A few thoughts to go along with what you said.

The prophecies of events before the second coming of Christ paint a picture of heartache and sorrow. The Gentiles, and particularly America, will play a pivotal role. As you pointed out the New Jerusalem needs to be built in here; it appears it will be built after a great destruction has befallen America because of wickedness.

Additionally, Nephi said: …and never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord. 2 Nephi 25:9

This opens up the possibility of prophets warning and proclaiming the need for repentance to a people who will reject them, persecute and even kill them.

The wicked will suffer the Lord’s wrath at His coming; the righteous will be preserved.

The coming of the Savior to the people of the Book of Mormon is an example of what will happen at the second coming of Christ.

I certainly agree that Christ is where our hope resides.

Thanks for commenting.

We have not been promised that we’ll get a Samuel style “in your face” warning from the Lord have we? As far as my reading goes, the world descends into further and further darkness-even as the Saints begin and build New Jerusalem. Everything has its opposite. Members of the LDS Church might become extremely righteous, but wickedness will respond with equal intensity. There is not even one prophecy in our scripture that describes this nation turning away from the moral abyss, much less being put back on a path of righteousness-at least not until after the Second Coming.

The Lord comes again as a thief in the night-which doesn’t bring to mind sirens going off and bullhorns blaring warnings. The scriptures tell us that the meek and faithful will be watching for the signs, and will be preparing their lamps with oil-while the rest will be eating and drinking, marrying and working in the fields “as usual” when the Bridegroom returns.

I guess I just don’t anticipate the Brethren issuing any further warnings than the ones we’ve already received. 10 virgins-5 were wise, 5 unwise. If they had all known exactly the hour of the Bridegroom’s arrival, they all would have had enough oil.If we are to be likened to that parable, we should be ready NOW for what might not happen until LATER.

Real hope is not to be found in America, but in Christ. We are not the way to righteousness, He is. Not America, nor the Latter-day Saints can establish peace in this world, but He will. The days of tribulations and sorrows are just beginning…but if we are among the elect, those days will be shortened (meaning the end will come faster)for our sakes.

I agree. My most recent reading of the Book of Mormon left me with the thought that the Lord was willing to bless the Nephites until they completely rejected Him–with knowledge (unbelievable).

PS

My spam filter pulled your comment for some reason. Just saw it.

I merely point out that you decry the lack of unity that was evident right after 9/11. I tell you the reason it went away was because Bush went into Iraq. That, for the foreseeable future, divided our country. He squandered the goodwill that happened after 9/11. And that is how history will remember him.

Thanks for your comment; and providing the link. You made some important points.

When I wrote the following I had the Book of Mormon prophets in mind as an example of will take place if the Lord inspires the prophets of our day to warn America as the Book of Mormon prophets were instructed.

“One day the prophet might be inspired to warn America in no uncertain terms—to repent or perish, but that day hasn’t come yet.”

So far we haven’t seen the prophets give “in your face” calls to repent to America in the fashion of a Samuel the Lamanite, or the Helaman 10, prophet Nephi.

Using a Richter scale analogy, I suppose we’ve hit a 3, what I had in mind would be a 8 or an 9.

I hope America will never require the Lord’s prophets to issue that level of warning, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 5 or 6 in this generation.

It’s always a pleasure to read your comments.

Iraq certainly has been a point of contention and will continue to be for years. Our leaders, President Bush, and congress make the decision to invade. It will be interesting to see how history will look back on this as the passing years put things into perspective.

I agree with you. The Lord has told us the value and importance of being united and willing to follow the prophets. I sure hope Latter Day Saints will realize the critical place we have in the destiny of America.

Actually, I think that was the whole point of the Restoration–to preach the message, in no uncertain terms, that all of us must repent or perish.

In 1841, the Prophet Joseph was instructed, with the 12, to issue such a proclamation to the kings and presidents and to all nations (which would include the U.S.A.) of the world inviting all to repent before the great and dreadful day of the coming of the Lord. D&C 124:1-10.

Joseph was still working on the proclamation when he was assassinated, but after his death the 12 did issue the proclamation in 1845. Extracts of the proclamation may be read at http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Proclamations_of_the_First_Presidency_and_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles (I have not located an on-line copy of the entire 16 page pamphlet.)

President Benson, while president of the 12, quoted much of that proclamation and repeated the warnings to repent or else. Among other things, he emphasized, “But if you refuse to repent or to accept the testimony of his inspired messengers and unite yourselves with God’s kingdom, then the terrible judgments and calamities promised the wicked will be yours.” Ezra Taft Benson, “A Message to the World,” Ensign, Nov 1975, 32

Accordingly, I think that the message to America (and to the rest of the world) to repent or perish has been given repeatedly and continues to be part and parcel of our preaching and teaching since the restoration.

(I would note that the end of the Proclamation on the Family also includes such explicit warnings, although, interestingly its only mention of “repentance” is part of a list of principles for successful family life.)

And then I observed an era of discord sweep over America as we sought to confront our enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But there is where you get into the major problem. Iraq was not our enemy.