Prepare ye, prepare ye, for that which is to come ….

These words, when ever we read them or ponder them, stir our souls. The holy spirit not only bears witness to their veracity, but also conveys to us a sense of urgency. It must have been something to have been at the special conference of November 1831 when these words fell from the lips of Joseph Smith Jr. How did they respond? How did they react to the news that the Lord was near, his anger kindled, his sword bathed in heaven and his arm soon to be revealed and that they were to prepare for his coming? What did they do? Were they ready? Are we?

When we look at the Church today we might come to the conclusion that the nearly 183 years since these words were given to the church have dulled the urgency felt by the early saints. Why should that be? God has spoken from on high and his word will not return to him void.

It is clear that some will be caught unaware at the Lord’s coming. The math of the parable of the ten virgins suggest to us that 50% of the church will not be ready. Peter made it known that in in our day there would even be scoffers that would question the promise of his coming.

We know well when a storm is coming. We feel the weather change, the clouds thicken, the wind picks up, then we here the sound of thunder and so on. Is is easy for us to discern the face of the sky. We know it well and react in appropriate ways. As we sing in “Redeemer of Israel,” the tokens do already appear, the signs of his coming are evident.  How are we responding to the impending judgements soon to be poured out? Do we discern well “the signs of the times?” Are we ready?

Doug Trahern is going to take a few weeks to teach us about the “Case for Christ,” an important and timely topic to help us better arm our witness against the growing voices who want to discount his divinity, nature and purpose. We must stand firm in our belief and strong in our testimony for surely he is coming to gather the faithful.

After Doug finishes we will take up, in real and practical terms, how we as a people can and should prepare for his coming. There are spiritual and temporal aspects to our preparation and we will consider both. We encourage you to join us in our Sunday School hour for these two important and timely topics.

We want to be among the wise at his coming. Those who will abide the day and have the earth given to us for an inheritance. Those who will multiply and wax strong, whose children will grow up without sin unto salvation because the Lord will be in our midst, his glory upon us and who will be our King and lawgiver.

In many different ways, the Lord is hastening his work. Let us be ready.