It is said, "That which has been is that which shall be," or that "history repeats itself."

It occurs to me that two of the world's most momentous and significant events are going to be repeated, and we'd better be ready for them.

The first was what is known as the Passover.  On that occasion the children of Israel were warned that the culminating plague of the 10 that afflicted Egypt would be the deaths of all those who were the first born in every family.  They were told that the destroying angel would pass over any household where the blood of an unblemished, firstborn lamb was sprinkled on the door posts.  Every household in Egypt experienced one of more deaths, except among the Israelite slaves.  The destroying angel passed over every house where the obedient and believing were taking shelter.

The destroying angel is coming back again.  This time all the wicked will be destroyed.  I wondered what sign will the righteous exhibit at that time to signify that they are worthy of being passed over?

The answer is in Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21, the section that is known as the "Word of Wisdom."

"And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

"And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

"And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

"And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.  Amen."  (D&C 89:18-21).

How interesting it is that observance of the Word of Wisdom, and the keeping of the Lord's commandments, is the sign that has been chosen to effect this coming pass over.  It is appropriate because the Word of Wisdom is an obvious separator of the character of people.  Generally speaking, those who have allowed themselves to become addicts to harmful things and substances have little respect for themselves, others, their own bodies, or spiritual things.  They are often immoral as well.  Those who are "walking in obedience to the commandments" will be passed over and be safe.

The second momentous event that is going to be repeated is the cataclysmic storm experienced by the Nephites.  Nephi was permitted to see that storm in vision and to see its effects upon his descendants 600 years before it happened.  (1 Nephi 12:4-5).  He warned that it would happen a second time:

"Behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles--yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also the Jews ... will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations.

"And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake, and with a great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire."  (2 Nephi 27:1-2).

(This second cataclysmic event is also prophesied in D&C 88:87-91.  See also Isaiah 13:6-13, Joel 2:28-32, 3:15-16, Moses 7:60-61, D&C 43:17-25, Zephaniah 1:14-18, D&C 87:4-7).

These two momentous events are to precede and accompany the Lord's Second Coming which will trigger a third repeated event of monumental proportions.  That third event will be a great resurrection of all the righteous dead who were not already resurrected following the resurrection of our Redeemer.

Following Christ's resurrection Matthew recorded that "the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."  (Matthew 27:52-53).

(That must have been hugely upsetting to the Pharisees and Jewish rulers who had Christ crucified).

The Book of Mormon likewise testifies of the resurrection which took place following that of Jesus.  It was such an important happening that Jesus made a special point of asking His Nephite disciples, "How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?"  (3 Nephi 23:11).

That first resurrection is a recorded fact in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

When the Savior comes again "the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.

"And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves will be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven--

"They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him ... "  (D&C 88:96-98).

Which side of the veil will I be on?  My grandchildren will surely be among those "that are upon the earth, who are alive."  I may very well be, also.  Either that, or my body will have only a very short time to lie in the grave.

My grandchildren are going to be eyewitnesses of, and experience, the great storm; and be grateful survivors of the second great passover.

I, myself, will also be a witness, but it remains to be seen on which side of the veil I'll be standing.