Second Coming of Jesus Christ

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 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; 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; 45:26–33; 88:91).
• Signs in heaven and on the earth (see Joel 2:30–31; Matthew 24:29–30; D&C 29:14–16; 45:39–42; 49:23; 88:87–90).

The righteous need not fear the Second Coming or the signs that precede it. The Savior's words to His Apostles apply to all who prepare for His coming and who look forward to it with joy: "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).

See also Millennium; Plan of Salvation; Signs

—See True to the Faith (2004), 159–61

• "Finding Hope in the Second Coming"

  Spencer V. Jones, Ensign, June 2005, 58–60
  If we are prepared, and if we are trying to draw closer to the Savior every day, we need not fear the events of the Second Coming.

• "Prepare Yourself for the Great Day of the Lord"

  Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, May 1982, 44–50
  Youth of Zion, do you realize you are living in the days of the fulfillment of these signs and wonders? You are among those who will see many of these prophecies fulfilled.

• "The Second Coming of Christ"

  LeGrand Richards, Ensign, May 1978, 74–76
  We can't look forward to the Second Coming of the Savior without there being a restitution of all things, and that's the message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• "The Leaves Are Commencing to Show on the Fig Tree"

  Bernard P. Brockbank, Ensign, May 1976, 74–75
  Before the second coming of Jesus Christ, certain promised signs and wonders are to take place, making it possible for his Saints to know the approximate time of his coming.

• "To Make a People Prepared for the Lord"

  Delbert L. Stapley, Ensign, Nov. 1975, 47–49
  Let us be sure we thoroughly understand the most important things we can do to prepare ourselves for our Lord's Second Coming.

• "These Are Your Days"

  Neal A. Maxwell, Tambuli, Oct.-Nov. 1985, 28–30; or Ensign, Oct. 2004, 26–31
  Spiritual certitude can exist amid distress and perplexity. So many positive and prophetic promises are there to help latter-day disciples to cope.

• "Preparation for the Second Coming"

  Dallin H. Oaks, Liahona, May 2004, 7–10; or Ensign, May 2004, 7–10
  We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming.

• "When Shall These Things Be?"

  M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, Dec. 1996, 56–61
  These are the last days. As foretold by God's holy prophets since the world began, they are challenging times, and they are going to become even more challenging.

• "Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ"

  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Chapter 24

• "Preparing for the Second Coming of Christ"

  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, Chapter 44

• "Second Coming of Jesus Christ"

  Guide to the Scriptures

• "Signs of the Second Coming"

  Gospel Principles, Chapter 41

• "The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord"

  Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, Lesson 48

• "What Is the Sign of Thy Coming?"

  New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, Lesson 21

• "Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come"

  Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, Lesson 21