Unit 29: Day 2

Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–74

Introduction

This is the second lesson that covers the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 133. The Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation on November 3, 1831. It answers questions that missionaries had about preaching the gospel and the gathering of Israel. It also describes the Lord’s Second Coming and what we need to do to prepare for it.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–40

The Lord declares that the restored gospel shall be preached to all the world

1. In your scripture study journal, write some of your feelings as you ponder the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Do you feel happy and hopeful about seeing the Savior at the time of His Second Coming? How can our preparation for the Second Coming help us overcome fear?

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be a sweet and wonderful experience for some and a terrifying experience for others—depending on their preparation and personal worthiness.

Study Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–39, looking for evidence that the Savior desires all people to be prepared for His Second Coming.

We have a role in helping to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Based on what you learn in Doctrine and Covenants 133:37–38, complete the following truth: As servants of God, we can help prepare others for the Second Coming by .

According to verse 38, we are to proclaim the gospel “with a loud voice.” What do you think this means?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:40, looking for another thing the servants of God will be doing before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What does this verse suggest about how the righteous feel about the Savior’s coming?

In verse 40, which words indicate the desire of the righteous to see the Lord at His Second Coming? You may want to mark these words in your scriptures.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:41–56

Jesus Christ describes His Second Coming

Study Doctrine and Covenants 133:41–45, looking for the blessings that will come to those who pray and wait for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. You may want to mark what you find.

From verse 45, we learn that the Lord has prepared great blessings for those who wait for Him. You may want to write this principle in your scriptures.

As you read the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, underline what we need to do to faithfully wait for the Lord:

“We must never, in any age or circumstance, let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. There have always been questions about the future. Every young person or every young couple in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty—starting with Adam and Eve in those first tremulous steps out of the Garden of Eden. But that is all right. This is the plan. It will be okay. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need. …

“God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

“God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe” (“Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast” [Brigham Young University fireside address, Sept. 12, 2004], 3; speeches.byu.edu).

Ponder the following question: Will all people know who Jesus Christ is at the time of His Second Coming? Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:46–47, looking for an answer to this question.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:48–49, looking for a description of what Jesus Christ will look like at the time of His Second Coming.

Grapes were trampled in a wine vat or wine press.

To understand the symbolism of the Savior’s red clothing, it is helpful to know the meaning of the term “wine-vat” in verse 48. A wine vat is also called a wine press, which is a large basin filled with grapes. People stomped on the grapes, squeezing the juice out so it could be gathered in containers. As people trampled the grapes, the juice typically stained their clothing a deep red color.

Study Doctrine and Covenants 133:48–51. From these verses we learn of the Lord’s justice and vengeance at His Second Coming.

In the symbol of the wine-press, the grapes represent the wicked, who will be destroyed at the time of the Savior’s Second Coming. His red clothing can be seen as a symbol of His justice.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:52–53, looking for what the righteous will remember and mention at “the year of my redeemed” (D&C 133:52). You may want to mark what you find.

2. In your scripture study journal, write about times when you have felt the Lord’s loving kindness.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:54–56, looking for what will happen to the righteous Saints who die before the Second Coming.

Doctrine and Covenants 133:57–74

The gospel is sent forth to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Search Doctrine and Covenants 133:57–62, looking for truths about why the gospel needs to go forth before the Lord’s Second Coming.

As you learn the gospel and live it, you will be prepared for the Second Coming. Doctrine and Covenants 133:62 indicates another blessing you can receive. Refer to this verse to complete the following statement: Those who and sanctify themselves shall be given .

You might see a connection between the principle in verse 62 and the principle you identified earlier in verse 45—that the Lord has prepared great blessings for those who wait for Him.

3. Answer the following question in your scripture study journal: How does the principle in verse 62 relate to the principle you identified in verse 45?

Identify Connections in the Scriptures

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “A connection is a relationship or link between ideas, people, things, or events, and the scriptures are full of connections. … Prayerfully identifying, learning about, and pondering such connections—the similarities and differences, for example—is a primary source of living water and yields inspired insights and treasures of hidden knowledge” (“A Reservoir of Living Water,” [Brigham Young University fireside address, Feb. 4, 2007], 4; speeches.byu.edu). Try using this scripture study skill in your personal study.

In Doctrine and Covenants 133:63–74, we read about consequences for those who will not repent and prepare for the Second Coming. Some of these consequences include being cut off from the Lord and being “delivered over unto darkness” (D&C 133:72).

4. Reread Doctrine and Covenants 133:66–67, 70–71, which contains the Lord’s words to people who do not receive Him. Then, in your scripture study journal, summarize the choices of the people described in these verses.

For those who have had the opportunity to receive the Lord but did not receive Him, the Second Coming will be a time of sadness. But if we accept the Lord’s invitation to receive Him, obey His voice, and believe and receive His servants, the Second Coming will be a glorious day for us.

5. Imagine that the Savior has returned to the earth today. Would you rejoice in His presence with those who have waited for Him? In your scripture study journal, write one thing you will do so the Savior’s Second Coming will be a joyful experience for you.

6. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture journal:

   I have studied Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–74 and completed this lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like share with my teacher: