Freedom from Worry

            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the freedom from worry about the world coming to an end. The disastrous hurricanes in the southeastern United States, the fires in the northwestern United States, and the recent huge earthquakes in Mexico and Japan all make people feel jittery. I too am a little nervous with all the natural disasters, and I wonder if there is any meaning to them. However, I am not worried about the world ending on September 23.

            I am not concerned about this “prophecy” because I study the scriptures. I know that the world will not end until the Savior returns to earth. I also know that the Savior told His Apostles that no one, not even the angels in heaven, knows the day that the Savior would return to earth except Heavenly Father. I know these things because of this scripture.

38 Now learn a parable of the fig tree – When its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh at hand;

39 So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors;

40 But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:38-39). 

            This scripture tells me that I do not need to worry when someone proclaims that the world will end on a certain date. I just need to remember that the Savior said that no one will know except Heavenly Father! This means that Christian numerologist David Meade does not know what he is talking about when he proclaims that the numbers in the Book of Revelation indicate that the world will end on September 23.

            Matt Walsh is another person who does not believe what Meade is saying. He wrote an article stating his reasons for not believing Meade. The gist of his article is that the world will not end on September 23, but one’s personal world may end at any moment. This is because none of us know when our mortal lives will end, and we should be preparing for that end and stop worrying about the world ending. 

         

            Robert L. Millet is anotherperson who does not believe that the world will end on September 23. In a recent article on this subject he reminds us of a couple of scriptures that have particular meaning here. The first scripture is by an Old Testament prophet named Amos who declared the following.

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/amos/3?lang=eng

            Millet shares a latter-day scripture in which the Lord proclaims that he works through His prophets. On November 1, 1831, the Lord revealed, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, some information to four men who would later be called to be members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Even though most of the information is applicable to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was directed to these men. Some of it is as follows.

10 And he that believeth shall be blest with signs following, even as it is written.

11 And unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man (Doctrine and Covenants 68:10-11). https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/68?lang=eng

            Millet continues his essay by reminding us that there are cycles of times when people are positive that the end of the world is coming. He remembers General Conference in October 1972 when President Harold B. Lee chastened and warned the priesthood brethren to not stress over the economy or society crashing. He says that President Lee spoke to the students of Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho) just weeks before he passed away and said the following.

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, … and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. … This is the place of the New Jerusalem… This is the place … where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won’t fail…. I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the location that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may have to pass through” (Ye Are the Light of the World, Deseret Book, 1974, 350-51).

            Millet claims that the point that he is making with the above scriptures is that the prophet and apostles “seldom talk about this subject” and this fact should show us that we have no need to “panic about some impending doom or be too excited about the imminent return of the Savior.” Millett continues with his reasoning.

There are many, many things that must take place before Jesus Christ returns to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Second Coming will not take place next week or next month! …

            Millet then discusses seven things that must happen before the Savior comes and the world as we know it will end. You can see the main points here, but you will have to go to his article to see his commentary.

1. The gospel needs to be preached to every part of the world. “This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end [of the world] come, or the destruction of the wicked” (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:31)….

2. Congregations of saints must be found all over the earth. “And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi 14:12; emphasis added)….

3. Baptisms for the dead need to take place in the Holy Land (Jerusalem). “It is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for the dead” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:36; emphasis added)….

4. Church headquarters must be moved to Missouri. “The place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward” (Doctrine and Covenants 57:3). Also, “Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered…. And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:17, 20)….

5. The Savior needs to appear in His temple. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:1)….

6. The great council/sacrament meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman needs to take place. “Spring Hill is named by the Lord as Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken by Daniel the prophet” (Doctrine and Covenants 116; see also Daniel 7:9-14)….

7. The sun must be darkened, the moon turned to blood, and the stars fall from the sky. Before this great day shall come [before the Savior returns and the first resurrection resumes] the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:14; see also 34:9; 45:42)….

            Millet concludes his article by stating that there are even more “signs of the times and prophetic events that have not as yet come to pass or been fulfilled” before the Savior returns. He continues with these words.

…While we are certainly closer to the Second Coming than we were a year ago, and although many of the signs of the times have indeed been fulfilled, there is yet a great deal for the Lord to accomplish on this earth before Zion will be redeemed, the Saints have been sanctified, the work of the restored Church brought to fruition, and Zion communities established throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

To be sure, we have work to do to prepare ourselves for the end of the world, the destruction of the wicked at the time of the Lord’s Second Coming in glory (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:4,31)…. Our task is to live a sane and balanced life, to proceed on the gospel path in a dignified and determined manner, to be active and involved and always in the mainstream of the Church. Therein is our safety. If we do these things, we have no need whatsoever to be alarmed.

            Both Walsh and Millet agree that we should not let ourselves become consumed with worry about the world ending. They both say that we should concern ourselves about the direction of our lives and who we are becoming. If we are living Christlike lives as well as loving and serving God and our fellowman, we have no need to worry or fret about when the Savior returns. He wants us to be busy doing His work– bringing to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man (see Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39). If we are serving God and keeping His commandments, it really does not matter whether we live until the Savior returns or die because His return because our reward will still be eternal life with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.