The Savior Taught About Future Events (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1)

Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:4 contains questions that the Savior’s disciples asked Him. Verses 5-20 contain the answer the Savior gave to their first question regarding the destruction of the temple, and verses 21-55 contain His answer to their other questions concerning His Second Coming and the destruction of the wicked. Read Joseph Smith-Matthew. Then fill in the following chart. 

*Joseph Smith-Matthew is found in the Pearl of Great Price

	Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (JS-M 1:5-20)	The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (JS-M 1:21-55)
Events to Occur	- false prophets and false Christs  deceive many (v. 6, 9) - Christ's apostles will be killed (v. 7) - Iniquity abound, love wax cold (v. 10) - abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (v. 12)  *more info on this below chart - the Jews in Judea will flee into the mountains (v. 13) - "great tribulation on the Jews" (v. 18) - beginning of sorrows to come (v. 19)	- false prophets and false Christs deceive many (v. 22) - wars and rumor of wars (v. 23) - Christ will come like the sun from the East in great power and glory (v. 26, 36) - The whole Earth will know Christ has returned (v. 26) - Wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (v. 29) - Iniquity abound, love wax cold (v. 30) - again abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (v. 32) *more info on this below chart - the sun and moon will not shine, and starts will fall (v. 33) -
Promises to the Righteous	- "He that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved." (v. 11) - days of tribulation be shortened for the elect's sake (v. 20)	- Righteous will be gathered from the four quarters of the earth (v. 27, 37) - "he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved" (v. 30) -Gospel preached in all the world and the end of wickedness  (v. 31) -All prophecies will be fulfilled  (v. 35)  - "whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived" (v. 37)

* What is meant by the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet and how will it happen again during the Second Coming?

In the New Testament Manual it says quotes the Bible Dictionary of abomination of desolation: 

"Daniel spoke prophetically of a day when there would be ‘the abomination that maketh desolate’ (Dan. 11:31;12:11), and the phrase was recoined in New Testament times to say ‘the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet’ (Matt. 24:15).

“Conditions of desolation, born of abomination and wickedness, were to occur twice in fulfillment of Daniel’s words. The first was to be when the Roman legions under Titus, in A.D. 70, laid siege to Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15; JS—M 1:12).

“Speaking of the last days, of the days following the Restoration of the gospel and its declaration ‘for a witness unto all nations,’ our Lord said: ‘And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled’ (JS—M 1:31–32). That is, Jerusalem again will be under siege.

“In a general sense, abomination of desolation also describes the latter-day judgments to be poured out upon the wicked wherever they may be. And so that the honest in heart may escape these things, the Lord sends His servants forth to raise the warning voice, to declare the glad tidings of the Restoration, lest ‘desolation and utter abolishment’ come upon them [D&C 84:114]” (Bible Dictionary, “Abomination of desolation”).

Personally reading about all of this tribulation and wickedness that will occur during the last days causes me to fear. I know I shouldn't fear because for the Lord to come again these things must come to pass like he said, but it is still overwhelming. 

If you are feeling like me then here are some comforting scriptures and quote that helped me:

• 1 Nephi 22:17 says, "he will preserve the righteous by his power..." Since Heavenly Father and Christ are all powerful this scripture provided me with comfort and confidence.

• D&C 97:25 says, "Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her." 

• 2 Timothy 1:7 explains, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” With God we can overcome our fear and have faith instead.

• "How Firm a Foundation" (Hymn #85) 2nd verse says:

               Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

               For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

               I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

               Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

               Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

• Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles defined what it means to be steadfast:

"A person who is steadfast and immovable is solid, firm, resolute, firmly secured, and incapable of being diverted from a primary purpose or mission. …

“A building or structure that is stable and immovable must be built upon a strong foundation. If you and I desire to become steadfast and immovable disciples of the Master, we must build appropriately and effectively upon Him as our foundation. …

“As we become more spiritually mature and increasingly steadfast and immovable, we focus upon and strive to understand the fundamental and foundational doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Disciples who are steadfast and immovable do not become fanatics or extremists, are not overzealous, and are not preoccupied with misguided gospel hobbies” (“Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works,” New Era, Jan. 2008, 2, 4–5).