A TEMPLE APPEARING

 

I was very familiar with scriptures in Malachi which say that the Saviour will come suddenly to his temple and He shall purify the sons of Levi to offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness (Malachi 3:1-3). This is obviously a reference to the temple in Jerusalem. I was not aware however, that this prophecy had a dual meaning.

Section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants mentions again that the Lord will suddenly come to His temple before He pours out judgment upon the wicked (v 2) but no mention of the sons of Levi. This apparently is a reference to one of the latter-day temples. This prediction was partly fulfilled when the Saviour appeared in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 but there is apparently a broader meaning to this: “….the Lord shall come, without a doubt, to His Temple, where He will sit as ‘a refiner and purifier of silver’, purging the house of Israel and ministering to His people. This coming will be for the blessing and benefit of the most faithful of His saints. (Smith and Sjodahl, “Commentary”, p 840 and Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 335-6)

There is a parable of a woman who wanted to understand the process of refining silver in relation to Malachi’s prophecy. She visited a silversmith and watched the process of refining silver.

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered “Yes”, and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

If it is true that the Saviour will meet His most faithful in His temple, the purification will be one of sanctification by the Holy Ghost. The symbolism of fire is only ever used for the purging effect of this member of the Godhead. What this suggests is that all those in Christ’s presence when He comes to His Temple will be so purified they will have Christ’s image in their countenance.

This holy occasion for the most privileged of Christ’s Church makes this prophecy by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone a reality, which he spoke during the centennial of the Manti Temple dedication in April of 1987:

 

"Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time when even the elect will lose hope if they do not come to the temples. The world will be so filled with evil that the righteous will only feel secure within these walls. When the Saviour comes He will honour His people. Those who are spared and prepared will be a temple-loving people. They will know Him.

 

“Our children will bow down at His feet and worship Him as the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. They will bathe His feet with their tears and He will weep, and bless them for having suffered through the greatest trials known to man.”

 

When the Saviour comes, we will want to be in possession of a temple recommend….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

Artist Unknown

ABSENCE OF FEAR

 

“A monk was confronted by an angry warrior who said: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can cut off your head and not bat an eye!”  The little monk looked him in the eyes and calmly replied: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can have you cut off my head….and not bat an eye!”  (Author Unknown)

Right now, we are witnessing the unfolding of the Lord’s prophecy that He shall decree wars upon the face of the earth before His coming (D&C 63:33). Many of us are in fear. The Lord also predicted this fear (v33). My way to cope without the fear is to look at the overall picture rather than look at the politics. I feel peace knowing that the Saviour is ultimately in control.

I am looking past the political manouvers and can see how Christ’s arch enemy is trying his hardest to destroy Israel and America and thereby foil the Millenial plans. These two countries will be the Saviour’s governing seats when He comes.

The adversary is seeking to bring in globalism so he can prevent this and control the world but I know He can never win and this is why: “I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all….and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.” (D&C 63:58-60). To mock the Saviour means not believing that He is yet to come to reign and subject all things under His feet (D&C 58:22). We should be looking forward to that.

In my mind, there are two things for us the saints of these last days to consider. The Lord has warned us that before He comes, things will get so bad with wars that even ‘the saints shall hardly escape’(v34). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained ‘that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer…..still many Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith; yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, the pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God.” (“History of the Church”, 4:11)

Why do you think that cute little monk could have his head cut off without batting an eye? I would wager that he looked past this life and saw the vista of eternity before him. We, the saints know that vista…..it should be spread before us constantly…..therefore there is no need to fear….anything! Whether in life or in death, our destiny is assured if we are righteous. Being saved in the Kingdom of God is all that should matter.

If God be for us, who can be against us??? (Romans 8:31)

Thou art our everlasting God

Jehovah, our King,

Who has loved us and chosen us as Thine own;

Keep us as the apple of Thine eye,

Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings

That we might never stray

And cause Thee sorrow;

And help us wait for Thee

In the dawning of tomorrow. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Second Coming by Jon McNaughton)

SANCTUARY

 

We frequent the Temple for various reasons: to be obedient, to renew our covenants, to advance the work for the dead, to receive answers to our prayers, to understand the doctrine of Christ, or to just get away from the world and feel at peace. There is something that works for everybody. Take notice though of the last reason I listed. The Temple would have to be a sanctuary like no other and here is why.

Some years ago I read this prophetic address delivered by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone at the Manti Temple in April 1987 and was highly impressed by it. I have reflected on it recently because of the latest push for us to increase our temple attendance, particularly by President Nelson:

"Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time where even the elect will lose hope if they do not come to the temples. The world will be so filled with evil that the righteous will only feel secure within these walls. The Saints will come here not only to do vicarious work, but to find a haven of peace. They will long to bring their children here for safety's sake...

 

“The covenants and ordinances will fill us with faith as a living fire. In a day of desolating sickness, scorched earth, barren wastes, sickening plagues, disease, destruction, and death, we as a people will rest in the shade of trees, we will drink from the cooling fountains. We will abide in places of refuge from the storm; we will mount up as on eagles' wings; we will be lifted out of an insane and evil world. We will be as fair as the sun and clear as the moon.

 

“When the Saviour comes He will honour His people. Those who are spared and prepared will be a temple-loving people. They will know Him. [This is a clear reference to the Ten Virgins parable]

 

“Our children will bow down at His feet and worship Him as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. They will bathe His feet with their tears and He will weep, and bless them for having suffered through the greatest trials known to man.

 

“Let us prepare them with the faith to surmount every trial and every condition. We will do it in these holy, sacred temples".

 

I can see Christ’s immense mercy as the temples dot the earth.  In a world where people’s hearts are failing them through ‘enticements of the world, the distraction of alluring voices, the neglect of spiritual nourishment, the fatigue from the demands of discipleship’, a sanctuary from the world is needed like never before (see Elder Neil L. Andersen in CR, Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth, April 2024). We will need to this sanctuary especially when the desolations of the last days come upon us.

 

This is the Saviour’s mercy. His godly desire for our protection cannot be overstated. How great are His rewards for the value of our discipleship! May we kneel at the altars of our temples with overflowing gratitude for the sacred houses of the Lord, the sanctuaries of the last days where we will come under the protection of His wings.

 

Your arms are our shelter,

Your heart is our home,

Our only hope

For protection from the storm.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In The Shadow of Your Wings by Daniel Gerhartz)

A LEGACY TO TREASURE

 

 

 

Before the Saviour died, He delivered the Olivet Discourse to His apostles wherein He outlined the preaching of His Gospel, the destruction of Jerusalem and the persecution that would come upon the early saints (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21). He warned the apostles that they would be hated for His sake, persecuted, beaten and killed.

 

Upon the arrival of the Holy Ghost, the early Church spread like wild fire. What the Jewish hierarchy hoped to extinguish with Christ’s crucifixion began to thrive in earnest. People joined the Church by the thousands despite the opposition from Jewish authority and ruling classes in Jerusalem. As the Church continued to outgrow Judea and Samaria and reached the Gentile nations, the opposition turned to horrific levels of persecution in the Roman Empire, for to join the Church in those days was to prepare to die.  If ever there was a dispensation of martyrdom, it was in the Meridian of time. 

 

The Olivet Discourse also tells us what we the saints of the last days are to expect prior to the Second Coming. Ours will be the dispensation of war, carnage, plagues, pestilence, famine, disease and earthquakes.  The worst of all will be the moral decay of our society which has already begun. It is plain to see that evil has taken over the minds of many that is changing the moral landscape of the world. Whatever comes, now is the time like never before to cement our testimonies that we might one day be able to stand the challenge of ridicule and persecution from our neighbours, friends, families and even State. 

 

We, modern Israel have two legacies to live up to: the early Christian saints and the early Church members of this dispensation. Both suffered and became martyrs for the truth. 

I have faith in us….because of Nephi, who saw our day and that even though our numbers were few, ‘the power of God descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the COVENANT people of the Lord’ and we were armed with righteousness and with ‘the power of God in great glory’ (1 Nephi 14:12-14). And is there a greater assurance than this: “…..my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die” (D&C 45: 32)

 

May we be like Peter and John who when arrested and beaten by the Jewish council, departed from their presence ‘rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name’…..(Acts 5:41). Are we ready, if need be, to die for Him???? Like He died for us......

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Second Coming by John McNaughton)

STEPPING OUT OF THE BOAT

 

"You'll never walk on water if you don't step out of the boat." (Joyce Meyer)

My friends, we are all in a boat right now, a very rocky boat..... and many of us are depressed, fearful, angry and basically not coping with the way the world is going. It is daunting to think things will get worse but it truly will be so, if the scriptures are correct, and they are. We have also been warned by the living prophets for many years that this will be so, not to mention the warning signs the Saviour has given us through Doctrine & Covenants.

I believe the worst thing that is not allowing some of us to cope with such debilitating changes is non-acceptance of the signs of these last days. There are some things we cannot change because evil is prevalent in our day and it has gripped the hearts of many who are in charge of the masses. Through my personal experience, I have come to learn that the only way to peace is through faith and focus on The Prince of Peace.

Cast your minds on the night the Saviour was asleep in a ship whilst tempest was raging. After His disciples woke Him up and He stilled the sea He asked them: "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40) The following verse goes on to say that 'they feared exceedingly and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" An amazing one, that's what kind!!!

Don't stay in the boat fearful, clutching its' sides, because there is no safety in the security the world provides. There should be no fear of the storm when there is focus on The Prince of Peace while the storm is raging. Remember that fear is inverted faith and don't be afraid to step out of the boat. Your lifeguard is the one who walks on water.

Each day I seek Thee

Through the prayer of my heart;

I kneel at Thy feet and speak

The words of my enduring love.

I hear no voice,

I feel your absence in my sight;

You are so far and so high,

Yet I see Thee

Through the faith of my eye.

• Cathryne Allen

ISRAEL, THE CHOSEN II

 

I was blessed with a marvellous revelation this past weekend, after seeking understanding to bring me peace regarding the world as we know it that is crumbling at our feet. It not only brought me peace but discernment of what we, the saints of the last days, are facing. In the midst of all the commotion in the world, we will be part of exciting events that are hastening the return of Him whom we so eagerly expect. Now is the time to not only lose fear and trust in His protection but to hang onto the promise President Uchdorf made in October 2020 General Conference that 'God will yet do something unimaginable'. I believe what is ahead of us is of more grandeur than what is behind us in regards to the 'great and marvelous work' the Lord has set His hand to.

Since the beginning of the Church, we have been engaged in the gathering of the House of Israel. This has been a noble endeavour but this is nothing compared to what is ahead. Jeremiah tells us that the day will come when the Lord will no longer be referred to as the Lord who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt in a mass Exodus, but that he will be known as the Lord who 'brought up the children of Israel from all the lands whither he had driven them' (Jeremiah 16:14-16). This is the most profound prophecy of our day and it will be fulfilled on a massive scale. There are some amazing things ahead of us and we should begin to look forward to them.

We are a special body of people, a 'peculiar' people'. We should be happy to bear this label upon our heads. The original meaning of this word in Hebrew means 'private property which is laid up or reserved; select, precious, endeared, something exceedingly prized and diligently preserved'. We are a 'particular' people. We are Israel, God's chosen people, because we are on the covenant path. We are a 'peculiar treasure' (Exodus 19:5); a 'royal priesthood, an holy nation' (1 Peter 2:9). We have reason to rejoice because we are part of something grand. He who is preparing to return has chosen us for such a time as this, where we will shine forth as valiant people who have covenanted with Him long before the world began that we will stand firm in the midst of evil and bring forth a 'marvellous work and a wonder'.

We Israel, Thine inheritance

Are the workmanship of Thy hands;

We have eaten the bread of adversity

And drunk the water of affliction;

We wait upon Thy promises

To gather us and nourish us

With peace as a river

And righteousness as the waves of the sea;

We will come to Zion with songs

And everlasting joy upon our heads

To shout praises to Thy holy name

To worship Thee as our God and our King.

• Cathryne Allen

(Art: Second Coming by John McNaughton)

ISRAEL, THE CHOSEN

 

Up until now I always believed that the persecution which the early saints suffered was brought upon them unjustly and unfairly. This year somehow as I have studied Doctrine and Covenants yet again, I took notice of something rather significant which I missed before. More than once, the Lord warned the saints that if they were not obedient to His commandments they would be visited 'with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire' (D&C 97:26; 101:1,2,6; 103:1-4). The saints, however, did not fully heed this warning and the promised devastation ensued starting in early November of 1833. 

This reminded me of ancient Israel who didn't heed God's warnings either and suffered greatly through persecution at the hands of the heathen nations around them until they lost their inheritance and were scattered throughout the world. They say history repeats itself......mostly because we don't learn from it. 

Nephi, the great visionary, saw us in the last days and the persecution that is facing us also (1 Nephi 14:12-17) but with a great difference. He says in verse 14 that even though our numbers were small on the face of the earth, we were armed with 'righteousness and with the power of God in great glory'. This to me accentuates the responsibility placed on us to be the people who will prepare the way for the Lord to fulfil all God's covenants which He has made with His people Israel (vs 17). Now is the time to up our obedience so we can increase our power. We don't know what is waiting for us but we do know that we will have the power to endure it and ensure the glorious destiny of the House of Israel.

We are modern day Israel. We have to do better and be better than we were in the past....so to Him who has chosen us from 'the hole of the pit whence we are digged' and 'the rock whence we are hewn'....from Abraham our father and Sarah our mother (Isaiah 51:1,2) we say this:

We are Israel, Thy chosen seed

Who in times past disregarded Thee

But now Thine angels rejoice over us

And Thou art as promised dew unto us

To bring us to life and nurture our growth

To make us mighty in this earthly abode;

In Thine mercy Thou has sought to gather us

In Thine heart Thou hast chosen to cherish us

In Thee is deliverance from our barren years

In Thee is mercy for our penitent tears

Fear not Israel, you are free; you are special, you are loved, you are in the bosom of your God.....there to remain forever.

·       Cathryne Allen 

 

EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS

 

I have friends who are presently immersed in the Second Coming frenzy. They all believe that 2020 was the beginning of the end. And rightly so, considering that President Nelson advised in last General Conference that our 'new normal' should be preparing for the Saviour's coming. Some of my friends are frightened and some are very excited at the possibility that the Second Coming is at the door. The thing is, it has been at the door for a long time, only we have just now started to take notice.  Consider what President Kimball had to say about this in 1972:

"There will be no general warning to the membership of the Church that things will be shortly falling apart.  We have been commanded to follow the signs of the times and that is all the warning we need or will be given. But the membership is asleep. Like the ten virgins, we have been commanded to watch and prepare, but like the people in the days of Noah, many members have become lulled into a false sense of security. This 'lack of warning' is designed to weed out the tares; the 'all is well in Zion" crowd....when the cry sounds, there is no time for preparation." ("Faith Precedes the Miracle", Chapter 23)

1972 is a long time ago but the voice of warning did not start way back then, it started even earlier. In fact it started on 1 November, 1831, with the revelation given to Joseph Smith which is now known as the very first chapter of Doctrine and Covenants. We read in verse 3: "And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days." The whole restoration of the Church was accomplished for this very purpose, to be the voice of warning. 

I have often heard in Sunday School a very well intentioned but silly question asked by the teacher which goes like this: "If you knew the Saviour was coming tomorrow, what would you do to prepare?" Even sillier than this question are the answers I have heard, like: more missionary work. I am always amazed at this. Just how much missionary work could you do in one day to make up for years of not doing it??? What could you possibly accomplish in one day? My answer is, nothing. There is nothing we could do in one day to change ourselves for the better or to accomplish more good works. Nothing you could accomplish in one day would give you enough oil in your lamp. 

This is what scares me: When Jesus taught His disciples about the condition of the world preceding the Second Coming, He said that there shall arise false Christs who shall show great signs and wonders and they shall deceive even the very elect (Matthew 24:24). John spoke of one main anti-Christ who would assume the guise of Christ in the last days (1 John 2:18-22; 4:3-6; 2 John 1:7) Many of us who will not be endowed with the spirit of discernment and guidance of the Holy Ghost will be led away. The endowment of these two gifts is what the preparation in advance can do. When this anti-Christ comes, and we are prepared, we will be able to know him for who he is. I know some members of the Church who fall into the category of 'the very elect' and who have already been led away. It is scary to think that we can lose those we love. What should also scare us, is that it could happen to us too. 

John the Revelator was shown all the calamities and destruction before the Second Coming. We are living through these times, and the worst is yet to come. Nothing can alter what will be, except on thing....our preparedness. We can do today what will make the difference tomorrow. The more we prepare now, the greater our enthusiasm for His coming will be, until we arrive to the day when we can say: 'even so, come Lord Jesus' (Rev 22:20) 

- Cathryne Alen