47 Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom
Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom
Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom
When The Book of Commandments was first being compiled, section 133
was meant to be the appendix to the book. It still stands as a call and warning
to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord.
verse 37
And this gospel shall
be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people
verse 3
For he shall make bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the
nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of their God.
For Kids
The Lord wants me to stay away from the evil in the
world.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:4–5, 14
What are some places that are not safe places for us to go?
How can we protect our spiritual selves from the dangers in this world?
read Doctrine
and Covenants 133:4–5, 14
5 Go ye out from Babylon. Be
ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
How can we go our from Babylon? How can we build up Zion?
Ye Elders of Israel: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/ye-elders-of-israel?lang=eng
O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell;
We’re going to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.
Zion
The Pure in Heart!
Jesus Christ calls me to reject Babylon and come to Zion.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:4–14
The spiritual opposite of Zion is Babylon—an ancient city
that throughout scripture symbolized wickedness and spiritual bondage.
verse 5
Go out from Babylon
verse 9
Go forth to Zion
How are you responding to His call?
Israel, Israel God is Calling: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/israel-israel-god-is-calling?lang=eng
For Kids
Jesus Christ will come again.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:19–21, 25
How have you prepared to have guests at your house, or for a
party? Why is it important to make preparations?
Read 133:17–19,
21 17 For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the
angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is
nigh—
18 When the Lamb shall stand
upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand,
having his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
19 Wherefore, prepare ye for
the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him.
21 And he shall utter his voice out
of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall
be heard among all people;
outline
What do we know about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
What else do we learn from verses 19–25,
46–52? (See notes below)
How are you preparing for this joyful, happy meeting with
Jesus Christ?
(Let the children look for clues of things we can do to
prepare: scriptures, prayer, serve, share the gospel)
How can these things help us prepare to meet Jesus when He
comes again?
Express as a class you feelings about Jesus and how much you
love Him.
I can prepare now for the Savior’s Second Coming.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:1–19, 37–39
section 1
and section 133
both begin with, “Hearken, O ye people of my church”
What am I doing to hearken? (What do I need to stop doing,
so that I can hear and follow better?)
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:1–19, 37–39 List the messages the Lord invites you
to “hearken” to (listen to and obey) as you prepare for His Second Coming. How
can I do to prepare myself? How can help others to prepare for His Coming? What
words or phrases describe the Lord’s love for His people? (See notes below)
The
Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming
Aaronic
Priesthood Quorum Theme
Matthew
25:1–13 The Ten Virgins
Embrace
the Future with Faith talk
Come,
Ye Children of the Lord,
Video: Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior: talk: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2025-04-2000-Saturday-Afternoon-Session?lang=eng
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be joyful for the
righteous.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:19–56
As you read the description of the Savior’s return in verses
19–56, what do you find that you are looking forward to? (See notes below)
verse 52
52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they
shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed
upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness,
forever and ever.
How have you felt the Lord’s loving kindness in your own
life? Do you recognize how good He has always been to you?
For Kids
Jesus Christ is loving and kind.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:52–53
nos.
42, 47
Look at pictures that show how loving and kind Jesus is.
What are some of the things Jesus has done for others and
for you that are loving and kind?
133:52
52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they
shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed
upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness,
forever and ever.
How can we tell other people about Jesus’s love and kindness
for everyone?
Who are the people in your life that show you loving
kindness and help you feel Jesus’s love for them to? How can we become people
who are loving and kind?
Teach clear and simple doctrine. The Lord
teaches His gospel in “plainness and simplicity” (Doctrine
and Covenants 133:57). What do these words suggest to you about teaching
the gospel to your family or class?
For Kids
The Lord wants me to obey the law.
Doctrine
and Covenants 134: 1–2
Do you have rules in your home and at school that help
everyone know what is expected?
How are you happier when you obey the rules? Are there
negative consequences when you don’t? Does it make you sad when others play
unfairly? What would it be like if nobody kept rules or commandments?
Read Doctrine
and Covenants 134:1–2
1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for
the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts
in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good
and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can exist
in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to
each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and
control of property, and the protection of life.
Articles
of Faith 1:12 We believe in being subject to kings,
presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining
the law.
Why does the Lord want us to obey the laws of the land?
“Governments were instituted of God for the benefit of
man.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 134
Doctrine
and Covenants 134 was written, in part, to clarify the Church’s
position on government. What does this section suggest about how the Lord’s
Saints should feel about government?
section 134
Look for principles of government and the responsibilities of citizens. How are
these principles helpful to societies? (See notes below)
Articles
of Faith 1:11–12 11 We claim the privilege of
worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our
own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let
them worship how, where, or what they may.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/133?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, November 3, 1831. Prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s
history states, “At this time there were many things which the Elders desired
to know relative to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth, and
concerning the gathering; and in order to walk by the true light, and be
instructed from on high, on the 3rd of November, 1831, I inquired of the Lord
and received the following important revelation.” This section was first added
to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently
assigned a section number.
Doctrine
and Covenants 133:1–19, 37–39 List the messages the Lord invites you
to “hearken” to (listen to and obey) as you prepare for His Second Coming. How
can I do to prepare myself? How can help others to prepare for His Coming?
Vs 1-2 Am I hearkening? Am I hearing? The Lord will come
suddenly to His Temple. Will you be among the faithful? Are you know? These
verses are meant for reflection and self-inventory.
Vs 3-7 The Lord is making bare His Holy arm in the eyes of
all nations. Are you helping to prepare yourself and others to see the
salvation of God. There are temples across the earth. What are you doing to
invite people into the Lord's Church and to prepare them to be endowed in holy
temples?
Are you clean? are you heeding the Lord's call to you? Are
you leaving behind the sinfulness of the world? Are you meeting with other
saints? Are you calling upon the name of the Lord for help for yourself and
others? The Lord is calling us to leave Babylon and to join Him in building up
Zion.
Vs 8-9 The call is not for us alone who already belong to
the Church, it is for the world, both Jew and Gentile. Missionaries are being
sent to lands across the earth, calling people to join in the great work of
Zion, so that her borders will continue to extend throughout the earth.
10 Yea, let the cry go forth among all people:
Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the
Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great
day of the Lord.
Vs 11-15 We need to continue to watch, prayer, and prepare.
We need to continue to strengthen ourselves and each other. We need to stand
for Christ and His mission throughout the world, and help others to forsake
evil and come unto the God of Israel and be saved. We shouldn't get ahead of
ourselves or our own strength, but continually move forward according as the
Spirit guides us. And we must never return to the ways of Babylon and
destruction. Walk in the light.
16 Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the
earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the
Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere
to repent.
Vs 17-19 Moroni helped to restore gospel truths to the
earth, under the direction of Jesus Christ and His servant Joseph Smith. Many
angels were and are involved in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
along with His Church. We are also called upon to Prepare the way of the Lord.
He will again stand upon Mount Zion as prophesied, along
with the 44 thousand, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel.
Are you prepared to meet the Bridegroom?
What else do we learn from verses 19–25,
46–52?
As you read the description of the Savior’s return in verses
19–56, what do you find that you are looking forward to? What words or
phrases describe the Lord’s love for His people?
Vs 19-20 We are called to prepare to meet Jesus. He is
coming and will stand on the mount of Olivet, and on the islands of the sea,
and on the land of Zion. He will again walk on this earth He created.
Vs 21-24 All people will hear His voice when He speaks from
Zion and from Jerusalem. His voice will command the whole earth and the oceans.
The islands will again become one land. Are we seeking to be one people now? Do
you treat others as you neighbor? Those who are left during the millennium will
be those who love their neighbors and love the Lord. The earth will no longer
be divided, nor its people.
25 And the Lord, even the Savior,
shall stand in the midst of his people, and
shall reign over all flesh.
Vs 26-30 The promises will be fulfilled. The north countries
will remember the Lord. Ice will be broken. They'll bring their treasure to
Ephraim. We will all have more records of truth.
Vs 31-35 Ephraim will crown them with glory. They will
receive the blessings of the temple, and be filled with songs of everlasting
joy. God will make available His blessings to all the tribes of Israel,
including Judah.
Vs 36-41 The restored gospel came by the gift of God through
angels to men on earth.
It will be preached to everyone.
God's servants will invite all to fear God and give him
glory.
37 And this gospel shall
be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people.
38 And the servants of God shall go
forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour
of his judgment is come;
39 And worship him that made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—
40 Calling upon the name of the Lord day and
night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou
wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.
41 And it shall be answered upon their heads;
for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that
burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.
Vs 42-43 Those that won't hear and receive the glad tidings,
will still come to know that the Lord is God. They will have to acknowledge
Him, because of His power and judgments.
44 Yea, when thou comest down, and the mountains
flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and
worketh righteousness, who remembereth thee in thy ways.
45 For since the beginning of the world have not
men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides
thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him
that waiteth for thee.
46 And it shall be said: Who is this
that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the
regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the
greatness of his strength?
47 And he shall say: I am he who spake
in righteousness, mighty to save.
48 And the Lord shall be red in his
apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.
49 And so great shall be the glory of his
presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the
moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their
places.
50 And his voice shall be heard: I
have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all
people; and none were with me;
51 And I have trampled them in my
fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have
I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this
was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.
Vs 44-51 Jesus indeed is coming. He is near. It will be a
great and dreadful day for certain.
52 And now the year of my redeemed is
come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he
has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his
loving kindness, forever and ever.
53 In all their afflictions he was
afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and
in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all
the days of old;
52-56 Enoch, Noah, and Moses, and the prophets before them;
Moses, Elijah, John, who were with Christ in His resurrection; all the holy
apostles, Abraham Isaac, and Jacob shall be in the presence of the Lamb. All
the saints shall be with the Lord.
57 And for this cause, that men might be
made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed,
the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant,
reasoning in plainness and simplicity—
58 To prepare the weak for
those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the
day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one
become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands
to flight.
59 And by the weak things of the earth the Lord
shall thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit.
62 And unto him that repenteth
and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life.
64 And also that which was written by the
prophet Malachi: For, behold, the day cometh that
shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that
do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up,
saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Vs 67 Jesus stands ever ready to snatch us up and redeem us.
67 When I called again there was none of you to
answer; yet my arm was not shortened at all that I could not redeem,
neither my power to deliver.
Vs 71 Jesus is the One to deliver us. If we don't put our
trust in Him, we will not be delivered.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/134?lang=eng
A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in
general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at
Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835. Many Saints gathered together to consider the
proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. At that
time, this declaration was given the following preamble: “That our belief with
regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be
misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close
of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.”
section 134
Look for principles of government and the responsibilities of citizens. How are
these principles helpful to societies?
I could highlight this entire section! It is wonderful, and I
agree. This section reaffirms that law and order are important, as well as
agency. With that agency there are consequences, and there are times when punishments
can be imposed by civil law or consequences by religious organizations.
John shared a talk Fini gave in Primary yesterday based on
this section. He has a strong belief in the principles found herein.
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