1/16/2019 - Section 133:7-17

January 16, 2019

Section 133:7-17

Missionary Work Important Of, 10 Virgins Parable, Second Coming Our Preparations, Lord Comes to his Temples,

In this “appendix” to the D&C, the Lord stresses the importance of missionary work. This is the very way that Christ did when his last words on earth to were “…And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (acts 1:8) If these are his last words then, and they are some of his last words in the D&C, then they must be of the greatest importance. And these are also the things that President Nelson is emphasising now. Here we are in the Philippines, trying to keep the missionaries healthy and safe. We are doing out best in this great back-up role. I am so tired! And yet if the Savior came to me and asked me to work harder and longer, I would do so in a heartbeat! And isn’t he doing just that in this verse?

V 10 speaks of preparing ourselves by Awakening and by Arising and by coming out to great the Bridegroom. The James E Talmage gave the best explanation of this event that I have yet read: “The story itself is based on oriental marriage customs, with which the Lord’s attentive listeners were familiar. It was and yet is common in those lands, particularly in connection with marriage festivities among the wealthy classes, for the bridegroom to go to the home of the bride, accompanied by his friends in processional array, and later to conduct the bride to her new home with a larger body of attendants composed of groomsmen, bridesmaids, relatives and friends. As the bridal party progressed, to the accompaniment of gladsome music, it was increased by little groups who had gathered in waiting at convenient places along the route, and particularly near the end of the course where organised companies came forth to meet the advancing procession. Wedding ceremonies were appointed for the evening and night hours; and the necessary use of torches and lamps gave brilliancy and added beauty to the scene.” (Jesus the Christ, p 577) The study guide adds other interesting information: “Often at such wedding processions, the appearance of the groom came after a long wait. Bridesmaids carried a small lamp and a supply of oil to help light the way when the wedding party appeared.  President Kimball taught that the oil that the wise virgins had and the foolish did not have represents individual righteousness.”  And after this warning from the past, He gives us our warning for the future: v 11 “Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.” And let us “flee unto Zion” (v 12)

Elder Bruce R McConkie wrote: “Question: Does or will anyone know when the Lord will come? Answer: As to the day and hour, No, as to the generation, Yes.   Question Who shall know the generation? Answer: The saints, the children of light, those who can read the signs of the time, those who treasure up the Lord’s word so they will not be deceived. Paul told the Thessalonians that ‘the coming to the Lord’ would be ‘as travail upon a woman with child’; that where people of the world are concerned Jesus would come ‘as a thief in the night; that is unexpectedly and without warning; but that when ‘the children of light’ are concerned, the Lord would not come as ‘a thief in the night,’ for they are aware of the ‘ties and seasons connected with his return. (1 Thes 4:13-18, 5:1-7) Thus, though the saints do not know the day, they are aware of the season. As a woman in travail feels the pains of the approaching birth, so the saints read the signs of the times; neither knows the exact moment of the anticipated happening, but both know the approximate time.”

As I read writings of Bruce R McConkie, along with other writings, my understanding is that there will be a temple in Jackson County Missouri, and also a temple in Jerusalem. Moriah is a hill in the city of Jerusalem, on which David located the site of the Temple, and on which his son Solomon built it, and it was called the mountain of the house of the Lord.

President Gordon B Hinckley gave an additional meaning to the phrase ‘mountain of the Lord’s house’ when he spoke at the dedication of the Conference Center on Oct 8, 2000. “I believe [Isaiah 2:2-3] applies to the historic and wonderful Salt Lake Temple. But I believe also that it is related to this magnificent hall. For it is from this pulpit that the law of God shall go forth, together with the word and testimony of the Lord.” (In Conference report Oct 2000, p 89)

And then the Lord’s instructions, specifically to us in v’s 15-16: “…let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you, and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him. Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen…hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men every where to repent. For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh—“