Jesus Christ Will Return to the Earth
This second coming is also called "the great and
dreadful day of the Lord" (D&C 110:16).
Discussion
Discussion
What Are the Signs Foretelling Jesus Christ's Coming?
Some of the signs foretelling the second coming of Jesus Christ have
already been or are now being fulfilled. Others will be fulfilled in the
future.
Wickedness, War, and Turmoil
Jesus told his disciples that war would fill the earth: "Ye shall
hear of wars and rumours of wars. . . . For nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6-7).
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Be not discouraged when we tell
you of perilous times, for they must shortly come, for the sword,
famine, and pestilence are approaching. There shall be great
destructions upon the face of this land, for ye need not suppose that
one jot or tittle of the prophecies of all the holy prophets shall fail,
and there are many that remain to be fulfilled yet" (Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 252). These wars will continue until a great and final war, the most
destructive the world has known. In the midst of this war the Savior
will appear. (See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 732.)
The Gospel Preached to All the World
Another sign of Jesus' coming is that the "gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations"
(Matthew 24:14; see also Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:31). Before the Second
Coming and during the Millennium, the
Lord will provide a way to bring the truth to all nations.
The Coming of Elijah
The prophet Malachi prophesied predicted that before
the Savior's Second Coming, Christ came the second time,
the prophet Elijah would be sent to visit the earth. Elijah would restore the
sealing powers so families could be sealed together. He would also
inspire people to be concerned about their ancestors and descendants
(see Malachi 4:5-6; D&C 2). The prophet Elijah came to Joseph Smith
in April 1836. Since that time, interest in genealogy and family history
has grown rapidly.
The Lamanites Will Become a Great People
Lehi's Descendants Will Become a Great People
The Lord said that when his coming was near, the Lamanites would become
a righteous and respected people. He said, "Before the great day of
the Lord shall come, . . . the Lamanites shall blossom as the
rose" (D&C 49:24). Great numbers of Lehi's descendants
Lamanites in North and
South America and the South Pacific are now receiving the blessings of
the gospel.
Building of the New Jerusalem
Near the time of the coming of Jesus, the faithful Saints will build a
righteous city, a city of God, called the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ
himself will rule there. (See 3 Nephi 21:23-25; Moses 7:62-64;
Articles of Faith 1:10). The Lord said the city
will be built in the state of Missouri in the United States (see D&C
84:2-3 3-4).
Discussion
Knowing the Signs of the Times Can Help Us
No one except our Heavenly Father knows exactly when the Lord will come. Speaking of His Second Coming, the Lord said, "The hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven" (D&C 49:7).
The Lord gives gave these signs to help us.
We do not need to worry about the calamities have been warned of calamities
and told to prepare for them, but we can look forward to the
coming of the Savior and be glad.
Discussion
Additional Scriptures