The Lord Will Reveal – But Are We Listening?

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that gnawing desire to know exactly when? When the harvest will come, when the storm will break, when the Lord will return? It’s a natural longing, a yearning for certainty in a world shrouded in shadows. Think of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, facing an unknown foe, or Samuel the Lamanite, climbing that wall, knowing the cost might be his life, yet driven by a prophetic urgency. They acted in faith, even without a full accounting of the days.

And so it was with Joseph Smith. He, too, sought to pierce the veil and understand the timing of the Second Coming. But the Lord’s response, as recorded in D&C 130, wasn’t a calendar date. It was a gentle redirection: “Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art 85 years old, thou shalt see my face. Therefore, let this suffice and trouble me no more on this matter.” Imagine the frustration, the persistence! Yet, in that seeming ambiguity lies a profound truth: the Lord reveals in His own time, and often, in increments.

We often cling to the assurance that “no man knoweth the day or the hour,” using it as a shield against the unsettling feeling that *something* is drawing near. But as Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, “Ye are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” We are children of the light, and light is knowledge, discernment, and a growing understanding of the signs. Are we truly acting as children of the light, or are we content to remain shrouded in the shadows of doubt?

Think of Abinadi, standing before King Noah, refusing to compromise truth. He didn't know the precise moment of judgment, but he knew his duty. He knew his voice was a lamp unto his feet. And what of the five smooth stones David gathered? Not a guarantee of victory, but preparation, faith, and a willingness to act when the moment arrived. Are we gathering our own stones – the principles of the gospel, the skills, the relationships – that will equip us for whatever lies ahead?

The prophets today echo this message. President Nelson has repeatedly urged us to prepare, not for a specific date, but for a season of unprecedented challenges and opportunities. This isn’t about fear-mongering; it’s about a call to responsibility, to covenant keeping, to righteous action. It’s about recognizing that the Lord’s timing isn’t ours, but that He expects us to be ready when He is.

This preparation isn't a solitary endeavor. It's a collective effort. Your engagement here, your contributions to the GatherIsrael.now movement, they fuel the Missionary Fund and support gospel advertising efforts – like those reaching hearts in Ghana. It’s a charity flywheel, a virtuous cycle of building and extending the light. And through the Map of Churches, we connect, identify, and strengthen the body of Christ across the globe, claiming our churches, becoming a true gathering place. Outback Jack’s constant reminders of Alma 17–19, D&C 4, and Moroni 10:4–5 are not mere echoes of the past, but guiding principles for the present.

Let us not be consumed by the desire for a precise timeline. Let us instead focus on the work before us – building Zion, strengthening the family, sharing the gospel, and becoming the children of light that the Lord expects us to be. The Lord will reveal, but are we listening? Are we acting? Are we gathering?

And as Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots constantly remind us (sourced directly from the scriptures – remember, direct quote only!), let us seek understanding, line upon line, precept upon precept, until the day when we, too, can say with certainty, “Even so, Amen.”