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Young Women Manual 1

The Second Coming

"Lesson 29: The Second Coming," Young Women Manual 1, (2002),125

OBJECTIVE

Each young woman will recognize the responsibilities her generation has to prepare for the Second Coming.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Teacher presentation

Begin by telling the young women that throughout the history of the world, kings and queens have ruled many of the earth's people. Some of these kings and queens have been righteous monarchs who treated their subjects justly. Others have been wicked rulers who used their power to abuse the people they ruled. These rulers have not been worthy of their people's loyalty.

Tell the young women that faithful people everywhere have long looked forward to the reign of a king so just and loving that he is worthy to be called the "King of Kings."

Picture

Display the picture of the Savior. Explain that the generation the young women are part of has been called a "royal generation" because the valiant among them will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior.

Chalkboard discussion

Ask the young women to name some of the qualities that might describe the youth of the royal generation, whose king is Jesus Christ. List the words on the chalkboard and discuss them briefly:

choice
righteous
joyful
worthy
pure
faithful
favored
clean
happy
courageous
great
loving
true
strong

 
Quotation

Have a class member read the following statement addressed to the young people of the Church:

"My dear friends, you are a royal generation. You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. ... If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here" (H. Burke Peterson, "Your Life Has a Purpose," New Era, May 1979, p. 5).

The Earth Must Be Made Ready for the Savior's Return

Teacher presentation

Point out that those who are righteous look forward with great joy to the second coming of the Lord. It is a blessing to be among those who may help prepare the earth for his coming. Explain that there are many signs and events that must occur before the Lord will come in glory. They include events that have already happened, some that are now occurring, and others that will yet come to pass as predicted by ancient and modern prophets.

Discussion

Some of the many signs and prophecies include: the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood and of the Church, the restoration of temple and priesthood ordinances, the preaching of the gospel to the world, the destruction of the wicked, and the saving of the righteous. (Note: Do not spend time discussing all of the signs and events that must precede the Lord's return.)

Teacher presentation

Point out that these and other events preceding the Second Coming have required and will continue to require a noble generation in order to occur. (Note: If the word generation is defined only in the usual way-meaning a short span of time, perhaps thirty to forty years-class members might wrongly assume that we know approximately when the Savior will return. Point out that the term generation has several different meanings, including a time span of a thousand years. [See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), p. 310.]) It is the responsibility of all members of the Church to help prepare the earth for the return of the Lord through righteousness and through faithful and devoted service. There must be dedicated Saints to receive and carry out the Lord's instructions and purposes, a generation of strong and unwavering members to continue building the kingdom of God on the earth.

Quotation

Read the following statement:

"When he comes to us it will be as a glorious, heavenly King. ...

"... Building his kingdom has always been the theme of his people. ... It is our charge to build Zion-not yet the Lord's own city of Zion, but the religious, social, and economic order that must precede his coming as a standard to the nations. (D&C 64:42.) We must prepare a generation of sanctified saints who are ready to receive their King. 'Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come' " (Courtney Lassetter, "When He Comes Again," Ensign, June 1976, pp. 68-70; italics added).

Scripture discussion

Display the poster of Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 or refer to it on the chalkboard.

After the young women have expressed their ideas, have them mark the verse in their scriptures.

This Generation Has Been Chosen to Help Prepare for the Savior's Second Coming

Teacher presentation

Tell the young women that it is a great privilege to live in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Ancient prophets looked with joyful anticipation to this day when the gospel would be restored and preached among all nations and when final preparations would be made for the second coming of the Savior.

Discussion
Quotations

Use any or all of the following quotations to summarize the role of the "rising generation." You could ask class members to read aloud the statements that describe the challenges and responsibilities of our times and that express the Lord's expectations for the youth of the Church.

Handout

Give each young woman the card that you have prepared for her containing the words you have chosen to remind her of her royal role. Ask her to keep it where she may refer to it often.

Conclusion

Hymn

Sing or read together all the verses of the hymn "Come, O Thou King of Kings" (Hymns,no. 59).

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