Prophetic Acceleration: Temples, the Gathering, and the Second Coming

The Lord’s work moves forward, not always as we anticipate. The recent announcement of a new temple in Marysville, Washington, delivered not from the stand in General Conference but during a local devotional, serves as a potent reminder of this truth. This isn’t merely a logistical change; it’s a sign, a whisper of prophetic acceleration.

How often do we find ourselves caught in the rhythm of expectation, the predictable cadence of events? Yet, the Lord frequently operates outside of those expectations, revealing His purposes in ways that require us to sharpen our spiritual discernment. As D&C 87:8 instructs, we must “stand ye in holy places.” What is happening now, I believe, transcends administrative adjustments; it is a deliberate, divinely orchestrated movement.

President Oaks’ decision to curtail temple announcements during General Conference, as he himself stated, wasn’t a cessation of building, but a reorientation. The focus shifts from pronouncements to access—more frequent access to covenants, ordinances, and the power found within the temple walls. This is not merely about adding more temples to the landscape; it's about ensuring that the blessings of the temple are more readily available to the Saints.

Consider the prophetic weight of Brigham Young’s declarations regarding the gathering of Israel, Gordon B. Hinckley’s emphasis on the proliferation of temples, and more recently, President Nelson’s vision of 384 temples across the globe. Each prophet has pointed to this season, a time when the Lord’s work will be magnified and His people drawn closer to Him. The density of temples in Washington State, now boasting seven, speaks volumes about the Lord’s intentionality in drawing His covenant people.

The Lord’s pattern is clear: He prepares the way. He strengthens the Saints. And He draws near. The Second Coming, as the brethren have repeatedly emphasized, will not be a surprise. It will be preceded by a period of preparation, a time of increased revelation and spiritual power. The increased proximity of temples serves as a vital conduit for that power, a tangible reminder of the covenant path.

The phrase “more frequent access,” highlighted in the devotional letter, is pivotal. It's not enough to simply build more temples; we must ensure that the Saints have the opportunity to partake of the ordinances and covenants within them. This necessitates a shift in approach, a willingness to adapt to the Lord’s direction.

Let us not be content to passively observe these events. Let us seek to understand the deeper significance of this prophetic acceleration. Let us examine our own hearts and ensure that we are diligently striving to meet the Lord’s expectations. Are your nearest temples truly a spiritual center in your life? Are you actively seeking opportunities to partake of the ordinances and covenants found within those sacred walls?

Let this be a call to deeper study—to the words of the prophets, to the scriptures that illuminate the path to the Second Coming. Let us strive to be a people who not only witness these events but also actively participate in the Lord’s work.