Hope of Israel

Newlyweds

The New Jerusalem requires a certain kind of love: a celestial love.

The kind of love a bride feels for her groom on their wedding day.  

          The marriage
          of the Lamb
          is come

          and his wife
          hath made herself
          ready.  

(Rev. 19:7)

Christ cannot return until His bride kneels at the altar in her beautiful garment, "arrayed in fine linen, clean and white," her heart filled with this perfect love for her Husband.

Oh, Danny Boy

Since the days of Joseph Smith, each generation of believers has hoped to see the return of the Bridegroom.  

I used to believe He had not returned because the wicked were not yet ripe enough; but now I suspect the real reason is because the righteous are not ready.

Oh, how I hope we live to see the glory of that celestial city spill forth from the earth like glittering jewels as she is crowned from above!

But if we are not spared to witness such a sight, then I can imagine the Savior leaning down to awaken us on that beautiful morn:

          And I shall hear,
          though soft You tread
          above me,
          And all my grave
          will warmer, sweeter
          be: for You will bend
          and tell me 
          that You love me.
          And I shall sleep
          in peace
          until You come
          to me.         

Can you think of a more perfect moment than when the groom lifts the bride's veil from her face and stares into the eyes of his beloved?