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 Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Eighteen

God’s List of the Most Important Events in the Last Two Thousand Years

Nephi’s vision.

Note to readers. On July 4, 2026 we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes this was an significant event in a series of important events, orchestrated by God, which lead to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. This was necessary to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. As part of that celebration I will, from time to time, write about the doctrines, principles, and personalities involved in the founding of our nation

Our Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are omniscient because they know all things. They are also omnipotent and have all power to do as They know best. Nephi understood this when he wrote: “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen” (1 Nephi 9:6).

God, knowing all things, has told us what are the most important events in the last 2,000 years of the world’s history. In a remarkable vision, recorded in 1 Nephi 11-14, given almost 600 years before the Savior was born, Nephi saw these things. If they are important to God they should be most important to us.

  1. The mortal birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and atonement of Jesus Christ (see 11:13-33). These are the most important events in time and all eternity. Bruce R. McConkie wrote of the atonement of Jesus Christ: “It is the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things” (Mormon Doctrine, Atonement of Christ).

  2. The resurrected Christ ministered to the Nephites with great power. (See 12:6-12; see also 3 Nephi 11-28) Nevertheless, the Nephites fell into apostacy and were destroyed, and the Lamanites became a degenerate people. (See 12:14-23)

  3. After the death of the apostles the great apostacy came, and the whole earth fell into ignorance and illiteracy. The dark ages resulted lasting a 1,000 years. (See 13: 1 – 9)

  4. Columbus and his voyage was inspired by God. This was important because it brought the old world and the new world into permanent contact. (See 13:12) During most of our national history Columbus and the Founders were considered heroes with determination and foresight. Cities, rivers, and many other places were named after them. More recently there has been a wide spread effort, designed especially to indoctrinate young people, which slanders Columbus, the Founders, and their accomplishments. Columbus is held personally responsible for centuries of mistreatment of Native Americans. The Founders are portrayed as being greedy and selfish. While not perfect Columbus and the Founders were inspired by God.

  5. Multitudes of immigrants came to the United States. These immigrants “humbled themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them” (13:16, emphasis added). The United States is a nation of immigrants, a melting pot. We have assimilated more immigrants than any other nation in the history of the world, and these immigrants have come from every nation. Most immigrants, like the Pilgrims, come to this country for freedom and opportunity. Much of our national strength has come from successfully integrating immigrants into society. A majority of Americans are just a few generations from immigrant ancestors. There has never been a nation that compares in this demographic. Immigration must be controlled and lawful, but wise immigration policies are consistent with the purposes of the Lord and will continue to bless the United States.

  6. Nephi saw the Revolutionary War (see 13:18), and he “beheld that the [Colonists] “were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations” (13:19, emphasis added). The Founders believed the power of God was the reason for their success.

  7. Nephi learned that many plain and precious teachings, and many covenants of the Lord had been removed from the Bible. This caused many to stumble and it gave Satan great power. (See 13:20-29)

  8. The Lord will bring forth the Book of Mormon and other scripture by which He will restore that which was lost from the Bible. (See 13:32-42).

  9. The ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days is “a great and a marvelous work” (14:7). The acceptance of the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the sieve that separates those who will inherit eternal life from those who will not. Many people today love and believe in Jesus Christ. For this they will receive a lesser reward. But the ongoing restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ introduces living prophets, the restoration of priesthood authority, the Book of Mormon, temples, and all that is done and taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Only those who accept these truths and live accordingly will inherit the greatest of all blessings, exaltation in the Celestial kingdom.

  10. In the latter days “there are save two churches only” – There are two great forces in the world; one entices people to the restored Church of Jesus Christ, and the other entices people to the world. Worldly influences determine the behavior of many people throughout the earth. “The saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominion…were small” in comparison to the world, And the devil and his followers did “fight against the Lamb of God” and the people of His Church. (14:10-13).

  11. Temples are now found throughout the earth, and those who worship there are armed with the power of God. The last thing Nephi sees in his vision, that he is permitted to write about, is that temple covenant people will be found “upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and the power of God in great glory” (14:14). The era of temple building has commenced, and thousands of temples will be built worldwide. I know that those who worship and serve in the temple are armed with the power of God.

  12. Prophecy concerning war. “And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth” (14:15-16). Clearly this prophecy is being fulfilled in our day.

  13. The work of the Lord is accelerating. When war is poured out on the earth “at that day the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel” (14:17). Not only temple worship is increasing but so is missionary work. “The Church reported historic increase in convert baptisms for 2025” (Church News Headline, May 16,2026). This Church News article reported “385,490 convert baptisms for the year 2025, a historic number increasing total membership to 17,887,212.”

Testimony. Nephi was not permitted to write more about the end of the world and the Second Coming. (see 14:18-30). Before the Second Coming there will be wars and rumors of wars; famines, depressions, and economic turmoil; apostate darkness; sorrow and fear. In this case the parable of the Ten Virgins has application. For those who are prepared the end of the world and the Second Coming will be a great day. For those who are unprepared it will be a dreadful day.

I testify that the best way to insure that we will be prepared is to stay in the main stream of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and follow the council of modern apostles and prophets in every detail.

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Released on May 17th. 2026.