Preparing for the Savior's Second Coming- Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38; Joseph Smith-Matthew

We do not know when the Savior will return, but we do know that He will return. When that day comes, we must be prepared to meet Him; we must be righteous; and, we must be His faithful disciples.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36)

How will we know of Jesus' Second Coming?

As Jesus sat with His disciples on the mount of Olives, they asked Him what they should do in preparation of His return. He told them of false prophets and of those who would be posing as the returned Christ. He also told of those who would persecute those who believed in Him. And He shared that no one, not even He knew when this day would be, except for the Father. (Matthew 24:36) 

As we read these scriptures and of the signs that He gave the disciples, we can feel comfort in knowing, "Behold, I have foretold you all things.” (Mark 13:23)

"Take heed lest any man deceive you" (Mark 13:5)
"Take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them" (Mark 13:9)
"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning" (Mark 13:35)
"And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13:37)

How do we prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

To prepare for the Second Coming, we must make sure that we are in a "holy place" spiritually and virtuously. (D&C 87:8)  We must be faithful, true to our covenants, righteous in our thoughts and in our actions. We must be witnesses of our Savior and our Father in Heaven, hold fast to our beliefs. And, we mustn't procrastinate, for we do not know when this day will come. We must always be ready for His return.

"And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by 
Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled” (JS-M 1:32) 

"And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (JS-M 1:37)
"And what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come” (JS-M 1:46)

Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods” (JS-M 1:50)
"Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17)
"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. (v56) For 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” (v57) (D&C 45:56–57)