He Comes Again to Rule and Reign, by Mary R. Sauer

He Comes Again to Rule and Reign, by Mary R. Sauer

May 28

What Can I Do Now to Prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming?

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. What did we discuss last time, and what invitations or assignments were made? What have we done to act on those invitations or assignments?

• Care for those in need. What can we do or say to reach out to those who might feel alone or distant from Heavenly Father?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. What are some ways we can help others feel the love of Jesus Christ?

• Unite families for eternity. What ideas can we share with each other to help strengthen our families?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

How do the youth you teach feel about living in the last days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? It’s true that these are perilous times, marked by adversity, wickedness, and destruction. But when the Savior described our day to His disciples near the end of His mortal life, He gave us hope. While acknowledging the coming darkness, He promised that His light would “[cover] the whole earth” at His return (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22–26; see also Doctrine and Covenants 45:34–38).

How can you help the youth better understand the blessings and opportunities of living in the latter days? What can you do to inspire them to prepare themselves and the world for the Savior’s Second Coming? In addition to studying this week’s scripture passages, consider reviewing a few resources listed in “Second Coming of Jesus Christ” in Gospel Topics (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Learn Together

To help the youth review what they’ve read in the scriptures this week, you could write these headings on the board: Somber Prophecies and Glorious Pronouncements (see Russell M. Nelson, “Embrace the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 73–76). Then each person could review Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22–37 and list “somber” and “glorious” things that will happen before the Savior returns. Why is it important for us to be aware of these events? To help the youth learn more about how to prepare for the Savior’s coming, consider the following activities or one of your own.

• The scriptures in “Supporting Resources” can help the youth understand how Heavenly Father is preparing the way for the Second Coming of His Son. Consider writing the events described in the scriptures on the board and asking each person to read one of the scripture passages. Each person could match their passage to an event on the board and discuss the passage with the class. What do these events suggest about our role in preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming? What are we inspired to do as a class or quorum?

• President Russell M. Nelson counseled: “How are we to deal with both the somber prophecies and the glorious pronouncements about our day? The Lord told us how with simple, but stunning, reassurance: ‘If ye are prepared ye shall not fear’ [Doctrine and Covenants 38:30]” (“Embrace the Future with Faith,” 74). To help the youth be more prepared for the Savior’s return, consider asking each of them to read one of the three principles of preparation President Nelson shared in his message. Invite them to share what they learn. What are we inspired to do to act on President Nelson’s counsel?

• At the beginning of his message titled “Preparing for the Lord’s Return,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson described what the world will be like after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 81–84). Invite the youth to review his description and contrast it with what the world is like now. They could discuss what we can do now to be ready to live in the kind of world that Elder Christofferson described. (The four paragraphs of his message beginning with “First, and crucial for the Lord’s return” might be helpful.) How does the Savior’s Church help prepare us for His Second Coming? Elder Christofferson listed three ways in which the Church is “uniquely empowered and commissioned to accomplish the necessary preparations for the Lord’s Second Coming.” Class members could identify and discuss these things.

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If we are prepared, we do not need to fear the events leading up to the Savior’s Second Coming.

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Doctrine and Covenants 65:1–2 (Restoration of the gospel)

• Doctrine and Covenants 20:8–12 (Coming forth of the Book of Mormon)

• Malachi 4:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16 (Restoration of priesthood keys)

• 3 Nephi 21:1, 8 (Gathering of Israel)

• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:28–30 (War, turmoil, and iniquity)

• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31 (Gospel preached to the world)

• Gary E. Stevenson, “A Good Foundation against the Time to Come,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 48–52

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

Teach learners that sometimes the Spirit will teach them things during a class discussion that are never spoken aloud.