Waiting for the Stone: Understanding Daniel's Timelines and the Gathering

Brothers and sisters, the Lord has promised blessings to those who wait. We see it in the scriptures – Samuel the Lamanite, standing bold upon the wall, proclaiming the truth despite opposition; Ammon, drawing men to the waters of Sebus, where their hearts were softened and prepared to receive the word. We are a people of builders, not destroyers, and it is in the waiting, in the steadfast pursuit of truth, that we find the strength to erect the foundations of His kingdom upon the earth.

Too often, we seek to force the timeline, to construct rigid frameworks for the fulfillment of prophecy. Jared’s recent video dives deep into the scriptures surrounding Daniel’s seventy weeks and Revelation’s imagery, challenging the popular concept of a seven-year tribulation period. As Ammon taught, we must be taught by the Spirit, lest we be led astray by our own understanding. Gabriel's explanation of the seventy weeks, for instance, speaks of a period, but the details and its precise application are often misinterpreted when attempting to fit it into a pre-determined eschatological model.

The scriptures Jared explores—Daniel 7:24-25, Daniel 9:24-27, and Daniel 12:7-12—are often cited in discussions about the end times. Yet, he cautions against the tendency to artificially combine these passages into a single, definitive timeline. The imagery of the woman fleeing into the wilderness, the beast with its horns, and the numbers representing specific periods of time—1,260 days, 1,290 days, 1,335 days—demand a deeper understanding rooted in revelation and not simply intellectual analysis. As Davee reminds us, “President Joseph F. Smith taught, ‘It is the duty of all men to seek knowledge and understanding of these things.’ (D&C 131:6)”

This is the spirit of the Gathering. It's not about predicting dates and times, but about preparing our hearts and minds, being like the digital striplings, ready to stand in defense of truth. Outback Jack reminds us, “The Lord’s work is not bound by timelines we can fully comprehend. It's about faithfulness, preparation, and responding to the promptings of the Spirit.”

Consider the five smooth stones that David gathered to defeat Goliath. They weren't simply tools of destruction; they were symbols of preparedness, of faith, and of the power that comes from aligning ourselves with God’s will. Similarly, our engagement here—supporting gospel advertising in places like Ghana through the charity flywheel, contributing to the Missionary Fund, and utilizing the map of churches to identify and connect with fellow believers—are the “smooth stones” we gather for the battles ahead.

Let us strive to be builders, not destroyers, contributing to the work of gathering Israel, wherever they may be. Let us seek understanding through diligent study and prayer, and let us be ready to answer the call, whatever form it may take. Remember the words of Moroni: “And now, behold, if these things have been written and manifest, and if there are no manifestations of them, why then are they written? And if they are written, then behold I say unto you that if ye can look upon any man any where which is righteous, and find fault with him, he is a destroyer.” (Moroni 10:4-5)

Claim your church. Locate your community. Strengthen your faith. This is the work. This is the gathering.