Preparing for the Coming of the Lord.

The 13th chapter of Mark is an excellent resource for us when we are pondering what needs to be done to be prepared for the second coming of the Lord.

The phrase 'take heed' is used repeatedly in this chapter as a warning and an instruction from the Lord. 'Take heed' can be used like, 'beware,' being just a simple warning. But I believe that there is more to what the Lord is telling us than that. 'Take heed...' He says; and I believe that He means for us to do just that.

'Take' is an action word. We are to get or acquire something. 'Heed' is a word that generally means to listen to council, or to consider suggestions given; but also it means to obey them. Thus, I believe that the Lord is telling us that he wants us to take heed from Him. How do we do that? Probably the most obvious answers to that question are to seek to know him and his will through diligent prayer and scripture study. One might go to the temple, fast, worship at church, sing hymns, and perform other labors that come to us by assignment and calling as we seek to 'take heed.'

We have been warned that subtle and crafty will be the works of the devil that he will have power to deceive even the very elect. How do we avoid this? The promise that is given to those who take heed is that they will not be deceived in the last day.

In D&C 87:8 the Lord tells us that it is extremely important to be doing these things constantly, consistently. We need to stand "in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come".

It has also been told to us that we need to study the signs that are going to be given to us to know when the coming of the Lord is close at hand. Those signs are in the scriptures and will help us to be prepared not fear.

We are reminded of the ten virgins in the forty fifth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and told that it is those who receive the truth, and take the Holy Ghost as their guide that are prepared for return of the Lord. I think of this charge as being on a 'truth quest'. We should be driven to know the truth, pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and for the sense and humility to recognize and follow his guidance.

When we do these things, where ever we are in life, we can be prepared for what will come.

Don't forget your daily dose of scripture!