On November 3, 1831, two days after the Lord directed Joseph Smith to publish the Book of Commandments (see D&C 1, section heading), the Prophet received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 133. This revelation was included in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was later assigned a section number. Those who were working with the manuscript originally intended the revelation to be a bookend with section 1 to the revelations included in the 1835 edition. Doctrine and Covenants 133 will be covered in two lessons. This lesson covers the Lord’s command that His people prepare themselves and others for His Second Coming. It also covers prophecies of events associated with His Second Coming and millennial reign.
It may help to know that to “come down upon the world with a curse to judgment” (D&C 133:2) refers to the Lord administering punishment to the wicked at His Second Coming. The phrase “make bare his holy arm” (D&C 133:3) refers to the Lord revealing His strength and power to the world. The phrase “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God” (D&C 133:3) means that all people will see the deliverance God will bring about for those who follow Him.
As you study Doctrine and Covenants 133, think about why the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and our preparations for it are so important.
According to Doctrine and Covenants 133:2, what will happen to the ungodly, or wicked, at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Answer the question by completing the following doctrine with one thing you learn from this verse: At His Second Coming, Jesus Christ will come .
From these verses we learn that the wicked and ungodly will not be prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What can we do to make sure we are prepared?
Complete the following activities in your scripture study journal:
Write the following phrase: helps prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Read Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–16, looking for phrases that could be used to fill in the blank. List at least five phrases under the blank in your scripture study journal.
Select one of the phrases you identified in activity a. Explain why this action is important in preparing us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Explain what blessings you will receive now by applying the action you identified in activity b.
In Old Testament times, the city of Babylon was a place of great wickedness. In these verses, Babylon can be seen as a symbol of both wickedness and worldliness.
Answer the following questions in your scripture study journal:
What might it mean when the Lord directs us to go out from Babylon?
In what ways can we go out from Babylon? How might these things prepare us for the Second Coming?
Notice what the Lord taught in Doctrine and Covenants 133:15 about how we are to leave Babylon. The Lord is saying that when the Bridegroom comes (see verse 10), there will be no time to hastily get things done that should have been done earlier. This is similar to the message taught in the parable of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13; see also D&C 45:56–57). Five of the virgins hastily tried to get ready when the announcement was made that the Bridegroom was coming, but it was too late.
Notice also in Doctrine and Covenants 133:15 what the Lord warned us not to do as we go out from Babylon. You might want to mark what you find.
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boy and father walking away
The Lord has commanded us to leave wickedness and not look back.
Ponder what you think it means to “not look back” (D&C 133:15) after we have removed ourselves from sinful and worldly influences. The concept of not looking back refers to an attempt to totally forsake wickedness and worldliness and not return to former ways. This verse is a warning to us not to long for and then return to our previous lifestyle.
Consider writing the following truth in the margin of your scriptures next to verse 15: If we return to any wickedness and former sins, then we will not be prepared for the Savior’s Second Coming.
Answer the following question in your scripture study journal: What can Latter-day Saint youth do to “not look back” as they try to grow spiritually and come closer to the Savior?
Notice in Doctrine and Covenants 133:9 that the Lord directed His people to gather to the physical location of Zion. Remember that Zion also represents the righteous—those who are pure in heart, united, and dedicated to God’s purposes.
Answer the following question in your scripture study journal: What encouragement would you give to someone who has left Babylon (wickedness and worldliness) and is striving to move toward Zion (righteousness) to help him or her remain faithful?
If you were absent the day your teacher announced a major upcoming test, what would you hope a classmate would do for you?
In Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–15, the Lord also taught the Saints that part of their preparation for the Second Coming included helping others prepare as well. What type of work is the Lord describing in verses 8–10?
Addressing his remarks to prospective missionaries, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about an important responsibility that also applies to all Church members:
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Elder Neil L. Andersen
“One of your important responsibilities is to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior. …
“Your mission will be a sacred opportunity to bring others to Christ and help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. …
“… The world is being prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior in large measure because of the Lord’s work through His missionaries” (“Preparing the World for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 49–51).
Complete the following assignments in your scripture study journal:
Answer the following questions: How do you think helping others prepare for the Second Coming will help you prepare for it as well? What are some additional blessings you will enjoy in your life by helping others prepare for the Second Coming?
Review what you have written about preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Write one thing you feel impressed to do to better prepare yourself or help prepare others for the Second Coming. Write a plan for how you will accomplish this goal.
Reread Doctrine and Covenants 133:16, and identify what will help us be prepared to meet the Lord when He comes. Complete the following principle by filling in the blank with the word you identify: As we , we prepare to meet the Lord.
Answer the following question in your scripture study journal: How does repenting help prepare us for the Second Coming?
The Lord reveals some events associated with the Second Coming and His millennial reign
In Doctrine and Covenants 133:17–35, the Lord announced some of the events associated with His Second Coming and millennial reign on the earth. Read these verses, and consider marking any events that stand out to you. Which events are you most interested in witnessing?
One of the events identified in Doctrine and Covenants 133:21–29 is the return of some of the lost tribes of Israel. Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “The Ten Tribes are to come back like anyone else: by accepting the Book of Mormon and believing the restored gospel. There cannot be two separate and independent church organizations on earth at one and the same time; at least it cannot be in a day when it is possible to govern the Church from one place. The President of the Church holds the keys whereby the Ten Tribes will be led from the lands of the north to their Palestinian homeland. He, not they, will direct their return” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 520–21).
Doctrine and Covenants 133:30–35 describes some of the blessings that the covenant people of the Lord receive that are associated with the Lord’s Second Coming. Because of the promises the Lord made to Ephraim (a son of Joseph) and his tribe, the descendants of Ephraim were to be gathered first in the last days. They have been entrusted with the restored gospel and the priesthood authority and keys that allow them to direct the work of gathering the house of Israel. The Lord’s ultimate goal is to help the whole family of God be crowned with glory and receive all of the blessings made available through the ordinances of the gospel.
By repenting and preparing ourselves and others for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we can joyfully look forward to His coming and also enjoy the blessings that come from living righteously now.
Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal: