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

• Read Acts 1:9-11. What great truth did the two angels tell the Apostles?
  
  

Discussion

• Why is it important to know the signs of the Second Coming?
  
• How may we know the signs?
  

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

• List some of the signs of the Second Coming. Discuss each one.
• What evidence do you see that the signs are being fulfilled?
  

Knowing the Signs of the Times Can Help Us

• How can we remain calm and at peace even when some of the signs are terrifying and dreadful?

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

• How can knowing the signs of the Second Coming help us?
  

Additional Scriptures

• Matthew 24 D&C 29:14-23; 45:17-57; 88:87-94; Joseph Smith - Matthew 1 (signs of the Second Coming)