D&C 133:25-53

133:26-45 - This next section is quite poetic and descriptive but to me that just means confusing. There is an exceptionally lengthy discourse by the IM about this part of the section, I don’t understand it at all. The IM begins by quoting Elder Bruce R. McConkie explaining “When Shalmanezer overran the Kingdom of Israel (about 721 B.C.), he carried the Ten Tribes comprising the kingdom captive into Assyria. From thence they were led into the lands of the north and have been called the Lost Tribes because they are lost to the knowledge of other people. ‘We have no knowledge of the location or condition of that part of the Ten Tribes who went into the north country.’” I have heard many theories on what “north countries” means. My mom was adamant that these lost ten tribes were taken off of the earth in space ships and that that’s how they will return. In fact when the movie Independence Day was released back in like 1997 or something she believed that it was inspired by the devil so that when the lost ten tribes return by space ship and request to be taken to Salt Lake City everyone will hate the Mormons. I’m not convinced that that is the truth, but if it is, then I will stand corrected. I’ve also heard that the lost ten tribes are the people of northern Asia and Europe, countries like Mongolia and Russia. I’ve “heard” that as missionaries preach the gospel in those areas and the converted members are receiving their patriarchal blessings they are being pronounced to be from the tribes of Gad and Asher, etc. This is the theory that I subscribe to more than the first, but who knows. The IM seems to be suggesting that they were taken somewhere that might still be on earth, but is removed from the population as we know it? I don’t know, I’m probably reading it wrong, but it seems super complex and I don’t understand it.

133:46-53 - The IM asks “Why will the Lord wear red clothing at the Second Coming?” And answers saying, “In ancient times in some parts of the world, people used to squeeze the juice out of grapes by placing the grapes in a wine vat and then stomping on them. Naturally, the clothes of those persons who ‘treadeth in the wine-vat’ were soon stained with the grape juice and became the same color. When the Savior appears in the last days, his garments will be red ‘like him that treadeth in the wine-vat,’ and ‘his voice shall be heard: I have trodden in the wine-press along.’ Wine in Doctrine and Covenants 133:48-51, as in the sacrament, suggests blood, both Christ’s blood when He worked out the Atonement alone, and the blood of vengeance on the wicked at the Second Coming. President Joseph Fielding Smith said that ‘Isaiah has pictured this great day when the Lord shall come with his garments, or apparel, red and glorious, to take vengeance on the ungodly. This will be a day of mourning to the wicked, but a day of gladness to all who have kept his commandments. Do not let anyone thing that this is merely figurative language, it is literal, and as surely as we live that day of wrath will come when the cup of iniquity is full. We have received a great many warnings. The great day of the Millennium will come in; the wicked will be consumed and peace and righteousness will dwell upon all the face of the earth for one thousand years.” The IM continues, “When the Lord comes the second time, He will come in the fullness of His glory. The scriptures explain the effect of the fullness of God’s glory on the earth and its inhabitants when the Lord returns:

1. Mountains will flow down at His presence.
2. The waters on the earth will boil.
3. All nations will tremble at His presence.
4. The sun will hide, the moon will withhold its light, and the stars will be hurled from their places.
5. The wicked will be burned by the brightness or fire of the glory of the Lord.”