| Response |
We look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; in fact, we often quote passages from the scriptures emphasizing events that were predicted to take place before the Lord's return. Here are a few:
1 NOW we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first. (2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 3)
This prophecy by Paul referring to the second coming emphatically states that it would not occur until after a falling away. History clearly shows that after the death of the apostles, the Church which Christ organized disintegrated because of the lack of divine revelation and the organization, the ordinances such as baptism were changed and the priesthood authority to perform the ordinances was lost. Because of the lack of divine revelation through prophets, the world slipped into the dark ages where Satan, the man of sin reigned.
19 ΒΆ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19 - 21)
Paul again speaks of the second coming but that he would remain in heaven until all things ever taught by the prophets would be restored to the earth. We claim that The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the result of that restoration which under the direction of the Lord himself the same organization, ordinances and priesthood authority was re-established upon the earth. Latter-day Saints refers to members of Christ's Church in the latter days meaning the days leading up to the Second Coming of Christ.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: (Revelation 14:6 - 7)
The everlasting gospel was restored as heavenly messengers (angels) appeared to the Prophet, Joseph Smith and others to restore the Church, true doctrine (everlasting gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon, another witness of Jesus Christ) and ordinances and the priesthood authority to preach the gospel and perform the ordinances. The hour of his judgment refers to the Second Coming.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)
The 24th Chapter of Matthew is the Lord's explanation of things that would occur in the world leading up to the end of the world and his Second Coming. In verse 14, he explains that one thing that would occur is the gospel would be preached unto all nations before the end. There is one church on the earth, of which I am aware, that has 20 to 25 thousand young men and women each year responding to two year calls to serve as missionaries in various parts of the world. The Church also owns access to a communications satellite over which the preachings of living apostles and prophets preaching are broadcast, this in addition to their worldwide travel ministry along with a few hundred Seventy (see Luke 10:1) who work with them.
We look forward, with great anticipation, to the Lord's second coming and are doing all we can to help prepare the earth for that day.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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