When Will the Savior Return to the Earth?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Moses 7 and a lesson titled “The Lord Called His People Zion.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Throughout history, people have tried to achieve what Enoch and his people accomplished: building an ideal society where there is no poverty or violence. As God’s people, we share this desire. We call it building Zion, and it includes—in addition to caring for people in need and promoting peace—making covenants, dwelling together in righteousness, and becoming one with each other and with Jesus Christ, “the King of Zion” (Moses 7:53). If the world, your community, or your family isn’t quite what you want it to be, it’s helpful to ask, How did Enoch and his people do it? How did they become “of one heart and one mind” (Moses 7:18) despite the contention around them? Among the many details Moses 7 gives us about Zion, a particularly valuable one for Latter-day Saints might be this: Zion is not just a city—it is a condition of the heart and spirit. Zion, as the Lord has taught, is “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). So perhaps the best way to build Zion is to start in our own hearts and homes.

This scripture block teaches several principles, including (1) I can help build Zion (Moses 7:16-21, 27, 53, 62-69); (2) Jesus Christ is “the King of Zion;” (3) God weeps – and rejoices – for His children (Moses 7:28-69); (4) Jesus Christ will come again in the last days (Moses 7:59-67).

This essay will discuss principle #4 about the return of Jesus Christ in the last days. We will first study the applicable verses, Moses 7:59-67.

59 And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father; and he called unto the Lord, saying: Wilt thou not come again upon the earth? Forasmuch as thou art God, and I know thee, and thou hast sworn unto me, and commanded me that I should ask in the name of thine Only Begotten; thou hast made me, and given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through thine own grace; wherefore, I ask thee if thou wilt not come again on the earth.

60 And the Lord said unto Enoch: As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah;

61 And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

65 And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;

66 But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked.

67 And the Lord showed Enoch all things, even unto the end of the world; and he saw the day of the righteous, the hour of their redemption, and received a fulness of joy;

These scripture verses tell us that Jesus Christ will return to earth in the last days – our day. Enoch’s vision, especially what’s recorded in Moses 7:59-67, is one of history’s first prophecies of the Savior’s Second Coming.

Former President Russell M. Nelson, in his October 2015 general conference address to the sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the following description of the part that women play in preparing for the Savior’s coming: (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2015, 95-96; emphasis added). 

It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.

This has been true in every gospel dispensation since the days of Adam and Eve. Yet the women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other. This distinction brings both privileges and responsibilities.”

President Henry B. Eyring quoted the above comments in his October 2020 general conference remarks titled “Sisters in Zion.” He then added these comments: 

This dispensation is distinct in that the Lord will lead us to become prepared to be like the city of Enoch. He has described through His apostles and prophets what that transformation to a Zion people will entail….

If the past is prologue, at the time of the Savior’s coming, the daughters who are deeply committed to their covenants with God will be more than half of those who are prepared to welcome Him when He comes. But whatever the numbers, your contribution in creating unity among the people prepared for that Zion will be far greater than half….

My experience has taught me that Heavenly Father’s daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.

In Moses 7, we learn that Enoch spoke to God face to face and received much information. Part of that information was this description of Zion found in Moses 7:18:

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and

dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

Here is the answer to eliminating poverty in the world: seek unity, be righteous, and care for the poor. When the Savior returns to earth, He will return to a gathering of righteous men, women, and children. If we want to see Jesus Christ return, we should start with becoming righteous ourselves and then helping others to become righteous.