Let's Discuss: "Prepare to Meet God," by Quentin L. Cook

"Prepare to Meet God"

By Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Sunday afternoon session, April 1, 2018

Hymn recommendations:
17  Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!
55  Lo, the Mighty God Appearing!
229  Today, While the Sun Shines

Favorite quote:

In the Lord's Church, the only culture we adhere to and teach is the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The unity we seek is to be unified with the Savior and His teachings.

One-sentence synopsis:

Our commission is (still) to gather Israel, seal families together, and prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.

Something to put on the board:

Prepare to meet God

Talk and Discussion:

I'll be honest - April 2018 was one of my most favorite general conferences ever.  The solemn assembly when President Nelson was sustained was amazing.  The talks had lots of messages for me.  There was an exhilarating feeling of something big about to happen.  I was studying the scriptures one morning a couple weeks ago, and this talk (open on the floor next to me) caught my eye, and I felt that I should study it a little more in depth even though it's not the most recent conference.  I really love the title, don't you?  "Prepare to Meet God."  That has so many connotations.  This can be in reference to the purpose of life:  "This life is the time ... to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32).  The title can be in reference to the Second Coming.  It can be in reference to the Second Comforter.  It can be in reference to death.  It can be in reference to repentance.  So as we analyze this talk, we will look for the meaning Elder Cook is conveying.  It may very well be more than one!  He split his talk into 3 parts, 1- an introduction of the three keys, 2 - analysis of where we stand with each, and 3 - some counsel on righteousness, unity, and equality - all components of each of the three keys/responsibilities of the Church and its members.

(Emphasis in original, except where text size changes)

Eliza R. Snow, speaking of the Kirtland Temple dedication (which she attended), said: “The ceremonies of that dedication may be rehearsed, but no mortal language can describe the heavenly manifestations of that memorable day. Angels appeared to some, while a sense of divine presence was realized by all present, and each heart was filled with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”1

I thought this was a very interesting beginning for a talk.  While I believe they happen, and historically we have records of many, we do not seem to currently talk or promote talk about dramatic, spiritual experiences - angels, gifts of the Spirit, and manifestations like the Day of Pentecost.  At the end of his talk, Elder Cook will testify of divine revelations to current leaders.  But more than this, Elder Cook is setting the stage for the keys restored this day.

The divine manifestations that occurred in the Kirtland Temple were foundational to the purpose of the restored Church of Jesus Christ to bring to pass the salvation and exaltation of our Heavenly Father’s children.2 As we prepare to meet God, we can know what our divinely appointed responsibilities are by reviewing the sacred keys restored in the Kirtland Temple.

Elder Cook seems to imply that preparing to meet God is an overarching purpose of life.  This is interesting to me because it is one of the three missions of the church, but he singles it out - either as all-encompassing, most important, or what he is especially stressing in this talk.

When I was younger, we would often have lessons on the threefold mission of the church:  Proclaim the Gospel, Perfect the Saints, and Redeem the Dead.  These three purposes have roots in the events of the dedication of the Kirtland temple!  I had never really thought of it that way before, but I'm jumping ahead.  Let's go on with Elder Cook.

In the dedicatory prayer, the Prophet Joseph Smith humbly petitioned the Lord “to accept of this house … which thou didst command us to build.”3

One week later, on Easter Sunday, the Lord appeared in a magnificent vision and accepted His temple. This occurred on April 3, 1836, almost exactly 182 years ago from this Easter Sunday. It was also the Passover season—one of those rare times when Easter and Passover overlap. After the vision closed, three ancient prophets, Moses, Elias, and Elijah, appeared and committed keys which were essential to accomplish the Lord’s purpose for His restored Church in this dispensation. That purpose has been simply, but eloquently, defined as gathering Israel, sealing them as families, and preparing the world for the Lord’s Second Coming.4

Did you notice that there is a week between the petition and the glorious manifestations?  I wonder if it seemed a little anti-climactic at the time of petitioning.  What does this teach us about waiting on the Lord?  They put their all into this temple, sacrificed time, money, and labor to the cause; built a beautiful temple in the days of their poverty.  What have you sacrificed for the Lord?  How has He blessed you for your offerings?

Elder Cook also points out that Easter Sunday and Passover coincided, and that this was significant.  Do you know of other major events or developments that have happened when Easter and Passover have coincided?  That could be a fun study.  In 2018, for example, we sustained a new prophet, and started the Ministering program.  In 2019 AND 2020, they are scheduled to coincide again!  Here's some of the past years I was able to find.  2018, 2015, 2012,

Here are some of the upcoming years:  2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2026, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032.  Is it more significant when the Passover supper coincides with Good Friday?  Since Christ's last supper was a Passover supper, then maybe yes.  Those years are fewer:  2018, 2019, 2022, 2029, 2032, etc.  I'm not going to go into this in this blog post - maybe a future one.  Just something tangential that might be interesting.  Comment below with your thoughts.

The keys restored April 3, 1836 are essential to the purpose of His restored church.  I mentioned the threefold purpose of the church.  Elder Cook mentions them here, but I am going to number them as he addresses them in his talk later on, so 1 - gathering Israel, 3 - sealing them as families, and 2 - preparing the world for the Second Coming.  I wonder here - he seems to be equating preparing to meet God (the title) with preparing the world for the Second Coming.  This is one way we (or some) will meet God, so that makes sense.  Although, in a sense, we could say gathering Israel is preparing some to meet God through the ordinances (godliness is manifest Doctrine & Covenants 84:20), and in a sense sealing families prepares us to meet God, because there must be a welding link of us back to Adam.

For both Elijah and Moses to appear was a “striking parallel … [with] Jewish tradition, according to which Moses and Elijah would arrive together at the ‘end of time.’”5 In our doctrine, this appearance accomplished the foundational restoration of certain keys “given … for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.”6

This seems to be an aside, but an interesting one.  Can you think of other Jewish traditions the Church of Jesus Christ has fulfilled or will fulfill or corresponds with?

The Kirtland Temple, both in location and size, was relatively obscure. But in terms of its enormous significance to mankind, it was eternity-shaping. Ancient prophets restored priesthood keys for the eternal saving ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This resulted in overwhelming joy for faithful members.

Can you think of other relatively obscure, eternity-shaping events?  How about a stable in Bethlehem, so obscure the king did not know what had happened or where when wise men inquired of him?  When Jesus Christ lived on earth, His fame was not known worldwide.  Very few were there in the Garden of Gethsemane when the fate of a world was in the balance.  When Gentiles began escaping persecution to come to America, no one thought much of it (maybe "good riddance," or "not my problem anymore"), but it paved the way for a land of liberty, and a nation "mighty above all" (3 Nephi 20:27) where the Church of Jesus Christ could be restored.  What else?

These keys provide the “power from on high”7 for divinely appointed responsibilities that constitute the primary purpose of the Church.8 On that wonderful Easter day in the Kirtland Temple, three keys were restored:

First, Moses appeared and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, which is missionary work.9

Second, Elias appeared and committed the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, which includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant.10 President Russell M. Nelson has taught that the purpose of the covenant keys is to prepare members for the kingdom of God. He said, “We know who we are and [we know] what God expects of us.”11

Third, Elijah appeared and committed the keys of the sealing power in this dispensation, which is family history work and temple ordinances enabling salvation for the living and the dead.12

Could these three keys relate to us personally?  For example, the first key is for missionary work.  Each of us, individually, has a mission(s), sets examples for others, has premortal covenants to fulfill.  Second, each of us is building Zion in our hearts, homes, and communities - you could say the Second Comforter is like a personal Second Coming.  Third, realizing temple covenants is one of the purposes of us going to the temple.  We also have an obligation to find our kindred dead.

There are, under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, three executive councils at Church headquarters that oversee these divinely appointed responsibilities based on the keys that were restored in the Kirtland Temple. They are the Missionary Executive Council, the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, and the Temple and Family History Executive Council.

So neat.  I enjoyed learning a little more about Church organization.  It is interesting that priesthood and family is separate from temple and family history, but it makes sense in context.  Now to part 2 of Elder Cook's talk:

Where Do We Stand Today in Fulfilling These Divinely Appointed Responsibilities?

First, with respect to Moses’s restoration of the keys for the gathering of Israel, today almost 70,000 missionaries are spread across the earth preaching His gospel to gather His elect. This is the commencement of the fulfillment of the great and marvelous work Nephi foresaw among both the Gentiles and the house of Israel. Nephi saw our time when the Saints of God would be upon all the face of the earth, but their numbers would be small because of wickedness. However, he foresaw that they would be “armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”13 When viewed across the brief history of the restored Church, the missionary effort has been most remarkable. We are seeing the fulfillment of Nephi’s vision. Though our numbers are relatively few, we will continue our effort and outreach to those who will respond to the Savior’s message.

I LOVED this part.  A careful reading of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, shows us that we have a long way to go.  The great and marvelous work is still only just begun!  Even with the hastening, a few years ago when the missionary age dropped, and there was an influx, we will yet hasten more.  Elder Cook's statement shows that Church leadership understands this.  It also reminds me now of President Nelson in an interview in 2018, when he told us to eat our vitamins - remember?  President Nelson said,

"We're just at the exponential phase of growth, yes, but it will continue.  The Lord said, 'I will hasten my work in its time,' and He makes good on His promises.  We're witnesses to a process of restoration.  If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning. There's much more to come.  Wait till next year, and then the next year.  Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It's going to be exciting."

70,000 missionaries is awesome and inspiring.  One day there will be 144,000!

Second, Elias appeared and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, declaring that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. In this conference, significant guidance has been presented to assist in perfecting the Saints and preparing them for the kingdom of God.14 The announcement in the priesthood session with respect to elders and high priests quorums will unleash priesthood power and authority. Home and visiting teaching, now “ministering,” as taught so eloquently in this session, will prepare Latter-day Saints to meet God.

How does ministering prepare us to meet God?

Third, Elijah committed the sealing keys of this dispensation. For those of us alive at this time, the increase in temples and family history work is phenomenal. This pace will continue and accelerate until the Second Coming of the Savior, lest the whole earth “be utterly wasted at his coming.”15

Have you noticed an acceleration in family history and temple work?  I've noticed this year, 2019, many of my "shared" ordinances have been completed, and many sessions in my local (small) temple have been filled to capacity.  One day when I forgot my purse (recommend), I watched as the endowment filled before 5:30pm, then initiatories and sealings filled, and still more people arrived, disappointed that they would have to return for the 8pm session.  I heard later that the 8pm session also filled, and others were turned away.  I know this is not full fulfillment, but it is exciting, and a sign to me of the acceleration of the work.

Family history work, heaven-blessed by technology, has dramatically increased in the past few years. We would be unwise to become complacent about this divinely appointed responsibility and expect that Aunt Jane or some other committed relative will take care of it. Let me share President Joseph Fielding Smith’s jarring comments: “None is exempt from this great obligation. It is required of the apostle as well as the humblest elder [or sister]. Place, or distinction, or long service in the Church … will not entitle one to disregard the salvation of one’s dead.”16

We now have temples across the world and the resources of the patron assistance fund to help those in need who are far from a temple.

As individuals, we would do well to evaluate our effort in pursuing missionary work, temple and family history work, and preparations to meet God.

How will you evaluate your efforts?

Here's an idea:  Take a moment, maybe with a piece of paper to record your thoughts and impressions, and evaluate your efforts.  I try to do at least a little family history every day, since October 2018 conference and the social media fast challenge to the women.  I have definitely been blessed with success and inspiration there.  My biggest missionary efforts are with my children right now, although I am good at engaging people in conversation everywhere I go.  I am blessed to live in the South, where people are friendly, and openly talk about religion, so it is relatively easy to bring up.  Preparations to meet God.  This one is more personal; I won't share all my thoughts, but say, I think about Zion often.  I long for it.  I teach my kids about it.  I almost feel like I have one foot in Zion, while the other foot traverses the mundane.  I want Zion in my heart, in my home, in my ward, in my community, and on the earth.

Now for part 3 of Elder Cook's talk, which he splits into 3 sections.

Righteousness, Unity, and Equality before the Lord Undergird These Sacred Responsibilities

With respect to righteousness, this life is the time for all of us to prepare to meet God.17 The Book of Mormon provides multiple examples of the tragic consequences when individuals or groups fail to keep the commandments of God.18

During my lifetime, worldly issues and concerns have moved from one extreme to another—from frivolous and trivial pursuits to serious immorality. It is commendable that nonconsensual immorality has been exposed and denounced.19 Such nonconsensual immorality is against the laws of God and of society. Those who understand God’s plan should also oppose consensual immorality, which is also a sin. The family proclamation to the world warns “that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring [or, for that matter, anyone else] … will one day stand accountable before God.”20

Has our so-called "tolerance" gone too far?  How can we oppose consensual immorality without being judgmental?  How can we be friends to our neighbors who believe or act differently?  It still shocks me how openly immorality is accepted and promoted in television and movies - like it's no big deal; like it is normal.  Faithful believers are portrayed as crazy or fanatics - or nonexistent, like there is no God.  Such a disservice to truth and happiness!

As we look around, we see the devastation of wickedness and addiction at every turn. If, as individuals, we are really concerned about the Savior’s ultimate judgment of us, we should seek repentance. I am afraid many people no longer feel accountable to God and do not turn to the scriptures or the prophets for guidance. If we, as a society, would contemplate the consequences of sin, there would be massive public opposition to pornography and the objectification of women.21 As Alma told his son Corianton in the Book of Mormon, “Wickedness never was happiness.”22

Whoa!  That is bold, and I feel the truth in Elder Cook's statement about pornography.  I would love to see massive public opposition to pornography and the objectification of women.  How can we be a part?  What can we do?  What are the consequences he is talking about?  For example, I thought about the consequences listed in the Family Proclamation - accountability before God, and calamities.  What legacy are we creating for our daughters (maybe especially) and also our sons?

In regard to unity, the Savior declared, “If ye are not one ye are not mine.”23 We know that the spirit of contention is of the devil.24

Great start.  Contention seems to reign on many platforms of social media.  The 2016 election campaigns comes to my mind - I thought the contention was unlike anything I have ever seen.  People de-friending people.  People ignorant on how to express views without resorting to arguments or name-calling; inability to agree to disagree.  Disrespect and division.

In our day, the scriptural imperative for unity is largely ignored, and for many people the emphasis is on tribalism,25 often based on status, gender, race, and wealth. In many countries, if not most, people are deeply divided about how to live. In the Lord’s Church, the only culture we adhere to and teach is the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The unity we seek is to be unified with the Savior and His teachings.26

I love this.  In the Church of Jesus Christ, we do not divide into groups by gender, orientation, race, political party, economic status, education, fashion, hobbies, or any other division society may create/uphold.  None of that matters.  That is why we do not use these to define ourselves.  How DO we define ourselves?  Saints or disciples of Christ, seeking to be like Him.  How does the Savior divide people?  Sinners and hypocrites, maybe?

Next, Elder Cook will talk about equality with regard to each of the three keys he introduced in part one.

As we look at the primary purposes of the Church, they are all based on equality before the Lord27 and following the culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With respect to missionary work, the principal qualifications for baptism are humbling oneself before God and coming forth with a broken heart and contrite spirit.28 Education, wealth, race, or national origin are not even considered.

In addition, missionaries humbly serve where called. They do not attempt to serve based on worldly standards of status or preparation for future careers. They serve with all their heart, might, mind, and strength wherever they are assigned. They do not choose their missionary companions, and they seek diligently to develop Christlike attributes,29 which are at the heart of the culture of Jesus Christ.

The scriptures give guidance for our most important relationships. The Savior taught that the first commandment was to “love the Lord thy God.” And the second is to “love thy neighbour as thyself.”30

The Savior additionally explained that everyone is our neighbor.31 The Book of Mormon makes it clear that there must be no -ites, tribes, or classes.32 We must be united and equal before God.

Sacred ordinances and divine responsibilities are built upon this premise. I would expect that your own experiences in the temple would be similar to mine. When I would leave my workaday world in San Francisco and arrive at the Oakland Temple, I would experience an overwhelming feeling of love and peace. A major part of that was sensing I was closer to God and His purposes. The saving ordinances were my primary focus, but a significant part of those beautiful feelings was the equality and unity that permeate the temple. Everyone is dressed in white clothing. There is no evidence of wealth, rank, or educational attainment; we are all brothers and sisters humbling ourselves before God.

In the sacred sealing room, the eternal marriage ordinance is the same for everyone. I love the fact that the couple from the humblest background and the couple from the wealthiest background have exactly the same experience. They wear the same type of robes and make the same covenants across the same altar. They also receive the same eternal priesthood blessings. This is accomplished in a beautiful temple built by the tithes of the Saints as the sacred house of the Lord.

Fulfilling divinely appointed responsibilities, based on righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord, brings personal happiness and peace in this world and prepares us for eternal life in the world to come.33 It prepares us to meet God.34

Here, Elder Cook tells us that preparing for eternal life is preparing to meet God, adding more meaning to the title.

We pray that each of you, regardless of your current circumstances, will counsel with your bishop and be worthy of a temple recommend.35

We are grateful that many more members are preparing to go to the temple. There has been a significant increase in the number of worthy adult temple recommend holders for many years. Limited-use recommends for worthy youth have increased dramatically over the last two years. Clearly the faithful core membership of the Church has never been stronger.

In conclusion, please be assured that senior Church leaders who preside over the divinely appointed purposes of the Church receive divine assistance. This guidance comes from the Spirit and sometimes directly from the Savior. Both kinds of spiritual guidance are given. I am grateful to have received such assistance. But guidance is given in the Lord’s time, line upon line and precept upon precept,36 when “an omniscient Lord deliberately chooses to school us.”37 Guidance for the Church as a whole comes only to His prophet.

Wow.  Rarely to general authorities talk publicly about manifestations of the Savior.  Elder Cook here testifies that he and they do receive personal assistance sometimes directly from the Savior.

We have all had the privilege of sustaining President Russell M. Nelson as our prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this conference. The Twelve, as a group and individually, had a significant spiritual experience when we laid our hands on President Nelson’s head and President Dallin H. Oaks, acting as voice, ordained him and set him apart as President of the Church. I testify that he was foreordained and has been prepared his entire life to be the Lord’s prophet for our day. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I like how he says the twelve as a group and individually had a significant spiritual experience.  This hearkens back to the beginning of the talk with Eliza R. Snow's account of the whole group experiencing a divine presence and joy, while some saw angels.  It sounds like this ordination was of the same vein.  Have you ever been a part of an experience where the whole group received a significant spiritual experience?  I wonder if the solemn assembly could be considered one such.  Sometimes in the temple I feel a significant energy/power during prayer when the Spirit just flows unrestrained, and I wonder if others feel it, too.

I feel like there is still more to get out of this talk.  I may go through it yet again, but I think there's enough discussion to publish  :)