LDS Freedom Forum

I've been digging in to a little history on the Independence Temple and came across this:

Are we Prepared to Build the New Jerusalem?

By President Brigham Young

Suppose the word should come, "Return and build up the centre stake of Zion," are we ready for it? No. I have often alluded to our mechanics. We have not a mechanic that would know how to lay the first stone for the foundation of the wall around the New Jerusalem, to say nothing about the Temples of our God. Are you prepared for the day of vengeance to come, when the Lord will consume the wicked by the brightness of His coming? No. Then do not be too anxious for the Lord to hasten His work. Let our anxiety be centered upon this one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer and not to be in a hurry to see the overthrow of the wicked. Be careful, for if they were all to be overthrown at once, how many would there be left that are called Saints? Not as many as I would have remain; not as many as you would like to have remain. We are prepared for the day that is approaching, let us then prepare ourselves for the presence of our Master—for the coming of the Son of Man.

The Deseret News, Vol. 11, No. 9, May 1, 1861.

I admit....I often say in my heart 'bring it on, let's get on with it already.' --looks like the saints back thought the same thing too . I (probably foolishly) give myself a pat on the back for being prepared--at least physically, but I have a long ways to go spiritually.

Yesterday I read this...

Helamen 13:25And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.

I liken this to my self-assured thinking that I'm ready to live the law of consecration. 'bring it on.' But then I wonder...if there were so many strifes and contentions and unpreparedness in living this law 130+ years ago --in 'real life' and in 'real relationships,' am I really ready? No. Not even close.

I appreciate Brigham's salient caution regarding a premature harvest of the wheat and the tares...

Just food for thought.

I know I have much work to do. :ymsigh:

I guess we have to tolerate the wickedness so we can continue improving ourselves.

Thanks for sharing this!

Thanks for sharing. Great words of wisdom from President Brigham Young. "We are prepared for the day that is approaching, let us then prepare ourselves for the presence of our Master—for the coming of the Son of Man." I have thought about this many times. Joseph said the time had come to redeem Zion. It obviously didn't happen why? Were they prepared? Were they pure of heart? I have gone back and tried to figure out what when wrong and I find myself making the same mistakes as they did. Hopefully we all can learn from the past to be prepared for the great and dreadful day.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “As we live the commandments of God, we can look forward with joyful anticipation to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and know that through our efforts we are worthy, with our loved ones, to dwell in His presence for all eternity. Surely nothing is too hard to gain this great goal. We cannot let down for a moment. We must prove, every day of our lives, that we are willing to do the will of the Lord—to spread the restored gospel, to bear testimony to the world, to share the gospel with others” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 341).