My Lesson I Taught In Relief Society = Millennium & The Final Judgment

Heavenly Fathers eternal plan, progressing toward perfection, what we need to do in this life to prepare for the millennium, and what eternal life will consist after this life. I taught a lesson in Relief Society on the Millennium and the Final Judgment. I feel that there are many particular principles in the proclamation that pertain to our preparation for the Millennium and the Final Judgment.      

In reality, every day is a day of judgment. What must we do to be ready for the Final Judgment? – repent! Seek to know His will and fulfill the calling that He has laid out for you! We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit. We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. The gospel is the law of the celestial kingdom. All the priesthood ordinances necessary for our progression have been revealed. We have entered the waters of baptism and have made a covenant to live Christlike lives. If we are faithful and keep the covenants we have made, the Lord has told us what our judgment will be. He will say unto us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”.  All of these principles mentioned in the proclamation help prepare us for the millennium and lead us to eternal life. 

Talk/Lesson:

    Millennium

Alright, so how would you guys like to live during a time of complete peace, love, joy, along with no temptation, or pain…? I think that’d be pretty awesome don’t you, life would be good. ;) Today’s first topic of discussion is the  Millennium = which is when a thousand years of peace, love, and joy will begin on the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Who will be on earth during the Millennium?

Because of the destruction of the wicked at the Saviors Second Coming, only righteous people will live on the earth at the beginning of the Millennium. They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest lives and these people will inherit either the terrestrial or celestial kingdom.  

During the Millennium, mortals will still live on earth, and they will continue to have children as we do now. In D&C 45:58 it says… And the ^aearth shall be given unto them for an ^binheritance; and they shall ^cmultiply and wax strong, and their ^dchildren shall ^egrow up without ^fsin unto ^gsalvation.

 Joseph Smith said that immortal beings will frequently visit the earth. These resurrected beings will help with the government and other work taking place during these 1000 years.

In the Book of Revelation, the idea of a millennium is stated… it says … “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. So satan will be gone for 1000 years, in no way will he or his followers be able to temp or lead people astray.

Also during the Millennium, People will still have their agency, and for a time many will be free to continue with their religions and ideas. From an article out of a magazine called The Exponent, a young lady stated that “Brigham Young went so far as to assert a belief that in the Millennium people would “have the privilege of being Presbyterians, Methodists or Infidels, but they will not have the privilege of treating the name and character of Deity as they have done hitherto.” But eventually everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is the Savior.

During the Millennium, Jesus will “reign personally upon the earth” Joseph Smith explained that Jesus will “reign over the Saints and come down and instruct”.

In D&C it says… For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to pass; for I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand. And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else. For a trump shall sound both long and loud, even as upon Mount Sinai, and all the earth shall quake, and they shall come forth—yea, even the dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness, and to be clothed upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one. . . . And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I spare the earth but for a little season; and the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. — D&C 29:8-13, 22-23

There are 2 great works that will be done during the Millennium… anybody know what they might be?

Temple Work and Missionary Work!!

Another relief society teacher once said, “One thing I have always really loved about LDS theology is its foundational belief in eternal progression. We are a church that believes in second chances, in redemption, in the atonement, in forgiveness. Institutionally we are designed not just to teach this to each other, but to actively participate in offering these gifts to each other.”

So the first great work is Temple work… this involves the ordinances that are necessary for exaltation.  These include baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple ordinances: the endowment, temple marriage, and the sealing together of family units. “The Millennial focus on seeing the whole human family restored is one of the most beautiful aspects of this doctrine.” Many people have died without receiving these ordinances. Therefore People on the earth must perform these ordinances for them. From the same relief society teacher I quoted earlier, she says… “I do love the teaching that all things will be revealed during the Millennium and how we can consider these thousand years of peace devoid of temptation and sin as a period of potentially accelerated learning and progression for the whole human family.”

There is too much work to finish during before the Millennium begins, so it will be completed during that time. “When the early saints were first making their way to Zion, they did so with the belief that Jesus needed them to prepare a place for Him to return. There was a sense that Jesus could not come without a righteous society already in place.” Resurrected beings will help us correct the mistakes we have made in doing research concerning our dead ancestors. They will also help us find the information we need to complete our records.

The other great work during the Millennium will be missionary work. “…we must not only leave the ninety-nine in search of the one, but must leave the billions in search of the one.” The gospel will be taught with great power to all people. Eventually there will be no need to teach others the first principles of the gospel because “they shall all know me, from the last of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord”… and I think that is just so cool, that someday, every single person every born will know of the true and restored gospel

Ask? = How can we prepare now for work in the Millennium? …  and actually I have a really cool missionary experience that I wanted to share with you guys… Olivia and Paul Story

It what ways will life during the Millennium be different from life on the earth now?

From Manual –First, Satan will be bound pg.265 … …

Two of the millennial preconditions especially important to Latter-day Saints appear, among other places in the scriptures, in section 49: “But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.” (D&C 49:24–25.) The early Saints recognized the significance of a modern gathering of Israel and the role the Lamanites were to play in establishing the New Jerusalem.

Mentioned in the tenth Article of Faith, the teaching of “the literal gathering of Israel” gave Latter-day Saints a personal role to play in preparing for the Millennium. A warning voice would sound in every nation, and missionaries of the Church would be those watchmen.

Glen M. Leonard stated… “For Latter-day Saints in the twentieth century, the advice is still applicable. While continuing to watch for signs of the times and while remaining aware of some of the places that will play special roles in the last days, the Church has concentrated its efforts on preparing a righteous people for the Second Coming. Church members are wise to avoid entanglement in the unknowns of time and place; there is much to do before the Bridegroom comes.

Fulfilling the Proclamation =

Living now, with the hour of the Lord’s return that much closer, we might ask ourselves: Have we any less an obligation than our predecessors to assist in the Lord’s “marvelous work” of carrying the gospel to the world? Can we ignore the parallel responsibility of offering proxy saving ordinances under the authority restored by Elijah’s Kirtland Temple visit? Can the work of fulfilling the promises to the Lamanites succeed without our united effort? Can we afford to shun the call to gather ourselves, our thoughts, actions, and families out of spiritual Babylon, to establish stakes of Zion around the world?

Those who pioneered seemed to understand clearly those obligations required of this last generation of covenant people. With zeal, they implemented the instructions that were given to them and to us. They devoted their minds and their might to the work. Yes, they watched for the promised signs, anticipated tribulations, experienced revelations, and looked forward optimistically and with faith to the reign of righteousness. But their experiences have taught us the importance of personal righteousness. In terms of what we may need to know, the day and the hour are less important than the state of the inner soul. And as President Spencer W. Kimball said recently: “We can bring the gospel with its healing balm and its powerful programs to countless numbers, not only to introduce the gospel to them but to show them in our communities how we live and how they can live and better their lives.” (“The Uttermost Parts of the Earth,” Ensign, July 1979, p. 2.)

Lastly, what will be the final destiny of the earth? ... At the end of the 1000 years, satan will be set free for a short time. Some ppl will turn away from HF. Satan will father his armies, and Michael (Adam) will father the hosts of heaven. In this great struggle, Satan and his followers will be cast our forever and the earth will be changed into a celestial kingdom.

Millennial expectations have given the Church optimism and courage, and a sense of being urgently about the Lord’s work. Even though we have other reasons for preaching the gospel, building temples, storing our year’s food supply, and sponsoring Lamanite educational programs—in short, for keeping the commandments—it is also true that all of these religious activities carry millennial overtones. As we engage in the work announced to the Prophet Joseph Smith by heavenly messengers, we identify ourselves as the Lord’s Saints of the latter days.”

    The Final Judgment

Alright, so after the Millennium comes the Final Judgment.

Judgment is a part of a life. We’re judged by the teachers who grade us, by the employers who hire and evaluate us, by the prospective spouses we date and the spouses we marry, by our parents and children and friends and neighbors—and our bishops and stake presidents. All of us pass judgment, and all of us undergo judgment.

What are some of the ways we evaluate and judge each other (list their answers on the board) Some possibilities:

Appearance
Age
Clothing
Hairstyle
Weight
Income
Level of education
Occupation
Race
Class
Politics
Religion
Accent
Country or region of origin
Marital status
Number of children
Appearance of children
Public or private behavior of children
Cleanliness of house
Employment outside the home
Level of activity in the church
Temple recommend
Word of Wisdom observance
Status of church calling

In 1 Samuel 16:7: “… Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” All that finally matters to God is who we are.

#3 reader = D&C 137:9 = ”For I, the Lord, will judge all men according, to their works, according to the desire of their hearts”

Imagine being judged for all your thoughts, words, and actions.

Manual - - - #1 reader = Revelation 20:12 = ” And I saw the ^adead, small and great, ^bstand before God; and the ^cbooks were opened: and another book was opened, which is the ^dbook of life: and the dead were ^ejudged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their ^fworks.”

Here on earth we are often judged as to our worthiness to receive opportunities within the kingdom of God. When we are baptized we are judged worthy to receive this ordinance. When we are called to serve in the Church or interviewed for a temple recommend, we are judged.

Manual - - - #2 reader = Matthew 12:36-37 = “But I say unto you, That every ^aidle ^bword that men shall ^cspeak, they shall give ^daccount thereof in the day of ^ejudgment.  For by thy ^awords thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Faith in Jesus Christ helps us be prepared for the Final Judgment. Through faithful discipleship to Him and repentance of all our sins, we can be forgiven for our sins and become pure and holy so that we can dwell in the presence of God. As we repent of our sins, giving up every impure thought and act, the Holy Ghost will change our hearts so we no longer have even the desire to sin. Then when we are judged, we will be found ready to enter into God’s presence.

What can we do to improve our thoughts, words, and actions?

·         Clean media – music, movies,

·         Surround ourselves with good people, people who have high standards and enjoy following the commandments and principles of the gospel

·         When talking with friends, talk about subjects that uplift you and bring you joy, avoid gossiping whenever possible

·         Make wise decisions, don’t just do something because everyone else is…make the right choice/choose the right

The prophet Joseph Smith said that the dead will be judged out of records kept on earth. We will also be judged out of the ”book of life” which is kept in heaven. According to the vision of John, “The books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. The books spoken of refer to the records of our works which are kept on the earth… the book life is the record which is kept in heaven. Manual…pg271*

Every one of us must stand before the judgment seat of the holy on of Israel and then must be judged according to the holy judgment of God. The apostle John taught that the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. The Son, in turn will call upon others to assist in the judgment. The 12 who were with Him in His ministry will judge the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 nephite disciples will judge the nephite and lamanite people.

Manual - Inheriting a Place in a Kingdom of Glory

What must we do to be ready for the Final Judgment? – repent! Seek to know His will and fulfill the calling that He has laid out for you!

In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act according to celestial, terrestrial or telestial law. Our faith in Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom we will inherit. We have the restored gospel of JC in its fullness. The gospel is the law of the celestial kingdom. All the priesthood ordinances necessary for our progression have been revealed. We have entered the waters of baptism and have made a covenant to live Christlike lives. If we are faithful and keep the covenants we have made, the Lord has told us what our judgment will be. He will say unto us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”.

I hope we will all strive to do our best and fulfill our callings that the Lord has put in place for us. Read your patriarchal blessings and remember the things which the Lord has told you and blessed you with. Thank Him for everything He has done in your life and work hard to serve Him with all your might, mind, and strength. Put yourself into the Lord’s hands, turn your life over to the Lord, and He will make known unto you what He wants you to do. The Lord is here for us, he wants to help us, He wants us to return to Him… He can’t wait to welcome us home. Can you just imagine seeing the Lord standing there in Heaven, welcoming you home with His arms wide open, waiting to embrace you and your righteousness with His love and compassion He has for us. If you are ever having a hard time with something in your life and you have done something wrong, go to our Lord and Savior, pray to Him, repent and ask for forgiveness, so that you CAN be a part of this great journey back home to His loving arms. I pray that we will all work hard throughout the rest of our to repent of the things that need fixing so we will all faithfully be able to return to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ with confidence and honor when our time comes. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. <3 :D :D :D

Personal Results: Giving this lesson really helped me realize how important our duty is to the proclamation. We are here on this earth to fulfill the calling the Lord has given us. Our main goals are to go through this life living righteously, keeping the commandments, preparing for the millennium and readying ourselves for life after death. The proclamation is our guide to a happy, righteous eternal life. If we follow the direction we are given in faith, we will not fail. Faith in Jesus Christ helps us be prepared for the Final Judgment. Through faithful discipleship to Him and repentance of all our sins, we can be forgiven of our sins and become pure and holy so that we can dwell in the presence of God. As we repent of our sins, giving up every impure thought and action, the Holy Ghost will change our hearts so we no longer have the desire to sin. Then when we are judged, we will be found ready to enter into God’s presence. Through preparing and teaching this lesson, I learned so much about how important this earthly life is and that everything we do is of importance. My testimony was strengthened so much because of the guidance I received from studying the proclamation.  The proclamation tells us what to do to prepare for our future and how to fulfill the divine plan of happiness. By teaching this lesson, I was able to connect with my audience and get their insights on certain topics. By getting their feedback, I myself learned from them and their experiences.  This experience definitely made me realize how important this life really is, and that it’s not just a time to simply dwell, we have a duty to fulfill!