As we help prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we are already witnessing “signs of the times.” Although we often focus on frightening examples like wars, earthquakes, and widespread commotion, we can find comfort in remembering the many hopeful signs foreshadowing His return.

We are blessed to see abundant manifestations of the Lord’s power and love on the Earth today—and there are many more miracles ahead. As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again.”

Here are four hopeful signs of Christ’s Second Coming.

Prophecies that the gospel will be preached to all the world and in every language are being fulfilled before our eyes. Here are just a few examples:

• As of December 2024, the Church has more than 74,000 full-time teaching missionaries. They serve in over 150 countries, teaching the gospel in over 60 languages.  

  • These numbers continue to increase, as the Church opened 36 new missions in July 2024. This brought the total number of missions to 450, the highest it has been in Church history.  
    

• In 2023, the Church released a new edition of Preach My Gospel. President Nelson said of the update:

  • “This new edition comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing and reflects a sensitivity to many of those changes. It contains some of the best instruction I have ever seen to help people accept the Lord’s invitation to come unto Him.” 
    

• Technology makes it easier than ever for missionaries and members alike to access gospel resources and spread light across the globe.  

  • For example, the Gospel Library app makes it possible to study the scriptures and decades of general conference talks and other resources almost instantly—and in accessible formats across many languages.  
    
  • We can conveniently share uplifting messages through social media and messaging apps, reaching people where they are and in the ways they need.  
    
  • Today’s world also offers unmatched opportunities to learn from Apostles, General Authorities, and General Officers of the Church through platforms like social media posts, devotional broadcasts, Facebook and Instagram live Q&A events, and news updates. 

As of July 2025, there are currently 383 temples dedicated, under construction, or announced and in the planning stage. Of these temples, President Nelson has announced 200 over only the last seven years—52.4 percent of all the temples. In June 2025, he dedicated the Syracuse Utah Temple, which is the fifth new temple he’s dedicated since becoming an apostle and the 206th temple of the Church.

This rapid growth in temple construction reflects the Lord’s desire to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. As President Nelson said in the April 2025 conference:

The Church’s focus on temple work is a key fulfillment of the prophecy that “the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers” before the Lord returns (see Doctrine and Covenants 2:1–3).

An important preparation for gathering Israel on both sides of the veil is family history work. As of June 2025, the Church operates 6,082 local family history centers in 142 countries, with 13.16 billion searchable names in historical records and 40.15 million monthly visits.

We are witnessing an outpouring of prophetic guidance for the Church today as the Lord prepares us for His Second Coming. Just a few examples include:

• Adjustments to temple work  

• Updates to the General Handbook 

• Growing resources for home-centered, Church-supported learning  

This continuing revelation demonstrates the Lord’s love for us and desire to prepare us for the days ahead. Speaking about adapting to procedural adjustments in the temple and building a spiritual foundation, President Nelson said:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown exponentially since its first six members met together in 1830—and it continues to grow today. As President Dallin H. Oaks reflected, “When I was born in Utah in 1932, our Church membership was only about 700,000, clustered mostly in Utah and nearby states. … Today the membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints numbers more than 17 million in about 170 nations.”

We continue to witness the expansion of Zion throughout the globe. Between 2023 and 2024, total Church membership increased by 1.47 percent, and the total of new members baptized increased by 22.6 percent. The Church currently has over 31,000 congregations across the world.

Programs like ministering, Relief Society and elders quorum councils, the global initiative for women and children, seminary and institute, and Come, Follow Me build unity both collectively across the Church and locally in homes, wards, branches, and stakes.

The Church is also rolling out a revised, unified hymnbook that will reflect the same songs and page numbers across languages and age groups.

In the days ahead, the Lord will prepare His disciples with power, strength, and protection. Elder Neil L. Andersen has taught:

Learn more about preparing for the Second Coming by reading the articles below:
▶ 10 ways Pres. Nelson has invited you to prepare for the Second Coming
▶ 2 simple ways to prepare your children for the Second Coming
▶ Ask yourself this question to feel more prepared for the Second Coming

Editor’s note: This article originally ran on LDSLiving.com in August 2024. It has been updated to reflect statistics as of July 2025.

Read more about the Second Coming

Originally published in 1971, The Coming of the Lord by Gerald N. Lund became an instant bestseller and has remained continuously in print for nearly 50 years. Now, this trusted resource has been fully updated and rewritten to reflect the latest prophetic teachings and a growing sense of urgency as the Lord hastens His work. As we study and come to understand the words of ancient and modern prophets, we can learn how to “abide the day of his coming” (Doctrine and Covenants 61:39). More than simply “surviving” or “enduring” the day of His coming and the events leading up to it, we will be able to look forward to the Savior’s return with peace, calm, rest, and safety.

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