Institute
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–55 Jesus Christ Taught Us to Prepare for His Second Coming


“Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–55,” The Pearl of Great Price Teacher Manual (2017)

“Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–55,” The Pearl of Great Price Teacher Manual

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–55

Jesus Christ Taught Us to Prepare for His Second Coming

Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

Suggestions for Teaching

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–39. “Even at the Doors”

Ask students how they know when the weather is going to change. Invite a student to read Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–39 aloud. Ask students what “at the doors” means to them. Display the following statement by Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and invite a student to read it aloud:

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James E. Talmage

“Many of us are prone to think that the day of His coming, the day of the setting up of the Kingdom of Heaven in its power and glory is yet far distant. … How would you feel if authoritative proclamation were made here today that on the literal morrow, when the sun shall rise again in the east, the Lord would appear in His glory to take vengeance upon the wicked, and to establish His Kingdom upon the earth? Who amongst you would rejoice? The pure in heart would, the righteous in soul would, but many of us would wish to have the event put off. … We are very loath to accept and believe that which we do not want to believe, and the world today does not wish to believe that the coming of Christ is near at hand, and consequently all kinds of subterfuges are invented for explaining away the plain words of scripture. … It has long been a favorite excuse of men who were not ready for the advent of the Lord, to say, ‘The Lord delayeth His coming.’ Don’t attach too much importance to the fact that He has thus far delayed His coming, for He has repeatedly told us that the day of His coming is very, very near, even at our doors” (James E. Talmage, in Conference Report, Apr. 1916, 129–30).

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40, 46. “No One Knoweth”

Write the following statement on the board: The Second Coming is tomorrow. Invite a student to read Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40, 46 aloud. Discuss what a person might do if he or she knew the exact day and hour of the Second Coming. Discuss reasons why the Lord would not want anyone to know the exact time of His Second Coming. Compare this to how one would respond if he or she knew the exact day that he or she would die and how that would interfere with the mortal test of walking by faith in God (see Abraham 3:25–26). Explain to students that many false teachers have claimed over the ages to know when the Second Coming would be and have deceived many people. Invite a student to read Doctrine and Covenants 64:23–25 aloud. Encourage students to prepare “today,” so they will be ready for the Second Coming “tomorrow.”

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Video presentation—“The Gardener”

You may want to show the video “The Gardener” (3:54) to illustrate the importance of preparing for the Lord’s Second Coming. This video is available on LDS.org.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:41–48. “In Such an Hour As Ye Think Not”

Invite students to share about times they have been totally surprised by events in the news or in their personal lives. Ask a few students to take turns reading Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:41–48 aloud. Explain why the righteous will not be surprised by the Second Coming (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:4–9; D&C 45:37–39, 56–57; 68:11; 106:4–5).

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:49–55. Servants

Discuss the roles of servant and lord (master). How would a master feel about servants who are not diligent? Invite a few students to take turns reading Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:49–55 aloud while the rest of the class follows along. Ask students to identify and discuss phrases in these verses that teach us how to be better “servants.”