Come, Follow Me Insights

"We have waited for Him, and He will save us" − +

by Ellie Hancock

“We have waited for Him, and He will save us.”¹ In our study of the Old Testament this year, we have learned about how the ancient Israelites eagerly anticipated the coming of the Messiah. This Christmas we can enthusiastically express our adoration for the birth and life of our Savior, that He performed the Atonement and has granted us our salvation.

But in addition to remembering Christ’s sacrifice during this Christmas season, as we reflect on the ongoing turmoil in the world, we also can echo the words, “We are waiting for Him, and He will save us.” Wilford Woodruff felt the heaviness of the world in 1887. One night after stewing over some discouraging news, he prayed that the Lord would give him some of His light. He went to bed filled with “prayer and meditation” and then awoke around midnight to receive a vision, known as the “Wilderness Revelation.”² 

In this vision Wilford was comforted by the words of the Lord. While this vision contains many wondrous promises for covenant-keeping individuals as well as prophetic warnings about ensuing events, one message that Wilford received was to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord. “The signs of Both Heaven and Earth indicate his coming as promised by the Mouth of my [disciples]. The fig trees are leaving and the hour is nigh. Therefore prepare yourselves O ye Saints of the Most High God with Oil in your Lamps, for Blessed is he that watcheth for the coming of the Son of man.”³ As we celebrate Christmas and reflect on the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can also use it as a time to find peace in preparing for His Second Coming to the earth. Someday, we will be able to sing with hearts overfilled with gratitude, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!”⁴

— Ellie Hancock, Historian

Ellie Hancock, Historian for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project, graduated with a BA in history from BYU in April 2022. Ellie loves being able to learn from the life, teachings, and  testimony of Wilford Woodruff and is grateful to be a part of a project that gives new insight into the Restoration of the gospel.