Stand in Holy Places and Be Not Moved

Come Follow Me September 14-20

“And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign which has been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of the land. And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.”

Book of Mormon 3rd Nephi 7:5-6

The Book of Mormon was written for our day and the parallels we draw from this lesson are unmistakable. Nephites had seen signs of the birth of Christ and were now looking for the signs of His death and resurrection. Every day we see signs His second coming is approaching. We have more evidence the Lord fulfills His promises than any generation in history. The Lord has put in our hands (literally) light, knowledge, warnings, and promises to help us prepare the world for His return. We have 2020 vision of past events that should give us confidence in the prophecies of future events.

During this 200th anniversary of the First Vision, which initiated the Restoration, we know the Lord’s plan and we are encouraged by two centuries of its blessings through His restored Church. In this year of 2020, we have what is popularly called 20/20 vision for the events of the past.

The Great Plan
By President Dallin H. Oaks
First Counselor in the First Presidency

So Far This Year ….

“While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us,” said Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. Biblical and modern prophecies, he said, give many signs of the Second Coming: the fullness of the gospel restored and preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; false Christs and false prophets, deceiving many; wars and rumors of wars, with nation rising against nation; earthquakes in divers places; famine and pestilence; an overflowing scourge, a desolate sickness covering the land; iniquity abounds; the whole earth in commotion; and men’s hearts fail them. A parable that contains important and challenging teachings on this subject is the parable of the 10 virgins, added Elder Oaks. “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling,” he said. “The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when He came.”

Deseret New, Church News
8 APR 2004

Those Nephites and Lamanites who were spared and meet Jesus Christ, had three things in common.

• They received the prophets
• They were gathered at the temple
• Their focus was on Jesus Christ

“And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared.”

Book of Mormon 3rd Nephi 10:12

“And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place. And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.”

Book of Mormon 3rd Nephi 11:1-2

Our safety lies in following the same pattern. Listen and obey council from the Prophet, be worthy of a temple recommend, and focus every part of your life around Jesus Christ. Stand in holy places so He can provide you security and peace.

“O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.”

Book of Mormon 3rd Nephi 10:6

This week make one small change that will help you stand firm in holy places. Some potential ideas might be the following. Please feel free to leave comments and share with others your own ideas to help you “Stand in Holy Places.”

• Read conference talks looking for specific direction for improvement in your life.
• Read the temple interview questions. What areas do you feel good about? Are there areas you feel you need to work on?
• Try living this week as though Jesus Christ were a house guest. What would you change?
• Ask yourself, “What do I need to start doing?” and “What do I need to stop doing?”

Allow Him to gather you and provide you with protection.