Watch and Pray
Jesus Christ foretold that His Second Coming would be preceeded by a period of Tribulation and natural disasters. Accordingly, He called for followers to “watch and pray”. Watch, in this context, means to ‘actively prepare for’ and not just ‘look out for’ without doing anything. Jesus Christ wanted His disciples to adopt an attitude and practice of consistent self-reliance and preparedness.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Some criticize Christians for their preparedness efforts claiming that many generations have come and gone always looking for the End of the World which has never come. In the critics mind, this so-called apocalyptic outlook is not only a waste of time and resources but also pathologic and even dangerous. Hollywood productions like “Doomsday Preppers” seeks to discredit preparedness by taking things to the far extreme. These reality TV shows make preparedness appear unattainable, silly, and even mentally unstable.
Matt 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
The commandment to “watch” or “be prepared” is not about trying to predict the End of the World. If we could predict the exact timing of the Lord’s Second Coming, then we wouldn’t need to be prepared at all. We could just procrastinate until the day before and then stock up at the last minute. But Christ’s commandment is teaching the exact opposite of procrastination.
The Law of Moses taught a similar principle. Every year the Jews and other tribes of the House of Isreal were commanded to observe the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This feast required that the family set up a hut or tent in their yard and eat and even sleep out in their “sukkah” for a week. I’m sure this religious requirement to camp seemed strange to foreigners. What was it’s purpose?
In addition to learning obedience, humility, gratitude by remembering how God led Israel in the desert for 40 years before entering into the land of Israel, the purpose of the Feast of Tabernacles also helped Israel look forward. When society becomes sufficiently corrupt, God has eventually called His people to come out of and flee Babylon. If God were to relocate His people again, how could he expect to get much compliance if “camping” weren’t a thing. So, in a very practical way, observing the Feast of Sukkot served to preserve these skills among His people and psychologically prepare them. So, when Lehi and others were later called to flee Jerusalem prior to the Babylonian conquest, the way had already been prepared for them to accomplish the thing which the Lord had commandment them (1 Ne 3:7). The Lord showed His example of perfect preparedness by commanding Israel to be prepared.
We take it for granted that camping is still a thing in our western culture. Many westerners camp for fun. In third-world countries, camping is daily life. But, here in the comfortable first-world, camping might just as easily not have been a thing. But, thanks to our Judeo-Christian heritage (I think), Walmarts and numerous sporting goods stores carry an array of camping and outdoor equipment.
However, when it comes to the the coming Tribulation, its gonna take a bit more than a tent and few sleeping bags to make it. God intends that a good number of His best people to survive (remnant). A clensing of the Earth will one day occur, and Christ is teaching that a bit of sensible preparation will be enough to “abide the day”. That faithful remnant will then be empowered to rebuild and eventually inherit a paradisiacal Earth. This is a test.
Modern prophets have called all true believers to adopt a custom of preparedness and keep a personal supply of food, water, fuel, and other essentials. Latter-day Apostles and Prophets have clarified that believers should store food and water and not guns and ammunition. God’s elect will instead seek to gather into the Stakes of Zion as a refuge and protection from the coming storm. All those who fail to gather are prophesied to be at war with one another.
D&C 45:68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
D&C 115:6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.
I remember talking about preparedness with a Christian neighbor who was comvinced that a rapture of thecrighteous would occur before any Tribulation so no preparation was necessary. In her mind, preparation was not trusting in the promises of God. Sad, that in many so-called mainstream Christian religions, doing nothing equals faith. But it seems clear in scripture that our triumphant reunion with Jesus Christ will occur after the Tribulation and only the prepared will be empowered though their faith and by their works to stand and abide the day.
D&C 45:57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. (doers of the word are not deceived)
So, what are we do say if Christ doesn’t return in our lifetime? Was all our preparation in vain? I say, “No way!” Just like it wasn’t vain for the Jews to continually observe the Feast of Tabernacles which the prophet Zechariah prophesied all nations would be required to observe the Feast of Sukkot in the Last Days (Zech 14:16). Being prepared gives peace of mind, hope, and assurance through faith that the Day of the Lord, whenever it comes, will be great and not terrible.
D&C 38:30 but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
Adopting a balanced attitute and practice of preparedness preserves preparedness as part of our culture. Believers are still able to easily purchase bulk grain and other commodities. Christians learn how to grind and use storage wheat as well as how to sew and mend clothing. Gardening and canning supplies are relatively cheap and available at the big box stores. Finally, adopting an attitude and practice of self-reliance, provident living, and preparedness passes down a legacy of faith to future generations which not only benefit us in our day with an attitude of humility and thanksgiving but also will eventually bless a future posterity.
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