Like the content's so bad. Who wants to hear it in both?
Standard of Truth · Season 4 · Episode 37 · 1:05:39
Secret Ways to Prepare for the Second Coming
Wilford Woodruff preached in 1879 that the angels of destruction had already 'left the portals of heaven,' yet he told the Saints the answer was to get right with God, not to predict a date.
Press play above. The page follows along.
The question ·
If an unpublished vision isn't where doctrine comes from, how should Latter-day Saints actually prepare for the Second Coming?
Gerrit
Richard's son is home from his mission, and the hosts remember the missionary Gerrit comforted on a flight two years earlier. Mike jokes that his emails never get read because he has only a master's degree, and Chad praises Gerrit's stake fireside on Joseph Smith and the Constitution. Gerrit then finishes the George Albert Smith 'vision,' reading the reminiscence's commentary and a second, third-hand account through Sidney Sperry. He shows that such stories spread because they promise secret knowledge, while living prophets keep pointing to the temple. Gerrit reads end-times sermons by Wilford Woodruff from 1879 and 1894 to show prophets have always warned of judgments without giving dates. He closes by urging listeners to repent today, love others, and follow what President Nelson is actually teaching.
Who comes upGeorge Albert SmithSidney SperryWilford WoodruffRussell M. NelsonJoseph SmithHerbert Hoover
Now playing · 1:56
The son comes home
Richard's missionary son returns, and Gerrit describes the long walk through Salt Lake's airport.
Chapters
Tap a chapter to jump thereTranscript
324 moments · tap a time to play from thereIntro Welcome to the Standard of Truth Podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard LeDuc explore the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the life and teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith. They examine the original historical sources and provide context for events of the past. They approach the history of the Church with faith, expertise, and humor.
Intro Welcome to the Standard of Truth Podcast. In this podcast, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard LeDuc explore the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the life and teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith. They examine the original historical sources and provide context for events of the past. They approach the history of the Church with faith, expertise, and humor.
Gerrit Hi, welcome to another episode of the Standard of Truth podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, and I'm joined by my friend, Professor Richard LeDuc.
Gerrit Hi, welcome to another episode of the Standard of Truth podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, and I'm joined by my friend, Professor Richard LeDuc.
Richard Hello, Gerrit. It's great to be back. Thank you for having me back.
Richard Hello, Gerrit. It's great to be back. Thank you for having me back.
Gerrit I have many options.
Gerrit I have many options.
Richard The last episode we did was in a study hall somewhere in the BYU.
Richard The last episode we did was in a study hall somewhere in the BYU.
Gerrit It sounded like we were in a mausoleum.
Gerrit It sounded like we were in a mausoleum.
Richard It did. It wasn't in stereo. Then you fixed it. So for those that struggled initially, we have it fixed and you can go back and listen to it in both ears if you're listening to headphones.
Richard It did. It wasn't in stereo. Then you fixed it. So for those that struggled initially, we have it fixed and you can go back and listen to it in both ears if you're listening to headphones.
Gerrit Which to me seems odd, right? Like the content's so bad. Who wants to hear it in both? Like who's the person that's like, you know what? When I listen to Gerrit say things that annoy me, I want to hear it in both ears. I don't want it just in one ear. I could miss something.
Gerrit Which to me seems odd, right? Like the content's so bad. Who wants to hear it in both? Like who's the person that's like, you know what? When I listen to Gerrit say things that annoy me, I want to hear it in both ears. I don't want it just in one ear. I could miss something.
Richard Well, I mean, people want to hear about the George Albert Smith apocalypse prophecy, and we're going to follow up on that here. You're going to wax eloquent on a couple of things here in a minute, or wax poetic or both. You'll be waxing, wax on, wax off.
Richard Well, I mean, people want to hear about the George Albert Smith apocalypse prophecy, and we're going to follow up on that here. You're going to wax eloquent on a couple of things here in a minute, or wax poetic or both. You'll be waxing, wax on, wax off.
Gerrit Yeah. At this point, I should probably just go wax the car.
Gerrit Yeah. At this point, I should probably just go wax the car.
Richard We do have a couple of emails. I will say though, Gerrit, so my son came home from his mission. That was about as awesome of a thing as there is. It was so much fun. If you came to the airport.
Richard We do have a couple of emails. I will say though, Gerrit, so my son came home from his mission. That was about as awesome of a thing as there is. It was so much fun. If you came to the airport.
Gerrit But it was hard for me to be as excited because all we could see was Ryker leaving in a couple of weeks. Right.
Gerrit But it was hard for me to be as excited because all we could see was Ryker leaving in a couple of weeks. Right.
Richard Sunrise, sunset.
Richard Sunrise, sunset.
Gerrit Yeah, exactly, you are. Is this the little boy?
Gerrit Yeah, exactly, you are. Is this the little boy?
Richard Well, you performed a tremendous service. And I don't know what game these missionaries are playing. There were five or six missionaries that were all coming from the same spot. And apparently the plane lands, then they stop, they take a shower, they get a little bit of a beat.
Richard Well, you performed a tremendous service. And I don't know what game these missionaries are playing. There were five or six missionaries that were all coming from the same spot. And apparently the plane lands, then they stop, they take a shower, they get a little bit of a beat.
Gerrit So they took at least a half hour after the plane landed to come out.
Gerrit So they took at least a half hour after the plane landed to come out.
Richard And they were in the A terminal.
Richard And they were in the A terminal.
Gerrit Right. Now, look, for those of you familiar with Salt Lake City's airport, their new airport is, you know, cutting edge. It's modern. And it is more than a mile from the ticket counter to the B terminal. So, and you think I'm kidding. I am not kidding. It's a mile to go from the ticket counter to the B terminal. So, if you're in the B terminal and you're flying to Salt Lake, pack a lunch. You know, you're gonna have to sit down, you know, tell them you need wheelchair support, whatever it's gonna take to get there.
Gerrit Right. Now, look, for those of you familiar with Salt Lake City's airport, their new airport is, you know, cutting edge. It's modern. And it is more than a mile from the ticket counter to the B terminal. So, and you think I'm kidding. I am not kidding. It's a mile to go from the ticket counter to the B terminal. So, if you're in the B terminal and you're flying to Salt Lake, pack a lunch. You know, you're gonna have to sit down, you know, tell them you need wheelchair support, whatever it's gonna take to get there.
Richard If you're flying Frontier, they assign a Sherpa to help you get your bags.
Richard If you're flying Frontier, they assign a Sherpa to help you get your bags.
Gerrit Well, no, you have to pay. You have to pay for the Sherpa. Just like you have to pay for your Sprite. Just like, yeah, no, that's, I don't think that, I don't think you're representing their business model fairly.
Gerrit Well, no, you have to pay. You have to pay for the Sherpa. Just like you have to pay for your Sprite. Just like, yeah, no, that's, I don't think that, I don't think you're representing their business model fairly.
Richard But you did such a great service as you went up into the edge there and there was a little crack in the window that you can kind of see.
Richard But you did such a great service as you went up into the edge there and there was a little crack in the window that you can kind of see.
Gerrit Well, you can see beyond, you know, because every airport has the like, if you go beyond here, you can't come back in. It's like Noah closing the doors of the Ark. You know, once you go out past these doors, that's it. It's, you're dead to all of us. Like I, as the officer, can watch you start to go out the door, drop your phone, and if you try to get back in, I pull my gun on you. That's how, like if you go, so in Salt Lake, those doors, you know, they're opaque, you can't see through them. And so if you're waiting for a missionary to come home, you can't really see who's coming at all. You have like one second, the door opens and they're already there. So if you're trying to get stuff ready, you don't know. So on the edge of that, there is a glass window thing, and I prop myself up against a pillar, and I could see up just a little, not even that much further, but a little bit further.
Gerrit Well, you can see beyond, you know, because every airport has the like, if you go beyond here, you can't come back in. It's like Noah closing the doors of the Ark. You know, once you go out past these doors, that's it. It's, you're dead to all of us. Like I, as the officer, can watch you start to go out the door, drop your phone, and if you try to get back in, I pull my gun on you. That's how, like if you go, so in Salt Lake, those doors, you know, they're opaque, you can't see through them. And so if you're waiting for a missionary to come home, you can't really see who's coming at all. You have like one second, the door opens and they're already there. So if you're trying to get stuff ready, you don't know. So on the edge of that, there is a glass window thing, and I prop myself up against a pillar, and I could see up just a little, not even that much further, but a little bit further.
Richard A little further.
Richard A little further.
Gerrit And then I could hop down and run, which I can only imagine was hilarious to let everyone know the missionaries were coming.
Gerrit And then I could hop down and run, which I can only imagine was hilarious to let everyone know the missionaries were coming.
Richard Yeah, you were like Paul Revere.
Richard Yeah, you were like Paul Revere.
Gerrit I was like, turn out your militias. The missionaries are coming.
Gerrit I was like, turn out your militias. The missionaries are coming.
Richard It was so wonderful. And it was just one of the greatest things ever. And our son, who's in Peru, constantly being robbed when he got permission to call in on Zoom. So he was there for the first couple of minutes. It was just about the greatest thing in the whole world.
Richard It was so wonderful. And it was just one of the greatest things ever. And our son, who's in Peru, constantly being robbed when he got permission to call in on Zoom. So he was there for the first couple of minutes. It was just about the greatest thing in the whole world.
Gerrit Yeah, it was awesome.
Gerrit Yeah, it was awesome.
Richard It was good. I will say, and I have said this before, that it seems like missions are expensive. Since our son has come home, we have paid about $103,000 in food and clothes.
Richard It was good. I will say, and I have said this before, that it seems like missions are expensive. Since our son has come home, we have paid about $103,000 in food and clothes.
Gerrit Just in his gambling debts. Because he kept listening to the prop bets we gave him on Standard of Truth podcast.
Gerrit Just in his gambling debts. Because he kept listening to the prop bets we gave him on Standard of Truth podcast.
Richard Oh my gosh. These kids, man, they are so... But he's now down at the BYU. He's in your class, Gerrit?
Richard Oh my gosh. These kids, man, they are so... But he's now down at the BYU. He's in your class, Gerrit?
Gerrit He actually is in my class. I'm teaching one class. I haven't taught classes for quite some time, because of my reassignment that I am laboring under. And so a project I was reassigned to. And so this is the first class I've taught in a while. And there are a lot of, well, not enough familiar faces, but there's a lot of people familiar with me in the class. So for instance, there's the brother of a missionary whose email we answered on the podcast, Elder Hunt's email. We answered that and his brother's in the class. So he came up to talk to me afterwards. Obviously, Andrew is in the class, and I feigned that I didn't know who he was. But then whenever I needed to act like I knew people in the class, their name, I'd be like, Hey, Andrew, what do you think about this?
Gerrit He actually is in my class. I'm teaching one class. I haven't taught classes for quite some time, because of my reassignment that I am laboring under. And so a project I was reassigned to. And so this is the first class I've taught in a while. And there are a lot of, well, not enough familiar faces, but there's a lot of people familiar with me in the class. So for instance, there's the brother of a missionary whose email we answered on the podcast, Elder Hunt's email. We answered that and his brother's in the class. So he came up to talk to me afterwards. Obviously, Andrew is in the class, and I feigned that I didn't know who he was. But then whenever I needed to act like I knew people in the class, their name, I'd be like, Hey, Andrew, what do you think about this?
Gerrit And he'd be like, Wow, he's already memorizing other people's names. It's amazing. He just met us and he knows that kid's name. Why doesn't he know mine? Well, maybe you aren't as profound as Andrew. There was also our good friends, which we can't really go last name, I don't think.
Gerrit And he'd be like, Wow, he's already memorizing other people's names. It's amazing. He just met us and he knows that kid's name. Why doesn't he know mine? Well, maybe you aren't as profound as Andrew. There was also our good friends, which we can't really go last name, I don't think.
Richard No, no, no.
Richard No, no, no.
Gerrit Well, especially because he's a politician. And if there was any affiliation directly with our show, he's probably barely hanging on to his re-election campaign as it is, just because he went on a tour with us. And so were he to be outed as someone who listened to the Standard of Truth podcast?
Gerrit Well, especially because he's a politician. And if there was any affiliation directly with our show, he's probably barely hanging on to his re-election campaign as it is, just because he went on a tour with us. And so were he to be outed as someone who listened to the Standard of Truth podcast?
Richard That knows us at all, really.
Richard That knows us at all, really.
Gerrit Really? Yeah. Do you know them and you didn't spit on them as you walked by? But his daughter is the one who very infamously emailed the show while she was actively in labor, which eventually precipitated a response from another daughter who threatened to do a gender reveal on the podcast, even though that wasn't what she was doing.
Gerrit Really? Yeah. Do you know them and you didn't spit on them as you walked by? But his daughter is the one who very infamously emailed the show while she was actively in labor, which eventually precipitated a response from another daughter who threatened to do a gender reveal on the podcast, even though that wasn't what she was doing.
Richard And she also, I don't believe that she was pregnant.
Richard And she also, I don't believe that she was pregnant.
Gerrit No, but that was the whole idea. It was a threat. It was a threat to, I deserve respect. Well, their brother, not the one who went with us on the tour, Scotty is also in the class. And so we had a good chuckle about the family dynamics of his sisters. But and then I had a pretty special experience in the sense that a couple of years ago, we were flying to Boston. In fact, almost exactly two years ago.
Gerrit No, but that was the whole idea. It was a threat. It was a threat to, I deserve respect. Well, their brother, not the one who went with us on the tour, Scotty is also in the class. And so we had a good chuckle about the family dynamics of his sisters. But and then I had a pretty special experience in the sense that a couple of years ago, we were flying to Boston. In fact, almost exactly two years ago.
Richard Almost exactly two years ago.
Richard Almost exactly two years ago.
Gerrit How about that? Almost exactly two years ago. Isn't that right, Richard?
Gerrit How about that? Almost exactly two years ago. Isn't that right, Richard?
Richard I believe that's correct.
Richard I believe that's correct.
Gerrit Yeah. And maybe you should describe your view of what happened, Richard, because you were there.
Gerrit Yeah. And maybe you should describe your view of what happened, Richard, because you were there.
Richard I, boy, two years ago, that's hazy. But essentially, there was a missionary that was flying out and they were kind of by themselves. And as I recall even how I felt flying out, I was very anxious and nervous.
Richard I, boy, two years ago, that's hazy. But essentially, there was a missionary that was flying out and they were kind of by themselves. And as I recall even how I felt flying out, I was very anxious and nervous.
Gerrit Yeah. And you weren't speaking Chinese in Scotland.
Gerrit Yeah. And you weren't speaking Chinese in Scotland.
Richard No, I was not. No. And Gerrit, you have a voice that carries.
Richard No, I was not. No. And Gerrit, you have a voice that carries.
Gerrit Yes. I am annoying and people don't like me.
Gerrit Yes. I am annoying and people don't like me.
Richard No, no. It's just it's a loud, it's a booming voice.
Richard No, no. It's just it's a loud, it's a booming voice.
Gerrit A distinctive voice.
Gerrit A distinctive voice.
Richard You're distinctive.
Richard You're distinctive.
Gerrit And I was laughing as I am wanted to do. I laugh. And this missionary came up to me and said, are you, are you Gerrit Dirkmaat? Which he already, he asked it the same way that you ask when you already know the answer. It was more like that. And it turned out that this elder was flying to Boston because he was about to catch a plane to Scotland to begin his mission. And his mother was actually a big fan of the podcast. And so they'd actually been listening to the podcast a little bit. And so he recognized my voice and he was flying alone because the missionary that was supposed to go with him to Scotland had the morning of or the night before decided that he wasn't going on a mission anymore. So instead of flying out with his companion, he was flying out by himself. So we met with him and talked with him and it was pretty awesome.
Gerrit And I was laughing as I am wanted to do. I laugh. And this missionary came up to me and said, are you, are you Gerrit Dirkmaat? Which he already, he asked it the same way that you ask when you already know the answer. It was more like that. And it turned out that this elder was flying to Boston because he was about to catch a plane to Scotland to begin his mission. And his mother was actually a big fan of the podcast. And so they'd actually been listening to the podcast a little bit. And so he recognized my voice and he was flying alone because the missionary that was supposed to go with him to Scotland had the morning of or the night before decided that he wasn't going on a mission anymore. So instead of flying out with his companion, he was flying out by himself. So we met with him and talked with him and it was pretty awesome.
Gerrit Well, that missionary now returned with honor is also in my class. So with a lot of wonderful other people too.
Gerrit Well, that missionary now returned with honor is also in my class. So with a lot of wonderful other people too.
Richard I'm sure that they're all fine, but I believe you received an email from his mother just saying just how anxious he was and what a sweet, actual tender mercy it was that you were.
Richard I'm sure that they're all fine, but I believe you received an email from his mother just saying just how anxious he was and what a sweet, actual tender mercy it was that you were.
Gerrit It was one of those miraculous type of things. I mean, we would be on the same flight when I'm flying to Boston never. And the one time I am flying there just so happens to be with him, and it just so happens to be when he is someone who's listened to the podcast, and it just so happens to be close enough that he recognizes me. I mean, I think that there are some tender mercies and that our Heavenly Father, who knows when a sparrow falls, he watches out for people. And I think sometimes it makes me think about what ways has God watched out for me that I don't even thank him for, that I don't even recognize, because God so handily provided people to buttress me up, that basically I was ingrati-ful about it, that I didn't say, oh, that came from God. And so I was like, what a coincidence.
Gerrit It was one of those miraculous type of things. I mean, we would be on the same flight when I'm flying to Boston never. And the one time I am flying there just so happens to be with him, and it just so happens to be when he is someone who's listened to the podcast, and it just so happens to be close enough that he recognizes me. I mean, I think that there are some tender mercies and that our Heavenly Father, who knows when a sparrow falls, he watches out for people. And I think sometimes it makes me think about what ways has God watched out for me that I don't even thank him for, that I don't even recognize, because God so handily provided people to buttress me up, that basically I was ingrati-ful about it, that I didn't say, oh, that came from God. And so I was like, what a coincidence.
Gerrit I'm glad I did that, that kind of thing. But anyway, so it was special, great to see them all. I told Richard that if his son fails my class, that's going to put a damper in our relationship, I know, but I have to remain true to the standards of BYU.
Gerrit I'm glad I did that, that kind of thing. But anyway, so it was special, great to see them all. I told Richard that if his son fails my class, that's going to put a damper in our relationship, I know, but I have to remain true to the standards of BYU.
Richard I have threatened him. I have warned him and I have forewarned him. And I'm like, American heritage and Gerrit's foundations of the restoration, there are nothing else. Drop every other class. You have to pass those two. Well, Gerrit, so we have a couple of e-mails before we get into you concluding on the George Albert Smith discussion that we had yesterday. This comes to us from Mike. And Mike goes on, by the way, to ask some great questions that we're just not going to have time to get to.
Richard I have threatened him. I have warned him and I have forewarned him. And I'm like, American heritage and Gerrit's foundations of the restoration, there are nothing else. Drop every other class. You have to pass those two. Well, Gerrit, so we have a couple of e-mails before we get into you concluding on the George Albert Smith discussion that we had yesterday. This comes to us from Mike. And Mike goes on, by the way, to ask some great questions that we're just not going to have time to get to.
Gerrit Sorry, Mike.
Gerrit Sorry, Mike.
Richard Oh, Mike, we're so sorry.
Richard Oh, Mike, we're so sorry.
Gerrit It seemed like you just wanted us to acknowledge you. So we also want to answer your questions at some point, but we never will. Again, let's remember, we remind our listeners that we get literally dozens of emails a week now. And I mean, so we're getting in the neighborhood of hundreds a month. And we do read every one of them. It would be impossible for, I mean, sometimes I'm like having it read out to me in my car while I'm driving, you know, but we are grateful for everyone e-mails. And please don't take the fact that we don't e-mail you back or that we don't read it on the air as some kind of indicator that we, you know, that we decided we didn't like your question because it was about polygamy. And they're all about polygamy. Yeah. So we just didn't like your question and stop, you know, that's the end of the statement because they're about polygamy. Which by the way, we've answered quite a few things lately about polygamy.
Gerrit It seemed like you just wanted us to acknowledge you. So we also want to answer your questions at some point, but we never will. Again, let's remember, we remind our listeners that we get literally dozens of emails a week now. And I mean, so we're getting in the neighborhood of hundreds a month. And we do read every one of them. It would be impossible for, I mean, sometimes I'm like having it read out to me in my car while I'm driving, you know, but we are grateful for everyone e-mails. And please don't take the fact that we don't e-mail you back or that we don't read it on the air as some kind of indicator that we, you know, that we decided we didn't like your question because it was about polygamy. And they're all about polygamy. Yeah. So we just didn't like your question and stop, you know, that's the end of the statement because they're about polygamy. Which by the way, we've answered quite a few things lately about polygamy.
Gerrit I feel like the fourth wall is coming down. Like the Berlin Wall starts to crack and now they're removing parts of it.
Gerrit I feel like the fourth wall is coming down. Like the Berlin Wall starts to crack and now they're removing parts of it.
Richard We're one, we're one Jesus Jones right here, right now song away from you doing just so much polygamy talk.
Richard We're one, we're one Jesus Jones right here, right now song away from you doing just so much polygamy talk.
Gerrit When I was a kid, I thought the wall came down because of the Chipmunks. Because they sang the song, let the wall come down, tumble to the ground and earth will live in peace all around.
Gerrit When I was a kid, I thought the wall came down because of the Chipmunks. Because they sang the song, let the wall come down, tumble to the ground and earth will live in peace all around.
Richard Wow. I don't, I don't recall.
Richard Wow. I don't, I don't recall.
Gerrit You don't know the Alvin and the Chipmunks where they go to the Berlin Wall.
Gerrit You don't know the Alvin and the Chipmunks where they go to the Berlin Wall.
Richard I'm familiar with.
Gerrit And they sing, let the wall come down, tumble to the ground and like the East German guards start dancing with them and stuff. I think it won the Cold War.
Richard I'm familiar with.
Gerrit And they sing, let the wall come down, tumble to the ground and like the East German guards start dancing with them and stuff. I think it won the Cold War.
Richard I always thought that David Hasselhoff won the Cold War.
Richard I always thought that David Hasselhoff won the Cold War.
Gerrit He did a lot.
Gerrit He did a lot.
Richard He did a lot. He sang a freedom song on top of the wall, wasn't that? That seems like that was a thing.
Richard He did a lot. He sang a freedom song on top of the wall, wasn't that? That seems like that was a thing.
Gerrit I feel like Alvin and the Chipmunks did more.
Gerrit I feel like Alvin and the Chipmunks did more.
Richard It's possible. Well, so Mike goes on to say, now, I now know why my e-mails don't get read on air. I have realized that you have done your research and have found out that I am but a lowly master's degree holder, and I am part of the dregs of society and that I teach at an online university. It all makes sense now. I mean, the only other explanation for it would be that my questions are answered in other episodes, but that can't be. I must say that it is exciting that just like what people say about the Second Coming, we are closer today than we have ever been to Richard Erting's PhD.
Richard It's possible. Well, so Mike goes on to say, now, I now know why my e-mails don't get read on air. I have realized that you have done your research and have found out that I am but a lowly master's degree holder, and I am part of the dregs of society and that I teach at an online university. It all makes sense now. I mean, the only other explanation for it would be that my questions are answered in other episodes, but that can't be. I must say that it is exciting that just like what people say about the Second Coming, we are closer today than we have ever been to Richard Erting's PhD.
Gerrit You know what? The difference is that I know that the Second Coming is going to happen. Like, I have a certainty. I live in absolute certitude that Jesus will come again.
Gerrit You know what? The difference is that I know that the Second Coming is going to happen. Like, I have a certainty. I live in absolute certitude that Jesus will come again.
Richard We've been doing this podcast for four years. I've been talking about getting my PhD for four years. I had my master's degree before I started. And so like I already was, you know, this should have been, you know, a little bit faster. You're exactly right. Yeah, it's not coming.
Richard We've been doing this podcast for four years. I've been talking about getting my PhD for four years. I had my master's degree before I started. And so like I already was, you know, this should have been, you know, a little bit faster. You're exactly right. Yeah, it's not coming.
Gerrit Do you think he was making a, was he making a slight inference that the Second Coming might happen before you get your PhD?
Gerrit Do you think he was making a, was he making a slight inference that the Second Coming might happen before you get your PhD?
Richard Possible. Fortunately, I'd have the millennium to finish it up.
Richard Possible. Fortunately, I'd have the millennium to finish it up.
Gerrit Well, maybe you need to rethink about this possible George Albert Smith revelation then.
Gerrit Well, maybe you need to rethink about this possible George Albert Smith revelation then.
Richard Yeah. This next email comes to us from Chad. And Chad, there's one thing you do well here. And let's just see if the listeners, if the Litners see what he says here that gets this move to the top of the list of being read. Let's just, let's see. I attended a wonderful event put on by our stake here in Spanish Fork. Gerrit did his usual amazing job speaking. He spoke on the Constitution in Joseph Smith. How'd that go?
Richard Yeah. This next email comes to us from Chad. And Chad, there's one thing you do well here. And let's just see if the listeners, if the Litners see what he says here that gets this move to the top of the list of being read. Let's just, let's see. I attended a wonderful event put on by our stake here in Spanish Fork. Gerrit did his usual amazing job speaking. He spoke on the Constitution in Joseph Smith. How'd that go?
Gerrit It went well, I hope. That's good.
Gerrit It went well, I hope. That's good.
Richard Because we have a Fourth of July tradition where you come on and just trash America.
Richard Because we have a Fourth of July tradition where you come on and just trash America.
Gerrit No, no, I don't do that. I just explain that the nation threw us out and that our profit forebears were happy to get out because they were tired of being murdered.
Gerrit No, no, I don't do that. I just explain that the nation threw us out and that our profit forebears were happy to get out because they were tired of being murdered.
Richard Right. Sorry, I misspoke. What you said is far more accurate. My guess is when they want you to speak on these matters, they want all the fluff, right? They want, not fluff, they want all the really flowery stuff.
Richard Right. Sorry, I misspoke. What you said is far more accurate. My guess is when they want you to speak on these matters, they want all the fluff, right? They want, not fluff, they want all the really flowery stuff.
Gerrit I'm sure. I mean, when you talk about history, I'm sure people, people will say, I want to learn something new. But usually what they mean is I want to learn something new that says the way I already thought about it was more right than I thought it was. That's, that's usually what they mean.
Gerrit I'm sure. I mean, when you talk about history, I'm sure people, people will say, I want to learn something new. But usually what they mean is I want to learn something new that says the way I already thought about it was more right than I thought it was. That's, that's usually what they mean.
Richard That's exactly what I mean when I say.
Richard That's exactly what I mean when I say.
Gerrit Yeah. So when someone says, oh, like, you know, he taught us things I haven't heard before, they rarely mean I want him to challenge the paradigm of whether or not Abraham Lincoln became anti-slavery because he read the Book of Mormon. I don't think that they want that.
Gerrit Yeah. So when someone says, oh, like, you know, he taught us things I haven't heard before, they rarely mean I want him to challenge the paradigm of whether or not Abraham Lincoln became anti-slavery because he read the Book of Mormon. I don't think that they want that.
Richard No. After the event, I waited patiently for an opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his sacrifice in doing the podcast and for his testimony and how inspiring it was to me personally. As I was waiting, I watched as Gerrit patiently helped an older sister find the podcast on her iPhone. Much to my surprise, as he helped her find the podcast, not once did he mention the premium content or the tours. As you are counting your filthy lucre this month, you may notice a dip in revenue. The root cause appears to be your friend in quotes, not focusing on the upsell. I thought you should be made aware so you can address the situation. Football season is upon us, and without your pieces of silver, there would be no betting on the spread.
Richard No. After the event, I waited patiently for an opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his sacrifice in doing the podcast and for his testimony and how inspiring it was to me personally. As I was waiting, I watched as Gerrit patiently helped an older sister find the podcast on her iPhone. Much to my surprise, as he helped her find the podcast, not once did he mention the premium content or the tours. As you are counting your filthy lucre this month, you may notice a dip in revenue. The root cause appears to be your friend in quotes, not focusing on the upsell. I thought you should be made aware so you can address the situation. Football season is upon us, and without your pieces of silver, there would be no betting on the spread.
Gerrit Yeah, boy, he's got, he has so many inside jokes there that...
Gerrit Yeah, boy, he's got, he has so many inside jokes there that...
Richard That's very good. In all seriousness, I wanted to thank you both for the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that you put in to make the podcast and share the gospel and your testimonies of it with the world. I, for one, have found strength and inspiration from both of you. This was the first time my wife had heard Gerrit, and it almost convinced her to sign up for the tour next year, like Paul in front of Agrippa, I guess.
Richard That's very good. In all seriousness, I wanted to thank you both for the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that you put in to make the podcast and share the gospel and your testimonies of it with the world. I, for one, have found strength and inspiration from both of you. This was the first time my wife had heard Gerrit, and it almost convinced her to sign up for the tour next year, like Paul in front of Agrippa, I guess.
Gerrit Yeah, thou almost persuadest me to go to Palmyra. I need the crack research staff to go find the Alvin and the Chipmunks, let the wall come down.
Gerrit Yeah, thou almost persuadest me to go to Palmyra. I need the crack research staff to go find the Alvin and the Chipmunks, let the wall come down.
Richard I will share the link on the episode description. I've never heard of it before.
Richard I will share the link on the episode description. I've never heard of it before.
Gerrit Did you not watch Alvin and the Chipmunks when you were a kid?
Gerrit Did you not watch Alvin and the Chipmunks when you were a kid?
Richard Yeah.
Richard Yeah.
Gerrit I mean, I know it wasn't the best of bread, but did you not watch them?
Gerrit I mean, I know it wasn't the best of bread, but did you not watch them?
Richard I mean, not really. I was more of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I watched them a little bit later.
Richard I mean, not really. I was more of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I watched them a little bit later.
Gerrit They're not mutually exclusive.
Gerrit They're not mutually exclusive.
Richard I feel like they are.
Richard I feel like they are.
Gerrit How about the Gummi Bears?
Gerrit How about the Gummi Bears?
Richard Well, I didn't have the Disney Channel, so I couldn't watch the Gummi Bears.
Richard Well, I didn't have the Disney Channel, so I couldn't watch the Gummi Bears.
Gerrit The Gummi Bears wasn't on Disney, it was on Break.
Gerrit The Gummi Bears wasn't on Disney, it was on Break.
Richard No.
Gerrit You think I had the Disney Channel in Southeast Idaho? We barely had Channel 6. We barely had ABC. ABC came in from Pocatello and it was all just...
Richard No.
Gerrit You think I had the Disney Channel in Southeast Idaho? We barely had Channel 6. We barely had ABC. ABC came in from Pocatello and it was all just...
Richard You didn't get Idaho Falls? You got the Pocatello?
Richard You didn't get Idaho Falls? You got the Pocatello?
Gerrit Idaho Falls had NBC and it was beautiful because it's coming right from Idaho Falls. CBS was a little sketchy. ABC? I don't know. You're getting it from Fort Hall? Yeah. Their tower, whatever their transistor was, whatever their... It was so bad. And look, I'm using like rabid-ear television when I'm a kid. And you're like having to bend... Did you ever have like the antenna on the television break and you used a hanger?
Gerrit Idaho Falls had NBC and it was beautiful because it's coming right from Idaho Falls. CBS was a little sketchy. ABC? I don't know. You're getting it from Fort Hall? Yeah. Their tower, whatever their transistor was, whatever their... It was so bad. And look, I'm using like rabid-ear television when I'm a kid. And you're like having to bend... Did you ever have like the antenna on the television break and you used a hanger?
Richard No, but we would have to stand, we'd have to stand in certain positions in the living room. Well, just like, hey, you stood over there and the reception was better, but I don't understand. Just stay there. Just stand right there.
Richard No, but we would have to stand, we'd have to stand in certain positions in the living room. Well, just like, hey, you stood over there and the reception was better, but I don't understand. Just stay there. Just stand right there.
Gerrit Yeah, that's exactly right. We had someone email us a whole bunch of Southeast Idaho stuff that maybe we'll get to next episode.
Gerrit Yeah, that's exactly right. We had someone email us a whole bunch of Southeast Idaho stuff that maybe we'll get to next episode.
Richard Well, so, yeah, I'm fairly calm. I'm gonna look into the Gummi Bears, but I'm pretty sure they're bouncing here and there and everywhere, and that was on the Disney Channel.
Richard Well, so, yeah, I'm fairly calm. I'm gonna look into the Gummi Bears, but I'm pretty sure they're bouncing here and there and everywhere, and that was on the Disney Channel.
Gerrit No, it wasn't because I didn't get the Disney Channel.
Gerrit No, it wasn't because I didn't get the Disney Channel.
Richard Something, something, inspiration, something. Oh, the Herd Gerrit. Okay, here we go. If you have any suggestions on closing the deal, I would welcome the help as I would really like to go on the tour. Thank you again, Chad, and his last name is impossible to pronounce, which is-
Richard Something, something, inspiration, something. Oh, the Herd Gerrit. Okay, here we go. If you have any suggestions on closing the deal, I would welcome the help as I would really like to go on the tour. Thank you again, Chad, and his last name is impossible to pronounce, which is-
Gerrit Yeah, which we bonded over when he talked to me after the fireside.
Gerrit Yeah, which we bonded over when he talked to me after the fireside.
Richard Yes, and he goes on to say that he would happily replace me. He lives in Spanish Fork, far more convenient for Gerrit. I actually think it's a great idea.
Richard Yes, and he goes on to say that he would happily replace me. He lives in Spanish Fork, far more convenient for Gerrit. I actually think it's a great idea.
Gerrit Well, it's actually an offer he made in person as well, so I don't think this is an idle threat. He's coming for you, Richard.
Gerrit Well, it's actually an offer he made in person as well, so I don't think this is an idle threat. He's coming for you, Richard.
Richard He's coming for you. That's great. The reasons that we love obviously this episode, or this episode, this episode is about ourselves. Yeah, but mentions the tour, mentions premium. Boy, that's about the fastest way to get your email read. We'd like to say on the tour in June and in August, we're going to Palmyra, we're going to Missouri and Nauvoo in June, and we're going to Palmyra and Kirtland and other places in August, and it's going to be great. We hope you come. There's a link in the description here and to your wife. I can tell you that that's the first time she listened to Gerrit and she thought, hey, this is pretty good. Going on the tour is an absolute blast. In fact, we have a recording that actually I should drop here as a bonus from people that were on the tour and the reasons that they liked it, and the fun that they had, and it's just the best part about this whole podcast thing is the listeners are the best part.
Richard He's coming for you. That's great. The reasons that we love obviously this episode, or this episode, this episode is about ourselves. Yeah, but mentions the tour, mentions premium. Boy, that's about the fastest way to get your email read. We'd like to say on the tour in June and in August, we're going to Palmyra, we're going to Missouri and Nauvoo in June, and we're going to Palmyra and Kirtland and other places in August, and it's going to be great. We hope you come. There's a link in the description here and to your wife. I can tell you that that's the first time she listened to Gerrit and she thought, hey, this is pretty good. Going on the tour is an absolute blast. In fact, we have a recording that actually I should drop here as a bonus from people that were on the tour and the reasons that they liked it, and the fun that they had, and it's just the best part about this whole podcast thing is the listeners are the best part.
Richard They are hilarious and wonderful. They really are amazing people. And wonderful.
Richard They are hilarious and wonderful. They really are amazing people. And wonderful.
Gerrit Yeah. Amazing people who are dedicated to the Gospel, and it's awesome to just share your testimonies with each other.
Gerrit Yeah. Amazing people who are dedicated to the Gospel, and it's awesome to just share your testimonies with each other.
Richard Now, Gerrit, on with the prophecy.
Richard Now, Gerrit, on with the prophecy.
Gerrit Ah, yeah. So this is one of those episodes. Now I realized that most of our episodes, you could listen in randomized order. And it makes no, it's like listening to, you know, a best of Def Leppard CD. And it doesn't matter if you listen to Photograph before, you know, you listen to Pour Some Sugar. But this is an episode where if you didn't listen to the first half, you really need to listen to it. Because we went through most of this alleged prophecy in the first episode. What we ended off, we didn't read the entire thing. This is entirely too detailed. Remember, what this is is a reminiscence of a man who's remembering having had a conversation in his home with President Smith, George Albert Smith, who told him essentially about, that he'd had a vision of the end times and that they were very, very, very close.
Gerrit Ah, yeah. So this is one of those episodes. Now I realized that most of our episodes, you could listen in randomized order. And it makes no, it's like listening to, you know, a best of Def Leppard CD. And it doesn't matter if you listen to Photograph before, you know, you listen to Pour Some Sugar. But this is an episode where if you didn't listen to the first half, you really need to listen to it. Because we went through most of this alleged prophecy in the first episode. What we ended off, we didn't read the entire thing. This is entirely too detailed. Remember, what this is is a reminiscence of a man who's remembering having had a conversation in his home with President Smith, George Albert Smith, who told him essentially about, that he'd had a vision of the end times and that they were very, very, very close.
Gerrit And of course, this brother interpreted that conversation, especially many years later, 40 years later, 45 years later, in light of the Cold War that was seemingly at its peak in the mid to late 80s. But in fact, what people didn't know was that the Soviet Union was about to collapse. That this, this, there are parts of this that then, you know, this good brother starts to try to interpret based upon what he sees as, as regular events. You know, we, we did talk about how one of the things he said was that the president at that time would be of Greek extraction. Well, in part of this, you know, his, his commentary reflects on the fact that at the time, Michael Dukakis was running for president.
Gerrit And of course, this brother interpreted that conversation, especially many years later, 40 years later, 45 years later, in light of the Cold War that was seemingly at its peak in the mid to late 80s. But in fact, what people didn't know was that the Soviet Union was about to collapse. That this, this, there are parts of this that then, you know, this good brother starts to try to interpret based upon what he sees as, as regular events. You know, we, we did talk about how one of the things he said was that the president at that time would be of Greek extraction. Well, in part of this, you know, his, his commentary reflects on the fact that at the time, Michael Dukakis was running for president.
Gerrit Because he's thinking, aha, Greek extraction, you know, that would be, that would be how this is fulfilled. There's another part of it that we didn't quite get to. So we did cover the portion that has a reference to the conference talk that George Albert Smith gave. And this is what he said. This is what, this is what Brother Horne said in his reminiscence about this. Again, as he's trying to interpret this. When President Smith told us of his vision, the US and the USSR were allies. Some tiffs had occurred between the USSR and the US, but the idea that the Soviets had become an enemy wasn't popular. I think General Patton would beg to differ with that assertion. In fact, basically everyone in American intelligence was well aware that what was going on by 1946. Let's see here.
Gerrit Because he's thinking, aha, Greek extraction, you know, that would be, that would be how this is fulfilled. There's another part of it that we didn't quite get to. So we did cover the portion that has a reference to the conference talk that George Albert Smith gave. And this is what he said. This is what, this is what Brother Horne said in his reminiscence about this. Again, as he's trying to interpret this. When President Smith told us of his vision, the US and the USSR were allies. Some tiffs had occurred between the USSR and the US, but the idea that the Soviets had become an enemy wasn't popular. I think General Patton would beg to differ with that assertion. In fact, basically everyone in American intelligence was well aware that what was going on by 1946. Let's see here.
Gerrit You know, so he goes on talking about how great the Soviet military might was and the US military might was. But he says, President Smith said that we would withdraw our missiles from Europe to appease the Soviets. Former UN Ambassador Gene Kirkpatrick said that the INF Treaty hurts us militarily, but we have to do it. Dr. Eugene Collins. So he's pulling from current things that are being stated in 1988, which is when he's writing this down, because he's trying to interpret this prophecy in real time. And that's actually one of the things, the points that I want to make. Part of the problem with interpreting prophecy is that we of necessity, basically, try to make prophecies fit into our own time. And you know what? It makes so much sense to us based upon the things that are going on.
Gerrit You know, so he goes on talking about how great the Soviet military might was and the US military might was. But he says, President Smith said that we would withdraw our missiles from Europe to appease the Soviets. Former UN Ambassador Gene Kirkpatrick said that the INF Treaty hurts us militarily, but we have to do it. Dr. Eugene Collins. So he's pulling from current things that are being stated in 1988, which is when he's writing this down, because he's trying to interpret this prophecy in real time. And that's actually one of the things, the points that I want to make. Part of the problem with interpreting prophecy is that we of necessity, basically, try to make prophecies fit into our own time. And you know what? It makes so much sense to us based upon the things that are going on.
Gerrit I don't know how many times I've heard people say things like, the United States has never been more politically divided than it is now. There's about 400,000 Americans that died in the American Civil War that would say, actually, there might have been one time. I've got a couple of things I'd like to say. The point is, when you're living through it, it always seems like it's the worst that there's ever been. And so, what we have a tendency to do is to take a prophecy from the past, which is a good thing. We know that the Second Coming is happening, and then try to prognosticate on our own about the timing of it, or how close it is, or what we need to do to prepare when it's not the prophet who's actually telling us this.
Gerrit I don't know how many times I've heard people say things like, the United States has never been more politically divided than it is now. There's about 400,000 Americans that died in the American Civil War that would say, actually, there might have been one time. I've got a couple of things I'd like to say. The point is, when you're living through it, it always seems like it's the worst that there's ever been. And so, what we have a tendency to do is to take a prophecy from the past, which is a good thing. We know that the Second Coming is happening, and then try to prognosticate on our own about the timing of it, or how close it is, or what we need to do to prepare when it's not the prophet who's actually telling us this.
Gerrit You know, the next elements in President Smith's prophecy were another great and terrible war that would make World War II look like a training exercise. That obviously hasn't happened, but consider some of the Soviets' weapons and their military preparations and the results of their use. And he goes on to list all of the very real effects of what would happen with the Soviet Union using their missiles. Two reliable military sources have told me, so now he's going into, you know, I now have inside information. Two reliable military sources have told me that on the 4th of July 1987, a Soviet bomber 2,000 miles from Hawaii fired an intermediate-range missile at Hawaii. When it was about 100 miles from Honolulu, the US had not destroyed it, and a Soviet aircraft that was there shot it down. So he's going to provide this interpretation, and I actually think it's the interpretation that is what fuels this kind of online speculation that, oh, this is what we need to do right now.
Gerrit You know, the next elements in President Smith's prophecy were another great and terrible war that would make World War II look like a training exercise. That obviously hasn't happened, but consider some of the Soviets' weapons and their military preparations and the results of their use. And he goes on to list all of the very real effects of what would happen with the Soviet Union using their missiles. Two reliable military sources have told me, so now he's going into, you know, I now have inside information. Two reliable military sources have told me that on the 4th of July 1987, a Soviet bomber 2,000 miles from Hawaii fired an intermediate-range missile at Hawaii. When it was about 100 miles from Honolulu, the US had not destroyed it, and a Soviet aircraft that was there shot it down. So he's going to provide this interpretation, and I actually think it's the interpretation that is what fuels this kind of online speculation that, oh, this is what we need to do right now.
Gerrit He gives a commentary, if the war President Smith saw occurs, conditions will be like our pre 1800 ancestors knew, with some shelters, but few modern machines which work. Conditions will be worse for a long time. Government and major services, including police, electricity, potable water, waste, fuel, commercial food, medicines and clothes may not exist. Engines to power pumps, vehicles and machines may not work. Third Nephi 21, 14, 15 says that if the Gentiles don't repent, the Lord will destroy their chariots, cities and strongholds. So now he's projecting on to this a prophecy from the Book of Mormon. Our ancestors had wagons and horses for transportation work, shovels, hoes, seeds and bikes with puncture resistant tubes may be scarce. It's very interesting puncture resistant tubes. You need those. There may be no food from farms other than what can be carried, no manufactured goods. So he's painting this very bleak picture of what?
Gerrit He gives a commentary, if the war President Smith saw occurs, conditions will be like our pre 1800 ancestors knew, with some shelters, but few modern machines which work. Conditions will be worse for a long time. Government and major services, including police, electricity, potable water, waste, fuel, commercial food, medicines and clothes may not exist. Engines to power pumps, vehicles and machines may not work. Third Nephi 21, 14, 15 says that if the Gentiles don't repent, the Lord will destroy their chariots, cities and strongholds. So now he's projecting on to this a prophecy from the Book of Mormon. Our ancestors had wagons and horses for transportation work, shovels, hoes, seeds and bikes with puncture resistant tubes may be scarce. It's very interesting puncture resistant tubes. You need those. There may be no food from farms other than what can be carried, no manufactured goods. So he's painting this very bleak picture of what?
Gerrit Look, if there is a Third World War, you don't need to watch World War Z to know that there will be a problem. That's if it's a zombie apocalypse, but the whole idea that the society completely breaks down. Our forebears knew how to do things without our machines that we don't know how to do. Thus conditions could be exactly like President Smith described. The worst conditions of the Depression would seem like a Sunday school picnic. Now, there's one other part of this where he's providing a personal reminiscence for which there's of course no other source for. Again, this event may have happened, but we don't have any cooperating source for it. And so, in about 1940, my parents started a Sunday school evening study group, which their friend Dr. Sidney Sperry taught. In about 1964, while studying the Doctrine and Covenants, Dr. Sperry noted, section 1, verse 17, said, a calamity would come upon the children of men.
Gerrit Look, if there is a Third World War, you don't need to watch World War Z to know that there will be a problem. That's if it's a zombie apocalypse, but the whole idea that the society completely breaks down. Our forebears knew how to do things without our machines that we don't know how to do. Thus conditions could be exactly like President Smith described. The worst conditions of the Depression would seem like a Sunday school picnic. Now, there's one other part of this where he's providing a personal reminiscence for which there's of course no other source for. Again, this event may have happened, but we don't have any cooperating source for it. And so, in about 1940, my parents started a Sunday school evening study group, which their friend Dr. Sidney Sperry taught. In about 1964, while studying the Doctrine and Covenants, Dr. Sperry noted, section 1, verse 17, said, a calamity would come upon the children of men.
Gerrit He told us of an experience he had with President George Albert Smith at the end of a conference. Dr. Sperry said, I rushed onto the platform to speak with President Smith after the prayer. When I arrived at his side, he was standing overlooking the congregation. The people were just starting to stand up and the ushers were just starting to open the doors. And I heard the president woefully mutter as he looked over the congregation, they'll die like flies. Dr. Sperry explained his concern that President Smith looked at the saints and said, they'll die like flies. Neither my father and mother nor I had said anything to the group about what President Smith told us in our home. Knowing President Smith considered saints would be among those whom he told us would die like flies greatly concerns me too. For I am one of them that was in the Tabernacle when that occurred. I went to conference in the Tabernacle when I was young, and I saw Dr. Sperry rush up to the speaker's platform at the end of conference. Perhaps I felt like layman felt about the Jews at Jerusalem being righteous, that many saints are honorable, diligent in the Lord's work, and doers of the word, not hearers only.
Gerrit He told us of an experience he had with President George Albert Smith at the end of a conference. Dr. Sperry said, I rushed onto the platform to speak with President Smith after the prayer. When I arrived at his side, he was standing overlooking the congregation. The people were just starting to stand up and the ushers were just starting to open the doors. And I heard the president woefully mutter as he looked over the congregation, they'll die like flies. Dr. Sperry explained his concern that President Smith looked at the saints and said, they'll die like flies. Neither my father and mother nor I had said anything to the group about what President Smith told us in our home. Knowing President Smith considered saints would be among those whom he told us would die like flies greatly concerns me too. For I am one of them that was in the Tabernacle when that occurred. I went to conference in the Tabernacle when I was young, and I saw Dr. Sperry rush up to the speaker's platform at the end of conference. Perhaps I felt like layman felt about the Jews at Jerusalem being righteous, that many saints are honorable, diligent in the Lord's work, and doers of the word, not hearers only.
Gerrit I know President Benson has said that revelation on the production and food storage, the storage of food may be as important to our temporal salvation as it was for no one to get in the ark, and few have complied with this council of the Lord's living prophet. Remember, the Lord has said, if you are prepared, you shall not fear. Ancient prophets knew our day would be difficult, yet yearned to see it. The saints are commanded to obey and teach the Lord's laws, to multiply and fill the earth and to build the Lord's kingdom. Our task is not to shrink but to prepare for challenges that may demand our greatest efforts to survive, to flee from aids or plagues that otherwise might infect everyone. As I record as a witness of my friend and cousin George Albert Smith's description of the prophetic view and vision he saw, I began writing it last September and I've remembered more as I've concentrated on his comments. So one of the things that tells you about the source is that even in this reminiscent account, this is not something that was sat down and given as like a single interview.
Gerrit I know President Benson has said that revelation on the production and food storage, the storage of food may be as important to our temporal salvation as it was for no one to get in the ark, and few have complied with this council of the Lord's living prophet. Remember, the Lord has said, if you are prepared, you shall not fear. Ancient prophets knew our day would be difficult, yet yearned to see it. The saints are commanded to obey and teach the Lord's laws, to multiply and fill the earth and to build the Lord's kingdom. Our task is not to shrink but to prepare for challenges that may demand our greatest efforts to survive, to flee from aids or plagues that otherwise might infect everyone. As I record as a witness of my friend and cousin George Albert Smith's description of the prophetic view and vision he saw, I began writing it last September and I've remembered more as I've concentrated on his comments. So one of the things that tells you about the source is that even in this reminiscent account, this is not something that was sat down and given as like a single interview.
Gerrit That he apparently spent a considerable amount of time in this retelling. Like I said, this isn't his only time doing it. He does it several other times, but he's at least been working on writing this up for six months or so. And again, that doesn't mean that it is false. It means that it is a source that is a reminiscent source, remembered over the course of months about events and statements that happened over the course of decades earlier, half a century earlier. But most important is that President George Albert Smith had every opportunity to share that vision with the church. And he didn't, which means either this person is maybe misremembering, remembering more than what was actually spoken, remembering the conference talk where he mentioned people dying like flies, and there's more that's been added in as he pieces together what's going on in the world.
Gerrit That he apparently spent a considerable amount of time in this retelling. Like I said, this isn't his only time doing it. He does it several other times, but he's at least been working on writing this up for six months or so. And again, that doesn't mean that it is false. It means that it is a source that is a reminiscent source, remembered over the course of months about events and statements that happened over the course of decades earlier, half a century earlier. But most important is that President George Albert Smith had every opportunity to share that vision with the church. And he didn't, which means either this person is maybe misremembering, remembering more than what was actually spoken, remembering the conference talk where he mentioned people dying like flies, and there's more that's been added in as he pieces together what's going on in the world.
Gerrit Or even if he remembered it exactly word for word, it clearly was not something that President Smith intended for the general consumption of the church. Because if he wanted it for the general consumption of the church, he would have spoken to the church or could have left it in the church archives or could have recorded it in his journal or could have told the secretary or could have done a lot of things. Again, I'm not saying this is an evil. There's clearly a very faithful man. The only reason why this even came up is modern Latter-day Saints. In their efforts to tell people that only the very special select are really knowing when Jesus is coming, because they've read the right part of the second part of a paragraph that President Eyring shared.
Gerrit Or even if he remembered it exactly word for word, it clearly was not something that President Smith intended for the general consumption of the church. Because if he wanted it for the general consumption of the church, he would have spoken to the church or could have left it in the church archives or could have recorded it in his journal or could have told the secretary or could have done a lot of things. Again, I'm not saying this is an evil. There's clearly a very faithful man. The only reason why this even came up is modern Latter-day Saints. In their efforts to tell people that only the very special select are really knowing when Jesus is coming, because they've read the right part of the second part of a paragraph that President Eyring shared.
Gerrit I don't feel like that is helpful in building the kingdom of God on earth. Even if we go back to what President Smith did say directly, if we want to prepare for the Second Coming, what do you do? You put your house in order and you share the gospel. And we mentioned this last episode that as much as this brother was afraid of the calamities that precede the Second Coming, he passed away a few years ago and that was his Second Coming. He went to God, which is the most likely outcome for all of us. I don't know how long I'm going to live. I'm pretty sure if I keep doing the podcast, not very long, if my stress levels are through the roof. So, you know, it may be, we may be nearing the end of Gerrit, let alone of the podcast. And so, I plead with everybody listening.
Gerrit I don't feel like that is helpful in building the kingdom of God on earth. Even if we go back to what President Smith did say directly, if we want to prepare for the Second Coming, what do you do? You put your house in order and you share the gospel. And we mentioned this last episode that as much as this brother was afraid of the calamities that precede the Second Coming, he passed away a few years ago and that was his Second Coming. He went to God, which is the most likely outcome for all of us. I don't know how long I'm going to live. I'm pretty sure if I keep doing the podcast, not very long, if my stress levels are through the roof. So, you know, it may be, we may be nearing the end of Gerrit, let alone of the podcast. And so, I plead with everybody listening.
Gerrit I know it's interesting when someone says, hey, have you read this portion of the Apocrypha, that if we start at this date, which is an arbitrary date that I just picked out of thin air, and we go forward this many years, and then if this person equals this horn and this feather, then that means that the Second Coming is about to happen. I know it's intriguing. From the beginning, from the very beginning, because we believe so desperately in our Lord Jesus Christ, and we believe so fervently that He is coming, there have been people that have come along, all along the way. Some, incredibly good intention, and others, incredibly poor intention, claiming that they know something that the rest of the church doesn't know about the Second Coming.
Gerrit I know it's interesting when someone says, hey, have you read this portion of the Apocrypha, that if we start at this date, which is an arbitrary date that I just picked out of thin air, and we go forward this many years, and then if this person equals this horn and this feather, then that means that the Second Coming is about to happen. I know it's intriguing. From the beginning, from the very beginning, because we believe so desperately in our Lord Jesus Christ, and we believe so fervently that He is coming, there have been people that have come along, all along the way. Some, incredibly good intention, and others, incredibly poor intention, claiming that they know something that the rest of the church doesn't know about the Second Coming.
Gerrit There are people online right now, claiming that Jesus is actually already come, that the great meeting at Adam on Diamonds already happened, that someone saw them building the facilities for thousands and thousands of people to meet. I go to Adam on Diamonds all the time. Unless the facilities are a whole bunch of ticks, they ain't being built. There's a lot of, if the ticks were holding hands, it'd be the size of the tabernacle. But the people say things like this. And again, I don't believe they're ill-intentioned, many of them, although there are some ill-intentioned people. There are people who have led people away from the church, claiming that President Nelson isn't noticing the signs of the time the way that he's supposed to, because I know X and Y and led people out of the church. The most essential thing you can do as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is follow the living prophet.
Gerrit There are people online right now, claiming that Jesus is actually already come, that the great meeting at Adam on Diamonds already happened, that someone saw them building the facilities for thousands and thousands of people to meet. I go to Adam on Diamonds all the time. Unless the facilities are a whole bunch of ticks, they ain't being built. There's a lot of, if the ticks were holding hands, it'd be the size of the tabernacle. But the people say things like this. And again, I don't believe they're ill-intentioned, many of them, although there are some ill-intentioned people. There are people who have led people away from the church, claiming that President Nelson isn't noticing the signs of the time the way that he's supposed to, because I know X and Y and led people out of the church. The most essential thing you can do as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is follow the living prophet.
Gerrit If President Nelson wanted you to do something with your food storage separate than what you're doing, if he wanted you to study certain aspects of Third Nephi, if he wanted you to prepare, he would tell you. And this kind of faux modern Gnosticism, where people claim that they have knowledge that just no one else has, and that's why no one else understands the hidden mysteries like they do, is frankly not how God unfolds his truth. You all learned this who served a mission. He will do nothing. Savior revealed it through his servants, the prophets, right? And instead, we have a lot of people thinking that it's somehow hidden. It's somehow obscure. The church released a statement on its doctrine, saying its doctrine isn't hidden. It's not found in some obscure talk.
Gerrit If President Nelson wanted you to do something with your food storage separate than what you're doing, if he wanted you to study certain aspects of Third Nephi, if he wanted you to prepare, he would tell you. And this kind of faux modern Gnosticism, where people claim that they have knowledge that just no one else has, and that's why no one else understands the hidden mysteries like they do, is frankly not how God unfolds his truth. You all learned this who served a mission. He will do nothing. Savior revealed it through his servants, the prophets, right? And instead, we have a lot of people thinking that it's somehow hidden. It's somehow obscure. The church released a statement on its doctrine, saying its doctrine isn't hidden. It's not found in some obscure talk.
Gerrit It's not found in some unpublished revelation that's remembered half a century later. That's not where doctrine comes from. But we do have a prophet right now who has told very specific things to members of the church. What has he told us? That you need to go to the temple. That in the coming days, you won't be able to spiritually survive without the spirit, and there is nothing. You heard him say it. I don't want to misquote the prophet. Maybe I need the crack research staff to pull it up. But there's nothing you could do for your family that is more powerful than going to the temple. I know I'm not quoting him correctly. Our crack research staff will pull it up right after they get Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Gerrit It's not found in some unpublished revelation that's remembered half a century later. That's not where doctrine comes from. But we do have a prophet right now who has told very specific things to members of the church. What has he told us? That you need to go to the temple. That in the coming days, you won't be able to spiritually survive without the spirit, and there is nothing. You heard him say it. I don't want to misquote the prophet. Maybe I need the crack research staff to pull it up. But there's nothing you could do for your family that is more powerful than going to the temple. I know I'm not quoting him correctly. Our crack research staff will pull it up right after they get Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Richard Well, still, yeah, there's a couple of things. First of all, we do have the Alvin and the Chipmunks. Seems like a lovely song. Also, I was very wrong about the Gummi Bears. Season six was on the Disney Channel. Seasons one through five were on NBC. Or season one through four were on NBC. Season five on ABC. It ran in syndication on the Disney Channel. But now the crack research staff will start looking up.
Richard Well, still, yeah, there's a couple of things. First of all, we do have the Alvin and the Chipmunks. Seems like a lovely song. Also, I was very wrong about the Gummi Bears. Season six was on the Disney Channel. Seasons one through five were on NBC. Or season one through four were on NBC. Season five on ABC. It ran in syndication on the Disney Channel. But now the crack research staff will start looking up.
Gerrit Well, so, I need to point out that they were on at 6 a.m. in the morning. And if you wanted to watch the Gummi Bears, you had to be committed in a way that you were saying, this is the only day I get a chance to sleep, and I am sacrificing it because they're bouncing here and there and everywhere. They are the Gummi Bears.
Gerrit Well, so, I need to point out that they were on at 6 a.m. in the morning. And if you wanted to watch the Gummi Bears, you had to be committed in a way that you were saying, this is the only day I get a chance to sleep, and I am sacrificing it because they're bouncing here and there and everywhere. They are the Gummi Bears.
Richard Okay. I found the quote here. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world's mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement, or help you understand God's magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more in times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing.
Richard Okay. I found the quote here. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world's mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement, or help you understand God's magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more in times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing.
Gerrit So it sounds like the temple is the focus that President Nelson is getting at, right? Now, that doesn't mean that the Second Coming isn't still going to happen. But you actually have a prophet of God, a living prophet right now, who is telling you, this is what I desperately want you to do. And instead of doing that, or making that our focus, we say, now, wait a minute, how many feathers did Ezra's Eagle have? What was that?
Gerrit So it sounds like the temple is the focus that President Nelson is getting at, right? Now, that doesn't mean that the Second Coming isn't still going to happen. But you actually have a prophet of God, a living prophet right now, who is telling you, this is what I desperately want you to do. And instead of doing that, or making that our focus, we say, now, wait a minute, how many feathers did Ezra's Eagle have? What was that?
Richard My problem always with the feathers, by the way, is that it has to start with Herbert Hoover. And that's that's a tough one for me to swallow. In order to get it to line up. And I'm like, I just, that's a bridge too far for me.
Richard My problem always with the feathers, by the way, is that it has to start with Herbert Hoover. And that's that's a tough one for me to swallow. In order to get it to line up. And I'm like, I just, that's a bridge too far for me.
Gerrit Yeah, well, I believe Nephi saw our day and he saw Herbert Hoover. And he could have seen other people like FDR, who was president forever, but no, he saw, he saw. Well, so, look, again, like I said, most of these are well-intentioned, but the problem is when people share them out of context online, it can cause people to begin focusing on the wrong things. Now, you can do both. You can walk and chew gum at the same time. So I'm sure there are some people saying, well, no, I am going to the temple more. I am listening to President Nelson. But also, didn't you just find this interesting? I mean, frankly, not really. In part, because I have listened and read to hundreds of prophetic statements talking about the nearing end times.
Gerrit Yeah, well, I believe Nephi saw our day and he saw Herbert Hoover. And he could have seen other people like FDR, who was president forever, but no, he saw, he saw. Well, so, look, again, like I said, most of these are well-intentioned, but the problem is when people share them out of context online, it can cause people to begin focusing on the wrong things. Now, you can do both. You can walk and chew gum at the same time. So I'm sure there are some people saying, well, no, I am going to the temple more. I am listening to President Nelson. But also, didn't you just find this interesting? I mean, frankly, not really. In part, because I have listened and read to hundreds of prophetic statements talking about the nearing end times.
Gerrit I was going to share some of them as an example. Here's from Wilford Woodruff in 1879. At a meeting in the St. George Tabernacle, Apostle Wilford Woodruff said that the responsibilities which rest upon the Latter-day Saints are not realized by them as they should be. That sounds a lot like what this post was saying. We aren't doing what we're supposed to be, right? 1879. Maybe that just shows that Mormons are never doing what they're supposed to be doing.
Gerrit I was going to share some of them as an example. Here's from Wilford Woodruff in 1879. At a meeting in the St. George Tabernacle, Apostle Wilford Woodruff said that the responsibilities which rest upon the Latter-day Saints are not realized by them as they should be. That sounds a lot like what this post was saying. We aren't doing what we're supposed to be, right? 1879. Maybe that just shows that Mormons are never doing what they're supposed to be doing.
Richard I think that's the takeaway. Yeah.
Richard I think that's the takeaway. Yeah.
Gerrit The takeaway is why aren't we doing it? We're trying. No, we're not. Okay. The responsibilities which rest upon presidents, emperors, kings, lawmakers and rulers of the earth are not realized by them as they should be. God will hold them responsible for their acts and their abuse of their powers. God has given this nation an inspired constitution, and all rulers and lawmakers who abuse the powers conferred by that sacred instrument will be held accountable by Almighty God. President Woodruff, this is Elder Woodruff, said, the happiest portion of his life had been spent in St. George and in laboring in connection with his brethren and sisters in the temple for the Lord, for and in behalf of the dead. That work for the dead must be continued. There are thousands of millions of those whose spirits are on the other side of the veil, yet to be officiated for according to the law of the gospel of Christ by proxy.
Gerrit The takeaway is why aren't we doing it? We're trying. No, we're not. Okay. The responsibilities which rest upon presidents, emperors, kings, lawmakers and rulers of the earth are not realized by them as they should be. God will hold them responsible for their acts and their abuse of their powers. God has given this nation an inspired constitution, and all rulers and lawmakers who abuse the powers conferred by that sacred instrument will be held accountable by Almighty God. President Woodruff, this is Elder Woodruff, said, the happiest portion of his life had been spent in St. George and in laboring in connection with his brethren and sisters in the temple for the Lord, for and in behalf of the dead. That work for the dead must be continued. There are thousands of millions of those whose spirits are on the other side of the veil, yet to be officiated for according to the law of the gospel of Christ by proxy.
Gerrit We're not informed how much of this work was performed in the days of the ancient apostles. We have no record of any such work being attended to by the Savior and his apostles in the temple at Jerusalem, as that temple was under the control of wicked priests who aided in the taking of the life of the Son of God. The inference we're compelled to draw is that millions who have lived and died without the gospel from the earliest days of this earth's history will have to be officiated for in these last days during the millennium. When a man receives the gospel of Christ in the flesh and preserves his integrity, keeping the commandments of God until he closes his eyes in death, such a man will obtain the full benefit of the plan of salvation and receive thrones, principalities and powers and a crown of glory in the worlds to come. He expressed his sorrow that the rulers of this land had combined to destroy the integrity of the provisions of the Constitution.
Gerrit We're not informed how much of this work was performed in the days of the ancient apostles. We have no record of any such work being attended to by the Savior and his apostles in the temple at Jerusalem, as that temple was under the control of wicked priests who aided in the taking of the life of the Son of God. The inference we're compelled to draw is that millions who have lived and died without the gospel from the earliest days of this earth's history will have to be officiated for in these last days during the millennium. When a man receives the gospel of Christ in the flesh and preserves his integrity, keeping the commandments of God until he closes his eyes in death, such a man will obtain the full benefit of the plan of salvation and receive thrones, principalities and powers and a crown of glory in the worlds to come. He expressed his sorrow that the rulers of this land had combined to destroy the integrity of the provisions of the Constitution.
Gerrit Retribution is imminent. Troubles will vex any nation whose rulers abuse their powers. God will pour out his judgments upon those who do wickedly. I say this is true if God ever spoke by my mouth. He concluded by blessing the people most fervently. So that's from 1879. It's part of the reason why when people are trying to say, oh, now, now is the time in which America is so sinful that God has withdrawn his favor from them. It's hard for me to go along with that narrative because all throughout the 1800s, our prophets and apostles already believe that that hand has been withdrawn because of the murder of the prophets, because of the murder of the saints in Missouri, the driving them out and the incessant legal actions taken against members of their church.
Gerrit Retribution is imminent. Troubles will vex any nation whose rulers abuse their powers. God will pour out his judgments upon those who do wickedly. I say this is true if God ever spoke by my mouth. He concluded by blessing the people most fervently. So that's from 1879. It's part of the reason why when people are trying to say, oh, now, now is the time in which America is so sinful that God has withdrawn his favor from them. It's hard for me to go along with that narrative because all throughout the 1800s, our prophets and apostles already believe that that hand has been withdrawn because of the murder of the prophets, because of the murder of the saints in Missouri, the driving them out and the incessant legal actions taken against members of their church.
Gerrit We have hundreds, eventually thousands of men and women who are in jail over unjustly applied anti-cohabitation laws designed to destroy Latter-day Saint religious practices of polygamy. So it's harder when you read those things to say, aha, this one is the deciding factor. Here's another from, at this time, President Woodruff in 1894. This is in the Young Women's Journal. President Woodruff is speaking to them. And this is the commentary. He was filled with power and influence of the Holy Ghost on this occasion. So much so that it not only thrilled his own voice, but shook the hearts of the ears. He began his remarks by saying, I should not try to speak to this congregation tonight, as I have spoken twice before today.
Gerrit We have hundreds, eventually thousands of men and women who are in jail over unjustly applied anti-cohabitation laws designed to destroy Latter-day Saint religious practices of polygamy. So it's harder when you read those things to say, aha, this one is the deciding factor. Here's another from, at this time, President Woodruff in 1894. This is in the Young Women's Journal. President Woodruff is speaking to them. And this is the commentary. He was filled with power and influence of the Holy Ghost on this occasion. So much so that it not only thrilled his own voice, but shook the hearts of the ears. He began his remarks by saying, I should not try to speak to this congregation tonight, as I have spoken twice before today.
Gerrit There are duties resting upon me that I must attend to. And I want to ask this congregation a question. When I have the vision of the night open continually before my eyes, and can see the mighty judgments that are about to be poured out upon this world, when I know these things are true, and are at the door of Jew and Gentile, while I know they are true, and while I am holding this position before God and this world, can I withhold my voice from lifting up a warning to this people and to the nations of the earth? I may never meet with this people again. I cannot tell how that may be. But while I live and see these things continually before my eyes, I shall raise my warning voice. Now, the question I wanted you to ask is this. We have 14 million people on this earth. Obviously, there's more now.
Gerrit There are duties resting upon me that I must attend to. And I want to ask this congregation a question. When I have the vision of the night open continually before my eyes, and can see the mighty judgments that are about to be poured out upon this world, when I know these things are true, and are at the door of Jew and Gentile, while I know they are true, and while I am holding this position before God and this world, can I withhold my voice from lifting up a warning to this people and to the nations of the earth? I may never meet with this people again. I cannot tell how that may be. But while I live and see these things continually before my eyes, I shall raise my warning voice. Now, the question I wanted you to ask is this. We have 14 million people on this earth. Obviously, there's more now.
Gerrit And over them all, there hangs a cloud of darkness almost entirely upon their shoulders. Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments, which are even now at our doors? Because I think that was the whole purpose of this person's reminiscence of this and the posting certainly is, well, you aren't really prepared if you aren't doing X. It's so much closer than you think. Here, President Woodruff directly addresses this question. Who are the people who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities? I'll tell you, the priesthood of God who honor their priesthood and who are worthy of their blessings are the only ones who shall have safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments. They are at our very doors. Not even this people will escape them entirely. They will come down like the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah, and none but the priesthood will be safe from their fury.
Gerrit And over them all, there hangs a cloud of darkness almost entirely upon their shoulders. Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments, which are even now at our doors? Because I think that was the whole purpose of this person's reminiscence of this and the posting certainly is, well, you aren't really prepared if you aren't doing X. It's so much closer than you think. Here, President Woodruff directly addresses this question. Who are the people who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities? I'll tell you, the priesthood of God who honor their priesthood and who are worthy of their blessings are the only ones who shall have safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments. They are at our very doors. Not even this people will escape them entirely. They will come down like the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah, and none but the priesthood will be safe from their fury.
Gerrit God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now that those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and they are hovering over the earth, waiting to pour out their judgments. And from this very day, they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty and I do my duty, we'll have protection. And pass through the afflictions in peace and safety. Read the scriptures and the revelations. So that the Second Coming is going to be the great and terrible day of the Lord is something we absolutely believe. But we have prior prophets saying the way to prepare is to live the gospel explicitly.
Gerrit God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now that those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and they are hovering over the earth, waiting to pour out their judgments. And from this very day, they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty and I do my duty, we'll have protection. And pass through the afflictions in peace and safety. Read the scriptures and the revelations. So that the Second Coming is going to be the great and terrible day of the Lord is something we absolutely believe. But we have prior prophets saying the way to prepare is to live the gospel explicitly.
Gerrit We have a current prophet who is saying the way to prepare is to live the gospel and to go to the temple. We have even in this, the talk from President Smith, the actual talk he gave in conference, saying the way to prepare is to share the gospel. If we're sharing the gospel every bit as much as we possibly can, if we're living in righteousness every bit as much as we possibly can, repenting of our mistakes, seeking to be one with our Lord and Savior, for going to the temple increase, if we're studying Doctrine and Covenants, Section 109, because our prophet told us to. Then we're going to be prepared. We're not going to be caught unaware. And if that great day of calamity comes and the meteor that falls from heaven happens to hit me, then hallelujah.
Gerrit We have a current prophet who is saying the way to prepare is to live the gospel and to go to the temple. We have even in this, the talk from President Smith, the actual talk he gave in conference, saying the way to prepare is to share the gospel. If we're sharing the gospel every bit as much as we possibly can, if we're living in righteousness every bit as much as we possibly can, repenting of our mistakes, seeking to be one with our Lord and Savior, for going to the temple increase, if we're studying Doctrine and Covenants, Section 109, because our prophet told us to. Then we're going to be prepared. We're not going to be caught unaware. And if that great day of calamity comes and the meteor that falls from heaven happens to hit me, then hallelujah.
Gerrit I will go into the eternal world knowing that I am right with God, that I have repented of my sins, that I've desperately tried to follow both his past and present prophet, and that I've tried to share the gospel with those that are around me. I think sometimes we hope that there will be some kind of little special blueprint that we can look at. It will change everything for us. That, oh, if you only look at this thing that's in the church archives, that will suddenly change everything. But the gospel is something that is before our eyes. We have a prophet who literally has spent the last couple of conferences telling us exactly what we need to do to prepare. And unfortunately, I think that some of us, like the brazen serpent in the wilderness, are saying, no, it's got to be more than just going to the temple.
Gerrit I will go into the eternal world knowing that I am right with God, that I have repented of my sins, that I've desperately tried to follow both his past and present prophet, and that I've tried to share the gospel with those that are around me. I think sometimes we hope that there will be some kind of little special blueprint that we can look at. It will change everything for us. That, oh, if you only look at this thing that's in the church archives, that will suddenly change everything. But the gospel is something that is before our eyes. We have a prophet who literally has spent the last couple of conferences telling us exactly what we need to do to prepare. And unfortunately, I think that some of us, like the brazen serpent in the wilderness, are saying, no, it's got to be more than just going to the temple.
Gerrit You got to be figuring out whether or not in this next election, if there's going to be a civil war in the United States. Well, if there's going to be, you knowing about it will make very little difference. What does the prophet said that will make a difference? Going to the temple and sharing the gospel and putting your own house in order. I don't think we have time quite to get to the other item I wanted to get to. Maybe we'll lead off on our next episode. Don't worry, it won't be a three-parter. We know you tune out the one-parters, you tune out the two-parters. The three-parters you don't even look at.
Gerrit You got to be figuring out whether or not in this next election, if there's going to be a civil war in the United States. Well, if there's going to be, you knowing about it will make very little difference. What does the prophet said that will make a difference? Going to the temple and sharing the gospel and putting your own house in order. I don't think we have time quite to get to the other item I wanted to get to. Maybe we'll lead off on our next episode. Don't worry, it won't be a three-parter. We know you tune out the one-parters, you tune out the two-parters. The three-parters you don't even look at.
Richard What we're going to do here is we're going to name this something different so it's not even going to seem like a two-parter even though it very much is a two-parter.
Richard What we're going to do here is we're going to name this something different so it's not even going to seem like a two-parter even though it very much is a two-parter.
Gerrit It was entirely a two-parter.
Gerrit It was entirely a two-parter.
Richard Right, but you read some quotes from other modern prophets about the calamities of the Second Coming and so we'll just name this how to prepare for the Second Coming. Totally different.
Richard Right, but you read some quotes from other modern prophets about the calamities of the Second Coming and so we'll just name this how to prepare for the Second Coming. Totally different.
Gerrit I see. So that and then that'll be like clickbait too because people are like, oh, he's going to tell us the secret ways to, you know what, call it the secret ways, the secret ways to prepare for the Second Coming.
Gerrit I see. So that and then that'll be like clickbait too because people are like, oh, he's going to tell us the secret ways to, you know what, call it the secret ways, the secret ways to prepare for the Second Coming.
Richard Yeah, and the answer is go to the temple because President Nelson said to go to the temple.
Richard Yeah, and the answer is go to the temple because President Nelson said to go to the temple.
Gerrit The answer is, what is President Nelson saying? Do that. And, you know, I know it's a little bit facetious and again, I understand that there are fervent believers who feel very strongly about these things. And I don't mean to take away from anyone's belief or even the people who posted this or the man who reminisced about this prophecy. What I mean to say, though, is that sometimes because of the easiness of the way, we don't just look up and live. The point of this life is not to figure out a way to make it through the great tribulations that are going to come when our Lord comes again. That's not the point of this life. The point of this life is eternal life. If I am living so that I can be in the celestial kingdom with my wife and my children, if I'm hit by a meteor, if there's a zombie apocalypse, if there's a bus that comes rolling through the front door, then I will have fulfilled the measure of my creation.
Gerrit The answer is, what is President Nelson saying? Do that. And, you know, I know it's a little bit facetious and again, I understand that there are fervent believers who feel very strongly about these things. And I don't mean to take away from anyone's belief or even the people who posted this or the man who reminisced about this prophecy. What I mean to say, though, is that sometimes because of the easiness of the way, we don't just look up and live. The point of this life is not to figure out a way to make it through the great tribulations that are going to come when our Lord comes again. That's not the point of this life. The point of this life is eternal life. If I am living so that I can be in the celestial kingdom with my wife and my children, if I'm hit by a meteor, if there's a zombie apocalypse, if there's a bus that comes rolling through the front door, then I will have fulfilled the measure of my creation.
Gerrit The purpose of my life on this earth is not my life on this earth. The purpose of mortality is the next life. We will prove them now herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever. Their Lord, their God shall command them. I don't mean to say don't have food storage. Do what the prophets have told you to do. I don't mean to say don't pay attention as there are signs that are coming. But I do mean to say, pay far more attention to what President Nelson says that when anyone on X or YouTube has to say, pay far more attention to him than you do to me or anyone like me. I have no keys. I have no prophetic utterance. I have no ability to discern the future. I'm just a historian and kind of a boring podcaster.
Gerrit The purpose of my life on this earth is not my life on this earth. The purpose of mortality is the next life. We will prove them now herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever. Their Lord, their God shall command them. I don't mean to say don't have food storage. Do what the prophets have told you to do. I don't mean to say don't pay attention as there are signs that are coming. But I do mean to say, pay far more attention to what President Nelson says that when anyone on X or YouTube has to say, pay far more attention to him than you do to me or anyone like me. I have no keys. I have no prophetic utterance. I have no ability to discern the future. I'm just a historian and kind of a boring podcaster.
Gerrit So if you can take anything away from this, take away the introspection. Am I living my life spiritually? So that if that bus hits me tomorrow, I will have no regrets. Am I living my life spiritually? So that if the Mount of Olive cracks and there is my Lord and Savior returning to this earth to take possession of it, to wipe out wickedness and suffering and to give us that blessed thousand years of peace and happiness, am I prepared to see my Savior's face? I think it's important to prepare, but I think we won't ever be found wanting if we stick strictly to what our prophets are teaching us today.
Gerrit So if you can take anything away from this, take away the introspection. Am I living my life spiritually? So that if that bus hits me tomorrow, I will have no regrets. Am I living my life spiritually? So that if the Mount of Olive cracks and there is my Lord and Savior returning to this earth to take possession of it, to wipe out wickedness and suffering and to give us that blessed thousand years of peace and happiness, am I prepared to see my Savior's face? I think it's important to prepare, but I think we won't ever be found wanting if we stick strictly to what our prophets are teaching us today.
Gerrit President Nelson loves us. He's not going to say, you know what? I already know that it's going to happen next week, and if people don't all have butane burners, they're all going to die, but I'm not going to tell them. I'm just going to hold that back. I've decided I'm going to hold that back because they should have known that I made a reference to butane in 1981 in one of my conference talks, and had they been listening, they would know they're all supposed to have butane burners, and if they don't, they don't really want to be saved. I mean, this isn't a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The Lord is coming. That day or hour, we don't know. But your day or hour, personally, everyone who's listening, whether you are a young, frustrated missionary, wondering why someone gave you this Google Drive, or whether you are in your 80s, and you're frustrated because I've downloaded this thing 17 times, and it doesn't get any better. They keep thinking if they download it, the content will somehow be better.
Gerrit President Nelson loves us. He's not going to say, you know what? I already know that it's going to happen next week, and if people don't all have butane burners, they're all going to die, but I'm not going to tell them. I'm just going to hold that back. I've decided I'm going to hold that back because they should have known that I made a reference to butane in 1981 in one of my conference talks, and had they been listening, they would know they're all supposed to have butane burners, and if they don't, they don't really want to be saved. I mean, this isn't a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The Lord is coming. That day or hour, we don't know. But your day or hour, personally, everyone who's listening, whether you are a young, frustrated missionary, wondering why someone gave you this Google Drive, or whether you are in your 80s, and you're frustrated because I've downloaded this thing 17 times, and it doesn't get any better. They keep thinking if they download it, the content will somehow be better.
Gerrit Regardless of where you're at in life, the future, tomorrow, is promised to no man. So make yourself right with God today. If you need to repent, don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, hanging on to sins that you never repented for. Don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, without giving forgiveness to someone who sought it from you. Don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, without telling the people that you love how desperately you love them. One thing we do take with us into the next life is our regrets.
Gerrit Regardless of where you're at in life, the future, tomorrow, is promised to no man. So make yourself right with God today. If you need to repent, don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, hanging on to sins that you never repented for. Don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, without giving forgiveness to someone who sought it from you. Don't go out of this world suddenly, unexpectedly, without telling the people that you love how desperately you love them. One thing we do take with us into the next life is our regrets.
Gerrit And we're all going to have some. I'm going to probably have a billion. I'm going to probably have so many that it would take a crack research staff to index them and then fan support to actually put them online. But that's what I would say. If you are someone who is very concerned about how, how the events of this world are unfolding, wars in far off places, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, whirlwinds, hurricanes, I understand there are lots of signs of the times. If you want to have peace, make yourself right with God. Follow the living prophet. Reach out in love to everyone around you. Nothing will bring you closer to God. Nothing will make you better prepared for seeing the Savior Jesus Christ either tomorrow or whenever the Second Coming is by showing love to other people.
Gerrit And we're all going to have some. I'm going to probably have a billion. I'm going to probably have so many that it would take a crack research staff to index them and then fan support to actually put them online. But that's what I would say. If you are someone who is very concerned about how, how the events of this world are unfolding, wars in far off places, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, whirlwinds, hurricanes, I understand there are lots of signs of the times. If you want to have peace, make yourself right with God. Follow the living prophet. Reach out in love to everyone around you. Nothing will bring you closer to God. Nothing will make you better prepared for seeing the Savior Jesus Christ either tomorrow or whenever the Second Coming is by showing love to other people.
Gerrit As Joseph Smith taught the great principle of Christianity is love. And there should be more of this love spirit among this people than anywhere else on earth. So more important than knowing the day or hour is knowing ourselves and knowing our master. So I don't know what Richard is going to creatively title this for the clickbait. I'm assuming it will have something about polygamy in it even though we didn't talk about it. But I want to share with my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ is coming. Nothing that I have said in this or the last episode should be construed to say that I don't believe that he is. It's just that I don't believe that we through our mortal faculties are going to be able to figure it out more than the next person next to us. And so I'll look to a prophet and when he tells me to get packing for Missouri, I'll be there with bells on and hopefully all of us can make following the prophet of God the most important thing in our life.
Gerrit As Joseph Smith taught the great principle of Christianity is love. And there should be more of this love spirit among this people than anywhere else on earth. So more important than knowing the day or hour is knowing ourselves and knowing our master. So I don't know what Richard is going to creatively title this for the clickbait. I'm assuming it will have something about polygamy in it even though we didn't talk about it. But I want to share with my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ is coming. Nothing that I have said in this or the last episode should be construed to say that I don't believe that he is. It's just that I don't believe that we through our mortal faculties are going to be able to figure it out more than the next person next to us. And so I'll look to a prophet and when he tells me to get packing for Missouri, I'll be there with bells on and hopefully all of us can make following the prophet of God the most important thing in our life.
Gerrit So thanks so much for joining us.
Gerrit So thanks so much for joining us.
Quote board
Make a share card from any lineIf you're flying Frontier, they assign a Sherpa to help you get your bags.
Since our son has come home, we have paid about $103,000 in food and clothes.
Fortunately, I'd have the millennium to finish it up.
The point is, when you're living through it, it always seems like it's the worst that there's ever been.
Unless the facilities are a whole bunch of ticks, they ain't being built.
It's not found in some unpublished revelation that's remembered half a century later. That's not where doctrine comes from.
The purpose of my life on this earth is not my life on this earth. The purpose of mortality is the next life.
One thing we do take with us into the next life is our regrets.
So more important than knowing the day or hour is knowing ourselves and knowing our master.
Source shelf
20 sources cited on air · verses link to the scriptures, Joseph Smith’s documents to the Joseph Smith Papersrecord
Brother Horne's reminiscence of George Albert Smith's vision, written about 1988
When President Smith told us of his vision, the US and the USSR were allies.
A man's account, written over months and some 45 years later, of a conversation in his home with President Smith; his commentary reads the Cold War of the late 1980s into it.
scripture
3 Nephi 21:14-15
if the Gentiles don't repent, the Lord will destroy their chariots, cities and strongholds.
Brother Horne projects this Book of Mormon prophecy onto his picture of a world without working machines.
revelation
D&C 1:17
a calamity would come upon the children of men.
The verse Sidney Sperry's study group was reading when he told his story, as the reminiscence describes it.
record
Sidney Sperry's account of George Albert Smith at the end of a conference (as told in Brother Horne's reminiscence)
And I heard the president woefully mutter as he looked over the congregation, they'll die like flies.
A third-hand story with no corroborating source, in which President Smith mutters about the congregation.
sermon
Ezra Taft Benson on food storage (as quoted in Brother Horne's reminiscence)
I know President Benson has said that revelation on the production and food storage
The reminiscence leans on President Benson's counsel to store food.
revelation
D&C 38:30
if you are prepared, you shall not fear.
Quoted inside the reminiscence (verse identified, not cited on air).
sermon
George Albert Smith's general conference talk mentioning people dying like flies
Gerrit suggests the reminiscence may be blending memory of this public talk, which told the Saints to prepare by sharing the gospel.
other
Henry B. Eyring, the paragraph he shared from the account (setting not named on air)
Online posts claim special knowledge by reading the second part of a paragraph President Eyring shared.
scripture
2 Esdras 11-12, Ezra's eagle (Apocrypha; identified, not cited on air)
Gerrit's example of date-setting from the Apocrypha, and Richard's problem with the feathers starting at Herbert Hoover (44:44).
other
Church statement on where its doctrine is found (not named on air)
Gerrit cites it to say doctrine isn't hidden in obscure talks or unpublished revelations.
scripture
Amos 3:7 (identified, not cited on air)
What every returned missionary learned: God reveals his secrets through his servants the prophets.
sermon
Russell M. Nelson on surviving spiritually without the Holy Ghost (talk not named on air)
Gerrit paraphrases it and admits he isn't quoting it exactly.
sermon
Russell M. Nelson on the temple (talk not named on air)
Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world's mists of darkness.
The crack research staff finds the quote Gerrit was reaching for.
sermon
Wilford Woodruff, St. George Tabernacle, 1879
the responsibilities which rest upon the Latter-day Saints are not realized by them as they should be.
An apostle warns that judgments are coming on rulers who abuse the Constitution, and praises temple work for the dead.
sermon
Wilford Woodruff address, Young Women's Journal, 1894 (as named on air)
those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now
President Woodruff says the angels of destruction are already on the earth, but the protection is doing your duty and honoring the priesthood.
revelation
D&C 109
Gerrit lists studying it, because the prophet asked, as part of real preparation.
scripture
Numbers 21:8-9, the brazen serpent (identified, not cited on air)
Some of us, like Israel, think it has to be more than just looking, or just going to the temple.
scripture
Abraham 3:25
We will prove them now herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever.
The purpose of mortality is to be proved, not to survive the tribulations.
scripture
Matthew 24:6-7 (identified, not cited on air)
wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diverse places
The signs of the times Gerrit acknowledges before urging peace through repentance.
sermon
Joseph Smith on love (source not named on air)
the great principle of Christianity is love.
Gerrit's closing point: love is the best preparation for meeting the Savior.
Episode quiz
Pass to stamp your passportQuestion 1 of 8Score 0
According to Gerrit, how far is it from the ticket counter to the B terminal at Salt Lake's new airport?
Fun with Numbers
This episode, counted from its transcript1:05:39long
24.3 minbefore the topic starts
20sources read or named
9scripture passages
9different years mentioned
1dollar amounts said
From 1800 to 1988
Every year mentioned in the episode. Tap one to jump to it.
Money said on air
Putting numbers to words
All 9,700 words of the automatic transcript, counted against a word list for each theme. It shows how much a theme comes up, not what was said about it. See the lists
What this episode talks about more than usual
- Sports and food16 mentions, 5.3 times the show’s usual rate
- Prophets and priesthood30 mentions, 1.8 times the show’s usual rate
- Missionary work16 mentions, 1.3 times the show’s usual rate
Names said most
Joseph counts any Joseph.
Jesus Christ 10Russell M. Nelson 8Wilford Woodruff 7Nephi 3Joseph 2
Signature words
Said often here and in few other episodes.
Sperry 5calamities 5judgments 6terminal 4rulers 4conditions 4
More from this episode
Claim checkThings people say, and what the episode shows.
Claim check
What critics say, and what the episode foundOnly a select few who have found the right hidden vision or quote really know how close the Second Coming is.
America has never been more divided or wicked, so now must be the moment God withdraws his favor.
Take it to classReady to use in a lesson or a talk.
Take it to class
Ready to copy into a lesson or a textProphets have warned of last-days judgments for well over a century, from Wilford Woodruff in 1879 and 1894 to today, but the preparation they teach is the same: live the gospel, honor your covenants, and go to the temple.
A secondhand memory written down decades later may be sincere, but it isn't where doctrine comes from; if President George Albert Smith meant it for the Church, he could have told the Church.
We don't know the day or hour of the Second Coming, and tomorrow isn't promised to any of us, so repent, forgive, and tell the people you love that you love them today.
Joseph Smith taught that the great principle of Christianity is love, and showing love to others is one of the best ways to be ready to see the Savior.
Banter binThe funniest moments in this episode.
Banter bin
The running jokes, for people who skip aheadWax on, wax offRichard promises Gerrit will wax eloquent, poetic, or both; Gerrit says he should just go wax the car (1:35).
The mile-long airportSalt Lake's new airport needs a packed lunch and a Frontier Sherpa, which you have to pay for, like your Sprite (2:58, 3:36).
Paul Revere at arrivalsGerrit peeks through the glass and runs to announce that the missionaries are coming (4:02, 5:05).
Missions are expensive$103,000 in food and clothes since the son came home, or gambling debts from the podcast's prop bets (5:33).
The labor-email familyThe listener who emailed from labor, her sister's threatened gender reveal, and their brother Scotty in Gerrit's class (7:49, 8:23).
Richard's PhD, any day nowMike says we're closer than ever to the Second Coming and to Richard's PhD; Richard says he'd have the millennium to finish (15:18, 16:45).
They're all about polygamyEvery email is about polygamy, and Gerrit predicts the clickbait title will mention it even though they didn't (13:21, 1:04:17).
The crack research staffAsked to find Alvin and the Chipmunks' Berlin Wall song and a President Nelson quote, it also corrects Richard on the Gummi Bears (20:08, 41:54, 42:50).
Idaho TV receptionNo Disney Channel in Southeast Idaho, ABC from Pocatello, antennas fixed with hangers, and standing in just the right spot (20:55, 21:45).
The upsell reportChad reports that Gerrit helped a sister find the podcast without once mentioning premium or the tours, so the filthy lucre may dip (18:44).
The Phebe Draper Palmer Brown MailbagSend Gerrit and Richard your question.
The Phebe Draper Palmer Brown Mailbag
Your question could be next week’s episodeQuestions from Litners drive a lot of episodes. Send yours. If it makes the show, Richard reads it on air.
Go deeperWhere to read more.
Go deeper
Deep dives the episode points towardRead Part 1 of this two-parter for the full George Albert Smith reminiscence, then compare it with the conference talk he actually gave (24:18).
Wilford Woodruff's 1894 address in the Young Women's Journal, start to finish, and why he tied protection to honoring the priesthood (49:39).
President Nelson's teachings on the temple and on needing the Holy Ghost to survive spiritually, the preparation Gerrit says the living prophet is actually asking for (41:54).
Why decoding schemes like Ezra's eagle keep landing on the decoder's own time, and how that compares with Brother Horne reading 1988 into a 1940s conversation (27:29).
SOT Litner · S4E37.