Preparing for the Savior's Second Coming

Identify the words that "take heed" and "watch" in each of the following verses. Then list three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord.

• Mark 13:5- "Take heed lest any man deceive you"
• Mark 13:9- "take heed to yourselves...ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them."
• Mark 13:23- "take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."
• Mark 13:33- "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
• Mark 13:35- "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh".
• Mark 13:37- "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

Some things to watch for:

1. False Christs and false prophets (Mark 13:22)
2. When the sun shall be darkened, the moon give no light, the stars fall, and the power of heaven shaken. (Mark 13:24-25)
3. When the gospel is published among all nations. (Mark 13:10)
4. Nation rising against nation...kingdom against kingdom...earthquakes...famines. (Mark 13:8)

Additional truths that are taught in the following references about how to prepare for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.

1. Doctrine and Covenants 87:8: This scripture talks about standing in holy places and not moving from those places. There are more holy places then just temples or churches. If they Spirit can dwell there, it can be a be a holy place. It is essential that we make all of the places that we dwell in holy places so that we can be prepared for His coming. We don't know when He will come, so we need to always be prepared.
2. Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:32: This scripture talks about the prophecy given by Daniel that an abomination of desolation.
3. Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:37: The elect from all over the world will be gathered together.
4. Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:46-50: This scripture talks about being watchful at all times in order to be ready for the Savior. We need to be able to discern when Satan is trying to sneak in order to overcome those things that will lead us away from being watchful.
5. Doctrine and Covenants 33:17: This is how we are watchful by reading our scriptures, praying at all time, and being faithful. When we can do these things it helps us to be prepared for the Savior.
6. Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57: This scripture reminds me of those who won't be deceived, "the elect, according to the covenant...that have an unshakable testimony of the Gospel." (New Testament Student Manual) These are the one who will be ready for the Savior and it will be because of what they have done to prepare.