"While the world is in a state of commotion and there is perplexity among the nations, the Latter-day Saints have no fears for the future. The signs of the times indicate the near approach of the coming of the Lord, and the work that we are engaged in is a preparatory one for that great even."
President Heber J. Grant, CR, October 1930, p. 5
"The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God ahs made choice of to .. participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory -- when the Saints of God will be gathered in from every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue, when the Jews will be gathered together into one, the wicked will also be gathered together to be destroyed, as spoken of by the prophets the Spirit of God will also dwell with His people, and be withdrawn from the rest of the nations, and all things whether in heaven or on earth will be in one, even I Christ. The heavenly Priesthood will unite with the earthly to bring about those great purposes and whilst we are thus united in one common cause, to roll for the kingdom of God, the heavenly =Priesthood are not idle spectators, the Spirit of God will be showered down from above, and it will dwell in our midst. The blessings of the most High will rest upon our tabernacles, and our name will be handed down to future ages; our children will rise up and call us blessed; and generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes that we have passed through -- in laying the foundation of a work .. that God and angels have contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and prophets; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, and renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family."
Prophet Joseph Smith, DHC, V.4:p. 608-610
Now, what of the future? What of the years that lie ahead? It looks promising indeed. People are beginning to see us for what we are and for the values we espouse … If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth. Doors now closed to the preaching of the gospel will be opened. The Almighty, if necessary, may have to shake the nations to humble them and cause them to listen to the servants of the living God. Whatever is needed will come to pass. The great challenges facing us and the key to the success of the work will be the faith of all who call themselves Latter-day Saints. Our standards are certain and unequivocal. We need not quibble about them. We need not rationalize them.
Now, in closing, I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. We will be looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness. …Great has been our past, wonderful is our present, glorious can be our future…We have glimpsed the future, we know the way, we have the truth. God help us to move forward to become a great and mighty people spread over the earth, counted in the millions, but all of one faith and of one testimony and of one conviction.
--Gordon B. Hinckley, “Look to the Future,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 67
At the old Twin Theatres in Salt Lake City, Gerald Lund tells of the time he & his wife went to the Twin theatres. I am not sure why, but he was anxious to be seated & begin watching, possibly they were running a little late. As they entered, the usher tried to tell them something but Brother Lund hurriedly pressed on. His wife kept trying to tell him what the usher said but he put her off and wouldn't listen. He just wanted to watch the show. Part way through, the building started to shake and tremble, loud crashing noises were heard. Being from California, Brother knew what was happening -- they were experiencing an earthquake! He grabbed his wife and attempted to pull her to the ground. "Relax Gerry!", she said its' exactly what the usher said would happen. Apparently an earthquake movie was being shown next door. They had brought in a lot of equipment to make it realistic. When you know what will happen, you need not fear if you are prepared.
--As related by Brother Richard Robbins at a Women's Conference.
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