36863, True to the Faith, Second Coming of Jesus Christ, 159-60
As Jesus Christ ascended into heaven at the completion of His mortal ministry, two angels declared to His Apostles, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). When the Savior comes again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom. His Second Coming will mark the beginning of the Millennium.
The Second Coming will be a fearful, mournful time for the wicked, but it will be a day of peace and triumph for the righteous. The Lord declared:
"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; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.
"For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver" (D&C 45:57-59).
The Lord has not revealed exactly when He will come again: "The hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes" (D&C 49:7). But He has revealed to His prophets the events and signs that will precede His Second Coming. Among the prophesied events and signs are:
* Apostasy from gospel truth (see Matthew 24:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).
* The restoration of the gospel, including the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ (see Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 14:6-7; D&C 45:28; D&C 133:36).
* The restoration of priesthood keys (see Malachi 4:5-6; D&C 110:11-16).
* The coming forth of the Book of Mormon (see Isaiah 29:4-18; 3 Nephi 21:1-11).
* The preaching of the gospel throughout the world (see Matthew 24:14).
* A time of wickedness, war, and turmoil (see Matthew 24:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; D&C 29:17; D&C 45:26-33; D&C 88:91).
* Signs in heaven and on the earth (see Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:29-30; D&C 29:14-16; D&C 45:39-42; D&C 49:23; D&C 88:87-90).
Do not concern yourself with the exact timing of the Savior's Second Coming. Instead, live so that you will be prepared whenever He comes. As you observe the calamities of these last days, remember that the righteous need not fear the Second Coming or the signs that precede it. The Savior's words to His Apostles apply to you: "Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled" (D&C 45:35).
Additional references: Luke 21:34-36; 2 Peter 3:10-14; D&C 133:42-52; Joseph Smith-Matthew 1
See also Millennium; Plan of Salvation; Signs