Preparing for the Last Days

One of the most important doctrines is to understand that we are meant to be prepared both spiritually and temporally for the last day events.

President Harold B. Lee noted that some Church members seek information from unreliable sources concerning the signs that will precede the Second Coming. He specifically recommended that Church members study Matthew 24; Joseph Smith—Matthew; and Doctrine and Covenants sections 38, 45, 101, and 133.

President Lee then stated: “These are some of the writings with which you should concern yourselves, rather than commentaries that may come from those whose information may not be the most reliable and whose motives may be subject to question” (Admonitions for the Priesthood of God, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 106).(LDS NT Student Manual)

So let's stay with Prophets quotes and scriptures to see what we can understand about last day preparation. Above President Lee recommended we read D&C 45, let's see what we can learn from this section.

D&C 45:39

And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.

This scripture teaches us that we are meant to know the last day signs and events.

President Nelson in 2021, discussing the perils of the last days gave us a footnote amongst others to Doctrine and Covenants 45:31-33. In verse 31 we read and learn President Nelson is referencing the desolating sickness to Covid. This is very helpful and gives us a reference point for where we are in the last day's timeline. It becomes interesting then to read what is coming next.(What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget, footnote 2)

Doctrine and Covenants 45

31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. (Covid)

32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. (Have you noticed the many members lifting up their voices against our prophets, cursing God, dying spiritually and leaving the church? There will be much more of this!)Click here to read more on this

33 And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another.(Here we can see what is coming next)

We know to expect earthquakes and war, but what does the Lord mean by many desolations?

When Moroni visited Joseph Smith he informed Joseph of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with "great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence". (See also Matt 24:7 famine, pestilence and earthquakes in divers places )

This gives us a very good indication of what is coming; war, famine, pestilence and earthquakes. Out of these what can we actually physically prepare for?

In Ether 13:6 we are taught the events of Joseph in Egypt is a type for the last days, thus the efforts Joseph put into preparing Egypt for the famine is a pattern we are meant to follow.

President Nelson

Admittedly, the Lord has spoken of our day in sobering terms. He warned that in our day “men’s hearts [would fail] them” and that even the very elect would be at risk of being deceived. He told the Prophet Joseph Smith that “peace [would] be taken from the earth” and calamities would befall mankind.

He goes onto say The Lord told us how with simple, but stunning, reassurance: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”

"For decades, the Lord’s prophets have urged us to store food, water, and financial reserves for a time of need. The current pandemic has reinforced the wisdom of that counsel. I urge you to take steps to be temporally prepared." (Embrace the Future with Faith, Oct 2020)

Elder Bednar

"Some Church members opine that emergency plans and supplies, food storage, and 72-hour kits must not be important anymore because the Brethren have not spoken recently and extensively about these and related topics in general conference. But repeated admonitions to prepare have been proclaimed by leaders of the Church for decades. The consistency of prophetic counsel over time creates a powerful concert of clarity and a warning volume far louder than solo performances can ever produce."

"Recall how the five foolish virgins failed to prepare appropriately for the examination given to them on the day of the bridegroom’s coming."

“They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. …

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.”

“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.”

At least on this exam, the five foolish virgins proved themselves to be hearers only and not doers of the word. (He Will Prove Them Herewith, Oct 2020)

Elder Faust

"The parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish, has both a spiritual and a temporal application. Each of us has a lamp to light the way, but it requires that every one of us put the oil in our own lamps to produce that light. It is not enough to sit idly by and say, “The Lord will provide.” He has promised that they who are wise and “have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide” will have the earth given unto them. (D&C 45:57–58.) It is further promised that “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 45:59.)" The Responsibility for Welfare Rests with Me and My Family (Faust, 1986)

Considering the 5 foolish virgins were asked to go to the sellers/market to purchase their oil, it makes much more sense to me that a requirement of last day preparation is our temporal preparation.

But of course this is not at the exclusion of our spiritual preparation which includes knowing the signs and looking for them so we shall not be deceived.

From the Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual:

A knowledge of the signs of the times can help us turn to the Lord and prepare ourselves for His Second Coming.

Those who revere the Lord and receive His gospel will be looking for His coming and the signs that will precede it (see D&C 45:39; 35:15; 2 Nephi 26:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–6).

The Lord uses the signs of the times to call us back to Him (see D&C 43:24–25).

Those who treasure up the scriptures, which contain the signs of the times, will not be deceived; they will be ready for the Savior’s Second Coming (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37, 46–48; D&C 50:45–46).

D&C 58:26-29

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. 

"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; 

"For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. 

"But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned" 

One of the main errors I have observed of understanding the last days is members not realising the multiple events which make up the Lords Second Coming. This graphic from the Liahona in April 2021 helps us see that there are four main events we are to know about and prepare for with the Great and Dreadful day the last one. Therefore there is much that will happen before this culminating event. 

President Nelson

"One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who have already chosen Jesus Christ over this fallen world, a people who rejoice in their agency to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ. I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters, to become this righteous people.” (Overcome the World and Find Rest, Oct 2022)

I pray we may be as the 5 Wise Virgins prepared both temporally and spiritually, aware of where we are in the last days timeline and ready for the Lord's return. I testify these things are true, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.