Doctrine and Covenants 27-29 | March 24 - April 6 | Come Follow Church History with Lynne Wilson
Mar 17, 2025
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Delve into the signs and plagues associated with the Lord's Return and discover what Zion truly means for believers. Explore the diverse religious landscape of early America, featuring fascinating movements like the Shaking Quakers and the Millerites. Gain insights into millennial expectations and the disappointments faced by past believers. Unpack the sacrament's importance in preparing for Christ's Second Coming and learn how personal righteousness can help shape a Zion-like community.
The establishment of a Zion society is essential for preparing both individuals and communities for the Lord's Second Coming.
The sacrament serves a dual role in Christian life, acting as a memorial of Christ's atonement and a preparation for His return.
Deep dives
Understanding the Establishment of Zion
Zion is presented as a central theme in the doctrine concerning the Lord's Second Coming, with references throughout the Doctrine and Covenants indicating a significant focus on establishing a Zion society. The podcast highlights the historical background that enriches the conversation about Zion, illustrating how early Christian traditions influenced the understanding of its role in the last days. Sections 27 and 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants establish that becoming a Zion people is a prerequisite for the Second Coming of the Lord, stressing that the church is meant to prepare individuals and communities for this event. With over 64% of the sections mentioning aspects of the Second Coming, it becomes evident that this message is imperative for the church's mission.
Significance of the Sacrament
The sacrament is depicted as not merely a memorial of Christ's atonement but also as a means of preparing for His Second Coming, highlighting its dual role in the faith practice. The podcast shares Joseph Smith's revelation about the sacrament, emphasizing that when believers partake of it, they spiritually prepare themselves and reflect on both past and future events in the gospel narrative. Furthermore, the sacrament meeting is framed as an anticipation of that great future day when Christ will partake with His followers anew, thus enhancing the sacredness of this ritual. Borrowing imagery from the scripture, the podcast asserts that participating in the sacrament equips believers with spiritual armor to navigate future tribulations.
Comparative Eschatology
The podcast explores historical interpretations of eschatology during the time of Joseph Smith, particularly contrasting pre-millennial and post-millennial views, shaping a diverse religious landscape in early America. The beliefs of various groups, including the Millerites and the followers of Ann Lee, are discussed as emblematic of the era's fervent anticipation of the Second Coming, which was rife with various predictions and interpretations. These movements underscore how common the concerns over the end times were among different religious sects, but verify that Joseph Smith's teachings offered distinct revelations about the timing and nature of Christ's return. This background illustrates how Joseph's restoration of doctrine was both a continuation and a departure from the prevailing eschatological views of his time.
Preparation for Christ's Return
Preparation for the Second Coming is emphasized as a collective responsibility for members, with specific actions required to establish a Zion society characterized by unity, faithfulness, and service. The podcast conveys that the church's mission includes not only gathering Israel but also removing spiritual and physical poverty among its members, thus enhancing community resilience in the face of future challenges. Elders and prophets encourage believers to actively seek to fulfill their roles as servants of God, progressing towards collectively becoming a Zion people in anticipation of the return of Christ. Notably, it is underscored that calamities can be mitigated when individuals and the community align their efforts toward righteousness and preparedness, reinforcing a proactive approach in faith.
In this episode of Come, Follow Church History from Scripture Central, Lynne Hilton Wilson explains the events, signs, plagues and Christian understanding of the Lord's Return. She also explains the meaning of Zion and how members of the Church can become a Zion society.
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