Enlarge The Place of Thy

Tent

Isaiah 54-56, 63-65

Objective:

• To encourage class members to strengthen the stakes of

Zion and prepare for the Second Coming and the

Millennium.

Isaiah 54:2-3

• Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth

the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy

cords, and strengthen thy stakes

• For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the

left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the

desolate cities to be inhabited.

• President Ezra Taft Benson said:

• “The term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind

a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are

firmly secured in the ground.

• “The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent

encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords

fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various

geographical organizations spread out over the earth.

Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of

Zion” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2).

D&C 101:20-23

• 20 And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I

have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than

that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints--

• 21 Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and

then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be

called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.

• 22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship

me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and

stand in holy places;

• 23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the

covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be

taken off, and all flesh shall see me together;

Isaiah 54:2-3

• Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth

the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy

cords, and strengthen thy stakes

• For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the

left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the

desolate cities to be inhabited.

What can we do to enlarge our

tents and strengthen our stakes?

• Increase personal testimonies

• Active within the neighborhoods.

• Open your mouth!

• Help new members feel they belong.

• Ward and Family Mission Plan.

• Bring back those who have left.

• Accept callings from the brethren, magify those callings.

• Home and Visiting Teaching.

• Attend the Temple.

The Gathering of Israel - Isaiah 54:4-10

• 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to

shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy

widowhood any more.

• 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of

Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

• 6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when

thou wast refused, saith thy God.

• 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

• 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have

mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

• 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no

more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

• 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from

thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

How will this help us to prepare for

the Second Coming and Millennium?

• Increased testimonies - increased committment.

• Peace amidst turbulation and trials.

• Faithful attendance and testimonies will keep us from

falling astray.

The Second

Coming of Christ

Looking toward the Second

Coming of Christ... Isaiah 64: 1-4

• 1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come

down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

• 2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to

boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations

may tremble at thy presence!

• 3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou

camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

• 4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor

perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside

thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

The Millenniel

Reign of Christ

Isaiah 65

• The Lord will create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17).

• There will be great joy and no more weeping for the Lord’s people

(Isaiah 65:18–19).

• People will not die young; they will live to be 100 years old (Isaiah

65:20).

• People will enjoy the fruits of their own labors (Isaiah 65:21–23).

• Prayers will be answered immediately (Isaiah 65:24).

• There will be no enmity among beasts (Isaiah 65:25).

Now about those stakes...