While in Brazil with Elder Quentin L. Cook, President Russell M. Nelson stated:

“I want our members to know that the restoration is a continuing process, we have a lot to do before the Lord will come again. He wants Israel to be gathered and the world to be made ready for the second coming of the Lord. So all I know is, that there’s a lot of work to be done, and we’re going to do it.“

Such positive, faith-promoting and second coming centric statements have come to typify President Russell M. Nelson, however, I believe there is more to what he said than we might think. In the above statement, he defines the gathering of Israel as a part of the continuing process of the restoration and says that it must be accomplished in order that the world may “be made ready for the second coming of the Lord”.

I’m going to say that the above statement gives us a very interesting and intriguing insight into President Nelson’s perspective where the Lord’s coming is concerned. I say this because if the gathering of Israel is to precede the second coming, we might also conclude that the appearance of which President Nelson is speaking is something other than the Lord’s appearance at Adam Ondi Ahman and if that be the case, we might also be justified in concluding that the return to Jackson County and the great assembly to unfold at Adam Ondi Ahman will also be a part of “the continuing process of the restoration” as well.

Let’s take a moment to examine what the Lord told the Nephites about the gathering. We go to 3 Nephi 21 and read:  

25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.

26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.

27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.

28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. 

29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.

So we shall reach a point, leading up to the gathering of Israel when, as the Lord says, “And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.” Does this sound like Adam Ondi Ahman to anyone besides me? In April conference of 2018 President Nelson said:

“Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.”

Whatever President Nelson is referring to here, it’s quite obvious that it occurs “between now and when He comes again” and is, therefore, a part of the “continuing process” of the restoration from his perspective. However, we note that this event has something to do with “Jesus Christ, preside(ing) over this Church in majesty and glory.” And haven’t we been taught that Christ will come to the Ancient of Days at Adam Ondi Ahman to receive or reclaim the presiding keys from father Adam?

What we further learn from the above scriptural passage is that after “the power of heaven” shall “come down among” us and Christ shall be “in the midst” of His saints, the great gathering shall commence. we read:

“Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem. Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.”

And because Christ shall be “in the midst”, Israel “shall go out from all nations” and “as many of the house of Israel as shall come” will help “build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.” (see verse 23)

If what has been said is accurate, then we might be correct in concluding that President Nelson views the events of the second coming from what I shall call the McConkie model, which was that Adam Ondi Ahman was not the second coming but a prelude thereto.

It is hoped that you have found this blog to be thought-provoking and enlightening. As always, you are invited to download the free pdf version of The Bridegroom Cometh. Just click on the image of the book below… May God bless us and prepare our hearts and minds for what lies ahead! 

For those of you who are interested, I’ve created The Bridegroom Cometh Facebook group where you can come to interact with myself and others. Hope to see you there!