This is a review of the slides we used while discussing... The Great Day of the Lord D&C 45

Two Cautions: 1) Stick with the Prophets!

There are among us many loose writings predicting the calamities which are about to overtake us. Some of these have been publicized as though they were necessary to wake up the world to the horrors about to overtake us. Many of these are from sources upon which there cannot be unquestioned reliance. Are you priesthood bearers aware of the fact that we need no such publications to be forewarned, if we were only conversant with what the scriptures have already spoken to us in plainness? Let me give you the sure word of prophecy on which you should rely for your guide instead of these strange sources... There are among us many loose writings predicting the calamities which are about to overtake us. Some of these have been publicized as though they were necessary to wake up the world to the horrors about to overtake us. Many of these are from sources upon which there cannot be unquestioned reliance. Are you priesthood bearers aware of the fact that we need no such publications to be forewarned, if we were only conversant with what the scriptures have already spoken to us in plainness? Let me give you the sure word of prophecy on which you should rely for your guide instead of these strange sources...

Read the 24th chapter of Matthew — particularly that inspired version as contained in the Pearl of Great Price. (Joseph Smith 1 [Joseph Smith—Matthew].) Then read the 45th section of the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord, not man, has documented the signs of the times (Harold B. Lee, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 106).

Two Cautions: 1) Stick with the Prophets! 2) Realize the emphasis is on: “Preparing for the Great Day!”

The trouble with us today, there are too many of us who put question marks instead of periods after what the Lord says. I want you to think about that. We shouldn’t be concerned about why he said something, or whether or not it can be made so. Just trust the Lord. We don’t try to find the answers or explanations. We shouldn’t try to spend time explaining what the Lord didn’t see fit to explain. We spend useless time. If you would teach our people to put periods and not question marks after what the Lord has declared, we would say, “It is enough for me to know that is what the Lord said” (Harold B. Lee, in Ensign, Jan. 1973, 108). The trouble with us today, there are too many of us who put question marks instead of periods after what the Lord says. I want you to think about that. We shouldn’t be concerned about why he said something, or whether or not it can be made so. Just trust the Lord. We don’t try to find the answers or explanations. We shouldn’t try to spend time explaining what the Lord didn’t see fit to explain. We spend useless time. If you would teach our people to put periods and not question marks after what the Lord has declared, we would say, “It is enough for me to know that is what the Lord said” (Harold B. Lee, in Ensign, Jan. 1973, 108).

Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord D&C 45:61; 133:10

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32) [see 2 Nephi 14:5-6]“stand in holy places” (v. 32) [see 2 Nephi 14:5-6]

Stand in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come" (D&C 87:8). Holy men and women stand in holy places, and these holy places consist of our temples, our chapels, our homes, and stakes of Zion (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 106). Stand in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come" (D&C 87:8). Holy men and women stand in holy places, and these holy places consist of our temples, our chapels, our homes, and stakes of Zion (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 106).

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--remember the promises” (v. 35) [see 1 Nephi 22:16- 17, 22, 26]“be not troubled--remember the promises” (v. 35) [see 1 Nephi 22:16- 17, 22, 26]

It has been said that the death of a righteous man is never untimely because our Father sets the time. I believe that with all my soul (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 348). It has been said that the death of a righteous man is never untimely because our Father sets the time. I believe that with all my soul (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 348).

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39) [see Bible Dictionary p JS-M 1: D&C 68:8-11]“look/watch” (v. 39) [see Bible Dictionary p JS-M 1: D&C 68:8-11]

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39)“look/watch” (v. 39) “preach repentance” (v. 64) “build up churches” (v. 65) “gather & build Zion” (v )

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39)“look/watch” (v. 39) “Do not be deceived - by false Christs and false prophets” (v JS-M 1:5-6, 9, 22, Nephi 22)“Do not be deceived - by false Christs and false prophets” (v JS-M 1:5-6, 9, 22, Nephi 22)

Deceive “to mislead be a false appearance or statement.” “to mislead be a false appearance or statement.” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary)

Christ “an ideal type of humanity.” “an ideal type of humanity.” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary)

Prophet “an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group.” “an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group.” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary)

Church “A body or organization of religious believers...” “A body or organization of religious believers...” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary)

The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature-- whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious--which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, ). The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature-- whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious--which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, ).

A substantial segment of society has subscribed to the environmental movement, which Robert Nisbet, a distinguished American sociologist, has characterized as a ‘national religion,’ with a universalized social, economic, and political agenda (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, October 1992, p ).

Indeed, some people now claim that the Founding Fathers’ worst fear in connection with religion has been realized; that we have, in fact, a state sponsored religion in America today. This new religion, adopted by many, does not have an identifiable name, but it operates just like a church. It exists in the form of doctrines and beliefs, where morality is whatever a person wants it to be, and where freedom is derived from the ideas of man and not the laws of God (M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, October 1992, p ). Indeed, some people now claim that the Founding Fathers’ worst fear in connection with religion has been realized; that we have, in fact, a state sponsored religion in America today. This new religion, adopted by many, does not have an identifiable name, but it operates just like a church. It exists in the form of doctrines and beliefs, where morality is whatever a person wants it to be, and where freedom is derived from the ideas of man and not the laws of God (M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, October 1992, p ).

There seems to be developing a new civil religion. The civil religion I refer to is a secular religion. It has no moral absolutes. It is nondenominational. It is politically focused. It is antagonistic to religion. It rejects the historic religious traditions of America. It feels strange. If this trend continues, nonbelief will be more honored than belief (James E. Faust, Ensign, October 1992, p ). There seems to be developing a new civil religion. The civil religion I refer to is a secular religion. It has no moral absolutes. It is nondenominational. It is politically focused. It is antagonistic to religion. It rejects the historic religious traditions of America. It feels strange. If this trend continues, nonbelief will be more honored than belief (James E. Faust, Ensign, October 1992, p ).

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39)“look/watch” (v. 39) “Do not be deceived : Defend by...“Do not be deceived : Defend by...

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39)“look/watch” (v. 39) “Do not be deceived” : Defend by...“Do not be deceived” : Defend by... 1) Treasure Word (JS-M 1:37) 2) Receive Truth (D&C 45:57) 3) Take Holy Ghost as Guide (D&C 45:57)

Today the world is full of alluring and attractive ideas that can lead even the best of our members into error and deception. Students at universities are sometimes so filled with the doctrines of the world they begin to question the doctrines of the gospel. How do you as a priesthood leader help fortify your membership against such deceptive teachings? The Savior gave the answer in His great discourse on the Mount of Olives when He promised, ‘And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived’ [Joseph Smith— Matthew 1:37] (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.302).

“Preparing” for 2nd Coming “stand in holy places” (v. 32)“stand in holy places” (v. 32) “be not troubled--promises” (v. 35)“be not troubled--promises” (v. 35) “look/watch” (v. 39)“look/watch” (v. 39) “Do not be deceived (v )“Do not be deceived (v ) Gather and build Zion (v )Gather and build Zion (v )

We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.161). We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.161).

The End...