Doctrine and Covenants 45

D&C 45:35: “Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.”

PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE—You will know when summer is nigh if you watch

D&C 45:36-37: “And when the light shall begin to break forth, it shall be with them like unto a parable which I will show you—Ye look and behold the fig trees, and ye see them with your eyes, and ye say when they begin to shoot forth, and their leaves are yet tender, that summer is now nigh at hand.”

                :39 “…he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come…”

                :44-46 “And then they shall look for me and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory with all the holy angels…” Those who have “slept in peace” will be brought back to life and redeemed, also.

                :54 “Then shall the heathen nations be redeemed…in the first resurrection…”

                :55 “Satan shall be bound…”

Five of Them Were Wise, by Walter Rane

from LDS.org Media Library

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS—In addition to watching, preparation is required

D&C 45:56-57: “And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”

                :57 the oil in their lamps is knowing the truth and having the Holy Spirit for their guide & having not been deceived. (Write on the board)

                :58-59 “the earth shall be given unto them…they shall multiply and wax strong…the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.”

                :60-61 The New Testament translation will tell more, that ye may be prepared.

JS-MATTHEW—Counsel for those watching & preparing

Hazards for Disciples in the last days (Note on blackboard) (Matt. 24)

1.       JS-M 1:7 Being Afflicted. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my name’s sake.” Don’t worry about this one. See D&C 101:36

2.       JS-M 1:8 Being Offended. “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” Zion people will not war with one another. See D&C 45:69

3.       JS-M 1:9 Being Deceived. “And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.” JS-M 1:22—“For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.” False prophets would deceive even the very elect, according to the covenant. JS-M 1:37--“Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived…”

4.       JS-M 11:10 Being surrounded by Iniquity. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” JS-M 1:30 “…he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved.” How to overcome by faith, rather than be overcome by iniquity, is found in D&C 76:50-53 from last week. (The basic cycle of sanctification we discuss every week: Faith to Repentance to Baptism/Covenant Keeping to Holy Ghost.) Don’t be confused that you will do this by yourself: D&C 76:61 – “Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet.” Christ will have done it for you.

The Promise: JS-M 1:11 “He that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved.” JS-M 1:12 so “stand in the Holy Place.”

Blessings of the Millenium to those who watch & prepare

D&C 101:22-38 Stand in the holy place and prepare for the revelation

These are the good things that will happen:

                :25 “all things shall become new that my knowledge & glory may dwell upon the earth”

                :26 anything you ask will be given

                :28 Satan will have no power

                :29 no sorrow, no death

                :30 no infant death

                :31 translation rather than death

                :32-34 all knowledge will be available.

Therefore

                :36 don’t be afraid, even about death, because it will be a joyful time

                :37 don’t worry about your body only as it relates to your soul. In D&C 88:15, it explains that the spirit and the body combined are the soul. 

                :38 seek the face of God that you may possess your souls (spirit + body) and you shall have eternal life.

Jesus the Christ, by Del Parson

from LDS.org Media Library

We’ll give glory to Christ

D&C 133:52-53 “And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever. In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old.” We will realize all the wonderful things the Lord did for us throughout our lives. 

                :57 “for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories…the Lord sent forth the fullness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant…”

                :58 “…to prepare the weak…”

                :59 to “…thrash the nations by the power of his Spirit.”

                :60 “for this cause these commandments were given.”

What is left?

Recently I had several friends ask if the Second Coming might be very close, maybe even in the year 2021, because "the world has become so evil" and there are interesting signs in the skies and in the events of the world that could be interpreted to point to this year. I would absolutely love that if it were the case. Wouldn't it be great for our troubles to be over and for Christ to reign on the earth? So I did some research and compiled a list and, unfortunately, I find it difficult to see all of these remaining signs happening in just the next year. But it will continue to be interesting to watch and marvel at the works of the Lord:

SIGNS OF THE TIMES NOT YET FULFILLED

1.     The Church will grow to fill the entire earth (Dan. 2:35, 44-45). We are getting closer, but there are still over 100 major cities in Russia, the largest country in the world, that have no church outreach, according to Cumorah.com. And about 60 additional nations are still closed to the Church.**

2.     All will hear the gospel in their own language (D&C 90:10-11). There are around 6,500 languages in the world. The Book of Mormon is now available in 90 languages. The Provo MTC teaches over 50 languages. The international MTCs teach several more. We do have translation during General Conference, but we are far from 6,500 languages.

3.     Righteousness and truth will sweep the earth as a flood (Moses 7:62). President Benson’s “flooding of the earth” with the Book of Mormon was a definite contributor. 

4.     Scattered Israel will be gathered. Definitely in process!

5.     The lost ten tribes will return (D&C 133:26-33). D&C 110:11 implies that there will be two parts to this gathering: the gathering from the four corners of the earth of individuals through missionary work, and the leading from the north of a larger group.

6.     The Lamanites will blossom as the rose (D&C 49:24). South and Central American natives certainly have, but there is still room for more blossoming among the North American Natives. I personally believe the North American Natives are descendants of Lehi.

7.     The U.S. Constitution will be threatened but the leaders of our church will save it (Brigham Young, quoting Joseph Smith, JD 2:182). Our constitution is certainly under stress at this time.

8.     A great hailstorm will destroy the crops of the earth, with stones the weight of a talent (Rev. 16:21; D&C 29:16). No one knows the accurate weight of a New Testament talent, but we can assume these are big hailstones.

9.     The gospel will flourish in Egypt and a temple will be built there (Isaiah 19:18-22). Egypt is presently one of the nations closed to the Church.

10.  A temple will be built in old Jerusalem (Ezek. 47:1-10; TPJS, 286). It will be on the Temple Mount but will not necessarily displace the Dome of the Rock; it will not be what is presently the Jerusalem Center. Church leadership has advised Seminary/Institute teachers to stop speculation that this may one day become a temple. Such a transformation would be against our agreement with Jerusalem leadership.

11.  A spring of fresh water will flow out from under this temple and heal the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:1-10; TPJS, 286). Healing this sea would involve a massive amount of fresh water to reduce its salinity and make it habitable. 

12.  The “times of the Gentiles” will be fulfilled and the gospel will be taken to the Jews (D&C 45:22-28).

13.  The Jews will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior (D&C 45:51-53). There are Messianic Jews today who do believe in Jesus as their Savior, and that movement is growing, but it is far from a majority. According to one source, only 2.5% of Jews are Messianic.

14.  A New Jerusalem will be built in Independence, Missouri (Moses 7:62-64; D&C 57:1-3; Ether 13:5-6). The wicked will be afraid of the righteous who live there. It will be a place of safety for refugees from every nation. They will be the only people not at war. We haven't seen much happen in Independence yet.

15.  There will be a huge, private meeting at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (Dan. 7:9-14). All the faithful will be there, plus faithful dead (Bruce R. McConkie, MM, 578). Christ will appear there and receive the keys of the kingdom back from the Church leaders.

16.  A great earthquake “such as was not since men were upon the earth” will darken the sun (Rev. 6:12; 16:18). The 1812 New Madrid earthquakes along the Mississippi River in the United States are an example of how an earthquake can darken the sun--by raising sulphurous vapor from below the earth. Whether this event was the fulfillment of this prophecy, I don't know. 

17.  There will be no rainbows in the year that Christ comes (HC 6:254). Joseph Smith: “In any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come.”

18.  There will be a grand “sign of the coming of the Son of Man” in the sky. Nobody knows what it is, including the devil, but it will be obvious (Matt: 24:29-31; D&C 88:90-93; etc.) Joseph Smith: This will come after the sun has been darkened, the moon turned to blood, and the seas have heaved beyond their bounds (TPJS, 286-7).** Some people think that the sign has occurred, but since it wasn't obvious to the casual observer, I disagree.

19.  All the world will be at war, with Jerusalem at the center of the conflict.

20.  The Battle of Armageddon will occur. The valley of Megiddo is the name of the location today and is 50 miles north of Jerusalem (Rev. 16:14-16).

21.  Two of the apostles will be killed in Jerusalem after ministering there for 3-1/2 years (Rev. 11:3-13; D&C 77:15. Their bodies will lie in the street for 3-1/2 days, while the people celebrate their deaths. They will then rise from the dead and ascend into heaven after a vocal summoning from God. 

22.  Those living a godly life will be taken up to meet Christ and will then descend with him to rule the earth (D&C 88:96-98).

23.  In the midst of the siege of Jerusalem, Christ will appear on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 12:1-9; Bruce R. McConkie, DNTC, 1:659-60). The Mount of Olives will split in two and the entire world will feel the associated earthquake (D&C 45:48; Zech. 14:1-5). Everyone will see Jesus Christ appear; there will be no doubt (Rev. 1:7; 6:14-16; etc.).

24.  The wicked will be burned (Mal. 4:1; D&C 5:19; etc.)

25.  Evil will be conquered (D&C 29:21, etc.).

26.  There will be a full end of all nations (D&C 87:6-8).

27.  The righteous will live in peace (Isa. 11:6-9). Jesus Christ will rule the world politically.

Notes on two other signs:

1.   The mark of the beast will be in people’s foreheads [ownership] and right hands [covenants] (Rev. 13:13-17). This could just be symbolizing general worldliness and evil-doing, and could therefore already be fulfilled.

2.   *The sun will be darkened and the moon will become as blood (Joel 2:28-32). In October conference 2001, President Hinckley read this prophecy and said had been fulfilled. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/living-in-the-fulness-of-times?lang=eng. His second talk in that conference is also of interest. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2001/10/the-times-in-which-we-live?lang=eng.

Source: David J. Ridges, Using the Signs of the Times to Strengthen Your Testimony, 2014. Note: He lists 97 signs of the times total. This list only contains those not yet fulfilled.

**Nations/Areas Without Significant Church Presence

Afghanistan
Algeria
Anguilla
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Burma
Chad
China (mainland)
Comoros
Cuba
Djibouti
East Timor
Egypt
Eritrea
Equatorial Guinea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
The Gambia
Greenland
Guinea-Bissau
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Liechtenstein
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Monaco
Morocco
Nepal
Niger
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Oman
Pitcairn Islands
Qatar
Rwanda
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vatican City (obviously)
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

Although the list is greatly shortened from the 97 events that David Ridges identified in the scriptures, we still have much work to do. We can be a light to our own personal sphere, we can support missionary work throughout the world, we can pray for countries to be opened to the Church, we can support and teach Native Americans, we can research our ancestors and do their temple work (this is the "offering of the Sons of Levi [temple goers]" mentioned by Christ in 3 Nephi 24:3).

“Today, the Lord’s work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving forward at an accelerated pace. The Church will have an unprecedented, unparalleled future. ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, … the things which God hath prepared for them that love him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9; see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:10).

"Remember that the fulness of Christ’s ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation—when the Savior’s Second Coming becomes a reality” (President Russell M. Nelson, April 2020 General Conference).

As individuals, we can and must constantly increase our personal righteousness.

“How do you prepare for the Second Coming? Well, you just do not worry about it. You just live the kind of life that if the second coming were to be tomorrow, you would be ready. Nobody knows when it is going to happen….Our responsibility is to prepare ourselves, to live worthy of the association of the Savior, to deport ourselves in such a way that we would not be embarrassed if He were to come among us. That is a challenge in this day and age.” (President Gordon B. Hinckly, Church News, 2 January 1999, p. 2)

from LDS.org Media Library

D&C 88:68 – “Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.”  

The definition of sanctification immediately follows: “that your minds become single to God.” If our motive in everything is love, if our direction is always upwards, and if our hearts and desires are aligned with God's through the direction of the Spirit, our minds are eyes are single to the glory of God. This is the personal path to safety in the last days.

  

              
EXTRA ACTIVITY: If you have active class members (a.k.a. youth), you may want to let them make Hebrew lamps during or after the discussion to remind themselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit that they may be a light to the world. Here is a link to directions: Homemade Hebrew Lamps

Matthew 25

Matthew 25

SHARING OUR OIL

After going to all the trouble of collecting, financing, organizing, analyzing, and shelving your food storage, would you be willing to share it with others?  In 1871, in the "extremely harsh" settlement of Spring Valley, Nevada, Mormon pioneer Joseph Millet wrote in his journal:

"One of my children came in, said that Brother Newton Hall’s folks were out of bread. Had none that day. I put…our flour in [a] sack to send up to Brother Hall’s. Just then Brother Hall came in.

"Says I, 'Brother Hall, how are you out for flour[?]'

“'Brother Millett, we have none.'

“'Well, Brother Hall, there is some in that sack. I have divided and was going to send it to you. Your children told mine that you were out.'

"Brother Hall began to cry. Said he had tried others. Could not get any. Went to the cedars and prayed to the Lord and the Lord told him to go to Joseph Millett.

“'Well, Brother Hall, you needn’t bring this back if the Lord sent you for it. You don’t owe me for it.' You can’t tell how good it made me feel to know that the Lord knew that there was such a person as Joseph Millett."  (Eugene England, "Without Purse or Scrip,", New Era, July 1975; also Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1980; also Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, December 2000; also Thomas S. Monson, Liahona, December 2006)

There are many who would be like Joseph Millet, and would share their supply of food or fuel with another in need.  But in the first parable of Jesus that we are going study today, the righteous who were prepared did not share their fuel with their fellow "saints" who were unprepared.  It's quite contrary to the teachings of Jesus to be stingy about anything we have that another doesn't, but in this case, it was impossible to share.

THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS (Matt. 25:1-13)

First off, we have to get one thing straight:  This is not the parable of the five virgins and the five harlots.  All ten were virgins or "members of the Church in good standing."  The number of the virgins also verifies that they were believers.  Every Hebrew number has a meaning very significant to the Jews, so anytime we see a number in the Bible, we must be highly suspicious that the number is going to enhance the lesson being taught.  In this case, it is the number ten, and ten symbolizes "testimony; law and responsibility" (Bible Numerics.com).  These women had testimonies of Christ, understood the law, and were responsible for keeping it.

They had all not only been invited to the wedding feast, but were expected to play a significant role in it.  They were to carry their lamps to light the way of the bridal procession.  The lamps were probably attached to a pole and carried aloft (McConkie, p. 466).

All of the virgins had oil in their lamps as the story began.  Although some had extra, all of them thought that what they had was enough.  But it took longer for the bridegroom to come than expected, and when he came, five of the lamps had run out of oil.  The five with extra oil refilled their own lamps, and the five in need desperately asked them to share.  But this was not possible.

"The shape of Jewish lamps, outside lips rounded inward, made it almost impossible for someone to pour oil from one lamp to another."  (Primary 7 Manual, "Lesson 25")  The oil is poured from the storage recepticle into the central opening.  The wick is inserted in the little hole on the side to absorb the oil.  (You can see the burn marks near the wick hole in the lamp below.)

What is the oil?  The Doctrine and Covenants gives a clue to the answer:

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.  For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."  (D&C 45:56-57)

The oil is not only the testimony of the Holy Ghost, but the learned ability to use it as a guide.  We often tell our youth, "If you don't have a testimony, lean on mine," but at some point, every person must have their own testimony, independent of others, and be able to follow the Light of the Spirit or they will find themselves among the five foolish virgins, left out in the dark.

"All that one person can do for the salvation of another is to preach, teach, expound, and exhort; all that one man can do for his fellows is to teach them the truth and guide their feet into paths of virtue and rectitude.  All that the five wise virgins can do for the foolish is to tell them how to gain oil for themselves" (McConkie, p. 468).

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is about our personal testimonies.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (Matt. 25:14-30)

The very next parable is the parable of the talents.  Did you know there is a parallel parable to this one in the book of Luke?  We can learn a lot by comparing these two parables. 

Have one member of the class read the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27) while the class follows the parable of the talents and notes the differences between the two:

Parable of the Pounds (Luke)	Parable of the Talents (Matthew)
“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom.”	“The Kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country.”
Ten servants	Three servants
Each servant was given ten pounds	One servant was given five talents, one was given two, and one was given one
Pounds were substantial sums of money	Talents were astronomical sums of money!
Servants were expected to earn more money with what they were given (see footnote to Luke 19:13)
Citizens hated the nobleman and refused his leadership.	No mention of citizens
One servant increased the sum by 10 times, one by 5 times, one simply retained the original amount.	Two servants doubled their sums, one simply retained the original amount.
Servants who increased in any way were given great praise and reward.  The servant who did not increase was chastised.
No mention is made of the unprofitable servant’s fate, but the rebellious citizens were ordered killed.	The unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness

So what accounts for the differences, and what do they teach us?

First, it is important to note that the parable of the pounds was given to a mixed audience of believers and unbelievers or potential converts (Talmadge, p. 581).  The parable of the talents was given in Christ's last few days only to the Apostles, as a continuation of the Olivet Discourse (see Matt. 23:3).

Second, it is helpful to look at the writer and his audience.  Luke was a Gentile converted by the missionary Paul, writing his gospel to Gentiles.  Matthew was a Jew writing to Jews.  (For more on this, see "Overview of the Four Gospels" in a previous post.)

Keeping this in mind, let's look at some of the individual symbols:

• The number of servants:  Ten refers to testimony, as we read above.  Three refers to divine completeness.  Could this tell us that, although all the servants were "members," the three servants were further along the pathway toward becoming like Christ?  Perhaps the ten were new converts just beginning their spiritual journeys, and the three were of "pioneer stock," with much foundational teaching and examples available to them throughout their lives.
• The amounts of money given:  A pound was worth three months of a laborer's wage.  A talent was the largest measurement of money possible, worth more than 15 years of a laborer's wages(Harper-Collins Study Bible, p. 1891).  
• The returns reaped by the servants:  It did not matter how much the servants returned.  As long as they increased, they received great praise.  But even if they did not lose what they were originally given, if they did not increase it, they faced wrath.  And it is specifically mentioned that the servant who was given the vast amount of a single talent, was cast into outer darkness for not improving upon it.  "For unto him of whom much is given, much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation" (D&C 82:3), whereas the rebellious "citizens" surrounding the servant who did not increase his ten pounds were destroyed.

An interesting side note:  Our current English usage of the word talent as a special gift or ability comes directly from this parable (Webster's Intermediate Dictionary).


So how do we invest our talents for an increase?  We have to 1) work beyond the minimum requirements, and we have to 2) take risks. 


Our church callings are one type of "talent."  They are not "charity" that we do condescendingly because we are "good" at what we are asked to do; they are apprenticeships, and they involve taking risks.  We are seldom "qualified" for the church callings we are given; that is why we are given them.  The service we give outside of our church callings is another type of "talent."  So are our careers, and even what we now refer to as talents: our God-given gifts and abilities.


The parable of the talents and pounds are statements about our personal stewardships.


THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS (Matt. 25:31-46)

All three of these parables are about the Parousia, or the Second Coming (Harper-Collins Study Bible, p. 1904), and Matthew's is the only gospel that records them.  They were given in a temple-like setting to the strongest of the believers.  The final of the three is a a sequel to the previous two.

Read aloud Matt. 25:31-34.  What's wrong with goats?

"Nearly all flocks in the Middle East have sheep and goats, as was the case in Jesus’ time. Both are used—the hair of the goats is useful for many practical purposes, and cheese and yogurt are made from the milk. But sheep and goats are very different and do not graze very well together. Shepherds usually prefer the sheep, since goats get into all sorts of trouble. They climb steep, hazardous slopes and often browse while standing on tree branches. Sheep are gentle, walk slowly, and usually obey. This is not so with wandering goats" (Homer Ellsworth, "Thoughts on the Good Shepherd," Ensign, Dec. 1985).

The interpretation of this parable immediately follows it.  Those on the right hand of Christ are those who have fed the hungry (paid fast offerings, taken casseroles, worked in soup kitchens), given drink to the hungry (showed the way to Living Water), taken in strangers (welcomed a new member, spoken kindly to a shockingly dressed teen), clothed the naked (helped "cover" or make acceptable those in a vulnerable state, sent clothes to the needy), visited the sick (that one doesn't need a cultural translation), or come to those in prison (literally ministered to convicts, or helped another free himself from the shackles of sin).  These are the works expected of Christ's flock.

What happens if you don't do these things?  You get everlasting fire with the devil.

Hmm.  You don't have to take away the food or drink, or kick the stranger, or beat the guy in prison to reap the agony of hell; you only have to neglect to help them.  Scary!

What happens if you do these things?  You get to hear this from the Savior:  "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).

The Lord will not judge us simply according to our obedience to arbitrary rules.  Our testimony and our actions will prepare us to become like God.  Looking out for the stranger is something Christ would do (think of Zaccheaus); doing it ourselves brings Christ's character into ours.  Visiting the sick is something Christ would do (think of hundreds of healings); doing this ourselves brings Christ's character into ours.  Clothing the naked is something Christ would do (think of his covering the vulnerability of every one of us with his Atonement, just as he clothed Adam and Eve's nakedness--Moses 4:27); doing this ourselves brings Christ's character into ours.

This life is a grand apprenticeship.  By our works, and by our testimony, and with the grace of Christ, we will be made fit as members of the Good Shepherd's flock.

SOURCES:

James E. Talmadge, Jesus The Christ
Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Book 3

Matthew 24; Joseph Smith--Matthew

Matthew 24 (Joseph Smith--Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price)

GROUP DISCUSSION/ATTENTION GETTER

If you like, you could start the class by having a box or display of a number of items that could symbolize parts of the prophecy.  Have each class member choose something, then give them time to search the chapter and find how it relates to the scripture.  Then let each class member share his idea.

Items could include:  a picture of the temple, a stone or brick, a can of olives, a heart, a picture of mountains, a calendar, a miniature house, army toys (soldiers or miniature jeep), newspaper, sunglasses, flag, a star, a picture of Christ, a trumpet, an angel ornament or figurine, figs, a toy Noah's ark, binoculars, the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, headphones or earbuds, a watch...


AN OVERVIEW OF THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

vs. 1-4:  The apostles ask Christ about the temple destruction and the Second Coming while on the Mount of Olives alone with him.

The Mount of Olives was as a temple to them, since the temple in Jerusalem was crowded with Passover pilgrims, and this was as a solemn assembly.

The Greek word parousia translated here as "the sign of thy coming" is "a technical term used in the New Testament to specifically denote the Second Coming" (Bible Dictionary, p. 742).

In their questioning, "the destruction of the temple...is carefully separated from the sign of Jesus' coming for final judgment at the end of the age" (Harper-Collins Study Bible, p. 1902).

vs. 5-6:  Christ warns not to be deceived when false Christs arise, and then states the chronology of what must happen before the Second Coming.


PROPHECY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS, AND THE GREAT APOSTACY

vs. 7-10:  Afflictions of the righteous, betrayals, false prophets, and love running cold would follow the death of Christ.

The persecution of the apostles is well known.  Under Nero, "He who was called Christian had committed crime enough in bearing the name to be put to death" (Talmadge, p. 587).  "In that day to join the Church was to prepare to die" (McConkie, p. 427).  Church meetings were held in secret in the first centuries following Christ, often in the catacombs--the underground burial vaults in Rome (Packer, p. 43).

vs. 11-17:  The steadfast will be saved.  When they see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, they should immediately flee (Luke 21:20) because the Abomination of Desolation will be nigh.

Gallus of Rome surrounded Jerusalem, then lifted the seige unexpectedly.  The Christians noted the sign and fled to Pella before the awful sieges of Vespasian and Titus began.  One early historian reported that every single Christian escaped (McConkie, p. 430; Talmadge, p. 588).  (See also George Horton, 'Be Ye Also Ready': The Amazing Christian Escape From the A.D. 70 Destruction of Jerusalem," Ensign, June 1989.)

The Abomination of Desolation referred to the terrible desecration of the temple by the Roman armies, including the slaughter of priests and patrons within its walls, the posting of their own ensign, and its looting and destruction.  The actual date of this destruction is thought to be Friday, August 9, A.D. 70 (Institute Manual, p. 155).  The destruction of Jerusalem was so thorough that it was actually plowed under (Talmadge, p. 588).

vs. 18-19:  The beginning of sorrows for the Jews.

1,100,000 Jews were killed during the siege.  97,000 were carried captive and most of them killed later in mines or arenas (McConkie, p. 434; Talmadge, p. 588).  "Those who with Roman hands crucified their King at Jerusalem would soon themselves be hanging by the thousands upon Roman crosses in that same benighted area" (McConkie, p. 429).  The atrocities committed by the Romans were absolutely horrific: gladiators, crucifixions, and torchings for entertainment, among others.

vs. 20:  Because of those few elect, the Jewish race will not be completely destroyed.  The sorrows will be ended, or "shortened."

vs. 21-22:  During this time, there will be many false Christs.

vs. 23:  The wars and rumors of wars at this time will not be a sign of the end of the world.

vs. 24-25:  Christ will not be in the desert or the secret chambers.

History records false prophets leading many into the desert.  One led 6,000 into the secret chambers of the temple where they met their demise when the temple was burned.  Many churches during the Apostacy also encouraged retreating into deserts or reclusive "chambers" as the way to bring Christ into their lives (Talmadge, p. 588).



THE SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING IN THE LAST DISPENSATION

vs. 26:  The Second Coming will be very obvious to everyone; it will not be tricky to figure out whether Christ has returned.

Now the word parousia is used again, as clarification of which time period is concerned.

vs. 27:  The word eagles here is more often translated as "vultures" (for example, in the New Revised Standard Version and in the New International Version).  The elect will be gathered from around the world, flocking to the gospel and its "carcasse" or body, as vultures would be drawn from afar to eat carrion; it will be irresistible to them.

The early years of the Restoration saw this fulfilled by the emigration of British and Scandinavian converts to join the body of the Saints in the United States.  The gathering continues as converts join throughout the world.

vs. 28-30  They shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes.  Again there will be love running cold, but the righteous will be protected.

We hear of even more rumors of wars, more famines, more earthquakes than did the early Christians--maybe because they actually are more, or maybe because of the worldwide media we just hear of more.

vs. 31:  Again the gospel will be preached in all the world. 

It was rapidly preached in all the (known) world by the early Apostles.  Now it will be carried to all the world again.  We are approaching this point in history now.

vs. 32:  Again there will be an Abomination of Desolation.  Exactly what this will entail is unknown.

vs. 33-34:  Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars will fall.  It will happen quickly:  all in one generation.

vs. 35:  This prophecy is guaranteed.

vs. 36-37:  Now Christ will come in his glory, with his angels and trumpets and gather the remainder of the righteous to him from all over the earth.  Those who have studied and followed Christ's word will not have been deceived and will be ready to greet him.  They may "lift up their heads," for their redemption is here (Luke 21:28).

It is prophecied that Christ will come back to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4-5).

vs. 38-43:  When they see the signs, they will know he is coming; but not one soul will know exactly when.  If their minds are focused on day-to-day cares and not the gospel, they will be overcome, just like Noah's neighbors were.

Once again, the word parousia is used in specific referral to the Second Coming.

vs. 44-45:  The righteous will be picked out individually from among the wicked and saved.

It will do no good to be hanging around worthy people if you yourself are not worthy.

vs. 46-55:  The only way to guarantee your salvation at the end of the world is to be doing the Lord's will at all times.  There will be no warning, no chance for a "death-bed repentance," and we must not give up, no matter what, but continue to endure in righteous works to the end.  This will not take place during the time the New Testament was being written, but much later.


HOW TO MAKE THE END OF THE WORLD A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR YOU

Enduring in righteousness is the key to coming out well at the end of the world.  Four hazards to enduring to the end are noted in vs. 7-10, and we must beware of them: 

1. affliction (persecution)
2. being offended (by the Lord's counsel given through his leaders), leading to feelings of enmity
3. deception by worldly sources
4. iniquity of self or others around you, leading to a loss of love (the most important commandment)

To counter these, we must

1. be courageous and unashamed of Christ and his Church
2. humble ourselves, and be united as a Zion society
3. study the gospel and ignore the world
4. avoid sin and repent quickly when we do mess up, remembering that "charity covereth the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).  Being focused on love will prevent iniquity.

SOURCES:

James E. Talmadge, Jesus The Christ
Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Book 3
J.I. Packer, M.C. Tenney, Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible
Institute Manual:  The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ

Old Testament Lesson #48 "The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord"

Zechariah 10-14; Malachi

INTRODUCTION

What do a coin, an argument, and the state line have in common?  (Wait for response.) They all have two sides--which leads us right into our topic, the Second Coming.  "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5).  The Second Coming will have two sides:  it will be great on the one side, and dreadful on the other.

It is reported that President Faust was speaking at a regional Priesthood meeting.  At the end of the meeting he opened up the session for questions.  Someone raised his hand and asked what the Brethren knew about when the Second Coming would occur.  President Faust asked the man what priesthood he held.  The man said he was a high priest.  President Faust said, "Then I will fill you in on what the Brethren know:  (pause)  We haven't a clue."  But then he added, "Go to your High Priest's quorum next Sunday; I'm sure someone there will know."  (Story told by Scott B. Marsh at BYU Education Week, August 2001)

But even though President Faust didn't know when the Second Coming would be, it can't be too far away.  President Benson said, "This is the last and great dispensation in which the great consummation of God's purposes will be made, the only dispensation in which the Lord has promised that sin will not prevail.  The Church will not be taken from the earth again.  It is here to stay.  The Lord has promised it and you are a part of that Church and kingdom--the nucleus around which will be builded the great kingdom of God on the earth.  The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God on the earth will be combined together at Christ's coming--and that time is not far distant.  How I wish we could get the vision of this work, the genius of it, and realize the nearness of that great event.  I am sure it would have a sobering effect upon us if we realized what is before us."  This was originally said in the '80's and was repeated by President Hinckley in 1992 in the October General Conference.  (Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 4)

THE NEW APOSTACY

The Second Coming is called "the great and dreadful day of the Lord."  It is two-sided, just like the coin and the argument.  On the one side, it will be great for the righteous, and on the other it will be dreadful for the wicked.  Of course, it's going to be great for all of us, because we are members of His Church, right?  Well, that depends on what kind of members of the Church we are. 

Christ told many parables about the Second Coming and one of them was the Parable of the Ten Virgins.  (Read Matt. 25:1-13.)  The most important thing to remember about this parable is that it is the Parable of the Ten Virgins, not the Parable of the Five Virgins and the Five Harlots!  All ten were members of the Church, members of the "wedding party."  All ten had lamps of testimony.  But five had let their lamps get low on oil, and while waiting for the "bridegroom" (the Second Coming), they were extinguished altogether.  They were drifting off to sleep and didn't even realize it was happening until it was gone!  They were victims of what Lynn Scoresby calls "The New Apostacy" (A. Lynn Scoresby, BYU Education Week Lecture, August 19, 1999).

Malachi warned of this type of apostacy.  "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my [respect]? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name.  And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee?  In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.  And if ye offer the blind [lamb] for the sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick [animals], is it not evil?" (Mal. 1:6-8) 

What is the accusation?  Perverted obedience.  It's no sacrifice to give the Lord the leftovers, the things that we didn't need anyway, the sick animals that we couldn't have eaten or sold.

"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.  Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.  But ye said, Wherein shall we return? [What did we do wrong?]  Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings" (Mal. 3:7-8). 

What is the accusation?  It's more than just not paying tithes.  It's not recognizing that everything belongs to God and should go for the good of His kingdom; that we are not entitled owners, but simply stewards.

"Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord.  Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?  And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered" (Mal. 3:13-15). 

What is the accusation?  Envying those who are not members of the church, or who are not active in their membership.  Who would do that?  Most of us at one time or another.  We get tired of church service and look at the "easier" lives of our nonmember neighbors who get to sleep in on Sunday mornings and don't have as many rules to follow.  We don't recognize the tremendous blessings that have entered our lives through our service to the Lord and our obedience to His commandments.  When something happens to us that we term to be a tragedy, we shout angrily at the Lord, "Hey!  I've been active in the church all my life!  I've read the scriptures, said my prayers, served a mission, gone to the temple, lived the Word of Wisdom!  Why did I get cancer?  Why did my house burn down?  Why did my daughter die in a car crash?  Why did my son go astray?  Look at my neighbor:  His life is perfect, and he's never gone to church!  I have been cheated!"  Instead of trusting the Lord's long-term plan for our lives and looking for lessons and blessings in trials, we blame Him for what we view as injustice or inattention.

THE DANGER OF HYPOCRISY

Let's look at another parable.  "A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise.  And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father?" (Matt. 21:28-31).

Brother Scoresby defines the First Apostacy as getting angry and leaving the Church in a huff.  The Second Apostacy, he says, is to pervert the Church from within.  The Third Apostacy, or the New Apostacy, is much more subtle.  It's not really new, but it has experienced a resurgence in recent years.  It's like a virgin with not quite enough oil.  It's like a sacrifice of a lamb, but a blind one.  It's like paying 8% tithing.  It's like accepting a Church calling and never getting around to doing it.  The New Apostacy is to not do what you say you believe.  It is half-heartedness.  It is hypocrisy.  It is a lack of spiritual integrity.  If the integrity of a building is compromised, it may look fine, but in a hurricane or an earthquake, it will crumble.  So with the faith of one whose spiritual integrity is not solid.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "Some people are weak in their faith and testimonies but are not even aware of how precarious their situation is.  Many of them likely would be offended at the suggestion."  He explains what their problem is: "They raise their right hand to sustain Church leaders and then murmur and complain when a decision [made by those Church leaders] does not square with their way of thinking.  They claim to be obedient to God's commandments but do not feel at all uncomfortable about purchasing food at the store on Sunday and then asking the Lord to bless it.  Some say they would give their lives for the Lord, yet they refuse to serve in the nursery.

"The Savior spoke very explicity about people who 'draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me' (Isa. 29:13).  His words were: 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."  (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony," Ensign, November 1992)

Brother Scoresby notes that when there is a conflict between your belief and your action--in other words, hypocrisy--the action wins; the brain will eventually adjust the belief to match the action.  The value of other beliefs in the brain are also compromised when one belief is overridden by action.  Over time, the individual continues to lose control over his own behavior.  This is why Christ condemned hypocrisy so soundly.  It is a powerful sin because it decreases integrity and eventually leads to apostacy.  It compromises the soundness of the spirit, it undermines the foundation of faith.

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY

How can we develop spiritual integrity, or help our children do it?  Most of us as children, if we were in good homes, developed the foundation for integrity, which forms the foundation upon which we can build spiritual integrity.  (This chart is my interpretation of the principles taught by Lynn Scoresby.) 

Keep in mind, these stages overlap, and we are often working on several of them at once.

Development of Personal and Spiritual Integrity
1. Adapting emotional behavior
    First, we learned to adapt our emotional behavior to the situation. 
    As infants we were more excited to see our mothers than to see a
    stranger, for example.
2. Adjusting language to situation
    Then we learned to adjust our language to different situations,
    such as learning to be reverent in Primary.
3. Self-regulation
    And we learned how to regulate ourselves in sports or in playing
    games or in restaurants to adhere to the rules or the social
    expectations.  Most children have reached this stage by about
    age five.  

At stage 4, we can begin to develop our spiritual integrity:

4. Formation and application of conscience
    "Put your trust in that spirit that leadeth to do good..."
     (D&C 11:12)
    The next step is to learn to listen to our conscience and recognize
    the direction of the Spirit.  This is the stage we would hope to
    have children reach by the age of accountability when they are
    baptized.  We continue to build on the ability to hear and follow
    the guidance of the Spirit throughout our lives.
5. Accurate view of self
    "I show unto men their weakness..." (Ether 12:27)
    We must also be able to recognize the truth about ourselves,
    without being afraid of what we might find, and then go to the
    Lord with repentant hearts.
6. Practice and internalize beliefs
    "Write it in your hearts..." (Prov. 3:1-4)
    Over the course of our lives, we must daily internalize our beliefs
    through our experiences; we must practice obedience to God
    until it becomes "second nature."
7. Change circumstances to match belief
    "Faith to move mountains..."  (Prov. 3:5; Matt. 21:21)
    Then we gain the ability to change circumstances based on our
    beliefs, rather than changing our beliefs to fit the circumstances;
    we use our faith in Jesus Christ to work for improvement in our
    world, to heal, to receive answers to prayer, to exercise the gifts
    of the Spirit, to change lives, even to work miracles.
8. Integrity and compassion
    "This is my work and my glory..." (3 Ne. 28:9-10; Moses 1:39)
    Finally, we reach a state of spiritual integrity: behavior that is
    consistent with belief.  In this stage, we truly live with charity
    and peace, wherein we love God so much that, not only do we
    trust Him, but we are one in purpose with Him, meaning that our
    top priority is always the temporal welfare and spiritual growth of
    those within our influence.  This is the effect of a celestialized
    person.

If we look carefully at ourselves, we may be able to find what is holding us back.  Instead of the positive development noted above, we may be stymied by acting in ways that are detrimental to our spiritual integrity, such as in the examples below.

4. Formation and application of conscience.
    We don't always listen to the Holy Ghost, trust what it says to do,
    or follow through on promptings.
5. Accurate view of self. 
    We are too prideful to recognize any error, or don't want to go
    through the storm of repentance to get to the peace of
    forgiveness.
6. Practice and internalize beliefs.
    We pick and choose which commandments to keep, or we keep
    them under our own terms like Cain did when he sacrificed grain
    instead of a lamb (Gen. 4:3-5).  We keep the commandments
    only if it doesn't require us to give up anything important, like
    offering a blind lamb as a sacrifice (Mal. 1:8).  We don't think the
    Brethren know what they're talking about it regarding some of
    their counsel to us, or we think we are an exception.
7. Change circumstances to match belief.
    We say we have faith in Jesus Christ, but we don't believe He
    can or will help us with this particular problem/church calling/
    weakness/sin/relationship. We look at our planner each morning
    and freak out, rather than trusting the Lord to guide us to do the
    most important things.  We second-guess the Lord's wisdom,
    and try to tell Him what to do in our prayers, rather than seeking
    to know His will.  We interpret unplanned events (accidents,
    illnesses, financial losses, etc.) to be tragedies, rather than
    potential blessings and stepping stones in our progression.  We
    look to the future fearfully, not remembering that our lives and
    our earth are cradled in God's hands. 
8. Integrity and compassion.
    We go to church, we read the scriptures, we carry out church
    callings, but we can't stand our relative/neighbor/coworker.  We
    gossip or judge.  We are jealous or judgmental.  We feel a
    constant sense of competition, as if to "win the prize" of celestial
    glory (Mosiah 4:27) we must beat our ward members to it, as if
    the Lord graded on a curve.  We continually break the great
    commandment to "love our neighbor as ourselves."

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY AT THE GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY OF THE LORD

Read Malachi 3:1-4.  Do we want the Second Coming to be great for us, or to be terrible?  It's a no-brainer, but it's a question we need to ask ourselves every day in order to avoid the New Apostacy.  Do we want to be one of the five wise virgins, or one of the five unprepared virgins?  The days ahead will be a challenge to testimony, and those that are just a flicker will go out.  Those who have been hypocrites and not realized it will find that their "hearts fail them."  They will not be able to abide the Day of His Coming.  Their compromised foundations will crumble.  But those who have the integrity to stay on the Lord's side, who have built their lives upon the Rock, will be saved. 

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.  And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not" (Mal. 3:16-18).

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver" (D&C 45:56-59).

CHALLENGE

The New Year is upon us.  What better time to examine ourselves prayerfully, determine where our spiritual integrity is lacking, and make a resolution to strengthen that foundation?