This document discusses strengthening the Church by enlarging missionary and membership efforts. It begins by explaining the metaphor of strengthening the stakes of Zion used by prophets to refer to building up local congregations worldwide. Members are encouraged to strengthen their own testimonies and participate in missionary work. The gathering of Israel is described as bringing comfort amid trials. Looking to the Second Coming, members are told to wait faithfully. The Millennium is described as a time of joy without death or enmity when God will answer prayers immediately. Overall, the document encourages members to build up their local congregations in preparation for Christ's return.

1. Enlarge The Place of Thy
Tent
Isaiah 54-56, 63-65

2. Objective:
• To encourage class members to strengthen the stakes of
Zion and prepare for the Second Coming and the
Millennium.

3. 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.

5. • 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).

6. 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;

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. The Second
Coming of Christ

12. 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.

13. The Millenniel
Reign of Christ

14. 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).

15. Now about those stakes...