Personal Preparation to Meet the Savior

Elder Dale G. Renlund’s messages always seem to hit home for me and this last General Conference was no exception. Preparation for the Second Coming seemed to be an underlying theme throughout this conference and the parable of the ten virgins was shared and expounded on multiple times. Elder Renlund also spoke about the Second Coming and the importance of preparation – but also why we don’t need to fear it.

He opened with a story about a young girl who was anxious about the Second Coming. This easily could have been me. I feel like I have shared this a lot in recent years, but I was terrified of the Second Coming as a child and youth. I remember vividly one night praying that it would not happen and feeling so guilty for having those feelings. I was scared and could only focus on the negatives that I was taught about this event.

I am so grateful for a shift that has happened as I have gotten older and my understanding has deepened. Do I still worry about what is to come – definitely – but I also know that it will be better than we can imagine. I am not perfect or quite all the way “confident” (as President Nelson taught), but my mind has moved more on this idea of being spiritually prepared to meet my Savior rather than on the other events that are out of my control.

I loved this footnote that Elder Renlund had, “We need not feel anxious, because Jesus Christ will transform us so that we are ready to meet Him. As we consistently honor our covenants and keep the commandments, we gradually become, through His grace and blessings, more and more like the Savior. And as we do, we will be prepared for His Second Coming.”

Elder Renlund shared the three parables found in Matthew 25 and how they help us to meet Him. I appreciated his insight and the personal application he encouraged. The one that really struck me was with the parable of the talents. I don’t know if I ever really applied this parable to preparation for the Second Coming, but the story he shared really struck something within me.

“The 18th-century Hasidic scholar Zusya of Anipol…was a renowned teacher who began to fear as he approached death. His disciples asked, “Master, why do you tremble? You’ve lived a good life; surely God will grant you a great reward.”

“Zusya said: “If God says to me, ‘Zusya, why were you not another Moses?’ I will say, ‘Because you didn’t give me the greatness of soul that you gave Moses.’ And if I stand before God and He says, ‘Zusya, why were you not another Solomon?’ I will say, ‘Because you didn’t give me the wisdom of Solomon.’ But, alas, what will I say if I stand before my Maker and He says, ‘Zusya, why were you not Zusya? Why were you not the man I gave you the capacity to be?’ Ah, that is why I tremble.”

I have had nearly identical feelings and concerns as Zusya. But instead of feeling worry I want to focus more on what strengths and gifts the Lord has given me and magnify those more to help those around me.

Prompting

I want to be optimistic about the Savior’s Coming! I need to prepare myself by trusting in Him and using my God-given gifts to lift those around me.

Invitation

Follow Jesus Christ and trust the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend.

My Favorite Takeaways

“[Jesus Christ’s teachings in Matthew 25] are crucial because personal preparation to meet Him is central to life’s purpose.

If we are wise, we receive the truth by accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ through priesthood ordinances and covenants. Next, we strive to remain worthy of having the Holy Ghost always with us. This capability must be acquired individually and personally, drop by drop. Consistent, personal, private acts of devotion invite the Holy Ghost to guide us.

We should neither believe those who falsely claim divine sanction not venture into metaphorical deserts or secret chambers to be taught by counterfeits.

Disciples always promote believing in God, serving Him, and doing good. We will not be deceived when we seek and take counsel from trusted individuals who are themselves faithful disciples of the Savior.

We can also avoid deception by worshipping regularly in the temple. This helps us maintain an eternal perspective and protects us from influences that might distract or divert us from the covenant path.

The essential lesson of this parable of the ten virgins is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us, and avoid deception...We have to do this for ourselves.

God expects us to magnify the ability we have been given, but He does not want us to compare our abilities to those of others.

God will be disappointed if we do not rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given abilities we have received. With His loving assistance, He expects us to become the best version of ourselves.

When we serve others, we serve God; when we don’t we disappoint. He expects us to use our gifts, talents, and abilities to bless the lives of Heavenly Father’s children.

We are to use the gifts we have been given – time, talents, and blessings – to serve Heavenly Father’s children, especially the most vulnerable and needy.

My invitation…is to follow Jesus Christ and to trust the Holy Ghost as you would a cherished friend. Rely on those who love you and who love the Savior. Seek God’s guidance to develop your unique abilities, and help others, even when it isn’t easy. You will be ready to meet the Savior…In doing so, you help the world prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and you will be blessed with sufficient hope to enter the rest and joy of the Lord, now and in the future.”

FULL text and video of Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message can be found HERE.

Other messages from the April 2025 General Conference that I foundn particularly impactful: