We are a privileged people.  We are living in the future that every prophet of the past looked forward to.  Ancient prophets saw our day and longed to be here.  We have comforts that no king of the past ever had.  We have undreamed-of technology that is far more magical than anything that Pharaoh's magicians were able to conjure up.  Nebuchadnezzar's wise men knew nothing in comparison to what you know.

We are living in the future.  It is a day of exploding knowledge, breathtaking technology, extreme commotion, and rampant wickedness.  It is also a day of great opportunity, unbounded revelation, and a time to be up and doing.

Prophets from the beginning prophesied of the Lord's Second Coming.  That is THE great day that all ages have looked forward to.  We're the ones who are privileged to make the preparations.  We're the ones who will see it.  We are the ones who must endure the trials, troubles, and scourges that precede it.

Should we be afraid?  Should we shrink from the task?  Are we capable of doing what needs to be done?  And what is it that we're supposed to do?  Can we be safe?  Are we going to be safe?

No, we should not be afraid.  No, we won't shrink from the task.  Yes, we're capable of doing what needs to be done, and we will do it.  We will endure, and we and our loved ones will be safe.  The prophet Nephi spoke of our day and assured us seven times in seven consecutive verses that we would be safe.  (See 1 Nephi 22:16-22).

The prophets saw our day, and have repeatedly told us that we were reserved to come forth at this time.  There are divine reasons why we were not born 4,000 years ago in father Abraham's day, or 2,700 years ago in the prophet Isaiah's day, or even 200 years ago in Joseph Smith's day.  Now is the day of our assigned work, and you and I are the ones chosen to do it.

To accomplish what needs to be done, the Lord needed someone who had a strong premortal testimony.  He chose you.  The Lord needed someone who was stubborn, and who had the tenacity to hold on and endure through persecution, mockery, and trials.  He chose you.  The Lord needed someone who would be a self starter, and who would do things without being told.  He chose you.

You perhaps don't think that you're that person, but you are.  You're capable of becoming everything the Lord expects you to be.  He saved you for the last because He knows you and your outstanding qualities.