By Danielle Ellis

Three years after Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the young Prophet, now 17 years of age, “prayed earnestly for direction and for forgiveness of his youthful ‘sins and follies’ (Joseph Smith—History 1:29). In answer to his prayer, a heavenly messenger named Moroni appeared.

“[He] proclaimed himself to be an angel of God,” Joseph recalled, “sent to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled, that the preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah was speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the Gospel in all its fullness to be preached in power, unto all nations that a people might be prepared for the Millennial reign” (emphasis added). (“The Life and Ministry of Joseph Smith,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith).

We learn some very interesting things from Moroni’s visit. First, it was time for God to fulfill the covenant made with ancient Israel. Second, it was time to prepare for the second coming of the Savior. Third, the gospel must be preached to all nations that “a people might be prepared for the Millennial reign” of Jesus Christ.

So for one hundred eighty-five years the Lord has been working, through the instrument of his prophets and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to prepare a covenant people to welcome the Savior.

The Church in Joseph Smith’s day was filled with millennial fervor. New converts thrilled at the thought of preparing for the Savior’s glorious return. They uprooted families and endured persecution for the blessings of building Zion. The first generation passed away to their eternal reward. Then their children passed on, and their children.

After so many generations waiting in vain to welcome the Savior, many saints seem to have grown complacent, thinking the day is still distant. They have forgotten the countless prophetic warnings that the world will change drastically and that we have been warned to “watch and be ready.”

As the signs of the times have been increasing in frequency and severity, so have the warnings from our prophets, seers and revelators. Indeed, all of 2007 found specific and frequent statements in the Ensign on preparation for adversity and the Second Coming.

While the signs of the times can invoke fear and trembling, I have found peace in the Lord’s pattern repeated almost continuously throughout the scriptures. In every instance before the destruction comes, the Lord leads the righteous away to a safe place.

But then the real work begins. He doesn’t just park them in a secret location until the danger has passed, He goes to work to make them a Zion people, a people who look to Him in all things, abide by His word and keep His covenants. Through tests and challenges, he teaches them faith, the real power of the priesthood, and the value of being “saved” both physically and spiritually.

When the Lord’s people are gathered through priesthood authority away from their old, comfortable lives, he can commune with them in ways He could not before. One example (although there are many) is Lehi’s family.

Think of Nephi, full of faith and confidence when they left Jerusalem. Through years of trials in the wilderness, having the Liahona provided for direction, building a ship by revelation, sailing to a land of promise, Nephi’s faith and testimony become unshakable.

After his father’s death, Nephi wrote his psalm, and proclaimed, “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me” (2 Nephi 4: 20-22). He went on to say, “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever” (2 Nephi 4: 34).

Nephi overcame the trials of the world, and in so doing he was prepared to meet His Lord. His heart had been purified; he had been tried and found faithful in adversity.

Are you prepared?