Lesson 59: Doctrine and Covenants 45

Doctrine and Covenants 45:9–75, Part 1

Signs Preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Signs all around us testify that the Savior’s Second Coming is near. Some signs are glorious, while others are devastating. This lesson is intended to help students better understand how we can find peace as we observe the signs that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming.

Possible Learning Activities

As you prepare and teach this lesson, keep in mind that “Doctrine and Covenants 45:9–75, Part 2” will focus on preparing for the Second Coming. It will emphasize standing in holy places and taking the Spirit as our guide (see verses 32, 57).

Landmarks

Invite students to think of a popular spot that families in your area like to visit. Ask a volunteer to draw a representation of that spot on one side of the board. Ask another volunteer to draw a representation of your seminary location on the other side of the board. Invite students to think about how they would direct someone unfamiliar with the area to get from the seminary location to the popular spot. Ask them to come to the board and draw or list specific landmarks that the person could watch for as they approach the destination.

Point out that every landmark the person recognizes on the way would give them greater confidence that they are getting nearer to the destination.

• How are these landmarks like the signs that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming?

  You might replace the seminary location on the board with the words “Our day” and replace the popular spot with “The Second Coming” (or display a picture of the Second Coming).

  Invite student to list on the board signs of the Savior’s Second Coming that they are aware of. Remind them not to be concerned about the order of the signs since it has not been fully revealed.

• What feelings do you have when thinking about the signs of the Second Coming?

• Why do you think the Savior wants us to know about these signs?

As you study today, think about how knowing the signs of the Savior’s Second Coming can bring peace and hope to your life.

Signs of the times

Much of Doctrine and Covenants 45 mirrors the Savior’s prophetic sermon given in response to His disciples’ questions about the signs of the Second Coming (see Matthew 24; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1).

To help students understand some of the signs taught by the Savior in section 45, consider displaying the following matching activity or handing out copies of it. You could invite students to work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to match the passages to the signs they describe.

Answers: 1-E, 2-C, 3-B, 4-F, 5-D, 6-A

Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming		Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:24–25	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Jesus will reveal Himself as the Son of God to the Jews on the Mount of Olives.
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–27	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming The gospel will be restored and bring light to the world.
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:28–29	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming War, hatred, and iniquity will abound.
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:31–33	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Signs and wonders will be seen in the heavens and in the earth.
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:40–42	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Israel will be scattered and gathered.
Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming Doctrine and Covenants 45:48–53	Signs of the Savior’s Second Coming There will be sickness and earthquakes in the land. The wicked will harden their hearts toward God, but disciples will stand in holy places.

Be cautious about spending too much time talking about the signs or speculating about their meaning or fulfillment. Much has not yet been revealed, and the Holy Ghost will not testify of false interpretations.

• Which of these do you feel like we are seeing today?

• Why do you think the Savior would want us to know both the hopeful and the disturbing signs?

• How might knowing that Jesus knew these details about our day increase your faith in Him?

How might we respond to the signs of the Second Coming?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 45:35 and Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:23, 39, looking for what the Savior wants His disciples to understand and feel about the signs of His coming.

• What did you find?

  If needed, help students identify the truth that when we see the signs of the Savior’s Second Coming being fulfilled, we can know that His promises to us are being fulfilled.

• How can understanding that truth help us not be troubled by the signs that precede the Second Coming?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Brothers and sisters, we are charged with studying the word of God and heeding the voice of the Spirit, that we may “know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of Man” [Doctrine and Covenants 68:11].

We are, therefore, not ignorant of the challenges of the world, nor are we unaware of the difficulties of our times. But this does not mean that we should burden ourselves or others with constant fear. Rather than dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness, and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart for the return of Jesus the Christ?

As His covenant people, we need not be paralyzed by fear because bad things might happen. Instead, we can move forward with faith, courage, determination, and trust in God as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 106)

• What stands out to you from this statement?

• With all the chaos that is happening and will happen in the world, what evidence have you seen that Jesus Christ is in control?

Read the parable taught by the Savior in Doctrine and Covenants 45:36–38. Think about how the leaves of a tree can help us know how far away summer is.

Rather than reading the parable, you might show the video “Be Not Troubled” (5:14), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• How are the leaves of the tree in this parable like the signs of the times the Savior has given us?

• How could this parable help those who live in the last days to not be troubled?

To help students demonstrate their understanding of the principle discussed in this lesson, consider displaying the following scenario and inviting them to respond. Alternatively, you might invite them to provide details for the scenario, such as the friend’s name and specific events preceding the Savior’s Second Coming that many young people are concerned about.

Imagine that a friend has learned about the troubling signs that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming. Because of recent earthquakes nearby, she feels that some of these signs are already happening and is troubled about what is yet to come. She worries about how these events will impact her future.

Invite students to write some counsel to this friend in their journals based on what they have learned today. The following questions could be helpful writing prompts.

Alternatively, students could discuss responses to the scenario in pairs or small groups.

• What scripture could help your friend better understand the Savior’s goodness and the events preceding His coming?

  It would be helpful to display Elder Uchtdorf’s statement from earlier in the lesson while students respond to the following question.

• What insights from Elder Uchtdorf’s statement could help your friend? Why?

• How could trying to see the signs from an eternal perspective help her?

You might conclude by inviting students to share the hope they feel about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Additional Resources

What do we have to look forward to between now and the Savior’s Second Coming?

President Russell M. Nelson shared:

Experiencing [Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s] love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory” [Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36], He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful. (Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Nothing lifts my desire to speak of Christ more than visualizing His return. …

Can you imagine being caught up to meet Him, whether on this side or the other side of the veil? That is His promise to the righteous. This amazing experience will mark our souls forever. (Neil L. Andersen, “We Talk of Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2020, 91)

How can we view the challenge of living in the latter days with an eternal perspective?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf made the following observation about living in the latter days:

One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world.

Certainly our world has always been, and will continue to be, imperfect. Far too many innocent people suffer because of circumstances of nature as well as from man’s inhumanity. The corruption and wickedness in our day are unique and alarming.

But in spite of all this, I wouldn’t trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a day of unparalleled prosperity, enlightenment, and advantage. Most of all, we are blessed to have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us a unique perspective on the world’s dangers and shows us how to either avoid these dangers or deal with them.

When I think of these blessings, I want to fall to my knees and offer praises to our Heavenly Father for His never-ending love for all of His children. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 105–6)

Doctrine and Covenants 45:25, 28, 30. What are “the times of the Gentiles”?

If it would be helpful, you might explain that “the times of the Gentiles” refers to the period starting with the Restoration (Doctrine and Covenants 45:28), when the Gentiles (non-Jews) would have the opportunity to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. This time will end in the generation when the Gentiles “turn their hearts from [the Lord] because of the precepts of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:29–30).

Supplemental Learning Activities

Finding joy while we live in the last days

You might conclude the lesson by encouraging students to find joy amid the tribulations of the last days. You could share this statement from President Russell M. Nelson:

“You will have days when you will be discouraged. So pray for courage not to give up! Sadly, some who you thought were your friends will betray you. And some things will simply seem unfair.

“However, I promise you that as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy. As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, and as you defend the Church and kingdom of God on the earth today, the Lord will bless you with strength and wisdom to accomplish what only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can accomplish.” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming,” Ensign, Apr. 2020, 17)

You might invite students to share how they have experienced the peace and joy of following Jesus Christ during difficult times.

Alternate way to start the lesson

Consider starting this lesson by displaying three different pictures of trees: one with fall colors, one with snow and no leaves, and one with budding leaves. Students could share how far away summer is in each picture. You could then read Doctrine and Covenants 45:36–38, comparing the Savior’s parable to the signs preceding His Second Coming. You might draw a tree with bare branches on the board and add a leaf for each sign students discover during the lesson, writing the sign in the leaf.