In 1831, the exact circumstances and details of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ generated a lot of speculation among the Saints. Joseph Smith asked those questions to God and received an answer. Doctrine and Covenants section 45 is known as the Second Coming section, and while it does not predict when Jesus will come again, it does give us doctrine and signs to watch for—revelation that can help prepare us for when He does return someday.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 45 (To the joy of the Saints)
CR: D&C 45 in Joseph Smith Papers
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 45:7 (Dark doesn’t understand light)
Names of Christ Scripture Chain:
D&C 45:3 (Advocate)
D&C 45:7 (I AM, Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, light and life)
D&C 45:8 (Name)
D&C 45:11 (God of Enoch)
D&C 45:26 (Christ)
D&C 45:34,45,47-49,52 (The Lord)
D&C 45:52 (I AM, Jesus, Son of God)
Words of the General Authorities:
One simple way we get to know someone is by learning their name…Jesus knew and called people by name. To ancient Israel, the Lord said, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine”…Just as Jesus knows each of us by name, one way we can come to better know Jesus is by learning His many names…Many of Jesus’s names are titles that help us understand His mission, purpose, character, and attributes. As we come to know Jesus’s many names, we will come to better understand His divine mission and His selfless character. Knowing His many names also inspires us to become more like Him. (Jonathan S. Schmitt, “That They Might Know Thee”, October 2022 General Conference)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 45:2 (The Second Coming is like summer ending)
CR: Jeremiah 8:20
D&C 45:35-39 (Parable of the fig tree)
D&C 10:56 (How to *not* follow Christ)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
Matthew 24:36 (No man knows the hour)
CR: Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:40
D&C 45:16-59 (Signs of the coming)
D&C 45:32 (Stand in holy places)
D&C 45:55-57 (Satan is bound)
Words of the General Authorities:
I am called as one of the apostles to be a special witness of Christ in these exciting, trying times, and I do not know when He is going to come again. As far as I know, none of my brethren in the Council of the Twelve or even in the First Presidency know. And I would humbly suggest to you, my young brothers and sisters, that if we do not know, then nobody knows, no matter how compelling their arguments or how reasonable their calculations. The Savior said that “of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (M. Russell Ballard, “When Shall These Things Be?”, BYU Speeches delivered on March 12, 1996)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 45:39-47 (Scary signs)
Isaiah 2:2-3 (Mountain of the Lord)
CR: 2 Nephi 12:2-3
Segment 6
Scriptures:
Moses 7:18 (The city of Enoch)
D&C 45:66-71 (Zion)
Words of the General Authorities:
It is true that we attend our weekly Church meetings to participate in ordinances, learn doctrine, and be inspired, but another very important reason for attending is that, as a ward family and as disciples of the Savior Jesus Christ, we watch out for one another, encourage one another, and find ways to serve and strengthen each other. We are not just receivers and takers of what is offered at church; we are needed to be givers and suppliers. (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “The Needs before Us”, October 2017 General Conference)
The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team’s jersey we want to wear (Jeffrey R. Holland, recorded in When Times Are Tough, 2004, John Bytheway)
Study Helps:
The tribulations and judgments that will be poured out upon the world prior to the Second Coming will be so extensive and devastating that if the Lord did not prepare a means of preservation, His people too would perish. But He has prepared a means for His people to escape those terrible times; that means is Zion. (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual (Seminaries and Institutes), Section 45: “Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord”)
In the terrible times that precede the coming of the Savior, there will be no safety or security anywhere upon the earth except in Zion, which will be governed by the laws of God and protected by the power of God. (A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, Stephen E. Robinson & H. Dean Garrett, page 69, from a quote by Joseph Smith found in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 71 & 161)
View transcript here.