Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye

“Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth, for the judgment of our God is come: behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. ” – Section 85:25d

Latter-day revelation is replete with instruction to the church to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior. The very first section, given in November 1831 with instruction to place it as the preface of our Doctrine and Covenants, says that “the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth; and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed;” But the Lord provided to his saints the means by which safety and refuge would be provided from this coming calamity by speaking unto Joseph Smith Jr. and providing revelations in their time and commandments not a few to be proclaimed unto the world. These revelations and commandments not only warn but also teach the need for a Savior and the establishment of an earthly kingdom – a place of safety and refuge — as a place prepared for the kingdom of heaven to come.

We are recipients of these revelations and commandments but are we really prepared for the coming of the Lord? We have fallen short in preparing a place. What about our personal lives? What must we be about to prepare a place and ourselves? A strong indication I believe lies in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. So important is the instruction contained in this parable that it is specifically mentioned with the Lords own commentary on it in Section 45: “And at that day when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins; for they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived, verily I say unto you, They shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day, and the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; …“

Taking the Holy Spirit as our guide is the key understanding of this parable and critical to our “preparedness.” Our baptisms of water and spirit we know are essential because they place us on the straight and narrow path but unless the Holy Spirit is our guide, we can wander from that path. Contained within the commandments and revelations given to Joseph are “helps and governments” placed within the framework of his church to keep is in the narrow way – to keep us in tune with the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Chief among these helps and governments are the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, study and worship. Each of these can be both personal as well as corporate and we are commanded to participate in them all. Especially important, I believe, are the corporate expressions and yet still too many find the gatherings of the saints either for fellowship or worship far too low on their list of life’s priorities. This makes the body of Christ weak and unprepared for his coming.

One of my favorite Southern Gospel songs is entitled “Every Time the Doors Were Open I Was There.” It begins with the singers recollection of all the various gatherings of the church once attended – every time the doors were open they were there — Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Tuesday evening visitation, Wednesday prayer service, all fellowships bound by love with the statement that church was just part of who the singer was. Then, in a wonderful twist, the song switches to the voice of our Savior who says “every time the doors were open I was there” and then the voice of the Savior puts it in the future tense by saying “every time the doors are open I’ll be there.” It warms my heart every time I hear this song because it has been my life’s experience. I find the presence of God in every assembly of the saints and there is no greater blessing than to be in His presence.

Yes, there are calamities coming, the anger of the Lord is kindled, his sword is bathed in heaven and judgments will be poured out and we still must better prepare for his coming. I would therefore strongly encourage all to invest themselves heavily into the corporate life of the church, certainly in our fellowship opportunities but most especially in every opportunity we have to worship. Make church just a part of who you are. Every time the doors are open … be there … because “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them; even so am I in the midst of you.” (Sec 6:15b) Our work of preparation is best done together as a fellowship bound by love.

Yes, there are calamities coming, the anger of the Lord is kindled, his sword is bathed in heaven and judgments will be poured out and we still must better prepare for his coming. I would therefore strongly encourage all to invest themselves heavily into the corporate life of the church, certainly in our fellowship opportunities but most especially in every opportunity we have to worship. Make church just a part of who you are. Every time the doors are open … be there … because “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them; even so am I in the midst of you.” (Sec 6:15b) Our work of preparation is best done together as a fellowship bound by love.