Accelerate preparations, start immediately.

In April 2004 General Conference, Dallin H. Oaks taught that the “signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity.” and “the accelerating pattern of natural disasters in the last few decades is ominous.”

He said that we should “accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us.”

He tells us, “If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them.”

He admonishes, “We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming.”

Note that while both are important, he says that, “the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.”

We Must Recommit

"This month, we commemorate the historic trek of the Mormon pioneers who, 130 years ago, left the beautiful city of Nauvoo, Illinois, and their comfortable homes to escape their persecutors and march 2300 kms. across a hostile wilderness in order to worship their God according to the dictates of their own conscience. In July of 1847, they reached the Great Salt Lake Valley and founded the city which is now the headquarters of Christ's church on earth.

"It is not enough merely to observe these various anniversaries, but we must recommit and rededicate ourselves to uphold the convictions and the principles upon which the blessings we enjoy are predicated. We, too, must be prepared to sacrifice, where necessary, to keep our freedoms inviolate. My father used to say: 'The true way to honor the past is to improve upon it.'

"Therefore, we should love God more. We should serve our fellowmen better. We should keep all the commandments. We should be better prepared as parents to teach our children to pray and to walk uprightly before the Lord, and to assume their responsibilities.

"We should be constantly striving for improvement of ourselves and our surroundings."

N. Eldon Tanner, "Pioneers Are Still Needed," Tambuli, July 1977, 1

More Than Simply "Going"

"The issue is not going to church; rather, the issue is worshipping and renewing covenants as we attend church. The issue is not going to or through the temple; rather, the issue is having in our hearts the spirit, the covenants, and the ordinances of the Lord's house. The issue is not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength."

-- David A. Bednar, "Becoming a Missionary," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 45