No one knows the day of the second coming of Christ; not the prophet, not his apostles, not even the angels in heaven. But as bearers of His name and as members of His church, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland encouraged saints everywhere to prepare a life worthy of Him.
"I do know this, that when Christ comes the members of His church must look and act like members of His church," Holland said. "We must be doing His work and we must be living His teachings. He must recognize us quickly; He must recognize us easily."
Elder Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke Sunday night to thousands of students and Utah Valley residents gathered in the Marriott Center and others listening around the world.
Addressing the challenges we face in these latter days, Holland's message was one of comfort and continued faith as he encouraged members to live more fully as saints and disciples of Jesus Christ.
Acknowledging the third anniversary of Sept. 11, Elder Holland began by recognizing the deep impact of terror in the hearts of the American people as well as those of our neighbors and friends abroad.
That word - terror - once reserved for movie titles now is common in daily language, leaving many "dangling off balance" and afraid.
"We're in the last days, but there's really nothing that new about it," he said.
Relating an experience he shared with one missionary concerned for the future, Elder Holland reminded that there have always been challenges for the saints.
This dispensation -the last days - began with Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel 184 years ago. With great concern for the young saints of the church Elder Holland recognized fears of serving missions, marriage, and rearing families amid all the challenges of our time.
"I've heard some of you say that you wonder if there is any purpose," he said.
Answering the dismal questions of whether there is hope the apostle declared, "Yes, of course, certainly, to all those questions. Those attitudes [of doubt] worry me more than al Queda."
With confidence in the strength of the increasing number of saints, Elder Holland invited all those listening to live as faithfully as possible and to share the gospel with everyone. Students cannot and must not be paralyzed by the events surrounding them.
"First, we must never in any age or circumstance let fear divert us from faith and faithful living," Holland said. "God is in charge, he knows your name, and he knows your need. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - that is the first principle of the Gospel.
"Faith in every footstep, you just have to keep taking them. In more divine language, that is how worlds are created, and that is how your world will be created," he said.
Saints are expected to face the future; to face it and shape it, embrace it and love it. The Lord cannot help those who do not pray, students do not dream, and those do not believe.
For the saints in Missouri who suffered at the height of the most dangerous and difficult time the church had ever known, persecution brought great losses of land, livestock, crops personal sacrifice. The Lord comforted His people as he does today, asking them to acknowledge that all flesh is in His hands.
"Remember the most fundamental definition of Zion we have ever been given; the pure in heart," said Holland.
Quoting from the book of John, Elder Holland said there is tribulation in the world, Christ has overcome the world and in Him there is peace.
"Let's live life more fully, with more boldness and courage than any other time in our history - Let's get some gusto!"
We are Latter-day Saints, but in times of anxiety we tend to focus on the 'Latter-day' part of that title. In Making his second point Elder Holland encouraged the saints to concentrate on being saints.
Consider the blessings of today - the economic, educational, scientific, and spiritual blessings, he said. Then consider the responsibility students have to live worthily of those blessings.
Presidents Joseph Smith, Wilford Woodruff, and Gordon B. Hinckley all speaking of these last days stressed the importance of fulfilling duties.
It is not simply enough to be a church member, but they must live worthy to be called disciples of Christ. The prophets have focused not on the terror, but they felt to speak of the opportunities and blessings and above all, their responsibility.
"The eyes of God and all the holy prophets are watching us," Elder Holland said. "God is watching over his world, his church, his leaders, and he is certainly watching over you.
No earlier generation of saints has prevailed. And no other people have been as blessed as today's people, he said. The saints consider all these blessings that they have in their dispensation and pause to say to their Heavenly Father, "How great Thou art."
Those earlier prophets were able to keep going, not because they knew they would succeed, but because they knew that this generation would, said Holland.
"Be grateful, and above all, be faithful," Holland said, quoting President Hinckley.
"Apostasy and destruction of one kind or another was the ultimate fate of every generation we have had until now," Holland said. "All the prophets have seen our day, have seen a vision that gave them courage in our generation.
"Ours was the day that gave them joy. Ours is the day to which the prophets have been looking since the beginning of time, a dispensation that finally would not fail," he said.
Elder Holland said that God is watching over his world, his church, his leaders, "And he is certainly watching over you."
"Yes, in that great final hour, if we say we are believers, then we surely must be demonstrating it, the shepherd knows his sheep," he said.
"Is there a happy future for you and your posterity in these latter days? Absolutely. Will there be difficult times? Of course, there always have been. Will those built upon the rock of Christ prevail? You know they will," Elder Holland said.
Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Sep 2004
