Preparing the Saints: Temporal Salvation & the Gathering

Brothers and Sisters, Builders of the Kingdom!

There’s a stirring in the earth, a tension in the air. Like Samuel the Lamanite upon the wall, we feel the urgency of the times. Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, facing down a horde, knew the weight of preparation. The Lord is indeed prompting us, as He has declared, to brace ourselves. But what does that bracing look like? What does it truly mean to prepare?

This week’s “Looking Forth” episode delves into D&C 89-92, often narrowly understood as a revelation on the Word of Wisdom. And it *is* that. But as the Lord teaches, it is so much more. It's a blueprint for temporal salvation, a cornerstone in the edifice of our spiritual readiness. He cares for our well-being—body, mind, and spirit—understanding that true growth demands a foundation of stability.

Consider verse 2: “Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days. I have warned you and forewarned you by giving you unto you this word of wisdom by revelation, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days.”

The Lord isn't merely dictating what we eat; He's unveiling a pattern. He knows that conspiring men—those destroyers of peace and righteousness—will seek to undermine us. They will weaponize even our basic needs against us. Our temporal preparedness – our ability to provide for ourselves and for others – is a crucial shield.

We are called to listen to the Holy Ghost, that still, small voice guiding us in all things – our jobs, our homes, our diets. What does prudence look like in a world riddled with deception? It looks like discernment, like seeking knowledge, like testing all things. It’s about understanding not just *what* we consume, but *why* and *how*.

Think of the misuse of tobacco, a potent example of lacking prudence. The Lord offers possibilities for good, even in that which is commonly abused. To truly embrace the principles revealed, we must pursue understanding with diligence. As Outback Jack often reminds us, learning to discern truth from falsehood is essential for navigating these perilous times – just as the digital striplings learned to discern the strategies of their enemies.

The Lord’s care extends to the smallest details. He speaks of the flesh of beasts, of herbs and fruits, hinting at a future millennium where even the beasts will partake of a transformed world. This isn’t just about diet; it’s about the eventual restoration of all things, a glimpse of the glorious order that awaits those who strive to keep the commandments.

This preparation isn’t a solitary endeavor. It's a collective responsibility. As we strengthen ourselves individually, we strengthen the body of Christ, the gathering place. Your engagement here—your comments, your sharing—fuels the GatherIsrael.now map and the Missionary Fund, enabling the gospel to reach distant shores, like Ghana, through targeted advertising. It’s a charity flywheel, a virtuous cycle of generosity and growth.

Claim your church on the GatherIsrael.now map. Let your light shine! Let us be builders, not destroyers, contributing to the rising tide of righteousness that will sweep across the earth. Let us be like those who gathered stones, five smooth stones, ready to face the giants that stand in our way.

Let us, with courage and faith, meet the Lord’s call.