise and receive truth and keep the Holy spirit with us always to guide us, then we will be saved.

After reading and studying about the Second Coming, I know what I need to do to prepare myself and my family. In order for the very elect not to be deceived, we need to have and keep a strong testimony of the truths of Christ and the Gospel as well as stay faithful and live righteously to keep the spirit as a constant companion. Then we will be able to stand in holy places and be ready.