We sing, “It will be a joyful day when our beloved Savior comes again” (“When the Savior Comes Again,” Hymns—For Home and Church, 1002). In 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation with this same message. The Lord described light breaking forth out of darkness and people gathering to Zion “singing with songs of everlasting joy” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:28, 71). He spoke of his disciples standing in holy places and declared, “I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:32, 44).
As we study this revelation, we can look forward to the promised day when “Lord shall be in [our] midst, and his glory shall be upon [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:59).
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned by studying this revelation:
Outline
- v. 1-14: Hearken to your advocate, the light and the life of the world, the God of Enoch
- v. 15-59: Signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (compare Matthew 24)
- 15-25: Israel scattered and gathered
- 26-33: Commotion; stand in holy places
- 34-44: Signs indicate that He is coming
- 45-59: Jesus arrives; Satan is bound
- v. 60-75: Gather to Zion, a place of peace
Key Themes
- Jesus prays for us and pleads with the Father on our behalf.
- When you have hope for the future, you can have joy today.
- The wounds in the Savior’s resurrected body are a symbol of His extraordinary love for us.
Book of Mormon Connections
- Jacob quoted Isaiah’s prophecy that those are are redeemed would come to Zion with “songs of everlasting joy” (2 Nephi 8:11, Isaiah 51:11, Isaiah 35:10). The Lord reiterated this promise in Doctrine and Covenants 45:71.
- Nephi quoted Isaiah’s prophecy that God would establish a “standard to the people,” and he invited his brother Jacob to speak about that scripture. (See Isaiah 49:22, 1 Nephi 21:22, 2 Nephi 6:6.) In Doctrine and Covenants 45:9-10, the Lord confirmed that His everlasting covenant is this standard.
Applications
- Stand in holy places. Find ways to make your home a more holy place, so that it can be a place of refuge and peace in a troubled world.
- Don’t mock or demean others. Use your words to uplift people, not to push them down.
- Make plans and move forward with courage and optimism. As we prepare for the Savior’s return, He will arm us with power.
- Pray for others as Jesus prays for us. Plead with God to bless and strengthen them.
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