A messy toy room and the Second Coming - what they have in common

This is something I wrote about 5 years ago. It has been coming to my mind lately and so I thought I would reshare:

 My two kiddos, (ages 6 and 4) share a room so that the other room can be used as a toy room. It is not cleaned every single day. I like that I can shut the door to this room and no one can see the mess. I have also adopted the philosophy that a messy toy room is some evidence that my children were playing with their toys instead of watching tv or playing computer games. (It makes me feel better about the mess! Ha, ha!)

However, at least once a week, that toy room needs a good cleaning. This isn't pretty as my sweet, adorable children have perfected their whining techniques claiming that I have asked them to do the impossible. But I stay strong. I didn't make the mess, they did. So, I've adopted the counting system. I give them a certain task within the mess and tell them to have it done by the time I count to 10. Usually, when I get to about 8, I start slowing down and even using fractions - 9 1/4, 9 1/2, 9 3/4 and then I take an extended deep breath before I say the number 10.  Sometimes, if I have gone to another room while they are cleaning, I come down the hall toward the toy room counting very loudly so they know I am on my way and they better finish things up. Why? I want them to succeed. I want them to complete the task. I love them. (and they are still young enough that this is an effective system) :)

"What in the world does all of this have to do with Jesus Christ?" you ask.

Well, let me tell you...
There has been a lot of talk lately about predictions of the Savior's Second Coming. Some people claim to know when this is going to happen. Some people think these people are crazy. Some people feel afraid. Some people don't care a single bit.

Remember, Satan flat out lies but he often takes the truth and twists it. The truth is that Jesus Christ will come again. He WILL.  It has been prophesied since even before He came the first time that He would come a second time. Here's one example:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 3:1 Old Testament)

Artist: Harry Anderson

Did that happen the first time He came? No. So it is a verse that is obviously referring to His second coming - a time when the whole world will KNOW without a doubt that Jesus was and is the Christ because He will not come as a little babe in Bethlehem. He will come as our King and He will reign in righteousness and glory and He will establish a perfect, peaceful kingdom. (I think this is a hard concept to grasp for those of us who live in an imperfect, non-peaceful world - which just happens to be all of us. But just because we can't comprehend it, doesn't mean it won't happen.)

So, yes, Jesus will come again. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. But satan still tries to spread the lie that Jesus won't come. If satan can't convince you that Jesus won't come, maybe then he twists the "when". He convinces some people that they can know the exact day and time of the Savior's second coming.Why? Who knows. he just likes to get in there and wreck havoc wherever we are vulnerable.

Jesus HIMSELF said, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) He reissued this statement in modern day revelation: "...but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes." (Doctrine and Covenants 49:7)

Back to my kids and their toy room. They know I'm coming down the hall because I told them in the beginning that I would come when time was up. They don't know the exact moment I will come. They can guesstimate but that's it. And if they have been listening, they have heard me counting the whole time so they can know when time is almost up and they better get moving  if they are going to be finished with their tasks in time.

So, aren't we all Heavenly Father's children? Yes. Often, we are a bunch of young children who need little incentives and reminders like our Father counting to 10 to motivate us to get things done.

The thing is that He has been counting to 10 for a very long time now. Those who have ears to hear and hearts to understand have been paying attention. We know that the time of our Savior coming again is very close. How close we don't know but it is probably safe to say Heavenly Father is at the point of using fractions like 9 1/2 and 9 3/4. He's coming down the hall toward the toy room and He's counting very loudly so as to get our attention so that we can be ready.

(When you visualize this, don't see Him as a gruff, mean, Father stomping His feet, ready to point out that we didn't do what He asked. Remember He loves us so much He let His Son suffer and die for us. He did not send us here to fail. Picture Him as the loving, patient, yet wise Father He is. Pray to know that Father.)

Unfortunately, one way our Father must "count loudly" so as to get our attention is by allowing wickedness, war and turmoil. "The prophets have warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder and hailstorms." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:90 - 91; Matthew 24:7; Doctrine and Covenants 29:16) (Gospel Principles: Lesson 43 "Signs of the Second Coming")

Sound familiar? Watch the news lately? How many times have you heard over the past few years that a weather-related catastrophe is the worst in recorded history? Our Father is counting and warning and doing all He can to help us be ready for that day when His Son, our Savior, comes again. He doesn't do this because He likes destruction and watching us suffer. Quite the contrary! (I've had to take toys away from my children just to help them finish their task. Not because I like to see them cry, but because I know they need to know that I'm serious about what I have asked them to do.) He does this because He loves us enough to do whatever it takes to help us be ready. He knows that the sadness and anguish we will feel at the Savior's Second Coming if we are not ready, will far outweigh any anguish we might feel now. He WANTS us to succeed. He would that ALL of His children would make themselves ready. But He will never force us so He does what a perfect Father would do, all He can.  It is His work and glory, remember? (Moses 1:39)

Whether the destruction around the world is happening in your town or not, it is still a message to the whole world. We must pay attention to these events. Not to make us depressed or afraid, but so that we can be ready.

While cleaning the toy room, my children often become distracted by their toys. My daughter starts setting up the doll house - claiming she is sorting through the toys. My son begins a whole train/star wars/cars saga. Similarly, satan has been very successful at getting us to distract ourselves so that we won't be ready. We can be involved in so many wonderful and worthwhile activities. But if these activities are keeping us from preparing ourselves for our Savior's second coming then something needs to be rearranged.

We can listen for the counting and make ourselves ready, or not. It is our choice - completely OUR choice.

In giving some signs of His second coming, the Savior once said, "I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

Oh, and one more thing...I mentioned that sometimes I leave the room while my kids are cleaning. But usually, I stay right there with them, helping them clean up their mess, even though I am not the one who made the mess. Sound like Someone else we know? Yup.  Our Father and our Brother are much more involved in our lives than we know - I have no doubt.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a day that we need to fear. It is a day we can look forward to. It is a day to pray for and a day to prepare for.

Listen to how the Savior describes what our world will be like once He has returned:

"But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you. Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a  free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what can stay my hand?" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:21-22)

Artist: Simon Dewey

Wowsers! I wanna be there! 

Okay, one more one more thing, it's not just destruction and doom and gloom that signifies that the Savior's Second Coming is near. There are also promises of increased righteousness, the Gospel spreading to all the earth, temples, and churches being set up as safe places to gather. If we are prepared, we don't have to fear. So, we kinda need to actually prepare.

 "Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen" 

(Doctrine and Covenants 35:27)  

This amazing painting was done by John McNaughton. Read his thoughts here and see more of his paintings:
http://jonmcnaughton.com/parti...the-second-coming-2/

There is so much that could be written here. I've only skimmed the surface. If you want to study more, here is a good starting place, "Preparation for the Second Coming" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Oaks points out, "

"What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?

If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained?"

He then says, "We are surrounded by challenges on all sides (see 2 Cor. 4:8–9). But with faith in God, we trust the blessings He has promised those who keep His commandments. We have faith in the future, and we are preparing for that future. To borrow a metaphor from the familiar world of athletic competitions, we do not know when this game will end, and we do not know the final score, but we do know that when the game finally ends, our team wins. We will continue to go forward “till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540). 

More Pieces to the Puzzle

 I just read another wonderful talk on the topic of the Second Coming. The talk is by President Gordon B. Hinckley. He speaks very clearly about some events leading to the Savior's return and he is clear that if we are not prepared spiritually, that day will not be a happy one for us. (if that scares you, that doesn't mean you shouldn't read his talk. In actuality, that fear means you should read his talk so you can do what it takes to be ready and not be afraid.) He also explains how, for the righteous, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be wonderful.

Click here to read his talk:
We Need Not Fear His Coming

I wish we could all read the talk together because I would love to discuss the two ways he mentions that will help us to prepare ourselves for that great day. They were not what I expected. I guess I figured he would say something about reading scriptures, prayer, keeping the commandments but he mentioned two less talked about ways we can be ready - at least they are less talked about when it comes to the topic of the Second Coming.

Here are some of his words:

"We need not fear the day of his coming; the very purpose of the Church is to provide the incentive and the opportunity for us to conduct our lives in such a way that those who are members of the kingdom of God will become members of the kingdom of heaven when he establishes that kingdom on the earth. Very quickly, by way of conclusion, may I suggest just two or three things, which if observed, will assist. 

"The prophet Micah declared: 'He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?' (Micah 6:8). There is enough for a long sermon in that one injunction. Let me touch on one point only: 'To love mercy.'"

"To love mercy."  Wowsers, one more piece to the puzzle I hadn't seen before. What I mean is exactly what I wrote above, when we cover preparation topics, that doesn't usually seem to come up. But, honestly, it makes so much sense. How can we be prepared to meet Jesus Christ, if we are not like Him? How can we be like Him, if we do not know how to extend mercy to our brothers and sisters? I'm not talking about baking cookies for someone (although that is a nice gesture). I'm talking about serious serving, loving, forgiving, offering the shirt off our back, non-judging, going out of our way, doing what needs to be done, giving others the benefit of the doubt, rolling up our shirt sleeves and getting busy, peaceful, kind, gentle, Christlike mercy.

Well, one more topic to add to my pondering list.

As I've mentioned before, I love the music of Kenneth Cope. There is a phrase in his song entitled "His Name Is Love" that often runs through my mind. It goes like this:

"He's writing His name on my heart.

Making the change from the inside.

Pouring our grace from the start.

With Nothing but love."

"He's writing His name on my heart." Oh how I love the sound of that. We write our name on something when it belongs to us. I want my heart to belong to Jesus Christ so when He comes again, He will know me and I will know Him because we've already become acquainted, we've already become friends, I've already turned my life over to Him, and He has already written His name on my heart.

And, and, oh, I have another thought about this...when we offer mercy toward others, it helps them turn to Jesus Christ as well! We extend mercy, we get mercy.That's what it is all about! Helping each other be ready and make it home. That is what our Savior did with His very life. We should do the same...

Spiritual Math

I figured it out!

A few posts ago, I shared an analogy about the Second Coming that I have discovered in my life. I did so because of all the talk about the end of the world and the OBVIOUS signs of the times with regards to the natural disasters happening all over the world at this time. (You can read that post here)

I decided then that I wanted to study more and share my thoughts on this topic here on this blog. I have been studying, but every time I have sat down to write my thoughts, something totally different was written on the computer screen than I had anticipated. My posts have been about BELIEVING that you can and should receive personal revelation and making time to read the scriptures. My thoughts keep going in that direction, despite my current topic of study in the scriptures.

Today I was doing some spiritual math...

1. A desire to study the events leading up to the Second Coming and wanting to better understand how to make myself ready for whatever may come.

+

1. The guidance of the Holy Ghost in this quest

_____________________________________________________

2. Realizing that the ability to decipher the Savior's voice from all other voices out there is probably the most important way we can  be worthy and ready for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Then I remembered this quote:
"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life." Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit", Ensign, May 2010. Read Sister Beck's Talk here

So, it was all part of my quest. I just love how our Savior guides us, even if we don't recognize it at first.

Today I listened to a great radio question/answer session with Sister Beck on learning how to receive personal revelation. It's not too long and if your kids will let you, you can listen to it while you fix dinner! :) Click the link below to listen to these great insights...

Relief Society: Episode 12 - Personal Revelation

(Remember, my kids use up 99.9% of my brain capacity so it takes me a little while to connect the dots sometimes. Be nice when you think "I coulda told her that!)

My Hijacked Plans

I have two thoughts going on in my head where this blog is concerned. (This is going to be a bit about me again)


I want to share some of the thoughts I'm having as I study the Second Coming but I also feel this push to continue with my last post on receiving personal inspiration and write about how to incorporate scripture study into our daily lives.


The second thought is stronger and so it is going to win. But before it does,...I just finished listening to a talk by Elder Jeffery Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Wonderful, powerful talk. Worth your time - especially the ending so keep listening. Check this link out to listen to, read, or print the talk

"Terror, Triumph and a Wedding Feast"


The thing about writing a post on how to study the scriptures is that I don't feel like I am any kind of expert at all! I look around at the other blogs that are like this one - church and doctrine related spiritual content blogs. There are so many out there written by some incredibly talented and intelligent people. (if you check my profile you can see some of those blogs) I am amazed at all the work everyone puts into their blogs and the links everyone provides and I think my little blog seems so simple and insignificant. I know for sure of only one person who is benefiting from this blog - me. For me, this blog is "Much More Him" but for the Savior, this blog is "Much More Lisa" as He is doing what He does best, taking any service or sacrifice or offering we make in His behalf and turning it into a blessing for our own lives.


So, I do not profess to be the world's foremost authority on how to incorporate scriptures into our daily lives. I don't even profess to accomplish this every single day. But I'm trying and I've grown to recognize the difference in my life on the days I don't read scriptures, as opposed to the days I do read them. On days that it doesn't happen, I can literally feel my spirit hungering for the nourishment of the Word of God - it is a deep hunger that can't be filled any other way.


If we want to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and be guided in all we do and feel the love of God powerfully in our lives, there is a price to be paid. That price consists of giving up the things of the world that take you away from the things of God. It is that simple, yet it can be so hard to do at times. Even something as worthwhile as this blog, can be a distraction from what is most important if I am not careful.


Here are two powerful quotes on the topic:


“I have heard many well-intentioned Church leaders and teachers instruct congregations to find time for daily scripture study, ‘even if it’s only one or two verses per day.’ Though I understand the point they are trying to teach and applaud the sincerity of that conviction, may I gently suggest that if we are too busy to spend at least a few minutes every day in the scriptures, then we are probably too busy and should find a way to eliminate or modify whatever activities are making that simple task impossible (Elder M. Russell Ballard, "When Thou Art Converted: Continuing Our Search for Happiness", 68).

“As I think about your schedules and the pressures you face at this time in your lives, I can understand why scripture study can so easily be neglected. You have many demands pulling at you. In some cases, just maintaining your social life is a full-time occupation. But I plead with you to make time for immersing yourselves in the scriptures. Couple scripture study with your prayers. Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might”). 


The second quote was said to college-age young adults. I am no longer a "young adult" :) and so the part about a social life being a full-time job no longer applies to me. But, I'm sure you could substitute anything in there like motherhood, providing for a family, taking care of aged parents, etc.


The point is that we NEED to create time to read scriptures every single day and it doesn't matter if you read 1 chapter or one verse or 10 chapters. What matters is that you read for a sufficient amount of time so as to make a spiritual connection and nourish your hungry spirit. 
Trust me when I say that I COMPLETELY understand how life can get so demanding that having a moment to have a complete, intelligent thought can be a triumph. My children, ages 6 and 4, still demand about 99.9% of my brain capacity with their constant questions, comments, requests, tattling and just little-kid-ness.(not to mention all of the other demands on my time) But this time will pass and I am told I will miss it (I am confidant that I will) so I try extra hard to not get too frustrated but it would be nice to be able to study without the constant interruptions. (my children are very early risers so getting up before them to study just doesn't happen.)


Some things that work for me:
*Listening to scriptures or talks on-line or on CD.
*Watching General Conference DVD's while doing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen
*Keeping a copy of the scriptures in the car so if for some reason I ever find myself sitting ALONE in the car, waiting for something with a few moments to spare, I can read the scriptures with that time. (Hay, it's actually happened before!)
*Obviously after the kids have gone to bed is a good time for me. I'll tell you though that sometimes I just want to sit and not think for a while. I allow myself to watch tv a little but then I try to turn it off and use the rest of my time to read or listen to talks on-line while I work on other projects. 
*Attending my church meetings is so important. Church is a place to study scriptures! Did you know? You are studying as a group but if you are paying attention and pondering and taking notes, (Yes! taking notes in Sunday School! It is amazing how the Spirit talks to you if you are taking notes!) you will leave having been spiritually nourished and the Holy Ghost will most likely have given you some great personal instruction (NO SKIPPING SUNDAY SCHOOL!)


Anyway, the point is to make it work. No matter the worldly cost. The entertainments and shiny and blingy things of the world will pass away. They are not all bad but if what you are doing is distracting you from what is most important then it is time to beg the Lord to bless you with the courage necessary to let them go. He'll help you. It's what He does. You are His work and glory. He wants you Home (you want you Home too). You will NEVER regret giving up the things of the world for the things of Heaven.


Two more quotes and then I'm done ranting for now: :)


"The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought "Someday I will" can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity."
--Henry B. Eyring, "This Day", Ensign, May 2007, 89–91


"On many days, doing what matters most will not be easy. It is not supposed to be. God's purpose in creation was to let us prove ourselves. The plan was explained to us in the spirit world before we were born. We were valiant enough there to qualify for the opportunity to choose against temptation here to prepare for eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. We rejoiced to know the test would be one of faithful obedience even when it would not be easy."
--Henry B. Eyring, "This Day", Ensign, May 2007, 89–91


Here is one more thing that works for me...


I am honest with our Father in my prayers. I tell Him that I'm having a hard time making time to read the scriptures. I ask Him to bless me with a greater desire to do so. I ask Him to help me see how I can make some changes. I ask Him to give me oodles of courage in those moments when something of lesser importance is screaming my name.


AND here is one more thing I ask for...I ask Him to help me remember that I have asked for this help.


That seems to be the clincher for me. When I am having a hard time saying no to the things of the world that are getting in the way of what is more important, and there is a battle going on inside of me about which way I'm going to choose in that moment, the Holy Ghost reminds me that I asked for help in these situations and then the decision is so much easier.


Our Father and our Brother, Jesus Christ, love us incredibly. They are eternal. They know what we do not know and can see what we cannot see. INVOLVE THEM IN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE. You will never be sad that you did.

Never Say It Again!

Have these words ever passed through your mind or come from your mouth...

"I don't get inspiration. I just have to have faith to follow those who do."

 Or

 "The Lord doesn't talk to me. He talks to others but not to me."

 Or

 "I can't ever find an answer in the scriptures. They don't speak to me the way they do to others."

Well, if those phrases sound familiar (Guilty! I've said them before.) then this post is for you! Read on and by the end, I hope you will know that all of those statements are lies from what's-his-no-face and you will never allow yourself to utter them or think them again.

I know. I know. You are thinking..."but Lisa Love, those statements are true. I really don't get inspiration. The Spirit doesn't talk to me. I really just have to have faith and trust that things will work out."

Well, I know. I hear ya. I'm right there with ya. Remember I said in an earlier post that satan twists the truth? So the truth in all of that is that "yes" we do need to have faith and trust. The lie is that we don't get inspiration and that the Holy Ghost doesn't talk to us.

Those of you with children, ask yourself this question...would you ever decide that you were only going to talk to a couple of your children and then make the others listen to them to find out your thoughts and feelings and guidance? NO WAY!! Even a imperfect parent (all of us) would never completely ignore some of our children while talking and interacting and sharing our love with the others. Our Father in Heaven is a perfect parent - He doesn't work that way. He wants to talk and guide and help every single one of His children. If it is important to us, it is definitely important to Him. I can't stress that enough. Even the teeny, tiny, small things in life, He wants to be involved in all of it.

Yet! So many of us think that He doesn't talk to us. I have come to believe that when we utter statements such as, "I don't get inspiration." We are in a sense saying, "My Father doesn't talk to me." and slamming the door to inspiration in His face, thus bringing about the fulfillment of our statement. Does that make sense? What if your kids did that to you? OUCH...triple OUCH!! That hurts! Although our Father in Heaven is perfect, He still feels that pain of rejection from His child.

Okay? We're never going to say that again! EVER!! But now comes the job of LEARNING HOW TO RECOGNIZE HIS MESSAGES. It can be a little bit of hard work and trial and error and it takes a life time and we can't give up.

I have had the amazing opportunity to teach a  Continuing Education adult religion class for the past 4 years. I'm not a professionally trained religion teacher. I have a degree, but not a PhD! This assignment has been an experiment in trusting that my local leaders know how to get inspiration. Teaching institute is not like any other teaching assignment I have ever had. People expect me to KNOW what I'm talking about. I need to back myself up with scriptures, the words of modern day prophets and powerful testimony. I can't just spend an hour before class gathering some thoughts and hope that a cute hand out will make up for the rest. I must study daily, and deeply and PRAYERFULLY. (btw...I've learned this is how we should approach any teaching assignment because teaching is the greatest responsibility.)

As anyone who has ever been asked to teach something knows, the teacher learns the most. Of all the lessons the Holy Ghost has taught me over the past 4 years, the lesson that has been the most life changing, the most valuable to my eternal salvation is this: I have a responsibility to seek out personal guidance and revelation from the Holy Ghost...and even more eye opening...I have a right, a BIRTHRIGHT to receive guidance and inspiration from my Eternal Father.

Read these verses very carefully. It is long but oh so worth it with the new direction that you are not going to slam that inspiration door ever again... (Doctrine and Covenants 76:5 - 10)

"For thus saith the Lord - I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end." What word does He use to describe how He feels about blessing us? DELIGHT. He loves to bless us. Just as we love to give our children way too many presents at Christmas time, He loves to bless us as much as we are willing to receive. (When the Savior talks here, He is telling us His desires, as well as those of our Father as they are one in heart and purpose.) The next verses tell what He WANTS to give to all of us. While you read the next verses, replace the words "they" and "their" and "them" with your own personal name and open that door to hearing the Savior and our Father talking to you... (I'll make those words small so it will be easier for you to mentally replace them.)

"Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

"And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.

"Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.

"And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.

"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will - yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man."

Just sit for a moment and let yourself take all of that in.

Does that sound like someone who doesn't want to talk to you?

Up to this point you may have been someone who would have read those verses and just seen the word "they" as someone who is anyone but you. But that is going to change now...right? Because now you are going to start leaving yourself open to inspiration and guidance and LOVE from our Father and our Brother.

They WANT to give you and tell you and show you EVERYTHING. Truly. Why wouldn't They? God is your Father - your perfect Father who wants you to learn and grow and become all He knows you can - just like you want for your children. The difference is, we only have earthly aspirations for our children. Whereas, He has ETERNAL aspirations for us.  Jesus Christ joins Him in these aspirations - He's the one who made them possible, remember?

Now I need to say here that there is an order to things and some inspiration must go through certain channels. For example: if the Lord needs to give a message to the whole world He tells it to His prophet so that there is no confusion. When a mom needs inspiration for her child, the Lord tells that mom, not the mom around the corner. There is an order just like we have stop signals in our streets, otherwise there would be mass chaos.

But when we hear the words of the Prophets, we too can know what they know. The Holy Ghost can witness to our hearts that what they are saying is true. We can know for ourselves. We should know for ourselves. As the scriptures up above make very clear, we can know ALL THINGS for ourselves.

All of this is leading up to something, I promise. :)

A couple of posts ago, I wrote that I wanted to study more about the Savior's Second Coming and that I would post some of my notes and thoughts on this topic. The Second Coming isn't one of those warm fuzzy topics that people love to hear about. That is probably due to the fact that when we study the Second Coming, we must study the events that will lead to the Savior's return and they aren't pretty and we also wonder if the signs are already happening and it just seems so overwhelming that what has been prophesied for centuries will really happen.  So we tend to want to study other topics - topics that make us happy and give us hope. But I think this topic is of great worth, as it will happen and we need to be ready and knowledge is power. :)

I want to show how we can and should have hope while studying the Second Coming but I also want to show that anyone can study anything and find directions and answers because that is what our Savior and our Father WANT to give us. (are you getting that yet?)

When we study we need to not slam that inspiration door. Instead, leave it as wide open as you can by praying and believing and jotting down your thoughts (no matter how random the thought may be because sometimes the Holy Ghost has been trying to tell us something but the door has been closed so when we finally open the door, we may get messages that have nothing to do with what we are studying.)

While pondering how I wanted to go about studying the Second Coming a little more in depth, I came across two quotes by President Ezra Taft Benson which I had forgotten about...

"The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming." Ezra Taft Benson, “The Savior’s Visit to America,” Ensign, May 1987, 4

“In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet. … Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5–6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6–7).

With this in mind, I'm going to focus my studying this time around the Book of Helaman and 3 Nephi, both found in the Book of Mormon. Maybe I'll get side tracked along the way and find myself studying something entirely different. That's okay. It all leads back to our Savior right? You can join me if you like and one more time...LEAVE THAT INSPIRATION DOOR OPEN!!!

Wherever You Are

I have been studying the Second Coming of Jesus Christ for the past few days. (Read the first post in my Second Coming Series by clicking here.) I have much I would like to address on this blog but first I want to set the stage...

There are people from 17 different countries visiting this blog. Whether the visits are legit or not, is another matter but it's interesting to me because the reason I chose the background for this blog was because the message of Jesus Christ is for the entire world - a world in desperate need of a Savior. Although it may not seem so at times, He is in charge of all of us and has all things under control. We speak different languages and have different cultural practices but we are all in this together and can draw great strength from each other.

Here is what is in my heart right now...

I don't know where each of you are on your journey to knowing our Savior Jesus Christ.

Maybe you are standing strong, feet firmly planted on the path, a bright faith burning in your heart and a determination to endure to the end in righteousness.

Maybe you are just now stepping onto the pathway and all of this is very new to you.

Maybe you are skeptical and wondering how I could write the things I do.

Maybe you have been on the path before but wandered off and have discovered that you want to find the path again but you aren't sure where to go.

Maybe you are firm in your faith but you are so burdened with the sadness of your life that you aren't sure if you can see the path in front of you.

Maybe you are on the right path but just barely. You don't feel good enough or that you are doing enough or that you are worthy to even be on that path.

Maybe you feel a longing to be on the path but you are afraid of what the others around you will think or say or do.

I could keep going...

We are all in such different spots in our spiritual progression and that is okay.

"Discipleship is a journey. We need the refining lessons of the journey to craft our character and purify our hearts. By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf "The Way of the Disciple" General Conference, April 2011.

The amazing thing about our Savior is that it doesn't matter where we are on that path, when we are ready to turn toward Him, even if just a portion of our heart is longing to know Him better, He will meet us on the path where we are.

"The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand! We do not have to prequalify to take that first step. It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor. There is no requirement to be educated, eloquent, or intellectual. We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even well-mannered."  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf "The Way of the Disciple" General Conference, April 2011.

As I contemplate the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, I know it will require courage for those of us who want to be ready, to be ready. Satan is going to do all He can to keep us from our path to the Savior. No matter where we are on that path and no matter where we live in this world, we must plead for courage and faith. We can't be too hard on ourselves. We must try a bit harder tomorrow than we did today. When we stumble, we must pick ourselves up and keep moving forward.

"... for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." Isaiah 49:23

I have no idea if I'll be living on the earth when the Savior comes or not but I do know that I will never, ever, ever regret preparing myself and waiting for Him to come. How could that ever be a waste of time? (btw...I'll discuss later how "waiting for Him" does not mean just sitting there doing nothing. "Being Still" and doing nothing are two very different things.)



So, my friends from around the world - Russia, Spain, Romania, Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, France, The United States, Ukraine, Slovenia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, India and Singapore - don't give up. If you read only 1 verse in the scriptures yesterday, then today read 2. If you said only 1 prayer yesterday, then today say 2.

But if you are someone who hasn't read a scripture or said a prayer in a very long time - or ever - I challenge you to get down on your knees and talk to the Father who longs to hear from you, who longs to help you every day, who longs to hold you, His child, in His arms once you have returned Home. Tell Him that you are afraid and unsure. Ask Him to help you find the path back to Him. Feel His love fill your heart. And then get up off of your knees, live what you want to believe and never look back.

Keep Moving Forward...

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN!

A messy toy room and the Second Coming - what they have in common

The Recent news stories and catastrophic events around the world have got me to thinkin' ... again...

My kids (ages 6 and 4) share a room so the other room can be used as a toy room. It is not cleaned every single day. I like that I can shut the door to this room and no one can see the mess. I have also adopted the philosophy that a messy toy room is some evidence that my children were playing with their toys instead of watching tv or playing computer games. (It makes me feel better about the mess! Ha, ha!)

However, at least once a week, that toy room needs a good cleaning. This isn't pretty as my sweet, adorable children have perfected their whining techniques claiming that I have asked them to do the impossible. But I stay strong. I didn't make the mess, they did. So, I've adopted the counting system. I give them a certain task within the mess and tell them to have it done by the time I count to 10. Usually, when I get to about 8, I start slowing down and even using fractions - 9 1/4, 9 1/2, 9 3/4 and then I take an extended deep breath before I say the number 10.  Sometimes, if I have gone to another room while they are cleaning, I come down the hall toward the toy room counting very loudly so they know I am on my way and they better finish things up. Why? I want them to succeed. I want them to complete the task. I love them. (and they are still young enough that this is an effective system) :)

"What in the world does all of this have to do with Jesus Christ?" you ask.

Well, let me tell you...
There has been a lot of talk lately about predictions of the Savior's Second Coming. Some people claim to know when this is going to happen. Some people think these people are crazy. Some people feel afraid. Some people don't care a single bit.

Remember, Satan flat out lies but he often takes the truth and twists it. The truth is that Jesus Christ will come again. He WILL.  It has been prophesied since even before He came the first time that He would come a second time. Here's one example:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 3:1 Old Testament)

Artist: Harry Anderson, painted for the Washington DC LDS Temple

Did that happen the first time He came? No. So it is a verse that is obviously referring to His second coming - a time when the whole world will KNOW without a doubt that Jesus was and is the Christ because He will not come as a little babe in Bethlehem. He will come as our King and He will reign in righteousness and glory and He will establish a perfect, peaceful kingdom. (I think this is a hard concept to grasp for those of us who live in an imperfect, non-peaceful world - which just happens to be all of us. But just because we can't comprehend it, doesn't mean it won't happen.)

So, yes, Jesus will come again. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. But satan still tries to spread the lie that Jesus won't come. If satan can't convince you that Jesus won't come, maybe then he twists the "when". He convinces some people that they can know the exact day and time of the Savior's second coming.Why? Who knows. he just likes to get in there and wreck havoc wherever we are vulnerable.

Jesus HIMSELF said, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) He reissued this statement in modern day revelation: "...but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes." (Doctrine and Covenants 49:7)

Back to my kids and their toy room. They know I'm coming down the hall because I told them in the beginning that I would come when time was up. They don't know the exact moment I will come. They can guesstimate but that's it. And if they have been listening, they have heard me counting the whole time so they can know when time is almost up and they better get moving  if they are going to be finished with their tasks in time.

So, aren't we all Heavenly Father's children? Yes. Often, we are a bunch of young children who need little incentives and reminders like our Father counting to 10 to motivate us to get things done.

The thing is that He has been counting to 10 for a very long time now. Those who have ears to hear and hearts to understand have been paying attention. We know that the time of our Savior coming again is very close. How close we don't know but it is probably safe to say Heavenly Father is at the point of using fractions like 9 1/2 and 9 3/4. He's coming down the hall toward the toy room and He's counting very loudly so as to get our attention so that we can be ready.

(When you visualize this, don't see Him as a gruff, mean, Father stomping His feet, ready to point out that we didn't do what He asked. Remember He loves us so much He let His Son suffer and die for us. He did not send us here to fail. Picture Him as the loving, patient, yet wise Father He is. Pray to know that Father.)

Unfortunately, one way our Father must "count loudly" so as to get our attention is by allowing wickedness, war and turmoil. "The prophets have warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder and hailstorms." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:90 - 91; Matthew 24:7; Doctrine and Covenants 29:16) (Gospel Principles: Lesson 43 "Signs of the Second Coming")

Sound familiar? Watch the news lately? How many times have you heard over the past few years that a weather-related catastrophe is the worst in recorded history? Our Father is counting and warning and doing all He can to help us be ready for that day when His Son, our Savior, comes again. He doesn't do this because He likes destruction and watching us suffer. Quite the contrary! (I've had to take toys away from my children just to help them finish their task. Not because I like to see them cry, but because I know they need to know that I'm serious about what I have asked them to do.) He does this because He loves us enough to do whatever it takes to help us be ready. He knows that the sadness and anguish we will feel at the Savior's Second Coming if we are not ready, will far outweigh any anguish we might feel now. He WANTS us to succeed. He would that ALL of His children would make themselves ready. But He will never force us so He does what a perfect Father would do, all He can.  It is His work and glory, remember? (Moses 1:39)

Whether the destruction around the world is happening in your town or not, it is still a message to the whole world. We must pay attention to these events. Not to make us depressed or afraid, but so that we can be ready.

While cleaning the toy room, my children often become distracted by their toys. My daughter starts setting up the doll house - claiming she is sorting through the toys. My son begins a whole train/star wars/cars saga. Similarly, satan has been very successful at getting us to distract ourselves so that we won't be ready. We can be involved in so many wonderful and worthwhile activities. But if these activities are keeping us from preparing ourselves for our Savior's second coming then something needs to be rearranged.

We can listen for the counting and make ourselves ready, or not. It is our choice - completely OUR choice.

In giving some signs of His second coming, the Savior once said, "I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30

Oh, and one more thing...I mentioned that sometimes I leave the room while my kids are cleaning. But usually, I stay right there with them, helping them clean up their mess, even though I am not the one who made the mess. Sound like Someone else we know? Yup.  Our Father and our Brother are much more involved in our lives than we know - I have no doubt.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a day that we need to fear. It is a day we can look forward to. It is a day to pray for and a day to prepare for.

Listen to how the Savior describes what our world will be like once He has returned:

"But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you. Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a  free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what can stay my hand?" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:21-22)

I was not able to find the artist of this painting. If anyone knows, please share your info with me.

Wowsers! I wanna be there! 

Okay, one more one more thing, it's not just destruction and doom and gloom that signifies that the Savior's Second Coming is near. There are also promises of increased righteousness, the Gospel spreading to all the earth, temples, and churches being set up as safe places to gather. If we are prepared, we don't have to fear. So, we kinda need to actually prepare.

 "Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen" 

(Doctrine and Covenants 35:27)  
 

This amazing painting was done by John McNaughton. Read his thoughts here and see more of his paintings:
http://jonmcnaughton.com/parti...the-second-coming-2/

There is so much that could be written here. I've only skimmed the surface. If you want to study more, here is a good starting place, "Preparation for the Second Coming" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Oaks points out, "

"What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?

If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained?"

He then says, "We are surrounded by challenges on all sides (see 2 Cor. 4:8–9). But with faith in God, we trust the blessings He has promised those who keep His commandments. We have faith in the future, and we are preparing for that future. To borrow a metaphor from the familiar world of athletic competitions, we do not know when this game will end, and we do not know the final score, but we do know that when the game finally ends, our team wins. We will continue to go forward “till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).