No one knows the day and hour of second coming, except the Lord (7)

. In the past I heard some people say that only the Father knows it. However, Christ does know it; he is neither "man" nor "angel"; he is also a member of the Godhead

Holy men on earth (8)

• John, the Beloved; the 3 Nephite-Lamanite Disciples
• Perhaps Alma the younger and Nephi, the great-grandson of Alma
• Who knows who else, or how many of these holy brethren there are out in the world? After all, remember: "... ye know not of."
Why is this important? because it shows that these our good brethren are working mighty miracles around the world in preparation to the establishment of the kingdom of God, and in preparation for the second coming of Christ. They can prepare investigators pre-ordained to leadership positions, open doors of nations, etc. In our ministry we can ask the Lord to send his angels ahead of us to help us in doing those things that are beyond our power (See 3 Nephi 28:30-32; Moroni 7:31-32; D&C 7:6)

Several instructions:

• Marriage is ordained of God, and not some "necessary evil"; celibacy is not ordained of God and it is not a "purer" form of life (15-17)
• Abstinence of meats is not ordained of God (18-19)
• Waste of resources is not of God (21)
• Christ will not return in some altered form (22)
• Specific signs will precede his second coming (23)

D&C 49:20 (will be discussed in connection with section 70:14)

Information regarding false spirits and false doctrines (6-9)

. Don't worry: those who have been deceived will be reclaimed
. The hypocrites (i.e. those who deceived on purpose) will be cut off
. "Cut off"? From where?  Check John 15:1-6 - cut off from the vine, or from the source of light and life

We were not ordained to preach the gospel in whatever way we want, but to preach it by the Spirit, and by no other way (13-14, 17-25)

. Not by intellectual means: e.g. philosophical or logical argumentation
. Nor physical means: e.g. statistical, archaeological, architectural proofs
. Nor by subliminal means: e.g. mass-marketing schemes, "unenlightening reductionism"
. Unenlightening Reductionism: the presentation of the message in simplistic terms and forms based on the false assumption that people are too ignorant to understand the gospel--which argument is false for the simple reason that everyone once (in the pre-mortal world) knew the whole gospel; because of the veil that they don't remember it, but through the spirit they can once again have faint recollections of what they knew in the past

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

"There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge ...

"The Spirit of Revelation is in connection with these blessings. A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon … and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus."   (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 149,151)
 

Keys to discern spiritual manifestations:

"That which does not edify is not of God, and is darkness" (23)
Under correct circumstances, light grows brighter until perfection (24)

What does it mean to be "servants" in the kingdom of God? (26-30)

The least of all, yet possessors of all things; all things subject to them: life, light, spirit, and power
But to possess all things they need to be purified and cleansed from all sin
How can one be purified and cleansed?

How to cast evil spirits out (31-33)

Not with railing accusation, boasting, nor rejoicing (D&C 121:41-42)

Do not fear: trust the Lord and His power and be obedient, and the blessings will come (40-46)
 

Questions for Review

1. At the time of his second coming, will the Lord Jesus Christ appear in a different corporeal form--perhaps looking like an ordinary person traveling around the world? (49:22)