What do YOU know about...

Warning: This is a long post, but worth the read...I hope you enjoy it!!!

What do YOU know about....the Second Coming?!?

This week I was in charge of teaching a lesson about the Second Coming to our Young Women's class. The Mia Maids and Laurels (we combine the classes because our numbers are so low during the summer).

Last night, while doing research on the subject, I ran across a video on You Tube that I absolutely loved and wanted to share with the girls.


I tried for TWO hours to figure out how to download it, but to no avail I kept on hitting dead-ends. Finally, at about 10:00 pm I was prompted to send an email to the creator of the video, asking him to send it to me or tell me where I can go to download it.

Now, I knew it was late and I didn't even really know WHO I was sending this email too, but I quickly requested some more information about downloading the video (since we don't have wi-fi at the church building) and sent him my contact information... If you know me, I don't like sending any information across the web, especially my name and telephone number, but the spirit told me to just do it anyway.

I did.

The email was sent successfully...now back to preparing my lesson, I needed a Plan B!!!

It was 11:30 at night and I still didn't have much to inspire these girls and then it happened, an
answer to my prayers...My phone rang.

It was David Christenson, the creator of the video I wanted to share!!!


I was SO SO SO ecstatic that he called and emailed me the information!

This lesson is probably one of the best lessons I have given.

A HUGE shout-out to David and the inspiration to create such a beautiful video. THANK YOU for calling me (even though it was late:-) and emailing me information about downloading your videos!!! I was so impressed with your videos, that I not only showed one...but three!!! They practically taught the lesson for me!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

I loved giving this lesson so much I am going to give the highlights in this blog, but I urge everyone to check out his website and see his other videos...There are video on everything from
Prayer to War...VERY INSPIRING!!!!

You can see the rest of his stuff at: http://www.latterdayconservative.com/download/davidkat99
check it out!!!

Here is my condensed version of my lesson:

I started out asking the Young Women...

What do YOU know about the Second coming?

Of course they all focused on the chaos...

• wars
• earthquakes
• sickness covering the land
• iniquity abounding earth in commotion
• false prophets
• etc.

Throughout the history of the world, kings and queens have ruled many of the earth’s people. Some of these kings and queens have been righteous monarchs who treated their subjects justly. Others have been wicked rulers who used their power to abuse the people they ruled. These rulers have not been worthy of their people’s loyalty.

Faithful people everywhere have long looked forward to the reign of a king so just and loving that he is worthy to be called the “King of Kings.”

This generation of young women are part of has been called a “royal generation” because the valiant among them will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior.

I then had them write down on the chalkboard some of the qualities that might describe the youth of the royal generation, whose king is Jesus Christ:

choice
righteous
joyful
worthy
pure
faithful
favored
clean
happy
courageous
great
loving
true
strong

“My dear friends, you are a royal generation. You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. … If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here” (H. Burke Peterson, “Your Life Has a Purpose,” New Era, May 1979, p. 5).

I then asked the Young Women again:

What do YOU know about the Second Coming?

They added information like:

Being a royal generation

We have a special purpose to fulfill before the Savior comes, etc…

The Earth Must Be Made Ready for the Savior’s Return

“At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and the resurrection of the righteous.”

Those who are righteous look forward with great joy to the second coming of the Lord. It is a blessing to be among those who may help prepare the earth for his coming.

There are many signs and events that must occur before the Lord will come in glory. They include events that have already happened, some that are now occurring, and others that will yet come to pass as predicted by ancient and modern prophets.

We discussed: What must happen on the earth before the Savior returns? We referred back to 1st list and add new suggestions…

Some of the many signs and prophecies include: the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood and of the Church, the restoration of temple and priesthood ordinances, the preaching of the gospel to the world, the destruction of the wicked, and the saving of the righteous.

I then showed then the following video, created by David Christenson



Again, I asked the girls:

What do YOU know about the Second Coming?

We added their thoughts to the first list. They mainly answered to be PREPARED!

These and other events preceding the Second Coming have required and will continue to require a noble generation in order to occur.

It is the responsibility of all members of the Church to help prepare the earth for the return of the Lord through righteousness and through faithful and devoted service. There must be dedicated Saints to receive and carry out the Lord’s instructions and purposes, a generation of strong and unwavering members to continue building the kingdom of God on the earth.

Read the following statement:

“When he comes to us it will be as a glorious, heavenly King. …

“… Building his kingdom has always been the theme of his people. … It is our charge to build Zion—not yet the Lord’s own city of Zion, but the religious, social, and economic order that must precede his coming as a standard to the nations. (D&C 64:42.) We must prepare a generation of sanctified saints who are ready to receive their King. ‘Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come‘ “ (Courtney Lassetter, “When He Comes Again,” Ensign, June 1976, pp. 68–70; italics added).



READ: Doctrine and Covenants 87:8

I asked the Young Women

• What does it mean to “stand … in holy places, and be not moved”?

Again, I asked the girls:

What do YOU know about the Second coming?

This time they references some of the things mentioned in the video.
Be a "Beacons of Righteousness"
Be a light
Be a defense
Be a refuge
Be not only to be good...but Holy men
Be Unity
Be an example of Godliness
Be Charitable
Be a leader
Hunger and thirst for Righteousness
Seek after hope not despair, etc...

This Generation Has Been Chosen to Help Prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming

It is a great privilege to live in the dispensation of the fullness of times. Ancient prophets looked with joyful anticipation to this day when the gospel would be restored and preached among all nations and when final preparations would be made for the second coming of the Savior.

We discussed:
• How can we make sure we are among the faithful who help prepare for the Savior’s return?
• Why and how must we be on guard against worldly conditions that surround us?

We watched the following video:

Again, I asked the girls:

What do YOU know about the Second Coming?

I pointed out that the first time they answered that question their focus was on chaos and fear of the Second Coming. As we learned more about the Second coming our focus changed.

Our focus was not on the calamity of the world, but the testimony of the Saviors return.

We should look forward to the return of our Savior, not to fear it.

I then had the girls glue: What they know about the Second Coming into their scriptures.

I truly believe the Young Women left with hope and the importance of being prepared for our Saviors return and not to be worried about the worldly chaos. I think sometimes we focus of the calamity of the world rather then preparing for the Return of our Savior.

I LOVED preparing for this lesson and have been on a spiritual high all night(believe me...I only got 3 hours of sleep) I was SO excited to share these videos and this lesson with the Young Women.

Thank you David, for creating those videos and sharing them with us. I know EVERYONE loved it!!!

There are only a handful of times in life when I am tested on faith, this was one of them. I didn't think emailing you so late at night, that I would get an answer!!! Thank you for emailing me back and calling! You are truly an inspired man!!!! :-) Thank you!!!